Army·Technology obsolescence·In Memoriam
Multichannel / Comms-Center / Microwave Operator
31M / 31N / 31P
Served: Vietnam-era–c.2002
31M ran multichannel TROPO and LOS shots; 31N ran the message-center cryptographic teletype; 31P maintained microwave relay sites — the analog and early-digital backbone of Army tactical comms.
The Story
A 31M chief who could align a TROPO scatter shot blindfolded looked at the first WIN-T satellite terminal and said "this isn't comms, this is IT." The Army agreed and gave him a new MOS.
Epitaph
“TROPO scatter. Teletype. Microwave. All gone, all at once.”
Sources
- Army Communicator — Signal Convergencewww.lineofdeparture.army.mil