In demand 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.
Known as: MAR TECH
Employment: Full Time, Part Time
Specialty: Generating power
Mission: Supplying Royal Canadian Navy warships with mechanical and electrical power, allowing ships to float, move and fight
Expertise:
- Gas turbines and diesel engines
- Electrical and airflow systems
- Damage Control Experts
- Machining and metal fabrication
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Known as: Cook
Employment: Full Time, Part Time
Specialty: Fueling military personnel
Mission: Preparing nutritious meals for Canadian Armed Forces members and National Defence employees
Expertise:
- Preparing meals
- Food health and safety
- Operating, cleaning and maintaining food service equipment
Navy Specialties
After joining the Regular Force, members can pursue these in demand Navy specialty occupations.
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
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