Operations Specialist - US Navy Reserve : Job Details

ABOUT

Do you have what it takes to lead in the heart of Naval combat? As an Operations Specialist, you will serve as a supervisor and leader in the top-secret Combat Information Center. From the ocean surface to outer space, you have a complete picture of all assets inthe area. Day and night, your team tracks potential enemy targets and records their movement using complex radar equipment. As an OS, your intel gives ships and aircraft a strategic advantage and helps weapons operators neutralize any threat to American forces.

The mission of the Navy Reserveis to provide strategic depth and deliver operational capabilities to the Navy and Marine Corps team and Joint forces, in times of peace or war. Navy Reserve Sailors seamlessly support and actively aid that mission, all while continuing to lead their own independent lives in the civilian world.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Specialists function as plotters, radio-telephone and Command and Control sound-powered telephone talkers and maintain Combat Information Center (CIC) displays of strategic and tactical information. On any given day, Operations Specialists:

WORK ENVIRONMENT

As an Operations Specialist, your work environment will be fairly comfortable, often indoors in a clean computer room environment. This role involves mostly mental work. Operations Specialists in the Reserves can expect to be assigned to maritime security squadrons, a variety of surface combatants, special warfare commands, and various staff support units.

TRAINING AND ADVANCEMENT

Operations Specialists in the Navy Reserve are made up of prior active duty Operation Specialists and other prior service Sailors that have converted into the rating. “A” School is not required for the rating; however, those that attend will report to Class “A” Technical School in Great Lakes, IL, for 10 weeks. Here, they develop a working knowledge of tactical publications, charts and course plotting, radar operation, detection, tracking and interpretation, air and surface status board keeping, radio-telephone coding, anti-warfare, plotting, vector analysis, and Naval tactical data systems.

Once you've finished schooling, you'll spend the rest of your career alternating between service at shore commands and aboard surface ships in the U.S. and overseas. Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive and based on performance. It's also important to note that specialized training received and work experience gained in the course of service can lead to valuable credentialing and occupational opportunities in related fields in the civilian sector.

PAY AND BENEFITS

When you serve your country, you become a part of something truly important – and you deserve to be rewarded accordingly. Navy Reservists enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, from state-of-the-art training to extensive educational assistance, VA benefits and more. In return for your service and dedication, the Navy Reserve provides you with the benefits to succeed in both your military and civilian lives:

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Beyond offering access to professional credentials and certifications, Navy technical and operational training for an Operations Specialist can translate to credit hours toward a bachelor's or associate degree through the American Council on Education. You may also continue your education through undergraduate degree opportunities like the Navy College Program, Tuition Assistance, Post-9/11 GI Bill, or Montgomery GI Bill for SELRES depending on what you qualify for.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

A good working knowledge of arithmetic, the capability for understanding modern computing devices, the ability to speak and write well and function as a member of an integrated team, do detailed work and keep accurate records, some physical strength and good manual dexterity are necessary.

ABOUT THE NAVY RESERVE

Serving part-time as a Navy Reserve Sailor, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Operations Specialists in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes. For annual training, Operations Specialists may serve anywhere in the world, whether on a ship at sea or at bases and installations on shore. Most of what you do in the Navy Reserve is considered training. The basic Navy Reserve commitment involves training a minimum of one weekend a month (referred to as drilling) and two weeks a year (referred to as Annual Training) – or the equivalent of that.