Cyberspace AFSC

AFSPC_USAF

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2015
Messages
28
First and foremost I would like to thank those who been on this website sharing their knowledge and information ever since I used to visit this site a couple years ago.

I created this thread to answer any questions you future Air Force officers have in regards to Cyber jobs in the Air Force. Whether you want to know about the basics about Undergraduate Cyber Training at Keesler, AFB, Whats like after UCT, and the many jobs out there. If you are not comfortable asking a question here please feel free to PM me. I'm here for you guys to share my knowledge and experience!

About Me:
1. Commissioned out of ROTC
2. 1Lt at a Intel Squadron
3. Currently a 17S (Cyber Warfare)
 
What was your major? I'm an electrical engineering major but would computer science be a better option?
 
What was your major? I'm an electrical engineering major but would computer science be a better option?

I was a Comp Sci major. I can honestly tell you no degree is going to prepare you for what UCT has for you. Yea you might see some things you see on a regular basis, (e.g. IP Addresses (How to subnet),). Also you'll see some things you never dealt with before (e.g. How to survive a network cyber attack, How to conduct a Computer Network Attack). In my class we had a mixture of all majors, Engineers, Comp Sci, Biology, Poli Sci. Keep in mind though its how the class works as a team to get everyone through, and some people wash back because something is either 1. Too Difficult and they need a second time run through of the class or 2. They really just don't get the material.
 
My DS started off in AFROTC specifically for this field. He is getting his degree in cybersecuity and it would have been a great start to what sounds like an exciting job! Cyber Warfare Officer. Sounds impressive. I read about the AF cyber warfare division and it sounds so promising and would lead to a great transition back into civilian life. He, however, decided to switch to the Marines. He may still end up doing something with computers, but not to the degree that he would have in the AF. I read the training in the AF for this is quite intense and they will train you from the ground up.
 
My DS started off in AFROTC specifically for this field. He is getting his degree in cybersecuity and it would have been a great start to what sounds like an exciting job! Cyber Warfare Officer. Sounds impressive. I read about the AF cyber warfare division and it sounds so promising and would lead to a great transition back into civilian life. He, however, decided to switch to the Marines. He may still end up doing something with computers, but not to the degree that he would have in the AF. I read the training in the AF for this is quite intense and they will train you from the ground up.
Sampia, You will most definitely have some job security with this in the civilian world. The most exciting part of my job is that i work CLOSELY with the NSA. And when it comes to cyber security these guys are geniuses IMO. In the AF they do train you from the ground up. There are some people who don't even know 10% of what a computer actually does lol and somehow excel to the top of their class and get some great assignments like 57IAS, or 315 NWS
 
My daughter, a 2LT in the nurse Army, is dating an AF Captain in this same field. He is currently stationed in San Antonio and LOVES his assignment. He frequently travels all over the US and while I think he's crazy not to go out in the civilian market and make the big money, he is committed to making a career in the AF. If nothing else, it appears that people assigned to this field are enjoying the field.
 
Last edited:
This is the field I want to get into! How is it determined if you go into Cyber Defense or Cyber Control? Also are you familiar if my degree will get me into Cyber pretty easily? I study what the AF classifies as "Digital Computer Design". It is a technical degree as classified by the Air Force, and I can't think of any other AFSC it would apply to.

Thank you so much for this post, I genuinely do believe that Cyber basically equals pilots for the coming century.
 
My daughter, a 2LT in the nurse Army, is dating an AF Captain in this same field. He is currently stationed in San Antonio and LOVES his assignment. He frequently travels all over the US and while I think he's crazy not to go out in the civilian market and make the big money, he is committed to making a career in the AF. If nothing else, it appears that people assigned to this field are enjoying the field.
Ahhh San Antonio, the home of Air Force Cyber
 
This is the field I want to get into! How is it determined if you go into Cyber Defense or Cyber Control? Also are you familiar if my degree will get me into Cyber pretty easily? I study what the AF classifies as "Digital Computer Design". It is a technical degree as classified by the Air Force, and I can't think of any other AFSC it would apply to.


Thank you so much for this post, I genuinely do believe that Cyber basically equals pilots for the coming century.

Akrogan, so when you are UCT and 3-4 months before you graduate the instructors will request a list of jobs from AFPC (This list is a mixture of Delta & Sierra Type Jobs). Ex. You have 10 people in your class (The instructors will request around 15 available jobs at that time). I would talk to the instructors let them know you interest in Cyber Defense or Cyber Control and they can direct you in which jobs is close to that. Based on your performance they will rack and stack you guys based on you guys dream sheet (base you want to go) and AF needs and put you where you fit best. Its crazy because One list could be totally different from the class in front of you or behind you. Also i had a guy who was Aerospace engineering major, DQ for ABM & Missiles, extremely nervous at UCT and calling me everything on how it was (I started class b4 him). He kicked ass and was 17S viable but turned it down to become 17D
 
This is the field I want to get into! How is it determined if you go into Cyber Defense or Cyber Control? Also are you familiar if my degree will get me into Cyber pretty easily? I study what the AF classifies as "Digital Computer Design". It is a technical degree as classified by the Air Force, and I can't think of any other AFSC it would apply to.


Thank you so much for this post, I genuinely do believe that Cyber basically equals pilots for the coming century.

Akrogan, so when you are UCT and 3-4 months before you graduate the instructors will request a list of jobs from AFPC (This list is a mixture of Delta & Sierra Type Jobs). Ex. You have 10 people in your class (The instructors will request around 15 available jobs at that time). I would talk to the instructors let them know you interest in Cyber Defense or Cyber Control and they can direct you in which jobs is close to that. Based on your performance they will rack and stack you guys based on you guys dream sheet (base you want to go) and AF needs and put you where you fit best. Its crazy because One list could be totally different from the class in front of you or behind you. Also i had a guy who was Aerospace engineering major, DQ for ABM & Missiles, extremely nervous at UCT and calling me everything on how it was (I started class b4 him). He kicked ass and was 17S viable but turned it down to become 17D


Thank you! This career field looks like it really is the future, and I really do want to pursue it. I want to be a 17D as I am more interested in network operations. I currently work IT and really do enjoy it, so this is definitely what I see myself doing. Although 17S is super cool; my biggest qualm seems to be the lack of deployments/travel. Is there accuracy to this statement? Thanks so much!
 
Depends on the job Akrogan. I know I want to get a 17S job at JSOC (Joint special ops: Fort Bragg) and those guys deploy like no other. And of course you have your normal AEF cycle bucket you are placed in for deployments.
 
Just received this AFSC yesterday. I'm a comp sci major and it was third on my dream sheet with Space being first
 
Last edited:
G
First and foremost I would like to thank those who been on this website sharing their knowledge and information ever since I used to visit this site a couple years ago.

I created this thread to answer any questions you future Air Force officers have in regards to Cyber jobs in the Air Force. Whether you want to know about the basics about Undergraduate Cyber Training at Keesler, AFB, Whats like after UCT, and the many jobs out there. If you are not comfortable asking a question here please feel free to PM me. I'm here for you guys to share my knowledge and experience!

About Me:
1. Commissioned out of ROTC
2. 1Lt at a Intel Squadron
3. Currently a 17S (Cyber Warfare)

Gonna shoot you a PM
 
Hello everyone, just joined this site just so I could comment on this post!
Just got 17D 2 days ago and am curious about everything in this career field!
 
I also just received 17D as my AFSC. It was #3 on my list so there's still so much I don't know about it. First of thank you for offering up your experience to us.

1) Is there anything I should do to prepare for UCT? I'm an Engineering major and have minimal, but not super functional knowledge of CS.
2) How long is UCT? Are there different phases? What's the pipeline like (i.e. how long are people's EAD's from the time they graduate?)
3) Where can you go as a 17D? What are the big cyber bases that people get sent to....is getting stationed in Washington State a possibility? Are there opportunities to get stationed abroad?
4) What's the big difference between Delta and Sierra classifications? Is 17S where the top performers go?
5) As much as you can tell us, what is your typical day/week like? What do you spend most of your time doing, as an officer is there more managing people, briefing others, do you do any technical work yourself?
 
Back
Top