746 Communication Squadron

746 Communication Squadron is a reserve military unit in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. As a communication squadron, it can provide telecommunication-type services to other military units in a Combat Support role. The unit's motto is "determined".

Compositition

The unit is comprised of approximately 60 people, with a recruitment limit of 93, including 8 officers. Its members are usually university students, although a significant number of the senior personnel are employed full-time within the civilian sector.

Most members of the unit are signal operators, although there are positions for approximately 15 linemen and various support trades such as supply technician, vehicle technicial and others. It is commanded by a Major, with a staff including an Deputy Commanding Officer, Adjudant, Operations Officer, and Troop Officers.

Role

As with all reserve communication squadrons, the primary role is to augment the Regular Force for both domestic and international operations including UN and NATO operations. The primary goal of the unit is to train personnel to provide this individual or collective augmentation. From 2000 until 2003, the unit's focus was on strategic communications, typically voice and data over MSAT and HF. From 2004 on, the unit role changed to focus on tactical (field) communications, typically voice and data over MSAT, VHF and limited HF. In the new role, more attention is given to combat related skills.

On average, the unit sends approximately 20% of its members each year on UN or NATO operations for a 6 month rotation.

Challenges

The biggest challenge to the unit is the recruitment of new personnel. All potential recruits must be physically fit, and specialist trades in the unit require strong academic skills in math or sciences.