My Trade
When I joined the Navy in 1984, the name of my trade was "SONARMAN". Shortly after, the name changed to Naval Acoustic Operator or "NACOP" (The Navy loves acronyms). As of Jan 01/99 1999, the trade changed again, although this time, it has involved much more than a name change. The entire structure is undergoing a huge change as we have been amalgamated with the Ocean Operator or "OCEANOP" Trade. This is a result of commonalties in the two trades, the slow collapse of the IUSS system in the Atlantic, fewer and fewer submarine deployments by "eastern bloc" countries and an attempt to save money (the big focus in DND these days).
SONARMAN
SONARMEN were both operators and technicians, responsible for the operation and maintenance of all sonar equipment on the ship. As I was brand new, I didn't get much of a chance to do maintenance (other than the things every one else didn't want to do!) My main job was operating the AN/SQS 505 Hull and Variable Depth active sonar's, standing A LOT of hours on the bridge as a lookout and dropping "bathy's". A bathy is actually a Bathythermograph Probe. We launch these into the ocean to measure the temperature down to great depths, looking for the layers that the submarines will hide in. After some exciting trips on HMCS Iroquois, I was off to school to take QL4 (Qualification Level 4) training to learn the next aspect of my job - Passive Acoustic Analysis. It was around this time that we became NACOP's.
NACOP
When the Navy changed the trade name to NACOP (also affectionately referred to as RACKOP or KNEECAP) it was a result of a program called MORPS, which resulted in the split of many trades into specifically operator or maintainer/technician. We had a choice which way we wanted to go and I chose to be an operator as I thought it would be much more exciting and my math has never been that great - a definite asset for an electronic technician! NACOP's are solely responsible for operating all ASW (Anti-submarine Warfare) equipment on a ship.
They must have a solid knowledge of their surrounding environment as well. This means knowing what the water condition are so that you can find the submarine that is hiding in it. It is a complex job that I often refer to as Three Dimensional Chess. People in other warfare disciplines often scoff at the ASW community and say that ASW stands for "Awfully Slow Warfare". I believe that the other warfare areas are much more reactionary, where ASW is the "Thinking Man's" game. It is you against the Submarine Commander and whoever is the sharpest thinker wins.
However, I digress! The structure of a NACOP Section on a ship works something like this...
Ordinary Seaman(OS): [Trade Qualification Level 3]This is the starting level. The sailors are fresh out of trade school and have a steep learning curve! They have to learn all about shipboard life as well as consolidate all the skills they were taught in trade school. In a brief 9 months they will learn how to operate the:
AN/SQS 510 active sonar
AN/SQR 501 towed array sonar (CANTASS)
The Underwater telephone
The MK8 Bathythermograph recorder & launcher
The echo sounder
Usually there are 1-4 OS in a NACOP section. They are nicknamed
"OH-DEE's"
Able Seaman(AB): [Trade Qualification Level 4] This is a "Trained" sailor. The Able seaman is capable of doing all the things the Ordinary Seaman did, but without (or with minimal) supervision. Normally we have 1-4 AB's onboard. The 1-4 is usually a combination of OS/AB's. They are both considered to be at the "apprentice level". These guys never did get a nickname - I wonder if they miss being called OH-DEE, somehow I doubt it.
Leading Seaman (LS): [Trade Qualification Level 5] The LS is the real workhorse of a section. They are experienced operators of all equipment and are trained to assess the environmental conditions. They have a great deal to do with the training of the OD/AB's. They are also at the military's first stage of leadership and are assessed on these abilities. This is where you will soar or sink. Normally we have 4 LS in a section. They are at the "journeyman" level and we affectionately refer to them as "killicks" which is from the old Royal Navy!
Master Seaman (MS): [Trade Qualification Level 5 and Junior Leadership Training] This position is the pivot point for a ship's NACOP section. The Master Seaman is like a two-way funnel between the LS-OS and the Petty Officers that are in charge. Although they are the same Trade level as a killick, they have Junior Leadership training and added trade experience with more time in the Navy. There are 2 MS in a section. Their position at sea (in a CPF) is TASSUP (Towed Array Supervisor) and they are responsible for ensuring proper operation of the Towed Array and analysis and classification of all passive contacts. They are also responsible for training and administration in the section. They take all the tasks required on a day to day basis and ensure their timely and correct completion. MS are also at the journeyman level.
Petty Officer Second-Class (PO2): [Trade Qualification Level 6A]. There are two PO2's in a section and their position at sea is SCS (Sonar Control Supervisor). They are responsible for the running of the watch and oversee the operation of all acoustic sensors. They also advise the ASWD (Anti-Submarine Warfare Director) on contacts and their classification, oceanography and sensor employment. Alongside they are responsible for training and administration. PO2's are at the supervisor level.
Petty Officer First-Class (PO1): [Trade Qualification Level 6B] There is one PO1 in a section. He is the big kahuna! His position at sea is ASWD and he is responsible to the ORO (Operations Room Officer) and CO (Commanding Officer) for all aspects of ASW. He takes all the information provided to him by the NACOP section and any sources outside the ship and advises Command on the best tactical route to take. He can have control of other ships and aircraft assigned to counter a submarine threat. Alongside he is responsible for all training and administration in the section as well as the morale and welfare of his personnel. PO1's are at the supervisor level.
The other ASWD in a section is a MARS (Maritime Surface)
"D-Level" qualified Officer. He is also the Divisional Officer for the Section and also looks after administration, morale and welfare of the personnel in the section.
TASOP
This is the new trade, which is now official. The training of new TASOP's has already commenced, along with conversion training for NACOP's and OCEANOP's. From the NACOP perspective, this will not be a big change, but will see the added employment of NACOP's in IUSS (Integrated Undersea Surveillance) which was previously run solely by OCEANOP's.
