One of the little known specialty careers in the Coast Guard is the Operations Specialist. It is a communications, control and command specialty. They are involved in combat information center operations, to law enforcement, even to Search and rescue operations. The Operations Specialists in the Coast Guard operated the satellite and tactical computer systems that are used by the Coast Guard. These systems incorporated electronic charting, global positioning navigation, and satellite communications. They allow real time tracking, identification, and target acquisition that involves a large and varied array of systems. The Operations Coast Guard Specialist deals with operations and case management functions, and utilized tools and state of the art equipment, interacting with other crewmembers using old-fashioned team work to achieve their assigned missions. Operations Specialists in the Coast Guard are stationed wherever the Coast Guard is present, they are found throughout the active duty Coast Guard, including Guam, Alaska and Hawaii.
An Operation Specialist uses a variety of skill sets as they do their duty aboard shore stations, Cutters, and other vessels in the Coast Guard Arsenal. They apply their tactical and professional knowledge in communications and operational centers scattered throughout the United States.
The Coast Guard Operations Specialist often works with other members and branches of the service, as well as decision makers from state, federal and local law enforcement agencies. Operations specialists work round the clock and are shift workers maintaining 24-hour operations. Operations Specialists receive extensive weeks of training in communications, navigations, and search and rescue operations. They use state of the art computer and other equipment to help perform the missions of the Coast Guard and to maintain a high state of military readiness and upbeat mission tempo.
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A person who wishes to work as an Operations Specialist in the Coast Guard should be detail oriented, and have an interest or experience in communications and computers. They should have normal hearing and color vision, and have an above average math ability. The career fields that are open to former Coast Guard Operations specialists in the Civilian fields are Data Base managers, Vessel and Air Traffic controllers, Community/City and County based Emergency Operations center operators, and overall civilian Emergency coordination and emergency operation center managers. Most Operations Managers are bright, career Coast Guard personnel. Some Operations Specialists can work at times into earning a Commission, due to their close working relationship with operations and command staff.