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Cyber Branch Voluntary Transfer Incentive Program (VTIP)
The Army (only on the active component side - USAR and ARNG, including AGRs, are not eligible) has released VTIP for officers wishing to transfer to the newly established Cyber Branch. See MILPER Message 14-298 (https://www.hrc.army.mil/Milper/14-298) for more details and how to apply, but the summary is as follows:
EDIT: I was asked something in email and I can see how it might be confusing. The Army established a new branch in the Army (Career Field 17, or CF17) for cyber. The Area Of Concentration (AOC) for officers within that Career Field is 17A (AOC 17A).
Note: I will tell you up front from that this isn't a "load 'em up ... we need people" type of VTIP. They are looking for those 'cyber' individuals - Degrees like EE, CompSci, CompEng, IT, etc. and a preference to those that already have Cyber Mission Force experience (but if you want to go into the branch, absolutely apply!)
- Open to active duty officers grades 06 and below (sorry, no warrant officers .. yet)
- VTIP panel convenes on 2 DEC 14. You have until 3 NOV 14 to submit your DA4187 to request transfer. Results should be released o/a 7 JAN 15.
- JAG, Chaplain Corps, AMEDD, or Medical Service Corps are not eligible for the VTIP - you have to go through the regular branch transfer process with your branch manager.
- Officers who have or are pending unfavorable actions are not eligible (including, but not limited to, any UCMJ violation as a commissioned officer, GOLOR/GOMR, selected by a separation board, fails to meet APFT/weight standards, or have received a referred OER/AER)
- Must be able to maintain a TS/SCI clearance and pass a NSA CI Polygraph.
EDIT: Update (17 APR) - Milper 15-113 (https://www.hrc.army.mil/Milper/15-113) for the second round of VTIP for the cyber branch was recently issued.
The Army (only on the active component side - USAR and ARNG, including AGRs, are not eligible) has released VTIP for officers wishing to transfer to the newly established Cyber Branch. See MILPER Message 14-298 (https://www.hrc.army.mil/Milper/14-298) for more details and how to apply, but the summary is as follows:
EDIT: I was asked something in email and I can see how it might be confusing. The Army established a new branch in the Army (Career Field 17, or CF17) for cyber. The Area Of Concentration (AOC) for officers within that Career Field is 17A (AOC 17A).
Note: I will tell you up front from that this isn't a "load 'em up ... we need people" type of VTIP. They are looking for those 'cyber' individuals - Degrees like EE, CompSci, CompEng, IT, etc. and a preference to those that already have Cyber Mission Force experience (but if you want to go into the branch, absolutely apply!)
- Open to active duty officers grades 06 and below (sorry, no warrant officers .. yet)
- VTIP panel convenes on 2 DEC 14. You have until 3 NOV 14 to submit your DA4187 to request transfer. Results should be released o/a 7 JAN 15.
- JAG, Chaplain Corps, AMEDD, or Medical Service Corps are not eligible for the VTIP - you have to go through the regular branch transfer process with your branch manager.
- Officers who have or are pending unfavorable actions are not eligible (including, but not limited to, any UCMJ violation as a commissioned officer, GOLOR/GOMR, selected by a separation board, fails to meet APFT/weight standards, or have received a referred OER/AER)
- Must be able to maintain a TS/SCI clearance and pass a NSA CI Polygraph.
EDIT: Update (17 APR) - Milper 15-113 (https://www.hrc.army.mil/Milper/15-113) for the second round of VTIP for the cyber branch was recently issued.
Posted in these groups: 
Cyber
FA53: Information Systems Management
24A: Telecommunications Systems Engineer
25A: Signal Officer
Cyber FA53: Information Systems Management 24A: Telecommunications Systems Engineer 25A: Signal Officer
Edited 10 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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6 years ago, I would have been pissed that it wasn't open to reservists. (back when I was a programmer.) Now? Meh. I hope they find a good crop of motivated Soldiers.
I still think it's a mistake not to take reservists. There are a LOT that would qualify except for that, based on day job...
I still think it's a mistake not to take reservists. There are a LOT that would qualify except for that, based on day job...
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COL Randall C.
Vince, it's not that they won't take reservists into the branch, just that this VTIP isn't open to reservist.
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COL Vincent Stoneking
That's good to hear. I think that there will be a LARGE interest within the reserve components.
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COL (Join to see)
This is just the opp for active folks to transfer, I am sure a separate process for reservists to get 17A qualified will come forward in due time
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COL Randall C.
COL Vincent Stoneking / COL (Join to see)
Correct. One of the reasons that the VTIP is just for the AC folks is that there isn't any slots designated on the RC side to be converted yet! So, for the sake of argument Vince, if you were to be rebranched as a 17A, then you'd be stuck in 01A positions for the rest of your career ... or until they recode TOEs/TDAs on the RC side.
Right now the glide-path is to have CF17 established for all three components by the end of FY15 (also see the edit I did to the main discussion comment I did above)
One thing to be aware of is that the Army just held a CF17 SME panel for a bit less then four weeks in August with attendance from across the Army (AC and RC) from those that have skin in the game (ARCYBER, TRADOC, HRC, FORSCOM, ARNG, USAR, etc). The results are still draft and not releasable yet, but they are going through the 'post brief and refinement' stage right now and you can expect some more official guidance in the future.
Bottom line: RC is very integrated into the development of the Branch and AOCs, but there is a lot of work they are doing right now (I had absolutely no idea of the amount of work that goes into establishing a new MOS let alone an entire Career Field).
Correct. One of the reasons that the VTIP is just for the AC folks is that there isn't any slots designated on the RC side to be converted yet! So, for the sake of argument Vince, if you were to be rebranched as a 17A, then you'd be stuck in 01A positions for the rest of your career ... or until they recode TOEs/TDAs on the RC side.
Right now the glide-path is to have CF17 established for all three components by the end of FY15 (also see the edit I did to the main discussion comment I did above)
One thing to be aware of is that the Army just held a CF17 SME panel for a bit less then four weeks in August with attendance from across the Army (AC and RC) from those that have skin in the game (ARCYBER, TRADOC, HRC, FORSCOM, ARNG, USAR, etc). The results are still draft and not releasable yet, but they are going through the 'post brief and refinement' stage right now and you can expect some more official guidance in the future.
Bottom line: RC is very integrated into the development of the Branch and AOCs, but there is a lot of work they are doing right now (I had absolutely no idea of the amount of work that goes into establishing a new MOS let alone an entire Career Field).
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Sir, thank you making this info available. I'm one of those 'cyber' individuals in the Army right now, still looking for just the right career path to fit in with the military. I'm glad to see the technical field finally getting some development in the Army, and I'm hoping a VTIP comes out soon on the USAR side. Degree in comp sci, engineer for Fortune 500 company, yet I've struggled to find pportunities to apply what I have once I put on the uniform.
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COL Randall C.
Toby, they were recorded. You can access the recordings by going to the public recordings on DCO (https://www.dco.dod.mil/content/connect/meetings/en/recordings/public_recordings.html) and searching on VTIP. I haven't listened to all of them (there are six), but looking at who was there, there might be information that was discussed in one and not the other (for example, COL Buckner from the Cyber School was on one of the sessions on the 27th, but not on the one on the 22nd).
HRC said they were going to send a rollup of the questions asked out to the field after the DCO sessions, but I haven't seen that yet.
HRC said they were going to send a rollup of the questions asked out to the field after the DCO sessions, but I haven't seen that yet.
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For those interested, there will be a DCO session about the 17A, Cyber Officer, Voluntary Transfer Incentive Program (VTIP) Q&A DCO session on 22 October at 0800 (EST) and 1800 (EST) hosted by HRC and US Army Cyber School.
Link: https://connect.dco.dod.mil/cybervtip/
I've converted the two key briefs to graphics and will attach them to this post
Link: https://connect.dco.dod.mil/cybervtip/
I've converted the two key briefs to graphics and will attach them to this post
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COL Randall C.
CPT Thierry Magloire, technically it's open to the reserve component now (the VTIP is for active component soldiers to transfer - it replaced the functional designation board), but there aren't any positions for a 17A soldier outside the AC yet.
One of the things HRC will be working through over the next year is to flesh out both the AC and RC MTOEs/TDAs.
One of the things HRC will be working through over the next year is to flesh out both the AC and RC MTOEs/TDAs.
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Sir, what advice would you give for those interested in the field though have no certifications/credentials to make the transfer once made available?
I have already completed my BA and MBA, both focused on business, while my technical background is dependent on my work experience. No specific cyber experience, but willing to take the time to be fully qualified.
I have already completed my BA and MBA, both focused on business, while my technical background is dependent on my work experience. No specific cyber experience, but willing to take the time to be fully qualified.
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COL Randall C.
CPT (Join to see), I'll be forthright up front - compared to your peers that would be likely to go into cyber, it's going to be a harder road to travel for you. You are correct in that your civilian experience has the best representation of your technical experience, but it will have to be documented in some way (such as appraisals) so that others can easily see the information.
Looking at the last discussions about AOC 17A, the 'KSA's (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities) that will likely be looked at for individuals wishing to transfer are:
- Foundational background in DODIN OPS Network Operations (NETOPS)
- Intermediate KSAs in cyber security
- Intermediate KSAs of IP networking technologies and ports, protocols, and services (PPS)
- Intermediate KSAs in Cryptologic SIGINT
- Intermediate background knowledge in Army and Joint warfighting TTPs and planning processes
- DoDD 8570.01 IAM III Certifications
- STEM degree w/ a high preference towards computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, computer systems engineering, information systems engineering, cyber security, computer/network forensics, or cyberspace operations
Assuming you don't want to go back and get another degree, the only two other aspects from an education/background view that you can work on would be credentials and work experience (civilian and military).
From a credential side, I would focus on getting certifications, taking SkillSoft courses, JKO training courses, and any other related training that can be put on your record showing that you have the knowledge applicable to the above.
From a work experience side, I'll reiterate that you need to have the experience documented so that when you put a packet together you can show that you possess the proven ability to 'do' the above. Hypothetical, if as part of your civilian occupation you were responsible for all aspects of the web server, including operations, security, etc., you would make sure that it shows up in your appraisals, job description, or some other type of paperwork that you could include in a future packet (if all it says is "maintain the web server", then that really doesn't tell the board very much).
Looking at the last discussions about AOC 17A, the 'KSA's (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities) that will likely be looked at for individuals wishing to transfer are:
- Foundational background in DODIN OPS Network Operations (NETOPS)
- Intermediate KSAs in cyber security
- Intermediate KSAs of IP networking technologies and ports, protocols, and services (PPS)
- Intermediate KSAs in Cryptologic SIGINT
- Intermediate background knowledge in Army and Joint warfighting TTPs and planning processes
- DoDD 8570.01 IAM III Certifications
- STEM degree w/ a high preference towards computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, computer systems engineering, information systems engineering, cyber security, computer/network forensics, or cyberspace operations
Assuming you don't want to go back and get another degree, the only two other aspects from an education/background view that you can work on would be credentials and work experience (civilian and military).
From a credential side, I would focus on getting certifications, taking SkillSoft courses, JKO training courses, and any other related training that can be put on your record showing that you have the knowledge applicable to the above.
From a work experience side, I'll reiterate that you need to have the experience documented so that when you put a packet together you can show that you possess the proven ability to 'do' the above. Hypothetical, if as part of your civilian occupation you were responsible for all aspects of the web server, including operations, security, etc., you would make sure that it shows up in your appraisals, job description, or some other type of paperwork that you could include in a future packet (if all it says is "maintain the web server", then that really doesn't tell the board very much).
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CPT (Join to see)
Katherine I'm in the same situation as you. I have a degree in a completely different field, would they accept certifications off of JKO?
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I am an IT PRO and retired, damn it they came out with this too late for me or I came to early :-(
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COL Randall C.
SSG John Erny, actually the Signal Branch addressed the enlisted side of the house last year when they established the 25D MOS, Cyber Network Defender. You can read the announcement from the Army here (http://www.army.mil/article/123328/).
For those of you that haven't retired *smile*, you can head to https://www.hrc.army.mil/Milper/14-195 and look at the MilPer message about reclassification. Currently 25D is open to all MOSes regardless of the latest IN/OUT message.
For those of you that haven't retired *smile*, you can head to https://www.hrc.army.mil/Milper/14-195 and look at the MilPer message about reclassification. Currently 25D is open to all MOSes regardless of the latest IN/OUT message.
Cyber Network Defender MOS now open to NCOs
A new military occupational specialty, 25D Cyber Network Defender, is now open to staff sergeants, sergeants first class and master sergeants in the active component, per Military Personnel Message 14-085.
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Update on the VTIP - Milper 15-113 (https://www.hrc.army.mil/Milper/15-113) for the second round of VTIP for the cyber branch was recently issued (adding in as an update to the top discussion thread, but adding as a response so it gets pushed out in notification).
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Suspended Profile
It seems promising but I would do my research before I make any moves.
COL Randall C.
1LT Marcus Jeffries, anything specifically you would like to know regarding the branch?
One item to focus on is that 17A officers are going to be more focused at offensive and defensive cyberspace operations (OCO/DCO) in the 'strategic cyber' arena.
Looking at the plans, currently some of the organizations that 17As will be assigned are:
- CyMF Teams - The national Cyber Mission Force teams - mainly at Ft. Meade
- Army Cyber Command - At Ft. Belvoir - moving to Ft. Gordon ~FY19
- JFHQ-C - Joint Force HQ for Cyber. All of the Service Component Cyber orgs (ARCYBER, AFCYBER, etc) will establish a JFHQ for Cyber that will support specified COCOM CDRs.
- 780th MI BDE - Army forces primarily doing offensive cyber ops in support of CYBERCOM.
- The Cyber Protection Brigade (newly stood up at Ft. Gordon) - https://cpb.army.mil/ - This is where the Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs) for the Army are located
- USCYBERCOM - Ft. Meade - Anything from DCO to OCO
- USMA ACI - The Army Cyber Institute at West Point (formerly the Army Cyber Center) - http://www.westpoint.edu/acc/
- Regional Cyber Center - Used to be called the RCERTS and TNOSCS - combined with intel functions added - article on the CONUS one (http://www.army.mil/article/114105/2d_Regional_Cyber_Center_opens/)
- The Army's Cyber Center of Excellence - located at Ft. Gordon - TRADOCians live here developing cyberspace doctrine, integrating cyber into institutional training, etc.
One item to focus on is that 17A officers are going to be more focused at offensive and defensive cyberspace operations (OCO/DCO) in the 'strategic cyber' arena.
Looking at the plans, currently some of the organizations that 17As will be assigned are:
- CyMF Teams - The national Cyber Mission Force teams - mainly at Ft. Meade
- Army Cyber Command - At Ft. Belvoir - moving to Ft. Gordon ~FY19
- JFHQ-C - Joint Force HQ for Cyber. All of the Service Component Cyber orgs (ARCYBER, AFCYBER, etc) will establish a JFHQ for Cyber that will support specified COCOM CDRs.
- 780th MI BDE - Army forces primarily doing offensive cyber ops in support of CYBERCOM.
- The Cyber Protection Brigade (newly stood up at Ft. Gordon) - https://cpb.army.mil/ - This is where the Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs) for the Army are located
- USCYBERCOM - Ft. Meade - Anything from DCO to OCO
- USMA ACI - The Army Cyber Institute at West Point (formerly the Army Cyber Center) - http://www.westpoint.edu/acc/
- Regional Cyber Center - Used to be called the RCERTS and TNOSCS - combined with intel functions added - article on the CONUS one (http://www.army.mil/article/114105/2d_Regional_Cyber_Center_opens/)
- The Army's Cyber Center of Excellence - located at Ft. Gordon - TRADOCians live here developing cyberspace doctrine, integrating cyber into institutional training, etc.
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Suspended Profile
LTC (P) Randall Cudworth, I was just researching assignment locations so I am very pleased that you provided this information. I don't have any of the preferred credentials but I'm confident in my past knowledge and ability. Thanks again for the post.
MAJ (Join to see)
1LT Marcus Jeffries, I thought about the VTIP and saw the limited assignment locations and figured I have more opportunities in the FA53 field for now. I am taking a "wait and see" approach at the moment. I like having a wide variety of assignments and from what I saw in the 17 field, the assignments are mainly east coast (except TX and HI). It'd be great to get a grade/location breakdown of the potential assignments before jumping.
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