TOC Duty — An overview of working in the Tactical Operations Center in the Army
An inside look on the 24-hour Army shift
Imagine having a 24 hour shift in which you tend to a small military team’s office. You are on TOC Duty. The acronym “TOC” stands for tactical operations center. The center consists of specially trained officers or military personnel who guide members of an element during a mission. A shift usually runs from 7am to 7pm. Besides filling the cooler with ice, putting the guide on outside, and filling water, the TOC duty individual ensures the workspace is clean and organized. If anyone needs help with side tasks, the individual will assist.
Once all of the main tasks are complete, you can do whatever you want behind the desk. Certain hours, I will watch movies, other hours I’ll call home, browse the internet, or occasionally write (like I am right now). This job compares to being a receptionist. Other soldiers who go on TOC duty bring their computers to play games, throw movies on the projector, or just play on their phone. Some individuals are artists and they might spend most of the time drawing. It is up to you! As long as everything else is squared away.
Fortunately, I am put on TOC duty once or twice a month. Why do I look forward to a 24 hour shift you might ask? That is because I get the following day off! No complaints there.
In contrast, TOC duty is not to be confused with CQ (Change of Quarters). Individuals on “CQ” guard the barracks soldiers live in and make sure everything is secure.
There’s another learning lesson about a position on deployment for ya! Hope you enjoyed! Let me know if you’d like me to share more posts like these!
- Specialist Mendiola
Instagram: jordan.the.mendiola
