Hi All,

I'm finding it extremely difficult to differentiate between the two trades:

* Communication Systems Operator (CSO)
* Communications Systems Engineer (CSE)

I thought that the CSO deals with radio / satellite communications (frequencies etc) and the CSE deals with Data communications (LAN/WAN/IP/,Ethernet, RJ45 etc).

My local TA unit that I'm interested in joining offer these two trades (going by their webpage)

The recruiter I spoke to is a CSO, he did not know much about the CSE role and unfortunately the few CSE guys they have was unavailable at the time.

What he did say is that the CSO has two specialism, FRR which deals more with Radio / Satellite / voice communications and CST (Command Support Team) that deals with Laptops, Servers, Ethernet, Printers etc

He said that the CSO learn both FRR & CST but you can choose to specialise in FRR or CST (The later also does something called 'Rebox'(?) which is managing the data connectivity of loads of laptops, ethernets etc etc)

He also said that the CSE role is going to be dissolved and be absorbed by the CSO, and most of what they do will be part of the CST side of the CSO role?

A bit about me: I work in IT as a network engineer, so this involves routers, switches, firewalls, servers, cyber security, network protocols, IP addressing, Default Gateways etc. So I'm definitely interested in the data side of things and have very little interest in radio / frequencies etc. So if anyone is familiar with IT vendors, I'm a Cisco / Juniper / Checkpoint / Internet guy.

So with that brief snap shot, what trade would you think is more aligned with what I do? I know there might not be a perfect match, so i'm looking for the on with the most overlap with what I do. Is it CSE or CSO. If it is the later, is it CST or FRR?

In fact I think I'll list my questions below and if any CSE / CSO guys on the forum (other knowledgeable folks welcomed) can answer / validate my assumptions that would really help in my efforts to alleviating my confusions and choosing the right trade!

1) Core difference between CSO and CSE and maybe some details other than what is written on the Army website (Are my assumptions correct)?

2) Is the CSE role in TA going to be dissolved and absorbed by the CSO role?

3) Is the CSO role essentially FRR and CST or have I got my wires crossed or is there more here that I'm missing?

/) What is 'Rebox/Rebok'?

4) which trade in your opinion is more aligned to what I do / what I'm looking for?

5) Out of curiosity, Who in the signals look after the network infrastructure i.e. switches, firewalls, VPNS, workstations, servers etc? I'm assuming when you deploy, someone is responsible for setting of a VPN from theatre to UK and configuring firewalls, an email server etc to do this? Surely the generals out there send emails back here etc or access resources hosted in UK or even the internet! Who provides that connectivity or is that civilian contractors?

6) Maybe some key content / material from courses that the CSO and CSE guys go on / learn. The CSO did mention one of the courses he did taught him about binary and hex which is something I'm very familiar with (sub netting, IP addressing).

In my bubble of confusion I'm thinking the CSE role is more aligned to me, however if this role is truly going to be absorbed by the CSO, then the CST element is more aligned for me, however the CST at present is more 1st line, PC troubleshooting etc but again these are my assumptions based on information I've gleaned and I'm sure there many things I'm missing and hence my current confused state!

Thanks in advance for taking the time out to read this and responding.

In a nutshell CS Operators operate the kit.

CS Engineers fix it.

Originally Posted by SgtSlaughter

In a nutshell CS Operators operate the kit.

CS Engineers fix it.

There's kit?

Originally Posted by saiyan

Hi All,

I'm finding it extremely difficult to differentiate between the two trades:

* Communication Systems Operator (CSO)
* Communications Systems Engineer (CSE)


Thanks in advance for taking the time out to read this and responding.

Dont do any of it. Do something else in The Army

Jones - Why do think neither trade is suitable for me?

Everyone else - I'm still hoping someone can hopefully cover my questions

I think if you could not understand the difference between an Operator and Engineer role you may not be the calibre of person the Signals are seeking.

Originally Posted by Djbutler

I think if you could not understand the difference between an Operator and Engineer role you may not be the calibre of person the Signals are seeking.

I'm not answering all that but:
CSE a dying trade? Current operations have shown that the requirement CSO is limited. CSE however, can't get enough of them. You friend at the TA centre is very much misinformed.
A few caveats on my last statement:
It doesn't apply to special people,
The requirement and use of CSO/E has been dictated by the enduring nature of the operation and the fact that Infantry are all over their comms. Everything will change in few years and we will back to getting rid of techs.

Originally Posted by saiyan

Jones - Why do think neither trade is suitable for me?

Everyone else - I'm still hoping someone can hopefully cover my questions

Get a better payed job as a Civvie doing what you enjoy. The Signals is no fun at all.

CS Eng is for you if you do decide to do it though.
I dont think there is such things as Install Techs any more that would have been the one for you though

Jones - I appreciate the simple but effective clarification about the CSE. Their are two local TA to me, RLC and Signals. I don't really fancy driving as a trade and I figure the signals is a better fit because it's IT and can only boost my CV, skills and experience in the long run.. BTW, are you CSO/CSE? Putting up satellites is not my idea of fun, but hoping there is more to it!

Bill - Do you think he may be right in the context of TA or possibly misinformed as you pointed out?

DJ - My assumptions in my original post is what I took away from the information available on the army job role page, but to me it wasn't overly clear as the description is quite brief in fairness but I thought I had the distinction figured out in my head, but my confusion was further compounded by what the recruiter said to me hence why I've hit up this forum for some much needed clarification.

I guess if I can't get the info I need, I'll just join the signals (vs RLC) and use my time in phase 1 to fully understand the whole CSO/CSE gig and by then I'm hoping I would have it sussed to a 'T' and then chose the correct trade for me before phase 2 trade training...

Jones is leaving the Corps and is coming across as quite bitter so take what he says with a pinch of salt!