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I wonder how difficult it would be, as a medic, to reclass into these cyber fields. I do have experience in the civilian side IT field, with an AAS in InfoSys, and going to school for cybersecurity (but the focus there is more policy/management side versus coding). I of course plan on getting some coding classes in C++. I also hope to earn some certifications in Sec+, CEH and whatnot if I can swing it with the Ed center, but I'm not too sure if the army will cover it since I am a 68 series. Due to my degree, it was suggested by a S6 colleague that I should pursue 25B instead but the OIC stated that 25D is such a high demand MOS that I really should go that route especially since I am going to school for it.
Thoughts or suggestions anyone?
Thoughts or suggestions anyone?
25B: Information Technology Specialist
Cyber
25D: Cyber Network Defender
17C: Cyber Operations Specialist
Cybersecurity
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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It sounds like you are on the right track, and this is a new field. If you are interested in the field, taking civilian classes towards the field already AND if you really enjoy the work/classes then I'd recommend you going for it. 25D is a new field so the updward mobility should be pretty good - check out what authorizations we will have to ensure you do have that upward mobility. For a little more on the MOS, check out this link:
http://www.armyreenlistment.com/reclass-25d.html
http://www.armyreenlistment.com/reclass-25d.html
MOS 25D, Cyber Network Defender
Soldiers serving in MOS 25D will protect against unauthorized activity in the cyberspace domain and perform assessments of threats and vulnerabilities within the network environment.
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the cert we covered on week 1, (SANS 401) was a summary of my entire BS in Cyber Security, it is tough, but it is do able if you desire it. Be very familiar with VMware, Linux, and of course the command lines for windows and Linux. Also study python.
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SFC (Join to see)
You recommend Python over anything else? How much CLI experience. Like I know things like sudo apt-get install ..... chmod etc.
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SSG Ed Mikus
CLI knowledge is essential, DOS, Power-shell and Linux (Power-shell is not yet part of the 25D curriculum), I recommend python because that is more and more the platform used for home-grown tools as it can be platform independent and it has become the standard for cyber defense as well as offence.
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Not difficult at all. Get your packet together and submit it, the worst thing that can happen is they can possibly say no. If you don't submit the answer will always be no. If you plan on doing 25D I would forget about doing C++ and do Python. I graduate from 25D school in 2 days, submitting your packet will be well worth it.
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SGT (Join to see)
I am a recently promoted e5 May 1 to be exact I was looking at 25D will the chances of my being allowed since I do not currently have an NCOER?
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Do everything you can. I thought it would be impossible, but got in... but that required many endless nights of study for several certifications.
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Thank you all for the responses. Many thanks especially to SSG Creek and CSM Uhlig. I will tend to agree with you SSG Creek, that if I spent my own money on certs, I would be more apt to get a better outcome and/or more inclined to actually use the certs. I like TA and the Ed center, however, I see too many students using TA and just barely skating by and it pisses me off since I am here busting my butt and trying to get into honors society and what not, my 3.571 GPA may seem paltry to academia proper but I am still proud of it considering the balance of army life and being a student...studying in the field is difficult. It would be great if TA or some military fund helped with cert testing (I can always find the study materials for free at so many places) as having that help would alleviate much pressure and stress on the family finances, but I will find a way, even if its slowly. Thanks again for the feedback.
Update: After visiting a ed counselor in Vilsec, I was able to knock out 12 credits for the BS in Cyber and get them replaced with classes that will actually count towards my MS in cyber, so excited for that!
Update: After visiting a ed counselor in Vilsec, I was able to knock out 12 credits for the BS in Cyber and get them replaced with classes that will actually count towards my MS in cyber, so excited for that!
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SSG(P) Lulz Sec
Awesome, not to shoot you or anyone down, but if you are a Cyber/InfoSec professional at heart, you'll see that accessions is killing and butchering the mission right now. I would train 100 new PVT's on CO before molded Signal/MI folks with limited ways of thinking based mostly on what they know already. Caveat, I'm an outsider from a non-feeder MOS and I walked in more "Cyber" than most out the gate because I was what the mission needs right now, not what it could run into it. Also because, most walking around think well "Cyber" was born from what I am or know, which is totally wrong and the DoD has had CNO and IO for decades now and none of them ever took a COMSEC or Critical Thinking course in their life, much less tell you that someone at a help desk did their job. No one reading this take this as arrogant or whatever, I have degrees in the field now, saved the Army $$$$ on certs I personally took a chance on with my base pay instead of buying toys for my kid or food for my family, and I don't take vacations, only go to Con's to glean every capability possible for the future, the only other person in the world who can really help with my dissertation runs the Army Cyber Institute, and I'll gladly "stay my lane" and pull staff duty as I write white papers and excel at the mission. Keep kicking ass like you have been, be patient, drop your packet, and walk in here as a producer and not a consumer; the CMF needs everyone like that it can gets. If you get the notion, go to OCS, tell them you want to be a Cyber Officer. Intellectual Capacity and Personal Courage together will make tons of lives easier as a leader in the CMF in the short future to come. Hell, I'd do anything if we had "Old Blood and Guts" to lead us in this Cyber War today XD. In fact, if you are the real deal and willing to be a damn great Cyber NCO, I will spot the silly $ for you to knock out Security+ if I feel you have what it takes. If I could put one person with "it" in the CMF next to me a day at 300$, I'd be hella broke, but I'd know I am a member of the best damn Cyber force in the world. (On a real, if the $ is the only issue, PM me and I'll see if we can knock that out somehow for you).
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The only thing stopping you from achieving your goals and dreams is yourself! Go for it and study hard and keep working hard and you can do anything!
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You cant go wrong with Cyber. It's that new hotness. I've been in cyber since I retired and I love it.
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I went that way too. I am not, no ever was signal or intel. You can get into that field in the Army as a medic. However, the Army and ed center can't help for certs. I know, I tried, it cost me around $6,000 to get the certs I felt I needed to be competitive. I also started as 5 and that will give you time to get everything accomplished and ready for when you make 6. It is ok though, it will make for great motivation to learn and actually retain what you go through, instead of having TRADOC cram 70% into you. INFOSEC is am awesome career field Army or not and it sounds like you might go past the military with it still. Best of luck!
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SSG(P) Lulz Sec
You must be in the class, come back to this after you go through the course and see that this is just not for most people interested in it. Just getting t a go is not what FORSCOM or the CMF need of Cyber Soliders right now and it is half the issue in DoD CO right now. If you were farther in the course, you wouldn't even comment or be on this site which is nothing but a risk to the mission.
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SGT (Join to see)
The course isn't really all that difficult. If you have any sort of real IT background you will be fine. I think the horror stories come from those not really having prior experience to the field.
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I would imagine you would have to have 25D MOS along with the following certifications. Network+, Security+, A+, CCNA, CCIS and Certified Ethical Hacker. That is what I would look for in a security guy in this day and age.
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For SEC+ and CEH the Signal University at your installation would have those classes and certification exams for the low price of free.
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