25D going to BCTs: Good or bad?

2015-05-08T19:48:59-04:00

So it is being stated that 25D are now going to BCT's my question is this good or bad. I have seen in my experience that 25 series MOS's like 25B unless assigned to a NOS usually end up doing paperwork or if they have a TS clearance they are comsec custodians. As a future 25D I am wondering if these BCT's are allowing us to do our jobs were trained to do or if we are doing something else not related.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 8 at 2015 11:42 PM

2015-05-08T23:42:29-04:00

Do your best where ever your are planted.... And, all will be fine.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Aug 17 at 2015 9:33 PM

2015-08-17T21:33:29-04:00

The COMSEC thing is a side affect of politics, some 25D's will do COMSEC, all 25D's will be involved with COMSEC, it is our job as 25D's to ensure our presence and cyber skills are known, it is a privileged we share with our senior signal leaders to mentor the rest of the Army on their need for us in their battle plans. (no, we are not offence, but defense is a big part of every battle plan).

Even without COMSEC, paperwork will be a big part of our job, we must be able to articulate where and why our skills are needed to people who may or may not understand. we must be able to prove the value of digital defense, training, budget, and more. This is why the 25D course currently contains SANS 401 & 501 which are both aimed at managing Cyber not being a technical expert. We are leading the fight in this, We have buy off from the top leaders in the country, We must convince the battle field commanders now.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2016 2:58 PM

2016-06-16T14:58:27-04:00

If you get stuck in a vault, unless you spend a significant amount of time during your off hours you will lose the skill set and become quite useless in the field. You probably won't be afforded to $ or time to maintain certifications which would cost the unit. Then upon actually utilizing you after three years of comsec, you will most likely be found inadequate for the job now and it will reflect on your NCOER. Good luck maintaining knowledge if you have a family too. It's death by homogeny as a social species and c list forward thinkers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2016 5:21 PM

2016-12-13T17:21:20-05:00

I have bad news for you brother, I'm a 25D in a BCT with a TS. My options are COMSEC or Automations. 25D is only good for the knowledge and the certs. Other than that you're headed to straight to COMSEC

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2016 12:54 PM

2016-12-15T12:54:01-05:00

Normally not one to necro a thread but most of my class is doing COMSEC. Most leaders only think Army and not Soldier so putting you in a vault and telling you to do your job and you will be fine is career(after Army) murder. You will have to spend a lot of time doing self training and hoping that is sufficient to maintain technical knowledge which is ALL this MOS is supposed to be. I would suggest going and doing things like honeypot.net for forensics and SAN's exceed Isra for pentesting. There are other sites that have penetration testing challenges you can do for free which will help you develop skills and critical thinking. Good luck.