Signal Officer (25A)
Computers and Technology Army MOS Information

Posted Friday, November 25, 2005

• Officer
• Active Duty
• Army Reserve

The Army's Signal Corps is responsible for all systems of communication for the entire Army. The Signal Corps strives to always provide seamless, secure, consistent and dynamic information systems at all levels of command and for any situation. On every mission, communications and data management (handled by the Signal Corps) have become increasingly critical for the Army and its continued success.

A Signal Corps Officer, then, must be an expert in planning, installing, integrating, operating and maintaining the Army's voice, data and information systems, services and resources. Signal Officers must be highly intelligent, forward-thinking and have a complete knowledge of these various technologies.

The responsibilities of a Signal Lieutenant may include:

• Planning and executing all aspects of communication on missions, both during combat and peacetime
• Understanding tactical decision making and the Signal Officer's role as a leader in a combined arms or joint-force environment
• Coordinating employment of Signal Soldiers at all levels of command, from platoon to battalion and higher, in U.S. and multi-national operations.

Training:

Signal Officer training includes completion of the Signal Officer Basic Course (SOBC), where you will learn leadership skills, tactics, maintenance and operational aspects of the systems and tools used in the Signal Corps.

Helpful Skills:

Being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities. A leader exhibits self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence. They are physically fit and can perform under physical and mental pressures. Leaders make decisions quickly, always focusing on completing the mission successfully, and show respect for their subordinates and other military officers. Leaders lead from the front and adjust to environments that are always changing. They are judged by their ability to make decisions on their own and bear ultimate moral responsibility for those decisions.

Advanced Responsibilities:

Signal Officers can continue in the Operations career field, serving in the Army Signal Corps at ever increasing levels of leadership and responsibility.

Responsibilities of a Signal Captain may include:

• Commanding and controlling company-sized Signal units (200-300 Soldiers).
• Coordinating employment of Signal Soldiers at all levels of command, from company to division level and beyond, in U.S. and multi-national operations.
• Developing doctrine, organizations and equipment for unique Signal missions.
• Instructing Signal skills at service schools and combat training centers.
• Serving as an Engineer advisor to other units, including Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve organizations.