25U, AIT is at Gordon. Drill is at Whiteman AFB. What should I expect? Are there any recommended certs I should get for good civilian jobs?

PVT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 17:39:49 -0500

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2018 7:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 19:43:09 -0500

It really depends. If your job at drill needs someone with a+ n+ or sec + you can fight for it. If not you probably won’t get it just because they don’t want to pay for something that they aren’t going to benefit from.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2018 7:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 19:46:10 -0500

Start with the pre-existing discussions that ask the same questions and already have responses, learning the PPW, ways to improve at your MOS, and CompTIA Sec+ at Skillport.

The rest depends on your civilian career goals.

https://www.rallypoint.com/specialties/25u-signal-support-systems-specialist
https://www.rallypoint.com/professional-military-education/advanced-individual-training-ait-25u
http://golivelively.com/2015/04/05/ppw/
http://golivelively.com/2015/03/16/careerprogression/

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Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2018 9:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 21:05:06 -0500

For 25U it really helps to be versitile and know more than radios. In my experience, knowing computers and how to trouble shoot them has been an asset. Once you get settled in your unit shoot for Sec+, net+, and a+. Get on to skillport while you’re in AIT with your free time and knock out some MOS specific courses as well. Think long term whether you’re a lifer in the military or not- what will set you up for success in the long run. Best of luck to you! Message me if you would like more info.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2018 1:41 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 01:41:16 -0500

At 1-135th AHB, you are going to need both sets of skills (25U and 25B). You are lacking section NCO leadership and CPT Hayes may be looking to you over the next 12-18months to be that go to troop. You will need to be able to set up and work your battalion CPN as a secondary skill set. Ask people at the schoolhouse what a mid-tier is and if you can learn how to build one during your off time...soooo much you can learn and do that will crossover to civilian life if you are willing to crosstrain into 25B skills. As stated in other answers, look to skill port...at your present rank I recommend that you knock out A+ on skill port. Once complete, go after NET+ on skillport as well. Ask to be put into the accelerated schools at PEC in Arkansas go for 5 days to attend A+ and NET+ and take the certification exam(s). On the 25U side, while knowing your RT-1523 from your PRC-117G (which you won't have) and your PSC-5D (which you do have) and your HF radio and how they will communicate with your aircraft will be a big asset for the unit. For you, personally, unless you are going into civilian radio comms, not much use. The IT side of your 25U training at FT Gordon will be your best bet for civilian employment. Several of your former junior enlisted/junior NCO's have left the unit there and are now making a lot more money on the civ side than they ever made at their ranks...ask CPT Hayes about SGT Deshazo and SGT Sievers. Good luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2018 3:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 15:28:43 -0500

You will have the opportunity to go for certifications at the school house, so go prepared. There are numerous study guides on the internet if you do a quick search. Also check out Professor Messer, he has numerous videos that will help you. Fort Gordon really pushes for certifications now, and has vouchers available if you meet the requirements (skillports and a test). If you study and show up prepared, you can easily leave with A+,Sec +, and maybe N+. Good luck and have fun.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 9:39 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 09:39:21 -0500

Get on landwar.net
You need to cac login but that site has loads of information, TMs, training slides, and youtube videos breaking down so much. You have multiple sections like COMSEC, Tactical radios, IT networking, and SATCOM. A lot of soldiers in my previous unit used this to get there security plus certs.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 10:16 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 22:16:31 -0500

Net+ security+

Response by SPC(P) Lawrence Tolentino made Apr 10 at 2018 7:55 AM

SPC(P) Lawrence Tolentino — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 07:55:43 -0400

Hey Brother,

Everyone pretty much hit the nail on the head with your question.

I’m assuming your USAR or ARNG? From what it sounds like, you wanna get into the IT field?

From my personal experience from being on the line, you want to strive to be an NCOIC regardless if you’ve got your stripes yet or not. What I mean is that you want to know the equipment of the Company you’re a Commo Rep in, ranging from VRC’s, ASIP radios, BFT’s, Handhelds, etc. That and like everyone else has said, to know what our 25B counterparts know. There's a reason why we're referred to as "25 Universal".

Lastly... DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS! That was my biggest problem when I took over my shop as a SPC who previously just did details to becoming NCOIC when I did an Interpost Transfer. As a PVT out of AIT, of course you’re not gonna know much of everything. Network, ask questions, and be upfront if you don’t have the answer. I’d say the majority of our MOS is OJT. You’ll get proficient eventually.

Good luck to you man.

Response by SFC Grady Dungan made Apr 15 at 2018 2:25 PM

SFC Grady Dungan — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 14:25:32 -0400