Should I enlist to Army Cyber, Intel, or Signal?

Brandon Hagen — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 22:09:51 -0500

I am a recent college grad, with a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology (with courses dealing with Programming, Tech Support, Analysis, Network Security), and considering enlisiting in the Army (never enlisted before) for either Cyber (17C), Signal (25-series, most likely 25B), or Intel (35-series, most likely 35F). Which of the three divisions would be the best fit as it relates to my degree and marketability? What are some of the MOS's that I should consider, and how are they like in regards to training and day to day work conditions, and your thoughts on 17C, 25B, or 35F?

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2019 10:29 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 22:29:42 -0500

Why not look at going Officer?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2019 11:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 23:03:23 -0500

Go cyber officer.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2019 11:22 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 23:22:22 -0500

Go OCS!

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jan 24 at 2019 11:24 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 23:24:58 -0500

Cyber is the battle of the future. That being said, if you prefer IT maintenance type things, as compared to UT protection and vulnerabilities, go Signal. And if you prefer IT as support for all of the cool things you can make a computer do to help you with a task, go Intel.

But, as already mentioned, why enlist rather than Commission? Don't get me wrong, I love the enlisted side of the house, but you are looking at a substantial pay differential (not that pay should be the only consideration - but it is definitely a consideration).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2019 11:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 23:33:14 -0500

The training for Cyber is intense. The school is just about a year long and the classes are small. If you are interested in either Cyber or MI, pay close attention to your ASVAB scores. DM me and I'll tell you more.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Jan 25 at 2019 12:53 AM

SSG Steven Borders — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 00:53:40 -0500

I enjoy being a 25B but I am also the only one in my unit so I do all the computer stuff. I reclassed from a 91D, my only down fall is that in order to progress I need to switch MOS's again. Because I don't want to travel to another unit to be promoted. I kind of miss the Active Duty side a little in the aspect of promotions.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2019 1:09 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 01:09:21 -0500

If you can handle the cyber curriculum, cyber is the current focus for future growth. That means for the next few years, people entering the cyber field will be at the forefront of Army spending and will see above average promotion rates and often have the chance to be a part of new and innovative units and programs.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2019 10:43 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 10:43:51 -0500

It looks like all of the enlisted are encouraging you to go officer! Very telling!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2019 2:49 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:49:29 -0500

Depends on what you want to do. If your interested in Network Security and Analysis Cyber might be more up your ally. If your into communications and making things "work" Signal is a great place to be. Your education and background are not going to give you a huge leg up in the intel community unless you want to be a Trojan Spirit operator...but I believe Signal will be absorbing that responsibility here soon.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2019 2:54 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:54:56 -0500

Okay I also see a lot of enlisted guys telling you to become an Officer. If you are a technical hands on kind of person I would suggest you avoid becoming an officer. I spend my time doing planning, meetings, and paperwork mostly. If you like hands on I would suggest you progress through the enlisted ranks and look at becoming a Cyber or Signal Warrent Officer. I am a Network Engineer on the civilian side and this is the path I wish I had chosen as I often find equipment easier to deal with then people :)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2019 7:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 19:34:03 -0500

Based on credentials that you may already have 17C may be the best route for you if you're interested in continuing with an IT focus. If you like send me a PM and I can provide more insight based on your current knowledge levels.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2019 7:35 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 19:35:55 -0500

17C or 35F would probably be best. I feel like Signals wouldn't be what you were looking for exactly. I dont know about 17C but I have multiple friends in AIT for 35F right now if youd like to talk to any of them send me your contact info and I can pass it along to them and they can probably answer some of your training questions

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 9:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 21:23:14 -0500

Go Officer...

Response by Brandon Hagen made May 26 at 2019 2:51 AM

Brandon Hagen — Sun, 26 May 2019 02:51:41 -0400

Update: So I have decided that I will be beginning the enlistment proceedings sometimes next month, provided I meet enlistment standards. At my previous post regarding MOS selection advice made about 2 1/2 months ago, I floated few MOS's that I might be interested in, those being 17C, 25B, and 35F. Those are great MOS's, but none of those currently offer LRP, which would be a big help as it could write off the majority of my student loan debt, but some other MOS such as 35T does (as 35T is classified as critical need according to my search). Should I enlist into these critical need MOS first, then reclass, or just go 17C straight away, even if I might lose out on LRP (Even if I go in as SPC, loan payments will eat up to half of my base pay)? If I do decide to go into a critical need MOS (35T for instance), how long will I likely be in the DEP (as I would prefer to ship out ASAP), and how long should I expect to wait for the first MEPS trip after a visit to the recruiting office?