Advice for Career Development in IT/InfoSec?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 00:30:59 -0500

I'm reclassing to 17C once the schoolhouse opens up. I've been in IT for 2 and half years now in the civilian sector and coming up on 2 years in the military. I don't have a bachelors and questioning if I should pursue it.

I was talking to a CW4 in my unit and he was telling me that there is a dire need for good LT's in Cyber in USAR/RA.

Should I pursue college or try for WOCS?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2016 1:09 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 01:09:42 -0500

If you have an inkling to go, do it! Don't wait and then question it 20 years from now or put it off. It is a physically demanding course and exhausting, but rewarding.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2016 1:16 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 01:16:11 -0500

What do you want to do? Do you want to be counted on as a subject matter expert in your field and concentrate on technical training, engineering development and readiness, or do you want to primarily lead troops at the Platoon Leader and Company Command level and sprinkle in some staff time before you decide if your going to be a planner or career green tabber? Don't get me wrong there are positives and negatives to both.

Response by SSG Drew Cook made Feb 26 at 2016 10:56 AM

SSG Drew Cook — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 10:56:42 -0500

I don't know much about IT other than basic front end things, but every civilian i know got where they are from teaching themselves coding. I know GED grads who never went to college and took online courses and are making six digits at major corporations from it.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Feb 26 at 2016 11:42 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 11:42:04 -0500

if you plan to do Cyber in the Army and get promoted (enlisted or Officer) you need college. The Army will line you up with plenty of certs so the civilian schooling is what will set you apart. as for O-E-W grades, that depends on what roles you wish to play and right now they are not well defined in this world. My prediction is we will follow the model of the MI corp and be more like the rest of the Army meaning the Officer will be hands off keyboard almost completely.

Good luck with your decisions and goals.