Posted on Feb 1, 2020
Can an NCOIC have someone removed from a unit for not attaining a civilian certification?
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My unit is currently deployed to Afghanistan, and some people don't have the CompTIA Security+ certification, which is required to be an administrator on our networks. Our NCOIC recently threatened both of them that if they didn't get the certification he'd have them sent home and moved to another unit entirely. When they asked for help obtaining vouchers to even take the exam, he offered no advice and said it was for them to figure out. My question is, is that allowed? Can you have a soldier sent home early from a rotation and kicked out of a unit for not having a civilian IT certification? Thanks for the help.
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Senior Leaders
Posted 5 y ago
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If that certification is required to be MOS-Q or required for official duties, then Yes. There are other civilian certifications associated with various MOSs. Especially in Signal, believe it is DoD 8570 compliance. It would ultimately be the Commander's decision.
If it is a mission requirement, then there needs to be a pathway to achieve it. Sometimes that pathway is for you to study, take the test at own expense and request reimbursement. Sometimes a unit pays for a course and examiner and puts it on the training schedule.sometimes there is DL from ATTRS or CompTIA itself. Were these two provided an opportunity but failed? Provided an opportunity but pissed away the opportunity? How did everyone else manage it? He may have been gruff if it was an FFI situation. Doesn't matter, you are going to tell me a tale that is a tapestry of maniacal senior malfeasance, cherubic innocence of these two lost lambs, etc. being told to figure it out is often part of the corrective training. I have to believe there is more to this story. Being threatened with being excommunicated may be the only way to put sufficient motivation behind these two people.
I teach A+ certification prep. You need about 6 months to do it. Not sure what the flash to bang time is for Security +. There is the very real issue of how you take the exam deployed. Don't think there is a PearsonVUE testing center in Bagram.
Did their qualification lapse? CompTIA has CE requirements to maintain the cert. A+ is good for three years but you have to meet CE requirements, or retake the exams (1001 and 1002).
If it is a mission requirement, then there needs to be a pathway to achieve it. Sometimes that pathway is for you to study, take the test at own expense and request reimbursement. Sometimes a unit pays for a course and examiner and puts it on the training schedule.sometimes there is DL from ATTRS or CompTIA itself. Were these two provided an opportunity but failed? Provided an opportunity but pissed away the opportunity? How did everyone else manage it? He may have been gruff if it was an FFI situation. Doesn't matter, you are going to tell me a tale that is a tapestry of maniacal senior malfeasance, cherubic innocence of these two lost lambs, etc. being told to figure it out is often part of the corrective training. I have to believe there is more to this story. Being threatened with being excommunicated may be the only way to put sufficient motivation behind these two people.
I teach A+ certification prep. You need about 6 months to do it. Not sure what the flash to bang time is for Security +. There is the very real issue of how you take the exam deployed. Don't think there is a PearsonVUE testing center in Bagram.
Did their qualification lapse? CompTIA has CE requirements to maintain the cert. A+ is good for three years but you have to meet CE requirements, or retake the exams (1001 and 1002).
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The education center in Bagram closed in 2014 I think. Last time I was there (2017) there was an AirForce unit that had facilities that hosted proctored tests for central Texas college, university of Maryland, and some other stuff.
The local combatant command’s G6 should have all the info on availability of training (2 week crash course), and exam vouchers. In 2017 my Signal Detachment sent one junior enlisted and one NCO to take (and passed!) the exam in Bagram. They self studied, however, and our unit paid for the voucher.
The local combatant command’s G6 should have all the info on availability of training (2 week crash course), and exam vouchers. In 2017 my Signal Detachment sent one junior enlisted and one NCO to take (and passed!) the exam in Bagram. They self studied, however, and our unit paid for the voucher.
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Yes network admins need an IAT level 2 certification. If they don’t, then they can’t be approved network admins and must perform another function. Units are subordinate network administrators to the local network administration authority. They will not allow it. If there’s no more functions in that platoon/shop/section for those not qualified, then they need to be moved somewhere laterally or to the next higher headquarters, where someone can utilize their MOS.
Your story sounds like a bit one sided, however. My advice would be to support them by ensuring they are seeking at least the training. Free training is on skillport for Security+ 501 (the newest). And it’s worth promotion points for those junior SMs.
Your story sounds like a bit one sided, however. My advice would be to support them by ensuring they are seeking at least the training. Free training is on skillport for Security+ 501 (the newest). And it’s worth promotion points for those junior SMs.
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Yes. This is no different than requiring a provider to have a state licensure and upkeep of continuing education units. If it’s required to be mission ready then yes if you aren’t mission ready you can be sent home.
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