Information Systems Technician (U.S. Navy)
Encyclopedia
Information System Technician (IT) is a rating for United States Navy
and United States Coast Guard
enlisted personnel, specializing in communications technology.
Information Systems Technician is a U.S. Navy and Coast Guard specific job, also known as an enlisted rating
(often called MOS
by other armed services). The other U.S. Armed Forces have similar positions, but with different titles utilized (information technology specialist
in the U.S. Army, data network specialist in the U.S. Marine Corps, etc.)
Information Systems Technicians design, install, operate, and maintain state-of-the-art informations systems. This technology includes local
and wide area network
s, mainframe
, mini
and microcomputer
systems and associated peripheral devices. They also write programs to handle the collection, manipulation and distribution of data for a wide variety of applications and requirements. They perform the functions of a computer system analyst
, operate telecommunications systems including automated networks and the full spectrum of data links
and circuit
s.
The IT rating is one of the most diverse ratings in the US Navy. The IT rating evolved from a combination of two previous Navy ratings - Radioman
(RM) and Data Processing Technician (DP). A third rating, Cryptologic Technician Communications (CTO) merged with IT in October, 2005. In February 2010, the IT rating was incorporated into the Information Dominance Corps.
. Schooling is instructor led, using a computer based learning system. IT students share classes with members of all U.S. armed forces services, including Marine Radiomen and Army Computer Systems Operators.
The Coast Guard rating was renamed Telecommunications Specialist (TC) in 1995, which split in 2003 to make up the Information System Technician (IT) and Operation Systems Specialist (OS) ratings.
qualification for ITs, the IT rating is one of the few ratings that can qualify in all aspects of Naval Warfare, such as:
note: The subsurface IT program is still in the planning stages, currently FTs
and ETs
handle Subsurface IT work.
note: 98C (35N) Signal Intelligence Analyst (Linguist)
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
enlisted personnel, specializing in communications technology.
Information Systems Technician is a U.S. Navy and Coast Guard specific job, also known as an enlisted rating
Naval rating
A Naval Rating is an enlisted member of a country's Navy, subordinate to Warrant Officers and Officers hence not conferred by commission or warrant...
(often called MOS
Military Occupational Specialty
A United States military occupation code, or a Military Occupational Specialty code , is a nine character code used in the United States Army and United States Marines to identify a specific job. In the U.S. Air Force, a system of Air Force Specialty Codes is used...
by other armed services). The other U.S. Armed Forces have similar positions, but with different titles utilized (information technology specialist
Information technology specialist
Information Technology Specialist or lnformation Systems Operator-Analyst is a Military Occupational Specialty in the United States Army...
in the U.S. Army, data network specialist in the U.S. Marine Corps, etc.)
Information Systems Technicians design, install, operate, and maintain state-of-the-art informations systems. This technology includes local
Län
Län and lääni refer to the administrative divisions used in Sweden and previously in Finland. The provinces of Finland were abolished on January 1, 2010....
and wide area network
Wide area network
A wide area network is a telecommunication network that covers a broad area . Business and government entities utilize WANs to relay data among employees, clients, buyers, and suppliers from various geographical locations...
s, mainframe
Mainframe computer
Mainframes are powerful computers used primarily by corporate and governmental organizations for critical applications, bulk data processing such as census, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and financial transaction processing.The term originally referred to the...
, mini
Minicomputer
A minicomputer is a class of multi-user computers that lies in the middle range of the computing spectrum, in between the largest multi-user systems and the smallest single-user systems...
and microcomputer
Microcomputer
A microcomputer is a computer with a microprocessor as its central processing unit. They are physically small compared to mainframe and minicomputers...
systems and associated peripheral devices. They also write programs to handle the collection, manipulation and distribution of data for a wide variety of applications and requirements. They perform the functions of a computer system analyst
Systems analyst
A systems analyst researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business or other requirements. They will be familiar with multiple variety of programming languages, operating systems, and computer hardware platforms...
, operate telecommunications systems including automated networks and the full spectrum of data links
Parallel communications
In telecommunication and computer science, parallel communication is a method of sending several data signals simultaneously over several parallel channels...
and circuit
Electronic circuit
An electronic circuit is composed of individual electronic components, such as resistors, transistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes, connected by conductive wires or traces through which electric current can flow...
s.
The IT rating is one of the most diverse ratings in the US Navy. The IT rating evolved from a combination of two previous Navy ratings - Radioman
Radioman
Radioman was a rating for United States Navy and United States Coast Guard enlisted personnel, specializing in communications technology.-History of the rating:...
(RM) and Data Processing Technician (DP). A third rating, Cryptologic Technician Communications (CTO) merged with IT in October, 2005. In February 2010, the IT rating was incorporated into the Information Dominance Corps.
Schooling
IT candidates attend A school at Corry Station in Pensacola, FloridaPensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
. Schooling is instructor led, using a computer based learning system. IT students share classes with members of all U.S. armed forces services, including Marine Radiomen and Army Computer Systems Operators.
History of the IT rating
The Radioman (RM) and Data Processing Technician (DP) ratings were merged in November 1998, keeping the Radioman name. In November 1999 the rating was redesignated Information Systems Technician. Both Radiomen and Data Processing Technicians in the Navy had to undergo general rate training and take a computer-based exam in order to be designated under the new IT rating (the Data Processing Technicians found themselves bound to a serious learning curve because they had to learn every single aspect from the Radioman rating) whereas to the Radiomen, most of them already had a general knowledge in basic computer fundamentals and maintenance. In 1996 the Submarine force merged Radioman with Electronics Technicians/ Electronic Warfare Specialist.The Coast Guard rating was renamed Telecommunications Specialist (TC) in 1995, which split in 2003 to make up the Information System Technician (IT) and Operation Systems Specialist (OS) ratings.
Warfare Qualifications
While there is a community-specific Information Dominance Corps WarfareBadges of the United States Navy
Insignia and badges of the United States Navy are military "badges" issued by the United States Department of the Navy to naval service members who achieve certain qualifications and accomplishments while serving on both active and reserve duty in the United States Navy...
qualification for ITs, the IT rating is one of the few ratings that can qualify in all aspects of Naval Warfare, such as:
- AircrewAircrewAircrew are the personnel who operate an aircraft while in flight. The composition of the crew depends on the type of aircraft as well as the purpose of the flight.-Civilian:*Aviator** Pilot-in-command** First officer** Second officer** Third officer...
- responsible for the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the radios, computers, antennas, networking, and cryptographic equipment on TACAMOTACAMOTACAMO is a U.S. military term meaning "Take Charge and Move Out". TACAMO refers to a system of survivable communications links designed to be used in nuclear war to maintain communications between the decision makers and the triad of strategic nuclear weapon delivery systems...
and AWACS missions. - SeabeeSeabeeSeabees are members of the United States Navy construction battalions. The word Seabee is a proper noun that comes from the initials of Construction Battalion, of the United States Navy...
- Surface WarfareSurface warfareModern naval warfare is divided into three operational areas: surface warfare, air warfare and submarine warfare. Each area comprises specialized platforms and strategies used to exploit tactical advantages unique and inherent to that area....
- responsible for maintaining communication links, troubleshooting radio and computer equipment, satellite communications, cryptographic equipment, and is responsible for the administration of the shipboard LAN, WAN links, and servers/networking equipment. - Small Boat Warfare
- Fleet Marine ForceFleet Marine ForceThe United States Fleet Marine Forces are combined general and special purpose forces within the United States Department of the Navy that are designed in engaging offensive amphibious or expeditionary warfare and defensive maritime employment...
(FMF) - responsible for landing after the Marines have secured an area to set up Fleet Communications, networking, and cryptographic equipment to support Joint Communications within a battlefield environment. This includes configuring JWICS, Defense Message SystemDefense Message SystemThe Defense Message System or Defense Messaging System is a deployment of secure electronic mail and directory services in the United States Department of Defense...
, and AUTODIN communications in order for combatants to maintain command communications and control superiority. - SEALSealSeal commonly refers to:* Pinniped, a diverse group of semi-aquatic marine mammals many of which are commonly called seals* Seal , a device which helps prevent leakage, contain pressure, or exclude contamination where two systems join...
- SWCCSWCCSWCC can mean: -* Second World Climate Conference* Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen...
- SubsurfaceSubsurfaceSubsurface is the seventh studio album by British progressive metal band Threshold. The album was released in August 2004, and received an Album of the Month award in several European music magazines....
note: The subsurface IT program is still in the planning stages, currently FTs
Fire Control Technician
Fire Control Technician is a United States Navy occupational rating.Fire Control Technicians perform organizational and intermediate level maintenance on submarine combat control systems, equipment, and associated combat control systems test equipment; operate submarine combat control systems;...
and ETs
Electronics Technician
Electronics Technician is a common enlisted occupation in many Militaries. Common duties for ETs include repair, calibration, and basic maintenance of most electronic equipment.-US Navy:...
handle Subsurface IT work.
note: 98C (35N) Signal Intelligence Analyst (Linguist)