Star Army Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist is a signal occupation in the Star Army of Yamatai that involves maintaining communications channels between Star Army units and with other parties. Communications specialists may be stationed at Star Army bases or on starships, where they monitor various frequencies and make contact with nearby spacecraft or distant spacecraft, facilities, and people through the wide variety of communications methods and technologies at the Star Army's disposal.

The MOS occupational code for this occupation is 06C and the panel color is red.

Historically the Star Army has had various types of communications occupations since its creation in YE 22, including Communications Technician and Communications Officer (a bridge position once held by Hanako).

From YE 34 to YE 43, this occupational specialty, 06C was called “Communications and Electronic Warfare Specialist.”

From at least YE 38 to YE 43, the Star Army designated a “communications secretary” as the point of contact for Star Army bases; however this was an assigned duty rather than its own occupation. In order to free these soldiers to do their occupational jobs, in YE 43 the Star Army began working to fill these positions with the communications specialist occupation.

To become a communication specialist, one must be a member of the Star Army of Yamatai. See Star Army Recruiting. The Star Army looks for people with excellent communication skills, quick thinking, and attention to detail.

The minimum rank for this occupation is Santô Hei and the maximum rank is Jôtô Heisho.

The communications specialist, like the engineer, has a variety of responsibilities, but the primary tasks are:

• To repair, maintain, and operate the ship's communications systems.
• To support away teams by providing communications advice and training and by operating communications equipment in an away team's vehicle.
• To communicate with the away team after it has been dispatched to the planet or to an enemy vessel.
• Data interface duties.

Characters with this occupation should be making transmissions and communications as needed. Communications specialists typically work on the starship's bridge but can also join away teams as a sort of “radio operator” when extra support is needed for communications. They also might be placed with a starfighter pilot aboard a two-seater fighter.

In addition to the Star Army Common Skills, communications specialists are trained in the following skills:

• Operation of the Star Army Standard Communications Array
• Communications networks
  • PANTHEON
  • SYNC
• Electronic warfare methods and tools
• Encryption methods and tools
  • Type 33 Star Army Communications Network Encryption System
• Laser communications
• Quantum communication
• Radio/EM spectrum communication
• Subspace Communications
• Tachyon beam communication

A great way to show a communication specialist is to use the transmissions and communications forum as frequently as possible. For example, a communications specialist might send reports back to fleet command on the ship's location and activity or to Star Army Intelligence to report intelligence data.

These are the characters currently listed as communication specialists.

Wes created this article on October 19, 2021. Discussion/Approval Thread

Blanche Tepes art by Lily_Marlene; commissioned by Wes.