Is the 25U MOS obsolete?

PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 13:39:21 -0400

Assessing my varying yet limited skillset as it pertains to job seeking, pre-degree, I find that many potential employers are fascinated with the description of my duty MOS and are motivated to hire since they wouldn't have to pay for a security clearance, but require additional certifications and training such as N+, A+, Security +, etc.

These cents are extremely beneficial and I hope to soon have acquired them all, however: should we be awarding these certifications to certain MOSs during training? Financially it would be impossible but amuse me.

Should there be DoD sanctioned schools to get soldiers these cents or should they pay for them and study/train for them at their own expense?

(There are a few varying programs designed to assist with the cost and some offer reimbursement but I'm asking if this should all be done in house based on experiences you may have had with this)

Response by SSG Derek Scheller made Jun 4 at 2015 2:05 PM

SSG Derek Scheller — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 14:05:38 -0400

These certs are provided on an as needed basis. If you are in an IT field and require them then your unit should have no problem sending you to training to acquire the certifications. 8570-01m is the regulation that concerns IT positions and you can look up the 8570-01m baseline certifications to find what is needed at what level.

Response by SGT Nia Chiaraluce made Jun 4 at 2015 2:07 PM

SGT Nia Chiaraluce — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 14:07:46 -0400

Signal Support System Specialist is not an obsolete MOS. We work mainly with all Army radio systems. However, as you cross train I would focus on the 25B skill set to be a supervised access 25U/25B on a helpdesk as an IMO(Information Management Officer). If you are good you will have to complete the skillport equivalent of these certifications along with attaining an 80% or higher on a mock Comptia exam online. 25B can certify out of AIT, we however can not. If you do the steps I posted above you will qualify for a voucher through the Army and attend class for free. My advice, do not fail it is difficult to obtain a second voucher in one fiscal year if you do not pass the first time.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 4 at 2015 3:50 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 15:50:55 -0400

Not as long as I'm still breathing. I had the privilege of leading some of the best of them and I'd put them up against their civilian counterparts any day of the week. Most of my troops had creds and certs through their civilian employment regardless of what the Army didn't offer. I believe WO had a better chance of obtaining creds and certs through their schools. I feel that Uncle Sam should pony up A) because we use so much COTS equipment anyways and B) to keep our troops competitive with their civilian counterparts.

Response by SSG John Erny made Jun 4 at 2015 4:27 PM

SSG John Erny — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 16:27:37 -0400

PFC PFC (P) Arameta Williams
I know for a while the guard would send soldiers to camp Little Rock AR to train for COMTia certifications. I think the Microsoft and Cisco certifications are a far better route to take. I have passed all of the college courses for A+, Network +, and Security +. They are pretty basic and over priced.

I have A+, MCP, MCDST, MCTIP, MCSA

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 9:51 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 21:51:44 -0400

25U are far from being obsolete. The problem is these Soldiers are being managed poorly by their leadership. Young 25U shouldn't leave the motor pool except maybe for lunch. During command maintenance 25U should be working hand and hand with the mechanics checking all the communications systems in the vehicle. I always work it so that dispatches won't happen until the commo QA/QC checklist is signed off on. Then Tuesdays is commo command maintenance for the signal company. Plenty of opportunities to learn the STT, JNN, call manager ext. Not to mention bringing up the retrans vehicles making sure they are good to go.

The issue is this isn't happening, tactical comms are being neglected until it is time to go to the field then they spend the majority of the time playing catchup instead of managing. Get the 25U's off the help desks, off of the VTC teams, and away from TCO duties.
As far as NET+ and all those other certs your BDE commo chief should have slots and a certain number of voutures to distribute IAW DOD directive 8460-1 ( don't quote me on the directive number).

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made Jun 6 at 2015 12:33 PM

SGT Mark Sullivan — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 12:33:08 -0400

It is a valuable skillset, anything in IT is valuable in the civilian world. There are numerous certs you can get and should get to effectively transition into the civilian sector. Network Plus, A+, CCNA, BICSi (sp) etc... you should be able to use your GI Bill, if you're already out. Contact your transition office about certifying before ETS, they might be able to set you up with a training program to certify in something. Do I feel the military should allow for certification, YES. They can at least get a discounted rate for groups. Currently, one thing you can do, is put a group together of others interested in these certs, contact the base education office and have them arrange the training. I knew a few Turbine Engine Mechanics do this for their A&P Certification. Good Luck

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 2:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 14:02:34 -0400

Your MOS will put you positions to learn the operator and maintenance aspect of any communications equipment your unit is accountable. That includes computers, radios, and anything that Receives or Transmits, and every branch (ADA, FA, MI,etc.) uses different equipment from different times. Learn all that you can, as you'll likely be one of the more versatile Soldiers in a S6 shop with 25B/N/Qs one day.

Also, when a unit has a small MTOE but need Signal support, it's likely to be filled by a 25U.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Jun 6 at 2015 7:09 PM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 19:09:32 -0400

There's a few questions w/i this question. Regarding the original question about being obsolete. No, the 25U is a critical asset to the organization. Flip the first two words around and it says " Support Signal" 25U are the middlemen and liasion between the unit and the signal team. 25U ensure the unit has what it needs to get communications and COMSEC established.
Regarding training, to maintain IT systems, this training is regarded ubder dod policy 8570. If you're responsible performing those systems, the govt usually provides training and pay for the certs. Your duries and responsibilities differ at each unit, you have to be flexible and prepared for the current job.
Doing the certifications at AIT was tested under a pilot program with 25B. It didn't go well. it was costly and had a high fail rate. So it was decided the local training with vouchers after training was a more effective method.
i personally like the reimbursement program. when people put up their own money, they tend to take studying and the test more seriously.
25U is a valuable mos in the military and civilian community.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Jun 7 at 2015 9:25 AM

SSG Robert Webster — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 09:25:11 -0400

My questioned response to a number of the statements previously made is - What happened with training our soldiers in-house for the task related to their job whether it is a day to day task or a once in a lifetime task? Do our NCO's no longer train our soldiers to perform ALL task related to their specialties that they are capable of? Are we not able to link, identify, and specify Task, Conditions and Standards between the civilian task and the military task?