Chief Radio Electronics Technician

The CRET is directly responsible to the Ship’s Communication Officer (SCO) or to the ships' Master when assigned to Service Support Vessels (T-ARS, T-ATS or T-AFT). When assigned to Service Support Vessels, the Chief Radio Electronics Technician is responsible for the Communications Department and is designated as the Communications Security (COMSEC) Local Element (LE) Custodian.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Manage the execution of shipboard communications procedures to include but not limited to communications equipment operations, message handling procedures, security and safeguarding of material/information and physical COMSEC.

• Oversee the maintenance and utilization of the Communications Department's publication inventory of communications manuals and instructions, such as: Allied Communications Publications (ACPs); Navy Telecommunications Publications (NTPs); Naval Warfare Publications (NWPs); Fleet Telecommunications Publications (FTPs); SECNAV and OPNAV instructions; Communications Information Bulletins (CIBs); Communications Information Advisories (CIAs); and Current General Message Files (GMFs).

• Interpret Navy, Joint, Allied and Operational instructions in drafting/reviewing all forms of Operational and Administrative naval messages.

• Manage the setup, maintenance and troubleshooting of operational and tactical communication system/circuits.

• Supervises allocated watch standing personnel. Prepares and coordinates planned maintenance schedules as required by the SCO. Provides technical assistance and conducts necessary training. Maintains technical publications and files. Ensures compliance with COMSEC procedures and instructions related to crypto security, transmission security, and emissions security. Ensures compliance with safety procedures.

• Oversee the diagnosing of system and circuit outages and troubleshooting of system faults to isolate failures between hardware, system software and application programs to ensure restoral procedures are implemented.

• Interpretation of electronics technical manuals, drawings, specifications and schematic drawings as needed to support troubleshooting, upgrades and new installs.

• Oversee RF communication operations ensuring appropriate information transfer using tactical or commercial satellites on a global basis to include military or commercial satellites, Tactical LOS, HF, UHF, VHF and HF long-haul. Operations are routinely performed within a strike group with specific circuits and protocol that must be utilized. Ensure operations comply with COMSEC requirements on both transmission and receipt. Assigned systems include, but not limited to MDU/MOS, NAVMACS II, NGW, CBSP, NIPR/SIPRNET, ADNS and COMPOSE.

• Perform assigned organizational level troubleshooting, maintenance and minor repair of Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Systems (C4) ensuring a minimum of systems to be kept fully operational to support two or more secure Fleet Broadcast Satellite Communications (FLTBROADCAST) channels for classified traffic; CUDIXS which allows sending and receiving of message traffic; as well as tactical voice circuits to report or relay operational and administrative information. Receive Genser traffic and tactical information via GCCS-M (if installed).

• When attached to a unit without an assigned CRET (IAT) or RET1 (IAT), troubleshoot LAN outages and perform network system back-ups, scanning for computer viruses, and implementing security measures.

• Interacts with technical support personnel and peers to resolve technical hardware and software problems. Provides technical assistance to personnel involved in system programming and hardware selections. Performs customer service assistance and/or training in response to mission requirements.

• Advises the SCO on capabilities, limitations and condition of equipment. The incumbent may be required to work aloft and over side to ascertain equipment condition.

• Comply with the Electrical Safety Program and safety requirements and take appropriate precautions to ensure personal safety of co-workers.

• Comply with the shipboard Working Aloft policy and procedure. Whether working aloft or being utilized as the department’s safety observer, CRET will assist the SCO with the overall training requirements for all RET personnel. CRET will be required to attend the MSC Fall Prevention training for working aloft.

• If assigned, execute responsibilities as the department tag out/lock out coordinator.

• Comply with COMSEC policy and procedures for the handling and safeguarding of material and is skilled in operating radio cryptographic equipment.

• Perform duties as alternate COMSEC custodian and assume the duties as the Ship’s LE Custodian if/when required.

• Assist the Watch Supervisor in troubleshooting LAN outages and/or computer systems in lieu of not having a CRET (IAT)/RET1 (IAT) assigned to the command.

• Execute shipboard emergency drills, performing all duties as assigned.

• Supervises, trains and qualifies all RET personnel to include him/herself and IAT personnel when applicable.

• Ensure Physical and Information Security protocols governing access to communications spaces and classified/sensitive information are adhered to.

• Expert knowledge of shipboard communications procedures to include but not limited to communications equipment operations, message handling procedures, security and safeguarding of material/information and physical COMSEC.

• Knowledge of Allied Communications Publications (ACPs), Navy Telecommunications Publications (NTPs), Naval Warfare Publications (NWPs), Fleet Telecommunications Publications (FTPs), SECNAV and OPNAV instructions, Communications Information Bulletins (CIBs), Communications Information Advisories (CIAs), and Current General Message Files (GMFs). All other communications manuals and instructions not listed, retained inside the Communications Department's publication inventory.

• Advanced knowledge in the use of the Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum, communication system/circuit operations, and the capabilities and limitations of onboard equipment working within the RF Spectrum.

• Thorough knowledge associated with the operations of the underway Communications watch.

• Advanced ability in operating, monitoring, and maintaining information systems in support of worldwide telecommunications systems, to include, CUDIXS, MDU, MOS, FSM, NAVMACS II SYSTEMS, NGW, CBSP, NIPRNET/SIPRNET.

• Advanced proficiency in the proper use of a wide variety of diagnostic programs, electronic test equipment and tools.

• Skilled in diagnosing system faults to isolate failures between hardware, system software and application programs to determine appropriate corrective action.

• Advanced ability to perform assigned organizational level troubleshooting, maintenance and minor repair of Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Systems (C4). Systems to be kept fully operational include ship's capability to handle two or more secure Fleet Broadcast Satellite Communications (FLTBROADCAST) channels for classified traffic, CUDIXS to send and receive message traffic and tactical voice circuits to report or relay operational and administrative information.

• Possess knowledge of electronic theory and competent to perform MSC required equipment troubleshooting, and limited repair to shipboard communications systems.

• Fully proficient with operating radio cryptographic equipment.

• Knowledgeable of the Electrical Safety Program and safety requirements.

• Skilled in observing all safety rules.

• Knowledgeable in working aloft emergency procedures and duties as a safety observer.

• Knowledgeable of EEO laws, regulations and policies.

• Knowledgeable with application software applications which may be afforded Privileged User access to the network and must satisfy MSC's Privileged User requirements.

• Ensure continued application and compliance with EEO laws, regulations and policies; and communicate support of these policies to subordinates.

• May be required, by the SCO/SCO (IAM) to perform other duties outside of the positions assigned based on the operational nature of those duties.

• Performs other duties as assigned.