Hello, I was recently accepted into West Point and I'm primarily interested in cyber, but I'm also considering signal corps and military intelligence as backup options. I'd love to hear any information on what that life would look like after being commissioned. Daily activities, leadership responsibilities, challenges, and any insight you can offer. Thank you!
Looking for info on life as an officer as a Cyber, Military Intelligence, or Signal MOS.
- Thread starter army5723
- Start date
-
- Tags
- mos west point
- Joined
- May 22, 2018
- Messages
- 5,502
DD is a recent USNA grad who was selected for cyber. She told us: “I could tell you what I do, but then I’d have to kill you.” I don’t think she was kidding.
Last summer, I spoke at length with an Army one star who had quite a bit of exposure to cyber, including time at Fort Gordon. He said: “Get used to not knowing what she does day in and day out. She can’t tell you — and it’s for your own safety.” ’Nuf said.
Last summer, I spoke at length with an Army one star who had quite a bit of exposure to cyber, including time at Fort Gordon. He said: “Get used to not knowing what she does day in and day out. She can’t tell you — and it’s for your own safety.” ’Nuf said.
That's awesome! I would go to the Naval Academy if they commissioned more officers into cyber. How did she get into cyber?
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2014
- Messages
- 1,121
Our son commissioned as a Cyber officer out of USMA (majored in EE, competed on the Cyber team), posted to Ft. Gordon, but is currently doing a five-month stint in Qatar. Regardless of where he is, he works in a SCIF all day in front of a screen, sometimes doing classified stuff, sometimes not. He’s 17D, so he‘s a developer and oversees a development team. You can PM me if you want more specifics.
- Joined
- May 22, 2018
- Messages
- 5,502
She majored in a STEM field (though not Comp Sci or Engineering). Earned strong grades. Held significant billets. Aced the PFTs. Was captain of her club sports team. And she developed meaningful relationships with mentors on the Yard — both officer and enlisted — who guided her and advocated for her during the service discernment and selection period.
My DS commissioned the same year that Cyber was stood up. He was very interested in Cyber, but was warned that the only Cyber ascensions would be awarded to CE,CS and EE majors. I think the total that year was <10. He majored in Chemistry, but jammed as much CS into his schedule as he could. He chose Signal with a BRADSO believing that would over him the best chance for an OCONUS first duty station and to be where the action was at the time, i.e., the Middle East.
What he found was that many of the O-1's at S-BOLC were not STEM majors and struggled with the classroom, while it was breeze for him. When he got to his first duty station he found a competent corps of enlisted and NCO's. 8 years later he is no longer in the Signal Corps, and would probably say the Signal would be the easiest branch to migrate out of. There is a large welcome mat for the Signaleers at all the telecoms if he and when he would chose to leave the Army. Things will change over the next few years...as will you.
Congratulations and best of luck going forward.
What he found was that many of the O-1's at S-BOLC were not STEM majors and struggled with the classroom, while it was breeze for him. When he got to his first duty station he found a competent corps of enlisted and NCO's. 8 years later he is no longer in the Signal Corps, and would probably say the Signal would be the easiest branch to migrate out of. There is a large welcome mat for the Signaleers at all the telecoms if he and when he would chose to leave the Army. Things will change over the next few years...as will you.
Congratulations and best of luck going forward.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2010
- Messages
- 5,834
Navy has a very well regarded Cyber Major and a very new facility to host it. They are also a very short ride from Fort Meade so there
is the ability to interface with the folks actually doing a lot of it.
I have been around for a while and have the highest respect for you. But I have to remind you that machines interface. People interact. Sorry, I'm old and analogue.
Your point, however, is spot on. I always advised both my DS's to find someone several years older doing what they think they would like to be doing in the future. It would either excite them or encourage them to look for a different route...before it's too late.
Should clarify that he is still in the Army.