Cyber Security in Army question

Connor.H403

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Mar 1, 2019
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I am looking to possibly join the army after completing college and have a question about my options. I am majoring in cybersecurity and would like to have an MOS related to cybersecurity, such as cyber operations specialist(17C). The certifications and training you receive for that MOS would be a big help for my future career. However, I am not exactly sure if I should enlist in the gaurd, reserve, or active duty. I feel active duty may possibly be too much time away from starting my career in cybersecurity, which is why I've considered the other options. I do also realize it is always a possibility that I will be called up to active duty anyway. Any advice on which one I should do or consider more is appreciated!
 
Are looking to join as an Officer or as Enlisted. This site is geared more toward the Officer Route though maybe someone will be able to give you some guidance on the Enlisted side.
 
Are looking to join as an Officer or as Enlisted. This site is geared more toward the Officer Route though maybe someone will be able to give you some guidance on the Enlisted side.
I'm leaning more towards enlisted, as you get more training. I couldn't really find anywhere else to post, so decided to try here.
 
https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...sion-no-basic-training-or-ocs-required.65179/

Yes, ARNG or USAR will afford you more flexibility with your civilian career-- at the detriment of your military proficiency.

If the program in the above link does not interest you, I would recommend you enlist for a minimum of 4 years in Active Duty (you'll go in as an E-4 with your degree, so this gives you time to be considered for E-5) and then later transition to ARNG or USAR. Reasons why:
  • Many civilian employers do not value or understand reserve component service as much as they do active component service
    • Many will view it as "weekend warrior" status, where you run around in the woods on the weekend. They usually will not view you as a "real" military member (which is garbage)
  • You will be on Title 10 (aka active duty) anyway for your first year to 1.5 years for Basic, AIT, and any follow-on training at your gaining USAR/ARNG unit
  • Junior enlisted in USAR/ARNG are often not taken seriously.
  • Enlisting with a college degree is considered weird-- even more so in the reserve component.
    • The suspicion will be that you are just jumping in to hang around for a commissioning opportunity, and therefore will not be around long.
    • Hence, no point in your MOS trainers spending much time on your career development.
  • Opportunities to train at the junior enlisted level are much more infrequent and rare in the reserve component.
Some of the above is my subjective opinion, but it is based off of years of both joint and total force (aka working alongside guard/reserve members) operations. The most capable (and happy) reserve component members I have met have nearly always been prior active duty or have spent years as full-timers in the Guard or Reserve.

Military cybersecurity is a different career field than civilian cyber. If you aren't interested in active duty (or, presumably full-time in the reserve or ARNG as a technician or AGR), then, by extension, you are deciding you aren't interested in being a capable military cybersecurity specialist.

That's completely fine, but understand the implications.
 
I feel active duty may possibly be too much time away from starting my career in cybersecurity, which is why I've considered the other options.

Don't make decisions based off of feelings. Rational decision-making based in reason and concrete facts will serve you better in the service.

I do also realize it is always a possibility that I will be called up to active duty anyway.

True involuntary mobilization is rare. Usually, you will be presented with opportunities and afforded the choice whether to mobilize or not. However, there are only so many times you can defer mobilization before it destroys your career progression-- especially in the Army.
 
https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...sion-no-basic-training-or-ocs-required.65179/

Yes, ARNG or USAR will afford you more flexibility with your civilian career-- at the detriment of your military proficiency.

If the program in the above link does not interest you, I would recommend you enlist for a minimum of 4 years in Active Duty (you'll go in as an E-4 with your degree, so this gives you time to be considered for E-5) and then later transition to ARNG or USAR. Reasons why:
  • Many civilian employers do not value or understand reserve component service as much as they do active component service
    • Many will view it as "weekend warrior" status, where you run around in the woods on the weekend. They usually will not view you as a "real" military member (which is garbage)
  • You will be on Title 10 (aka active duty) anyway for your first year to 1.5 years for Basic, AIT, and any follow-on training at your gaining USAR/ARNG unit
  • Junior enlisted in USAR/ARNG are often not taken seriously.
  • Enlisting with a college degree is considered weird-- even more so in the reserve component.
    • The suspicion will be that you are just jumping in to hang around for a commissioning opportunity, and therefore will not be around long.
    • Hence, no point in your MOS trainers spending much time on your career development.
  • Opportunities to train at the junior enlisted level are much more infrequent and rare in the reserve component.
Some of the above is my subjective opinion, but it is based off of years of both joint and total force (aka working alongside guard/reserve members) operations. The most capable (and happy) reserve component members I have met have nearly always been prior active duty or have spent years as full-timers in the Guard or Reserve.

Military cybersecurity is a different career field than civilian cyber. If you aren't interested in active duty (or, presumably full-time in the reserve or ARNG as a technician or AGR), then, by extension, you are deciding you aren't interested in being a capable military cybersecurity specialist.

That's completely fine, but understand the implications.
Thank you for all of the replies, it helped a lot. Due to your advice and additional research I have been doing, I am now hopefully going ot enlist active duty for at least 4 years. Once again, thank you!
 
Thank you for all of the replies, it helped a lot. Due to your advice and additional research I have been doing, I am now hopefully going ot enlist active duty for at least 4 years. Once again, thank you!

Happy to help. Thank you for stepping up to serve!
 
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