Posted on Apr 1, 2021
PFC Cyber Operations Specialist
10.6K
86
20
4
4
0
I am a 17C and I'm projected to go to Germany. After getting into contact with the only 17C on that base I feel as if I will not be utilized as a cyber warrior and waste all the training I have received in my 2 years of AIT. He included that I will not be getting any cyber certifications and I fear that I wont be able to progress in cyber. If anyone has any advice on me trying to get my orders changed please let me know. It's not that I'm scared to OCONUS or I don't want to go to Germany, I just want to be able to do my job. Thanks.
Avatar feed
Responses: 10
SGM Jeff Mccloud
21
21
0
Edited >1 y ago
SFC (Join to see) will be here soon enough to explain exactly why projections cannot be changed.
While we wait, here's some free career advice:

You have had exactly zero assignments in CMF 17, and you have talked to exactly one person in a CMF 17 job and want to make career decisions based on that.
Would you base your decision to purchase a car on the opinion of one person who owns a car? Hopefully not.
Your Army career is what you make of it. Whether you want it to be 3 years or 30, or anything in between, 1 MOS or 3.
You get to decide all by yourself how well you are going to do your job, which equates to how valuable you are in that job.
And that value plays a factor in how you are utilized in that job or something else.

You don't know this guy in Germany. He might be a sharp go-getter who is just working for an uninformed commander (and CMF 17 is the newest thing in the Army), or he may be the kind of guy that phones his job in, doesn't care about effort, has shown no aptitude to convince his leadership that he should get certifications, and was rightly marginalized where he can do the least damage with his lack of effort.

Either way, you just don't know. What I can tell you is that, regardless of CMF, you see a helluva lot more of the latter than you do of the former when it comes to Soldiers getting shelved.

I can assure you that in the Army, just like in any career field, the better you do at your job, the better the chances are that good things will happen in your job and career.
(21)
Comment
(0)
SFC Retention Operations Nco
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y
I really couldn't have said it any better. The only thing I can add is that the only time the projected assignment gets changed is if the Service member can't go or their family isn't able to get command sponsorship
(7)
Reply
(0)
PFC Cyber Operations Specialist
PFC (Join to see)
>1 y
Thank you for the reply, Sergeant Major. This was really helpful and I'm grateful to have received your advice. If they don't plan on using me for cyber I planned on trying to find ways to incorporate cyber however I can. I was also wondering how I would/could go about that considering I'm a PFC trying to propose cyber in their unit to higher enlisted personnel. No matter where I get stationed I will still try and be the best soldier I can be and stay motivated because being a soldier always comes first. Thank you again Sergeant Major.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Retention Operations Nco
12
12
0
If I was a young PFC who was offered a chance to go to Germany I would be happy to do ANYTHING for the opportunity. I would be happy scrubbing toilets and emptying trash cans for three years for the opportunity to live and party in Germany at that age. You can always pursue your education on your own time as well.
(12)
Comment
(0)
LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
>1 y
Ahhhhh to be young and single in Germany. We should all be so lucky
(3)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
MSG Intermediate Care Technician
7
7
0
Dude....it's Germany. GERMANY!!!!! You have one person...ONE....telling you how it is. Each assignment is what you make it. I bet if you take the passion and enthusiasm you have for your MOS, you can sell your worth to the Command.
(7)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Avatar feed
Is it possible to get projections changed?
CW2 Electronic Warfare Technician
5
5
0
Here is one of the issues that us in the Cyber Branch have to do - at all levels: show the unit what we can provide. It's so new that the normal units either have no idea what to do with it, or they don't give the chance. It's up to YOU, the Cyber Warrior, to show the Army what you can do.
Now I don't know which unit you are going to in Germany, but there is need for Cyber over there. An MDTF is being stood up there soon.

As for getting cyber certs, that's not really the unit's job, that's your job. Get on Army IgnitED and start working on one. Cyber is so new that you can't "not progress" these days, but there is some stuff we can't get into here about why a 17C may not be able to do their "job" (authorities and approvals etc) but you need to find the work to be done in your field, as it may not be presented to you. Integrate with the EW if you're the only 17C and teach each other stuff. We're a small branch.

I'm not doing my job is one of the most common complaints in the Army. The entire Global War On Terror the Cavalry wasn't really doing their job either, nor a lot of the Artillery, and those are both OLD, established branches.
(5)
Comment
(0)
PFC Cyber Operations Specialist
PFC (Join to see)
>1 y
Thank you Sir. I appreciate the great information. I will look into more ways i can advance my knowledge in cyber and try my best to work with my unit and find ways we can include cyber there. I will take this information and do well with it Sir. Thank you again!
(2)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Mos T
5
5
0
PFC Draves, first I want to applaud you for asking questions and worrying about your future. A lot of Soldiers just go through the motions and not even try to get additional certifications or training so I’m proud of you. That being said, the Army has plenty of resources outside of your duty assignment that can progress your career. Utilize TA and the Army COOL program. Also as a PFC it’s the perfect time to learn from others because you have less responsibilities. Continue to ask question, find a mentor, volunteer. As soon as you get up in the ranks your free time will be more focused on other people’s issues than your own. Take advantage of the time you have before becoming a squad/team leader or NCO. Never stop asking questions and do not let anyone stifle your thirst for growth. Lesson learned here though, some people will take what you say out of context or just assume you’re being entitled etc etc. It is VERY important to learn how to approach senior leaders when asking certain questions that may shine a negative light on you. I want to assume that your intentions were good by this post but others may see it as just trying to get out of an inconvenient situation. It never hurts to ask but be okay with receiving a no. Germany is a great opportunity to travel and I’m sure you will learn a lot. Take that drive and initiative to learn Cyber and redirect some, not all, to becoming a great Soldier and an amazing leader one day.
(5)
Comment
(0)
PFC Cyber Operations Specialist
PFC (Join to see)
>1 y
Thank you, Sergeant. I didn't mean to sound entitled at all and I don't mind going to Germany, I would love to see the world! I guess what I was trying to say was I don't want to be useless in the cyber field. Ill be the only 17C in my unit and I feel like it would be hard to get a mentor or apply the skills that I have learned when there is no place to apply me. Don't get me wrong Sergeant, I want to do great things for the Army and for the future places I go but I would like to do my job as well. Thank you again for the advice!
(1)
Reply
(0)
SGT Mos T
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
I honestly didn’t think you did. Trust the system. There will be other units with 17c. You don’t have to find a mentor in your unit. When you get to Germany be vocal about it with your chain of command, that you want to learn and that you have concerns that you won’t learn your job. Also, if COVID has taught us anything it’s that we can do most things online. RallyPoint is a good place to find a mentor , possibly even a 17c. If there aren’t 17c’s on here there’s probably someone who knows one. You could even start now looking for one, make a post asking for a 17c mentor. Another thing, if you do your job, don’t get in trouble and you’re eager to learn your chain of command would be stupid not to ensure your future in the Army and as a 17c is great. You are just graduating AIT. You ARE the future and it’s our jobs as leaders to motivate train and mentor you. Complacency is a disease in the Army, always try to grow and learn, keep it up.
(1)
Reply
(0)
MAJ Byron Oyler
MAJ Byron Oyler
>1 y
PFC (Join to see) - You will have plenty of Army mentors and old farts to help you grow as a soldier and a person. Bluntly, you are a computer nerd and in every barracks and corner of the world is someone like you. Out of the jobs in the Army and world, there is always something for you to learn and get better at and unlike those of us in healthcare, no one has to have a bad day for you to do your chosen field. This is a great place to bring this question and plenty of us on here are happy to help you grow.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Intelligence Analyst
4
4
0
Don’t be the soldier with the entitlement mentality.
(4)
Comment
(0)
PFC Cyber Operations Specialist
PFC (Join to see)
>1 y
I apologize if that's how I seemed to come off Sergeant, I did not mean to sound entitled at all. I just needed advice and/or extra guidance so I made an account on here and asked. I'm in AIT so you could say I'm still new to this all. I just want to be able to get experience in my MOS and progress but I feel like I wont be able to get the opportunity from where I'm going. Thank you for the reply, Sergeant
(1)
Reply
(0)
SSG Intelligence Analyst
SSG (Join to see)
>1 y
It will come. You have to understand that every MOS does more than what you learn in AIT.PFC (Join to see)
(2)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
Lt Col Jim Coe
3
3
0
Every assignment is what you make it. Get a positive attitude and look at the good side of the projected assignment.

You'll be assigned to Germany! That's a great place to take advantage of travel and recreation opportunities. Your off time and leave time should allow you to explore Europe. With some planning and saving you should be able to visit much of Germany and Austria, beautiful part of Europe, along with the "low countries." Space-A transportation should allow you to get to the US on leave at minimum cost. Also, you can fly Space-A within Europe.

Many IT certifications are available on-line. You should look into tuition assistance to help cover the costs. Work on an Associate Degree in IT. I also suspect you'll have a chain of command in the IT business, maybe not specifically "cyber warrior", who will be interested in your professional development.

Also, learn German. Great opportunity of use the language. I found many Germans speak English, but are willing to help people who are attempting to learn and use German. Can lead to some humorous encounters, but worth the effort.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
LTC Stephen C.
2
2
0
PFC (Join to see), I think that SGM Jeff Mccloud, MSG (Join to see) and SFC (Join to see) have hit the nail on the head! Go to Germany!
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
WO1 Network Circuit Engineer
1
1
0
Honeslty, SGM Jeff Mccloud said it best. Coming from my perspective, Germany is far from the worst assignment, and if I got the opportunity to do my job everywhere I've been, I think I would have been happier, but that just isn't always the case in this Army. Even being in your specialized MOS, I'm sure some trash being picked up, bathrooms to clean, and some other menial tasks will need to be done that you'll have to do. It is apart of being a lower enlisted Soldier. Good luck to you, I hope you enjoy Germany!
(1)
Comment
(0)
MAJ Byron Oyler
MAJ Byron Oyler
>1 y
Part of my growth as a young man came from doing those menial tasks. Proud member of the US Army Lawn and Garden detail, years 1993 and 1996. My Mother did all these menial tasks as a kid and I was behind when it came to these little tasks. I am a better parent thank to the army. Better ICU nurse thanks to the Army as well but that is another discussion.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
1stSgt Ani Stubbs
0
0
0
Talk to someone else in your unit.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close