In Demand Navy Trades
A career in the Royal Canadian Navy has many advantages. Whether you are preparing to leave high school and are curious about what lies beyond the horizon, or you have been in the workforce and are looking for a new adventure, the Navy has a variety of sea trades and positions that will help you grow and give you marketable skills. Below are some of our most in demand trades. You can join the Regular Force which is full time work, or the Naval Reserves in a part-time capacity.
Non-Commissioned Members
Non-Commissioned Members (NCM) are the skilled workforce of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Employment begins with the development of technical and/or administrative skill sets that enable them to support daily business or complex military operations within Canada and internationally.
Marine Systems Mechanical Technician
Marine Systems Mechanical Technician
Known as: MSMT
Employment: Full Time, Part Time
Specialty: Marine machinery
Mission: Supplying warships with mechanical power, allowing them to float, move and fight
Expertise:
- Propulsion systems
- Gas turbines and diesel engines
- Machining and metal fabrication
- Damage Control Experts
Marine Systems Electrical Technician
Marine Systems Electrical Technician
Known as: MSET
Employment: Full Time
Specialty: Generating power
Mission: Supplying warships with electrical power and control systems, allowing them to float, move and fight
Expertise:
- Power generation and distribution
- Propulsion and auxiliary machinery electrical systems
- Communication networks
- Damage Control Experts
Naval Communicator
Known as: NAV COMM
Employment: Full Time, Part Time
Specialty: External Communications
Mission: Managing computer-based messaging, voice, and radio to provide realtime tactical information in support of operations
Expertise:
- Radio communication
- Computer networking
- Cryptography
- Signaling
Boatswain
Boatswain
Known as: BOSN
Employment: Full Time, Part Time
Specialty: Jack of all trades
Mission: Operating and maintaining the ship's rigging, cargo handling equipment, boats and small craft.
Expertise:
- Ropes & knots
- Small arms
- Demolitions
- Advanced boat driving
- Shooting .50 cals
Naval Electronic Sensor Operator
Naval Electronic Sensor Operator
Known as: NESOP
Employment: Full Time
Specialty: Maritime surveillance and intelligence
Mission: Maintaining situational awareness to keep the ship and crew safe
Expertise:
- Using detection devices
- Jamming radars and using decoys
- Intercepting communications
- Missile-firing & remote gun operation
- Gathering intelligence
Sonar Operator
Sonar Operator
Known as: SONAR OP
Employment: Full Time
Specialty: Echolocation
Mission: Compiling and analyzing acoustic intelligence
Expertise:
- Operating all active and passive sonars
- Analyzing transmissions
- Identifying underwater threats
- Search and Rescue
Weapons Engineering Technician
Weapons Engineering Technician
Known as: W ENG TECH
Employment: Full Time
Specialty: Weapons and equipment repair
Mission: Ensuring weapons, communications, radar and marine navigation systems are working order
Expertise:
- Diagnosing problems
- Repairing electronic equipment
- Installing electrical components
- Reading technical drawings and plans
Naval Combat Information Operator
Naval Combat Information Operator
Known as: NCI OP
Employment: Full Time, Part Time
Specialty: Surveillance and reconnaissance
Mission: Assisting and advising the ship's leadership in navigation and in anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare
Expertise:
- Surveillance
- Reconnaissance
- Sharing tactical information
- Maintain classified documents
Port Inspection Diver
Port Inspection Diver
Known as: PID
Employment: Part Time
Specialty: Underwater searches, surveys and inspections
Mission: Protecting Canada from underwater threats
Expertise:
- Underwater search
- Inspecting hulls and jetties
- Identifying explosives
- Underwater recovery
Officers
Officers in the CAF lead personnel, manage resources, make decisions, and are responsible for the well-being of their team. Officers often serve as advisors, responsible for planning and analyzing the challenges faced in daily business or on complex military operations within Canada and internationally.
Naval Warfare Officer
Naval Warfare Officer
Known as: NWO
Employment: Full Time and Part Time
Specialty: Naval strategies, and leadership
Mission: Leading maritime strategy and tactics for our ships, submarines, aircraft, sensors, and weapons systems
Expertise:
- Commanding operations
- War fighting strategies and tactics
- Advising on use of sea power
- Shaping ships and systems
Marine Systems Engineering Officer
Marine Systems Engineering Officer
Known as: MSEO
Employment: Full Time
Specialty: Engines and leadership
Mission: Providing technical expertise to ensure readiness, operation, and proper maintenance of a ship
Expertise:
- Engineering of marine systems
- Mechanical skills
- Project management
- Damage control
- Infrastructure
Naval Combat Systems Engineering Officer
Naval Combat Systems Engineering Officer
Known as: NCS ENG
Employment: Full Time
Specialty: Combat systems and leadership
Mission: Leading a team of highly trained technical professionals who maintain above and below surface warfare systems
Expertise:
- Combat warfare systems
- Navigation systems
- Communication systems
- Command and control systems
Navy Specialties
After joining the Regular Force, members can pursue these in demand Navy specialty occupations.
Clearance Diver
Clearance Diver
Known as: Clearance Diver
Employment: Full Time
Specialty: Underwater warfare
Mission: Provide seabed intervention, and underwater warfare capabilities to the Royal Canadian Navy
Expertise:
- Mine Countermeasures
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal
- Battle Damage Repair
- Force Protection
Marine Tactical Operator
Marine Tactical Operator
Known as: MTO
Employment: Full Time, Part Time
Specialty: Advanced boarding
Mission: Enhances a ship's ability to conduct advanced high-risk boarding operations at sea
Expertise:
- Maritime interdiction
- Force protection
- High-security
- Rapid deployment