Branch description. Manages Department of the Army and designated Department of Defense Signal assets, which include all aspects of automation and communications-electronics related to the planning, design, engineering, operations, logistical support and evaluation of systems and networks. Directs and manages the instal­lation, operation, networking and maintenance of signal equipment. Advises commanders, directors, and staffs on command and control signal requirements, capabilities, and operations to include com­puters. Develops requirements for the design and implementation of data communications systems and networks. Establishes, prepares, coordinates and directs programs, projects and activities engaged in unit level supply, maintenance, and life-cycle management of signal materiel. Directs and controls units and activities involved with the application of electrical, electronics, and systems engineering and management principles, in the design, test acceptance, installation, operation, and maintenance of Signal systems, equipment, networks, and facilities.

Branch qualification. DA Pam 600-3 lists qualifications for entry and professional development in this branch.

Signal, General (25A).

Description of duties. Provides general Signal Corps expertise to Army activities. Identifies positions only that require general experience and training not related to a specific Signal Area of Concentration.

Special qualifications. None.

Special grading of positions. None.

Unique duty positions. None.

Communications-Electronics (C-E) Automation (25B).

Description of duties. Manages or supervises a specific automated system or node in a data or communications network supporting tactical, theater, strategic or base operations. Provides detailed technical direction and advice to commanders, staffs and other Command, Control, and Communications (C3) users at all echelons on the installation, operation and maintenance of distributed operating and data base systems, teleprocessing systems, and data communications supporting Battlefield Automated Systems (BAS). Requires the practical application of automation theory to the design, implemen­tation and successful interoperation of hardware and software for automated telecommunications and teleprocessing systems.

Special qualifications.

(a) Officers assigned to these positions must possess skills normally obtained in a Bachelor of Science degree program in computer science, computer engineering, engineering or a related discipline; must have 3 years experience in C-E operations; and must be a graduate of the Teleprocessing Operations Officer Course.

(b) Certain positions require Signal related skills acquired through training or substitutable experience in Joint Command, Control and Communications (ASI 3K); and Electronic Warfare (SI 5M).

Special grading of positions. For positions coded CPT and above.

Unique duty positions.

(a) Teleprocessing Operations Staff Officer in Signal Units, MACOM HQ, HQDA, and DoD level.

(b) Telephone Digital Communications Officer.

(c) Division/Corps Automation Management Officer (TOE).

(d) Combat Developments Staff Officer for teleprocessing and data communications systems.

(e) Telephone staff officer in Division C-E Shop or Operations & Intelligence Section.

(f) C-E staff officer in ADA, DIVARTY, and CEWI units.

(g) Signal Automation Officer in TDA activity.

Communications-Electronics (C-E) Operations (25C).

Description of duties. Commands Signal units engaged in the installation, operation and maintenance of automation and communications systems supporting tactical, theater, strategic and base operations. Plans, coordinates and supervises the training, administration, operation, supply, maintenance, transportation, security activities, and allocation of resources of Signal units and facilities. Advises commanders, staffs and other Command, Control and Communications (C3) users on the capabilities, limitations, and employment of all tactical and non-tactical Signal assets available to the command.

Special qualifications. Certain positions require Signal related skills acquired through training or substitutable experience in Joint Command, Control and Communications (SI 3K); Electronic Warfare (SI5M); or Battalion/Brigade Communications-Electronics Staff Officer (SI 6B).

Special grading of positions.

(a) All Signal Corps LT positions.

(b) Commanders of selected Echelons Above Corps (EAC) separate companies may be graded for MAJ based on written approval from HQDA.

(c) C-E officer in Special Operations Aviation (SOA) Assault Helicopter Battalion graded MAJ.

Unique duty positions.

(a) Communications-Electronics Staff Officer (CESO) in non-Signal battalions and brigades or equivalent size units (SI 6B).

(b) Radio Officer.

(c) Wire Officer.

(d) Signal Plans Officer.

(e) C-E Staff Officer in Signal units, MACOM HQ, HQDA, and DoD.

(f) S4 in Signal Battalion.

(g) Maintenance Officer in Signal Battalion (will be graded 1LT).

(h) S4 in Signal Brigade.

(i) Materiel manager in Corps C-E section.

(j) TRADOC system manager.

(k) Combat developer in unit level Signal logistics.

(l) PM Program Director.

(m) Product Manager.

Communications-Electronics (C-E) Engineering (25D).

Description of duties. Plans, directs and supervises the design, development, installation, modification, test and acceptance of auto­mation and communications-electronics equipment. Involves the design and development of equipment performance standards, test and evaluation of hardware and software for both developmental and non-developmental items, and the installation and quality assurance of installed fixed station systems. Requires the direct application of electrical, electronic and automation theory and principles to the design, test and acceptance and installation of hardware and software for Signal and Battlefield Automated Systems (BAS).

Special qualifications.

(a) Officers assigned to these positions must possess skills nor­mally obtained in a Bachelor of Science Degree Program in electrical or electronics engineering; must have 3 years experience in C-E operations; and must be a graduate of the C-E Engineering Officers Course.

(b) Certain positions require signal or research and development related skills acquired through training or substitutable experience in Space Activities (SI 3Y) or Materiel Acquisition Management (SI 6T).

Special grading of positions. For positions coded CPT and above.

Unique duty positions.

(a) Communications-Electronics Engineer in research and devel­opment activities, MACOM HQ, HQDA, and DoD level.

(b) Chief, Quality Assurance and Technical Evaluation Team.

(c) Test and Evaluation Officer.

(d) Signal Engineering Officer in TDA activity.

Information Systems and Networking (25E).

Description of duties. Plans and manages the integration and interconnecting of diverse types of automation and communications systems into interoperable local area and long haul information networks supporting tactical, theater, strategic and base operations. Determines the overall network architecture to support battlefield user requirements, exercises network control, and conducts recurring network analysis. Develops network performance standards and in­terconnectivity requirements for adjacent, higher and lower units, as well as for allied nations, other government agencies and commer­cial services interfacing. Requires the practical application of systems engineering principles to plan, design, and install tactical and non-tactical information networks using existing and future military and commercial off-the-shelf automation and communications systems.

Special qualifications.

(a) Officers assigned to these positions must have 3 years experi­ence in C-E operations, and must be a graduate of the Telecommunications Systems Staff Officer Course or have obtained equivalent skills through comparable training and experience. A Bachelor of Science degree in math, physics, computer science, engineering or related discipline is desirable but not requisite.

(b) Certain positions require signal related skills obtained through training or substitutable experience in Joint Command, Control, Communications (SI 3K); Space Activities (SI 3Y); or Electronic Warfare (SI 5M).

Special grading of positions. For positions coded CPT and above.

Unique duty positions.

(a) S-3/Operations Officer, Signal Battalion/Brigade.

(b) Assistant Division/Corps C-E Officer.

(c) C-E Systems Engineer/Officer.

(d) C-E Networking Officer.

(e) Director/Chief, C-E Systems Planning Activity at MACOM HQ, HQDA, and DOD level.

(f) Signal Operations Officer in TDA activity.