Job Details

Other Ranks (Non Technical)

Communications and Information Systems Submariner (CISSM) sailors operate the Navy's telecommunications systems using equipment which spans the communications spectrum. The CISSM sailor also performs limited visual communications and operates and administers the Local area information technology network onboard a submarine and ashore. If you are a capable individual who can handle the challenge and responsibility of ensuring essential information flows to enable the Navy to fight and win at sea, a job in the field of Submarine Communications and Information Systems maybe for you.

Due to the technology CISSM sailors are involved in, they require a high level of responsibility and maturity in dealing with highly technical equipment and information. Precision, dependability and discretion are essential qualities for a CISSM sailor due to the exposure to both classified and personnel information. You must be willing to accept responsibility early in your career and be able to either work independently and/or function as part of a team.

The primary roles of the CISSM Category at sea are:

• Telecommunications;
• Information Technology;
• Limited visual communications;
• Information and Operational Security; and
• Information Management.

As a junior member of the CISSM team, you will ensure the essential communications links between units at sea and stations ashore are maintained. You will be required to:

• Operate and coordinate telecommunications systems including automated networks, data links and circuits in the communication spectrum;
• Apply diagnostic, corrective and recovery techniques to telecommunications and information systems;
• Administer Local Area Networks, network troubleshooting, assigning user profiles, configuring network protocols, configuring networks, and performing system/file back-up and restorals;
• Communicate inter-ship by ship/shore radio teletype, ship/shore satellite, voice and radio teletype, video conferencing, chat, facsimile, email, tactical and administrative voice radio and flashing light (Morse code);
• Work with highly classified information and material;
• Advise Command on aspects of communications;
• Perform shipboard flag ceremonial procedures; and
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on communications compartments and specific equipment such as lights, flags, portable radios and selected information technology equipment.

In addition to telecommunications, limited visual communications and information technology responsibilities CISSM sailors:

• Form part of teams to fight fire, and conduct casualty location and rescue;
• Form part of teams to conduct Force Protection to protect the ship when alongside or when anchored; and
• Perform Combat Survivability plotting and voice communications for the coordination of onboard fire fighting, toxic hazards and floods.

Career Development

In the first six years you will complete recruit training, Initial Entry Training and specialised submarine training. You can expect to serve at sea for 12-18 months on a submarine. On completion of your sea service in a submarine, you will serve ashore in a Communications facility.

For those who are competitive for promotion to Leading Seaman within the first six years, you will conduct the first of four Skill Grade advancement courses (Intermediate course), followed by more specialised submarine training. This Skill Grade course prepares CISSM sailors for supervising the telecommunications and information technology both on a submarine and ashore.