Overview

The word, professional is regularly misused today, and its use in the title of this chapter may appear to the outsider to be yet one more abuse. However, the work of a radar technician truly falls within proper definitions of the term. Some work is called a trade, and some is called a profession. A trade is defined as skilled work, but is differentiated from a profession by dictionary definitions. Definitions for profession include such concepts as involving mental rather than manual work. Generally, trade would describe such occupations as plumbers, electricians, welders, mechanics, and machinists; that work where skill in performing tasks is more necessary than extensive knowledge. Profession would describe such occupations as doctors, nurses, dentists, chemists, physicists, engineers, attorneys, etc. A Webster s Dictionary definition of the word, technician is, one versed in the technicalities of some subject; specifically, an artist, writer, musician, etc. who has great technical skill or knowledge. The knowledge part of the general definition of technician places it in the professions category.

A profession may require certain manual skills, but it is characterized principally by formal, academic, or scientific knowledge, and by a requirement to arrive at conclusions through application of that knowledge. The radar technician s job most certainly falls within that definition. He must be able to correctly theorize the source of a problem, even when he cannot see it. He must be able to document his actions in a manner adequate to allow readers to unquestionably understand him; this requires...