Marine Corps COOL Snapshot - General Communications Technician

General Communications Technician - Level 1 (GCT1)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I), General Communications Technician Level 1 (GCT1) certification is an entry-level credential designed to cover the many areas encountered by radio communications technicians or engineers in the public safety communications or business/commercial radio field. The GCT1 certification is modeled after wide-ranging industry communication systems encompassing more specific detailed items along with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidelines covering all disciplines in the COMT program. Candidates must pass a written exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

General Communications Technician - Level 1 (GCT1)

The following Marine Corps Enlisted MOSs provide training and/or experience that contributes to attaining this credential:

Enlisted Occupation	Occupation Type	Related As	COOL$
0321 Reconnaissance Marine	MOS	Other
0372 Critical Skills Operator	MOS	Other
0621 Transmissions System Operator	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
0627 Satellite Transmissions System Operator	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
0629 Transmissions Chief	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
0631 Network Administrator	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
0671 Data Systems Administrator	MOS	Other
0811 Field Artillery Cannoneer	MOS	Other
0842 Field Artillery Radar Operator	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
0844 Field Artillery Fire Control Marine	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0847 Field Artillery Sensor Support Marine	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0861 Fire Support Marine	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0869 Artillery Senior Cannoneer	MOS	Other
1711 Offensive Cyberspace Operator	MOS	Other
1721 Defensive Cyberspace Operator	MOS	Other
1799 Cyberspace Chief	MOS	Other
1812 Armor Marine	MOS	Other
1833 Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) Crewmember	MOS	Other
1869 Senior Armor SNCO	MOS	Other
2621 Communications Intelligence / Electronic Warfare Operator	MOS	Other
2629 Signals Intelligence/ Electronic Warfare/Cyberspace Operations Technician	MOS	Other
2631 Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) Analyst	MOS	Other
2641 Cryptologic Language Analyst	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
2651 Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems Engineer	MOS	Other
2841 Ground Electronics Transmission Systems Maintainer	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
4571 Combat Videographer	MOS	Other
4591 Communication Strategy and Operations Chief	MOS	Other
5939 Aviation Communication Systems Technician	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
5948 Aviation RADAR Technician	MOS	Other
5951 Aviation Meteorological Equipment Technician, OMA/IMA	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
5952 Air Traffic Control Navigational Aids Technician	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
5953 Air Traffic Control RADAR Technician	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
5954 Air Traffic Control Communications Technician	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
5979 Tactical Air Operations/Air Defense Systems Technician	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
6317 Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Radar Systems Technician, F/A-18	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
6483 Communication/Navigation/Cryptographic/Countermeasures Systems Technician, IMA	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
7372 Tactical Systems Operator/Mission Specialist	MOS	Other

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

Credential Prerequisite
Experience
Education
Training
Membership
Other
Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

Exam
Written Exam
Oral Exam
Practical Exam
Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

In-person exam
Remote proctored on-line exam
Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 4 years

Continuing Education
Exam
Continuing Education OR Exam
Fee
Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)

5 Depot Street
Greencastle, IN 46135

Phone: (800) 288-3824

Fax: (765) 653-4287
Email: eta@eta-i.org

Written Exam

Safety
Electronic and Electrical Theory
Tools and Components
Connectorization
Power Systems
Radio Frequency (RF) Fundamentals
Radio Types and Systems
Antennas
Transmission Lines
Interference
Data Networks
Fiber Optic Systems
Test Equipment and Methods
Telephony Communications
Satellite Communications
Environmental Systems
Physical Plant/Head End and Security Systems

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the General Communications Technician - Level 1 (GCT1) examination:

Best Sources

General References

Related Courses
- ETA-I Accredited Course Approval Programs

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

Exam Administration
Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the General Communications Technician - Level 1 (GCT1) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor

For more information on the Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I) testing process, visit the agency website.

Third-Party Test Vendor Information
Testing for this credential is handled by the following vendor:

ExamRoom.AI

The test centers are located in the U.S.

To find out more, use the following links on the ExamRoom.AI website:
- Contact ExamRoom.AI

RECERTIFICATION

General Communications Technician - Level 1 (GCT1)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The General Communications Technician - Level 1 (GCT1) credential has the following recertification information:

The General Communications Technician - Level 1 (GTC1) is renewable every four years. Certification holders are required to obtain continuing education credits totaling ten hours per year for a total of 40 hrs over the term of the certification or provides employer verification of continued work in applicable field.

Detailed information related to the recertification process, associated fees and forms can be obtained from the Additional Certification Renewal/Maintenance Information section of the ETA-I website.

Note: If the four-year term for the GTC1 is exceeded without renewal by certification maintenance, and the certification expires, then the certification holder will be required to retake the current version of the examination and will then again be eligible for the certification maintenance.

Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current year, no arrears will be paid. Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).

Additional considerations for the General Communications Technician - Level 1 (GCT1) include:

ETA-I does not require specific education, experience, and training, but the U.S. Department of Homeland Security may require non-specific field-related experience and training.