Posted on Jun 3, 2020
PFC Not Yet
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Hi,
I am planning to be cyber operations officer (17A).
However, I could not find any information about when it starts.
Since it takes 37 weeks to finish which is about 9 months, I guess it opens once a year.
So if I can know when it starts, it would be really helpful.

Thank you.
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Responses: 4
LTC Jason Mackay
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You could look in ATRRS. You won’t see courses beyond the FY.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
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PFC (Join to see) - You have the cart waaaaaaayyyyyyy before the horse. Why are you worrying about when BOLC courses start? You havent even been selected for G2G. Worry about that first. Once you finish the degree, athe program, and are through accessions, then worry about BOLC. there is 0 to plan ahead for. There is no guarantee that will be your branch.

https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/how-do-i-choose-an-army-branch-a-framework
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Thank you for your advice, sir.
I know that I am worried about something that is way ahead, but I wanted to make my life goal, 10 year plan, 5 year plan, 3 year plan, 1 year plan so that I could know what I should do today for my goal.
As of right now, my 10 year goal is to be a cyber officer and discharge as a captain.
I thought about going to Officer Candidate School because I have 5 credit hours left for my mathematics and statistics degree, but I heard that OCS gets the last pick. So I changed my mind to ROTC, which is green to Gold program for my graduate degree to increase my chances to get cyber branch. To be competitive green to gold applicant, I have to have good GPA, good PT score. Therefore, I planned to transfer, take courses again for about 3 years with Tuition Assistance so that I can increase my GPA, and I can use my GI Bill for my graduate school. To get a high GPA and PT score, I have to study coding, and stay fit. That is why I study coding at least 30 minutes and do additional push ups in my barracks everyday.
Like you said sir, cyber branch is not guaranteed to me and I can not even be selected as green to gold program. However, I think it is better to adjust my plan than not to make it just because nothing is guaranteed. Since Army processes take too long, some might take like at least several months, I think I should be prepared not to waste my precious time especially when I am in 20s.
But again, thank you for your advice sir.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
4 y
PFC (Join to see) it is good to plan, the value being the planning vs the plan. Planning around BOLC is a waste of time. If you commission, BOLC is mandatory, and for AD, before you do anything else. It will happen
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LTC Jason Mackay
Thank you for your advice, sir.
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Alec Roman
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Like any BOLC, it is constantly going on. COVID has thrown a wrench in it a bit but for the most part things are still going on and it all comes down to when the Army decides to send you. I have a guy at the Army Cyber Institute who commissioned in the fall this last year and went immediately and just finished, I have another that graduated the same time and is only just now attending, my girlfriend graduated last month and started BOLC 3 weeks ago, and some guys graduated with her and aren’t reporting until October.
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Thank you so much!
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MAJ Intell Officer
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Edited 4 y ago
What do you mean planning on being 17A?
ATRRS has ALL the school dates.
This FY there were 8 scheduled CY BOLC courses. Classes run all year long.
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I first joined US Army this March to be 17A, but I didn't have citizenship and college degree and also this was why I could not do 17C, nor ROTC.
Therefore, I picked 92Y, which is pretty easy job, to save my time and energy to study more coding and working on my college degree.
Now, I have 5 college credit to finish, I am considering to apply for green to gold program for my master's degree and hopefully I can get cyber branch. I considered about OCS, but I heard that OCS takes last picks so there would be lower chances to get cyber branch.
So I was wondering if there is a big gap between finishing my graduate degree and getting into CyBolc.
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MAJ Intell Officer
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Since you just got into the military and are under contract, it may be some time before you can transition. Your branch will be determined by needs of the Army. Continue to do your research on options.
It will be another year before you meet the minimum service requirement to do green to gold. https://collegerecon.com/army-green-to-gold-program/
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/officer-candidate-school.html
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For that reason, I was going to apply in 2022 or 2023.
Thank you, ma'am
If I have any further question, can I send a message to you?
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MAJ Intell Officer
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sure
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