What advice do you have for choosing between 25B (Information Technology Specialist) and 25U (Signal Support Specialist)?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 19:41:45 -0400

I am wanting to change MOS however I can't decide if I want to be a 25B or 25U. Any advice someone can offer?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2017 7:48 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 19:48:51 -0400

1. Have you checked out the other 25 CMF MOS's?
2. Why are you focused on 25B vs 25U?
3. What do you want to do in the military? In the civilian world?
4. How long do you plan to stay in the military?
5. Why do you want to reclass?
6. Have you talked to S-6 personnel in your unit?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2017 10:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 22:40:04 -0400

If you want to mess with computers and and more civilian type of things go 25B if you want to mess with more military type things like radios go 25U

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made Jun 6 at 2017 9:05 AM

SGT Edward Wilcox — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 09:05:33 -0400

25U is a "Jack-of-All-Trades" type of MOS. It includes computers and networks as well as radio and other communication systems. 25B focuses more on computers and networks, but there is opportunity to mess with some satellite systems, depending on your unit. Both can get you the civilian certifications needed to get an IT job in the civilian world. It just depends on if you want to specialize(25B0 or generalize(25U).

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Jun 6 at 2017 5:11 PM

SPC John Lebiecki — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 17:11:18 -0400

If you like the idea of technology but do not know if you want to specialize, go 25U.

Why I say that is because I was a 25U when I was in. My first 5.5 years I was in an Infantry Battalion where I got exposure to tactical radio and data systems (not a lot of commercial equipment.) My last unit in the Army, my focus was more on desktop support with a littlebit of tactical voice. BUT, I found that I wanted to work more around computers (and then moved on to Networks.)

Just my 2 cents. Not everyone's experience is the same.

Response by SSG Darin McNeely made Jun 6 at 2017 6:19 PM

SSG Darin McNeely — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 18:19:30 -0400

25B has more certs you can get and transitions better to civilian jobs

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2017 7:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 19:32:20 -0400

35T is better. Similar but you deal with TS systems and great bonuses right now

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2017 8:25 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 20:25:55 -0400

Do not go 25B.. It' an over strength MOS and promotions for it are maxd out. 25U, if you can get it is better.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2017 4:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 16:25:33 -0400

I have worked in both CMF's in garrison and deployed and either would be an excellent choice. With you being in the Army Reserve I would be more inclined to say 25B. The training and possible certifications the Army will provide for you translates much easier to the civilian sector.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2017 12:26 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 00:26:27 -0400

I've had far more opportunities for advancement as a 25U than 25B.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2017 11:19 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 11:19:56 -0400

im in ait for 25B right now and i want to re class, its hard and honestly boring. if you are good with computers go with it!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2017 3:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 15:36:06 -0400

TBH as a multi-25 series MOSQ'd 27 year vet, I will say this. It's less about your actual MOS than it is about your actual skillset. For example, in the Reserves, you could be a 25B and hardly ever touch what you learned in DMOSQ school. While the training is nice, without ongoing sustainment training (in order to keep your skills up), your abilities will diminish over time.

My best advice is to load up on as many 25 series MOS' and seek units that offer vacant positions that will afford you the opportunity to go back and get more MOS's under your belt. The modern Signal warfighter must have a diverse skillset, and if you intend on making the Army a career as a Signal Soldier, you need to learn both the Army green AN/GRC/VRC type systems as well as the civilian skillsets in order to maximize your usefulness.

The unit you join will determine which MOS has a higher demand. Don't limit yourself to just 1 MOS. As a PFC, get with your unit to enroll into as many MOS's as you can. When you approach SSG/SFC ranks, it becomes more difficult to justify switching MOS's. As both a 25B/25U as I am, you can take on any role that needs either in any unit that needs those skillsets to achieve unit readiness.

Remember, a 25U/25B is not a Microsoft Windows expert, to achieve that you will need for example at a minimum the A+ and MCSE certifications which anyone can go after. A CCNA would be more useful if your role is to work exclusively on Cisco administration than your 25B MOS.

Bottom Line: Your MOS is only the beginning, not the end.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2017 12:03 AM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 00:03:37 -0400

Just as everyone has said, 25U is a universal MOS while 25B specializes in IT and networking.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2017 11:18 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 11:18:03 -0400

25B since you will have more flexibility for advancement after the military. You can also transfer to the cyber security positions for active or reserve army positions in the 1st Information Operations Command (1st IOC) or Army Reserve Information Operations Center (ARIOC).

http://www.1stiocmd.army.mil/

Response by SSG Jeffrey Kayes made Jul 18 at 2017 2:54 PM

SSG Jeffrey Kayes — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 14:54:16 -0400

Have you considered 25N? Very beneficial on the outside and cutoffs for 5 and 6 were pretty much breathe and you get promoted in May.

Response by MAJ Patrick Hairston CISSP, AWS Certified Cloud Architect made Jul 27 at 2017 10:05 AM

MAJ Patrick Hairston CISSP, AWS Certified Cloud Architect — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 10:05:24 -0400

It's always cool to be a jack of all trades. I was a 74D back in the day, which turned into a 74B and then 25B. Best MOS's the Army has...

Response by MAJ David Lynn made Jul 27 at 2017 1:46 PM

MAJ David Lynn — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 13:46:47 -0400

Both have excellent career progression prospects for advancement while in service. The same can be said for their post-service prospects. The higher paying positions on the civilian side however do tend to lean toward the skill sets of a 25B. I was a 53A, the officer counterpart of a 25B and soldiers who worked for me in the Army and left service later on were given very high paying positions simply because of the skills combined with the security clearance they had.

Response by SGT Andrew Huncherick made Sep 3 at 2017 12:44 PM

SGT Andrew Huncherick — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 12:44:29 -0400

Go 25B ever since i have been out being a 25b has helped me get better jobs