For clarity sake. The kids apply for grad school and for the Army scholarship during their senior year. Unsolicited advice is to take the GREs during the summer before senior or firstie year. The kids have to do all of this during Fall of the senior year. It is busy if you let it catch you by surprise. First they get the scholarship then they are guided toward the program. There is a ONE YEAR great program at NPS.
More time is added to the service obligation for using the scholarship.
Wow, very interesting. I guess NPS costs the military less money versus a civilian graduate school. Still a very awesome opportunity. Congrats to your DS.They can go to a lot of places like MIT or Stanford. Despite acceptances to other prestigious programs, my #1 was sort of strong armed into using his scholarship at Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. There were ROTC and USMA cadets in the program. The first year started in the summer of 2016.
I can see the advantages of the Army using the well established Navy Cyber masters program to quickly build capacity from an existing program. The NPS program was 1 year. Now BOLC at Ft Gordon. Also by going to the military school, there may be some advantage in learning how to do things in a very internal and DoD focused manner. That is my take on it, not my #1's.
They can go to a lot of places like MIT or Stanford. Despite acceptances to other prestigious programs, my #1 was sort of strong armed into using his scholarship at Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. There were ROTC and USMA cadets in the program. The first year started in the summer of 2016.
I can see the advantages of the Army using the well established Navy Cyber masters program to quickly build capacity from an existing program. The NPS program was 1 year. Now BOLC at Ft Gordon. Also by going to the military school, there may be some advantage in learning how to do things in a very internal and DoD focused manner. That is my take on it, not my #1's.
Actually I think it is the content. These kids are not going to work at Microsoft or Palo Alto Networks. These kids are going to do National Security relevant cyber operations. You train for that at NPS.Wow, very interesting. I guess NPS costs the military less money versus a civilian graduate school. Still a very awesome opportunity. Congrats to your DS.They can go to a lot of places like MIT or Stanford. Despite acceptances to other prestigious programs, my #1 was sort of strong armed into using his scholarship at Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. There were ROTC and USMA cadets in the program. The first year started in the summer of 2016.
I can see the advantages of the Army using the well established Navy Cyber masters program to quickly build capacity from an existing program. The NPS program was 1 year. Now BOLC at Ft Gordon. Also by going to the military school, there may be some advantage in learning how to do things in a very internal and DoD focused manner. That is my take on it, not my #1's.
Congrats to your son. Our DS will be heading to Ft. Gordon as well for Signal. He is also a computer science majorHi,
My DS's job will be in cyber after they graduate in May 2018. I found this thread while looking for more information on cyber. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! (Especially RangerVic)
Some background facts on my DS...
(If you have any other questions you would like answered, let me know, I can ask DS.)
- My DS is a computer science engineering major at a large state university.
- GPA/PT scores very good.
- Tried to be involved in anything Army related (Ranger Challenge, Color Guard, all volunteer opportunities)
- DS said the interview at Fort Knox between junior/senior was big. DS was asked about computer courses/ languages they knew. DS said that interview was VERY important. If you didn't get your name on that list, you wouldn't get cyber.
- DS's Master Sergeant said there is a certification course they could take to increase their odds of getting cyber. DS did not to take it because of other obligations.
- DS is currently Battalion Commander
- Military Distinguished Graduate
- DS said they will be going to school at Fort Gordon after graduation.
- I don't know how many were assigned cyber for 2018
Congrats to your son. Our DS will be heading to Ft. Gordon as well for Signal. He is also a computer science majorHi,
My DS's job will be in cyber after they graduate in May 2018. I found this thread while looking for more information on cyber. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! (Especially RangerVic)
Some background facts on my DS...
(If you have any other questions you would like answered, let me know, I can ask DS.)
- My DS is a computer science engineering major at a large state university.
- GPA/PT scores very good.
- Tried to be involved in anything Army related (Ranger Challenge, Color Guard, all volunteer opportunities)
- DS said the interview at Fort Knox between junior/senior was big. DS was asked about computer courses/ languages they knew. DS said that interview was VERY important. If you didn't get your name on that list, you wouldn't get cyber.
- DS's Master Sergeant said there is a certification course they could take to increase their odds of getting cyber. DS did not to take it because of other obligations.
- DS is currently Battalion Commander
- Military Distinguished Graduate
- DS said they will be going to school at Fort Gordon after graduation.
- I don't know how many were assigned cyber for 2018
He chose Signal because it sparked his interest at BC along with Cyber. He was looking for something that went along with his Major of Computer Science and that seemed to be a perfect fit. However, he will be okay with doing anything he is assigned to do. He wants to defend his Country anyway that he can.Congrats to your DS @spice3389! Can you share why he chose Signal? Thanks in advance.
He chose Signal because it sparked his interest at BC along with Cyber. He was looking for something that went along with his Major of Computer Science and that seemed to be a perfect fit. However, he will be okay with doing anything he is assigned to do. He wants to defend his Country anyway that he can.Congrats to your DS @spice3389! Can you share why he chose Signal? Thanks in advance.
Thank you so much for this insight.Congratulations indeed @spice3389 !
Another take from 20 months post SBOLC at Ft. Gordon.
I posted this in response to a Cadet's inquiry about Signal earlier this year. I would only add two things. First, Ranger School and Special Forces are open to Signal Officers, though they would go into qualification at a distinct disadvantage to Infantry soldiers, requiring quite a bit of self-directed PT. Second, my DS's level of challenge and and satisfaction has only grown since the time of this post.
My DS's first choice was Cyber, when it was a new branch and only took a couple of USMA CS majors. He was AROTC. Cyber is more Mark Zuckerberg. Signal is more Verizon Guy that hooked your house to fiber.
"It is a fair assumption that you are comfortable with all things math/science related, you like being active and like seeing the fruits of your labor. This was a description of my DS, a 1Lt. in the Signal Branch. He thought neither in terms of 5 and dive nor serving 20 years. It was always serving until it was no longer fun and "what will I be qualified to do when I leave--at whatever age?"
Signal does not get the respect (for lack of a better term), of other branches. It is associated more with the pocket protector crowd so you have to have the technical skills. However, if you are a practical, can do type with good communication skills and can PT like a mother, then you can differentiate yourself and become a valuable commodity for the combat arms branches. You can even do some cool guy stuff. As with any branch, one's duty station can make a whole lot of difference to your level of satisfaction. My son's first duty station was/is a place where he is constantly being asked to solve problems and direct soldiers in executing plans. His soldiers tend to be a little more educated and/or technically skilled.
He commented recently that this is the first time in his life his intellect and skills are not just being recognized, but also being specifically called upon. In other words he is very happy.
No, the Cyber 2LTs/1LTs go through a selection process while at BOLC, which includes submitting a brief resume and a preference sheet, n learn the follow on assignment a couple of months before they graduate from BOLC.