Posted on May 24, 2019
What advice for enlistment options will you give for someone 29 years of age with a graduate degree?
19.5K
135
79
13
13
0
Greetings all, I am 29 years of age and under process of enlistment in the armed forces. I would like to know what options there are for a person with a graduate degree in Information Security. What types of opportunites are available and what enlistment option can I take in consideration? Any advice will be well received and highly valued, since I do not have any kind of knowledge in the matter.
Posted in these groups: 
Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS)
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
ROTC
Enlisted
Information Technology
Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army) ROTC Enlisted Information Technology
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 55
14
14
0
Since you already have a graduate degree (and implied undergraduate degree), ROTC is not likely to be an option. Along with local recruiter mentioned by CSM Darieus ZaGara , you may consider applying for a direct commission for cyber since your masters is in Information Security.
https://www.goarmy.com/army-cyber/cyber-direct-commissioning-program.html
https://www.goarmy.com/army-cyber/cyber-direct-commissioning-program.html
Cyber Direct Commissioning Program
System admin, web developer, programmer. Put your civilian experience to work and become an officer in the Army through the Cyber Direct Commissioning Program.
(14)
(0)
Capt Daniel Goodman
As you've no doubt gleaned by now, my mind tends to run toward specifics, not generalities...that's why I tend to send all that stuff, whenever I see a career/educ question like yours, I admit I might tend to overwhelm at times, however, I assure you, I've been all over all of that way longer than you've been alive, I assure you, promise, OK? if it weren't all useful, and real, I wouldn't bombard you with it, trust me on that, OK? Also, have you published yet at all? Thesis level? If so, specific topic, if you can elaborate, possibly, I haven't published, I'm trying by volunteering to help with serious clinical research, I can assure you, that's a major thorn in my side, which is why, if you can go for the PhD, then to my way of thinking, for God'sa sake, go...you can always seek a board for an age waiver, grad school can count toward such a possibility, which is why I'm telling you to look at an ROTC, USMC PLC, USCG scholarship, or USPHS COSTEP, to do the PhD, and just get it done and finished, once and for all, trust me, kiddo, most definitely been there, done that (BTDT), as I'd said, OK? Once again, enjoy, I'm here if you wanna yak, just believe what I tell you, long, hard, often bitter experience speaking here, OK? Trust me, I know EXACTLY what I'm talking about on such things, ten times over, as I may have already said, promise, OK?
(1)
(0)
11
11
0
7
7
0
Cyber Direct Commissioning Program
System admin, web developer, programmer. Put your civilian experience to work and become an officer in the Army through the Cyber Direct Commissioning Program.
(7)
(0)
4
4
0
With your background I would seriously look at the Cyber Operations. As a career field it's only going to grow and they're always looking for personnel.
https://m.goarmy.com/army-cyber/careers-in-army-cyber.m.html
https://m.goarmy.com/army-cyber/careers-in-army-cyber.m.html
Careers in Army Cyber | GoArmy.com
The cyberspace domain is one of the most critical areas of national defense. It is a field that requires the most highly trained, professional, and knowledgeable Soldiers available.
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
SGT James Murphy
Funny I just mentioned that. I thought DARPA, CIA would be a good start because then you'd hear about some of the more eclectic "Agencies"...
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
How is your credit? Do you have a clear background? I ask because you might need to apply for a clearance to get any kind of info security job.
(2)
(0)
Omar Bautista
Greetings sir, my credit scores are really good and I have a complete clear background.
(1)
(0)
WO1 (Join to see)
Just keep in mind that a security clearance can take up to a year to clear. They dig deep into to your background. Be open and 100% honest with the investigator.
Shop around to each branch. See who can offer you the best contract. And you should wait until 01Oct. Its the start of the fiscal year.
Shop around to each branch. See who can offer you the best contract. And you should wait until 01Oct. Its the start of the fiscal year.
(1)
(0)
WO1 (Join to see)
I joined when I was 29. I had a little school but nothing like your degree.
When it comes to basic or OCS you will probably not have the same issues that a 18 year old will have. I found basic was easy. Do what your told, Clean, run up that hill, shoot things......
You might also want to check out the national guard. Not just your state but other states units. They might have different opportunities for you as well.
When it comes to basic or OCS you will probably not have the same issues that a 18 year old will have. I found basic was easy. Do what your told, Clean, run up that hill, shoot things......
You might also want to check out the national guard. Not just your state but other states units. They might have different opportunities for you as well.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
With your degree in IS you should look at enlisting as a 25D cyber network defender, if you're looking to enlist. Their bonuses are well above everyone else in the Army and their promotions are very fast. If you're thinking about commissioning I'd suggest either a direct commission into Cyber if you meet the prerequisites, or joining as a 25D and then applying to be a Cyber Warrant.
In the Army, being a Warrant officer is really the sweet spot for people looking to do a technical job. You get the officer pay, you get to keep doing the job, and you're the technical expert in your field.
In the Army, being a Warrant officer is really the sweet spot for people looking to do a technical job. You get the officer pay, you get to keep doing the job, and you're the technical expert in your field.
(2)
(0)
Omar Bautista
Thanks for the advice sir! I have a doubt regarding the 25D, when I was researching that MOS requirements and asked a recruiter about it, he said that I could not enlist as a 25D because I needed to be E5 or above. I really don’t know much about the subject and It will be of great help your point of view in this matter.
(1)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
Omar Bautista that's right, I forgot they added the requirement to have 6 years of service and rank. When they first created the MOS a few years ago they were taking anyone with experience in order to fill the role. You could still enlist as a 17C, since that's an entry level job, and switch to 25D later if you want to stay enlisted or become a cyber warrant if you want to go that path.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
Do not under any circumstances enlist without a commission. Look at the direct commission options that people are mentioning here. Do not buy anything that anyone tells you about enlisting and then getting your commission. I have seen too many soldiers get fed that line and wind up doing a 4 year enlistment and leaving the service with a bad taste about their experience.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
https://www.usphs.gov/profession/healthservices/healthinformation/default.aspx
This might interest you, though I don't know how frequently they have a need....
This might interest you, though I don't know how frequently they have a need....
Health Information Management Jobs at USPHS Commissioned Corps
USPHS careers: health information management.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families
(2)
(0)
Capt Daniel Goodman
No problemo, I'm here whenever you wanna yak, just plow through all of it, I assure you, what I sent was most definitely the real stuff, all of it, I assure you, OK?
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google