Armed forces officers supervise operations and manoeuvres, assign duties, and command subordinate staff. They ensure efficient communication within and between units and perform training duties. They also operate equipment and supervise equipment maintenance.
The following job titles also refer to armed forces officer:
lieutenant general
major general
Royal Navy officer
second lieutenant
brigadier
officer cadet
air force officer
naval officer
RAF officer
lieutenant colonel
major
general
colonel
army officer
navy officer
Roal Air Force officer
lieutenant
captain
Royal Marines officer
military officer
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of armed forces officer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of armed forces officer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of armed forces officer.
Military code: The code language used in specific intelligence or military organisations and operations, how to use and decipher them. Camouflage: The different kinds of materials and specialised clothing used for concealment of people, vehicles or other equipment. Military combat techniques: The fighting techniques specific to military operations, using military weapons and equipment, and the regulations concerning military combat actions. Military weaponry: The types of arms used by different military organisations, such as army, navy or air force and in different nations worldwide; the weapons’ aspects, damage potential and ways to defend against them. Military drill: The marching techniques and use of weapons, and other disciplinary methods applied in military operations. Surveillance methods: Surveillance methods used in the gathering of information and intelligence for investigation purposes.
These skills are necessary for the role of armed forces officer.
Operate radio equipment: Set up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in handling radio equipment correctly. Lead military troops: Lead the actions of military troops on the field during a mission, either combat, humanitarian or otherwise defensive, compliant with the strategies devised prior to the operation and ensuring communication with other troops is maintained. Perform military operations: Perform military operations according to given instructions from superiors, such as battle operations, rescue missions, aid missions, search and intelligence missions or other operations concerning defense. Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information. Manage troop deployment: Manage the deployment of troops to areas in conflict, or in need of aid, and oversee the deployment procedures. Manage the deployment of the troops within an area for specific missions, and ensure the troops and resources are allocated to the missions in compliance with tactical considerations and safety of the troops. Ensure public safety and security: Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property. Arrange equipment repairs: Arrange for equipment repairs when necessary. Defend human rights: Protect human rights towards and between colleagues and also towards the civil populations one is in contact with. Ensure compliance with types of weapons: Use different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition, in compliance with legal requirements. Devise military tactics: Devise the strategic and tactical components of a military operation, taking into account the available equipment and assigning tasks to the different troops, and supervising the use of weapons and other battle equipment. Handle surveillance equipment: Monitor surveillance equipment to observe what people are doing in a given area and ensure their safety. Identify security threats: Identify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat. Train military troops: Train military troops or people in training to join the force in drill, combat techniques, weaponry, regulations, operation procedures, camouflage, and other military practices. Delegate activities: Delegate activities and tasks to others according to the ability, level of preparation, competence and legal scope of practice. Make sure that people understand what they should do and when they should do it. Maintain operational communications: Maintain communications between different departments of an organisation, between the staff, or during specific operations or missions, to ensure that the operation or mission is successful, or that the organisation functions smoothly.
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of armed forces officer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Geographic information systems: The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of armed forces officer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Use geographic information systems: Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently. Coordinate humanitarian aid missions: Coordinate the deployment of troops and resources to areas where humanitarian aid is required, and the operation in the area itself to ensure that the area is safe, the people have access to medical aid, shelter, and food, and that any danger and risks are removed. Give battle commands: Give commands during a battle or similar confrontation with enemy units to guide the activities of the troops, ensuring the safety of the troops and success of the operation, and give these commands in a comprehensible manner compliant with guidelines, and in dangerous and stress situations. Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures. Identify terrorism threats: Identify the possibility of terrorism activities posing threats and danger in a specific area by monitoring activities of potentially dangerous groups of people, assessing risks in different areas, and gathering intelligence. Supervise the maintenance of military equipment: Plan and supervise the routine maintenance and repair work of military equipment and weaponry to ensure proper working order. Operate armoured fighting vehicles: Operate armoured fighting vehicles, such as tanks, armoured cars, air defense vehicles and troop carriers, using correct navigation systems and monitoring controls, as well as operating its weapons. Conduct military music services: Organise and lead a military music band during ceremonial of celebratory performances. Coordinate patrols: Coordinate the investigation and inspection of a certain area by assigning patrollers to routes and areas, establishing the area that needs patrolling, and coordinating the activities during the patrol. Instruct in military duties: Give theoretical and practical classes to future soldiers concerning their military duties and activities. Write situation reports: Write reports according to specifications and regulations of an organisation on the situation which needs to be reported on, such as the status of an investigation, of intelligence gathering, or of missions and operations. Coordinate rescue missions: Coordinate rescue missions during the event of a disaster or during an accident, ensure that all possible methods are being used to ensure the safety of the people being rescued, and that the search is as efficient and thorough as possible. Assess danger in risk areas: Assess the potential dangers involved in performinig military or humanitarian missions in risk areas, such as combat areas, areas affected by natural disasters, or politically tense areas.
