Which branch of the military should I join to be an IT (information technology) officer in the active reserve?

Marcos Gavis — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 03:34:22 -0400

I plan on getting a computer engineering/science degree and want to commission and be in the active reserve as an IT officer. Which branch would be the best fit for this as well as secure the position?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2021 3:36 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 03:36:29 -0400

Signal Covers all forms of Communications platforms and computer databases.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2021 3:38 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 03:38:37 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2021 5:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 05:31:24 -0400

You can join the National Guard or Reserves but there is no guarantee you will be able to join the Active Reserves.

You can join active duty but there is no guarantee that you will be branched into Signal.

If you have enough certs and experience you may be able to direct Commission into Cyber but who knows if that will still be an option by the time you finish your degree

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 18 at 2021 8:33 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 08:33:37 -0400

Marcos Gavis Join any of them and You'll be working for the Same Boss, All cyber falls under the NSA. Of course I'm Preferential with the Navy, 10th Fleet, Information Warfare Command. Cyber in a Navy Uniform. A Cryptologic Technician.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2021 10:47 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 10:47:47 -0400

Signal branch

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 18 at 2021 11:06 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 11:06:53 -0400

IMO talk to USAF and USSF recruiters first. Air Force and Space Force missions lend themselves to large use of all types of IT. That said all the Services use IT extensively and need IT specialists and professionals. Talk the other recruiters also and take the offer that most closely matches your personal life goals.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 18 at 2021 10:45 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 22:45:05 -0400

Every branch has some variation of IT. The job is pretty similair across the board except for the obvious differences. You would have a better chance of sea duty in the Navy or Coast Guard. More time on the ground in the dirt in the Army or Marines. A little more garrison based in AF or Space Force. The question should be what Military Branch do you want to join? What Branch has a culture that is better suited for you and your goals?

You need to figure out the branch and go from there.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2021 1:29 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 01:29:55 -0400

Everyone has their own S6 or version of it, but as others have said there is no guarantee you'll get Active Reserve. I would talk to a Guard and Reserve recruiter about it, there may be options your State has in the Guard that the Reserves don't, etc.

Response by 1SG Jacob Brannan made Jul 19 at 2021 4:37 PM

1SG Jacob Brannan — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 16:37:04 -0400

Not that you're thinking about life after the military if you haven't even joined yet, but the skillset of a Navy IT professional is head and shoulders above the other branches. The nature of their positions being on boats/subs with no other support except themselves makes them extremely versatile and marketable after service. As an IT recruiter, put a veteran from every branch in front of me looking for the same job and I'm going with the Navy 99.9% of the time.