The Reserves and IT

Hey everyone. I've recently started exploring opportunities to get into the reserve or guard components in my area as an IT specialist. This is partly because IT jobs in my area are scarce or pay poorly (except for title 32 positions), and partly because I want to work towards my retirement (8 years active duty prior service). Active duty isn't really an option at this point.

The AF Reserves/Guard were my first choice, but they have candidates lined up out the door and the only tech jobs they have available are cable installer or rf techs, neither of which are a direction I want to go. The Army Guard has similar job slots available (25L, I think?), but the reserves actually have a critical fill 25B at a base a few hours away. I'd retain my E5 and could possibly board for Warrant after a year or so. I feel like I should jump on this, but I hesitate because I've heard "horror stories" of reserve/guard 25B's taking years to go to their MOS schools, never actually filling a proper IT role, or simply receiving poor training, compared to AF/Navy/Civilian counterparts. As a former "Marine first, MP second," I understand possibly having to fill different roles as needed, but I don't want to waste my time, either.

I'm fortunate in that I currently have a good job where I can grow as an IT professional, so I have the luxury of saying no until I get what I want, but this 25B slot seems like it might be a good deal. Has anyone had experience in IT within the Army/AF Guard/Reserve components that could lend their opinions or advice? Do you feel the experience you gained was worthwhile? Did you frequently find yourself stuck doing someone elses' (non-IT) job while your unit waited to backfill? Opinions on whether I should hold out for an AF slot or maybe jump on this 25B?

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devilbones

Have you looked into the Navy direct commission program? They board only meets once a year in January so you need to get your kit in by December. There is also the opportunity to join the Navy as enlisted in the reserves. Are there any units around?

LittleBIT

Find something that will get you a TS. Then you'll never go hungry again.

Russ5813

@devil: I reached out to a Navy recruiter a few days ago but haven't heard back. I'd normally drop by their office but the nearest one is a couple hours away. I'll contact them again this week. Do you know if the Navy is doing direct commissions for tech fields right now? Those are normally reserved for Legal/Medical/Chaplains, but I've heard of rare exceptions being made. Any experience working with Navy reserves, or their IT training?

@Little: TS would be outstanding. I believe many IT officers are required to be eligible for TS these days. Right now, my focus is on finding what will provide the best work experience and training.

devilbones

Russ5813 wrote: »

@devil: I reached out to a Navy recruiter a few days ago but haven't heard back. I'd normally drop by their office but the nearest one is a couple hours away. I'll contact them again this week. Do you know if the Navy is doing direct commissions for tech fields right now? Those are normally reserved for Legal/Medical/Chaplains, but I've heard of rare exceptions being made. Any experience working with Navy reserves, or their IT training?

@Little: TS would be outstanding. I believe many IT officers are required to be eligible for TS these days. Right now, my focus is on finding what will provide the best work experience and training.

The only way to commission in the reserves is through DCO. The entire Information Warfare Community (Intelligence, cryptologic warfare, Information Professional and Oceanography) has an annual board. I have not worked with Navy reserves in this capacity nor the IT training.

Russ5813

Thanks, devil. I'll follow up on that this week.

BlackBeret

Reserve and Guard, you will almost never do your MOS. The weekends at drill will be spent on administrative tasks. The exception is if you get an AGR or State reserve forces job within your MOS. The two things you will get from the reserve/guard are training (don't expect much past your AIT), and a clearance.

25B isn't a bad MOS from what I've seen, and may require a clearance depending on where you're assigned to work. If security happens to be your interest and you can find a 17C position somewhere, do it! Even if you have to drive some distance it would be worth it in the end. Keep in mind if you're seeing title 32 positions, those are state which means National Guard, not reserve's.

Another good MOS to ask about is 35N, and it guarantees the types of clearances where you'll never go hungry (may have to move of course).

xxxkaliboyxxx

BlackBeret wrote: »

Reserve and Guard, you will almost never do your MOS. The weekends at drill will be spent on administrative tasks. The exception is if you get an AGR or State reserve forces job within your MOS. The two things you will get from the reserve/guard are training (don't expect much past your AIT), and a clearance.

25B isn't a bad MOS from what I've seen, and may require a clearance depending on where you're assigned to work. If security happens to be your interest and you can find a 17C position somewhere, do it! Even if you have to drive some distance it would be worth it in the end. Keep in mind if you're seeing title 32 positions, those are state which means National Guard, not reserve's.

Another good MOS to ask about is 35N, and it guarantees the types of clearances where you'll never go hungry (may have to move of course).

25B's require a Secret clearance, TS depends on unit and duty position.

aftereffector

If you have any interest in cybersecurity and you are a quick study, you should look into 17C. There are slots in the Reserves and the Guard in several locations, you'll absolutely get a TS if selected (it's a requirement), and you have a very good chance of actually doing your job (even more so if you go on orders, and the MOS-Q schooling is roughly 20-30 weeks). Cyber is the flavor of the month within DoD so it's a good time to get into it.

Where are you located, by the way? You mentioned that IT jobs in your area are scarce, so I'm guessing you are not in the DC region.

Russ5813

@Black: That’s what I’m afraid of. I’d like to finish my 20 for retirement, but I also don’t want to feel like I’m wasting my time in an MOS that isn’t going to move my career forward. I’m actually already in the process of re-upping my secret, so I have that check in the box, at least. I’ll look into the 17C and 35N MOS—I had initially only requested info on the 25 series thinking that those were the only IT-type jobs available, so I may have inadvertently limited my opportunities.

@after: Yea I’m learning there’s a few interesting opportunities outside the 25 series I haven’t explored yet—I’m going to sit down with the recruiters this week and see what’s out there. I’m located in the boonies of MN, about 2-3 hours away from the big cities/IT hubs. The majority of IT jobs out here are title 32.

Thanks for the info so far, it’s going to be a really big help when it comes time to decide how I should proceed.

BlackBeret

Just keep in mind that the Guard/Reserve retirement system is completely different. The 8 years you have of active duty will help you points wise, but since the pay is based on a points system you wont be gaining a LOT more. A "good" year in the reserves/guard is 50 points, average is 75 points. It also kicks in at age 65 - active duty years, not when you get your 20 year letter. Guard/Reserve retiree's aren't eligible for the subsidized Tricare retiree either, so that's not a benefit for a reserve retirement.

On the plus side, TRS when you're in is $210/month for a family, $300 deductible, and $1000 catastrophic cap. I haven't had an employer yet that offered better plans, and this is basically the entire reason I stayed Guard. However, this year I get to realize that one year of mobilization means I lose more money from being away from my civilian job than I saved in four years of insurance.

Basically, I say go Reserve/Guard if you feel the desire to keep serving or can get something you want (training/clearance/job) out of it. Otherwise you'll be disappointed.

DAVID Q

I'm a ex Airmen via ANG most cyber jobs in my branch service falls under 3DXxxxx. The job 25b,RF Techs and Cable Installer all would fall under Cyber Space Systems and other IT Specialties fall under Cyber Space Operations (Microsoft Office Specialists,Server Maintenance,Programming, and Computer Security in conclusion they all inter and co-related under IT for AFSC(Airforce) OR MOS(Army).

Also depending on unit all those jobs RF Tech,Cable Installer, and IT specialists can be integrated, basically if theirs no cable to pull or radio's to configure your second role would be Desktop Support Tier 1 thru 3 depending on your job role and experience.

Air Guard's Client systems is equivalent to Army's 25B and like I said depending on unit someone who's just IT specialist may have to learn how to pull cable or configure radio's and someone who's a cable installer,RF signal, or Radio person may also have to LEARN some responsibilities of a 25B and like said many of the jobs are co-related.

And the reason They co-relate as far my branch of service goes is because all these jobs will require
Comptia A+,Network+ and Sec+ as part of career training advancement and acquiring higher rank in your particular career field especially
for E1"s thru E4's

E5's and up will be expected to have the major 3 Comptia Certs(Sec,NET,and A+) plus the CEH(Certified Ethical Hacker) certifications. Also between
E5 THRU E6 you either have the CISSP or you preparing and study for the CISSP

DAVID Q

THIS IS JUST MY STORY AND EXPERIENCE.FROM SERVING TIME IN AIRGUARD, but of course everyone's experience will be different from mines. Also the UNIT,CULTURE, AND LEADERSHIP your assigned to will have a big influence on how far you advance in your particular career field. If leadership embraces you, and you have comp-tent trainer that wants you to succeed then your good, and you may not have many worries when you get to your first duty station. Basically in a nutshell, your PERSONALITY TYPE,IMPRESSION, AND HOW YOU COME OFF as a solider to certain GATEKEEPERS AND LEADERS will depend on if they EMBRACE you which will have some influence on how far you advance in training and your career role, and it's not necessarily about kissing up or not kissing up, but in a nut shell they don't have to like you. In my case and my own experience THINGS were RACIAL BIAS FOR ME . And of course I will have to blame 70% of my misfortunes on myself, but the other 30% in the unit I was in. I did almost 3 years as a Guardsmen before being let go.

DAVID Q

You right in terms of doing your job. You can be train as a 25b(Army) or 3d1x1(Airforce) Client systems and you may not get to do your job or get to train under your MOS of AFSC . I like the job I picked and career field of choice prior to signing up, but I didn't get to participate very much in my particular job duties and roles such as doing:
1.Computer Migrations
2.System Deployments
3.Ticketing Systems
5.Remote Trouble Shooting
6.backups
7.System Cloning
8.Opening and Turning off Network Ports
9.Password Resetting

This what I signed up for, but instead participating and doing the hands on stuff The leadership over me instead had me STUDYING FOR CDC'S AND CBT'S rather dong my job. I TELL ONE THING WHEN IT CAME TO DOING THE MENIAL TASKS INSTEAD ASSIGNED JOB TITLE I WAS THE FIRST IN LINE
YEP That sweeping and mopping crap yeah they will assign particular jobs to certain people in a heart beat especially if your E1 thru E4 which is not related to one's particular career field. I hate to sound so negative BlackBeret and Russ5813 but these were my experiences and I just need to get somethings off my chest. Of course anybody who's prior or joiningg for the first time may not have to go through somethings I went threw

DAVID Q

BlackBeret wrote: »

Reserve and Guard, you will almost never do your MOS. The weekends at drill will be spent on administrative tasks. The exception is if you get an AGR or State reserve forces job within your MOS. The two things you will get from the reserve/guard are training (don't expect much past your AIT), and a clearance.

25B isn't a bad MOS from what I've seen, and may require a clearance depending on where you're assigned to work. If security happens to be your interest and you can find a 17C position somewhere, do it! Even if you have to drive some distance it would be worth it in the end. Keep in mind if you're seeing title 32 positions, those are state which means National Guard, not reserve's.

Another good MOS to ask about is 35N, and it guarantees the types of clearances where you'll never go hungry (may have to move of course).

You right in terms of doing your job. You can be train as a 25b(Army) or 3d1x1(Airforce) Client systems and you may not get to do your job or get to train under your MOS of AFSC . I like the job I picked and career field of choice prior to signing up, but I didn't get to participate very much in my particular job duties and roles such as doing:
1.Computer Migrations
2.System Deployments
3.Ticketing Systems
5.Remote Trouble Shooting
6.backups
7.System Cloning
8.Opening and Turning off Network Ports
9.Password Resetting

This what I signed up for, but instead participating and doing the hands on stuff The leadership over me instead had me STUDYING FOR CDC'S AND CBT'S rather dong my assign job responsibility. I TELL you guys ONE THING WHEN IT CAME TO DOING THE MENIAL TASKS(Mopping & Sweeping) INSTEAD of ASSIGNED JOB TITLE I WAS THE FIRST IN LINE.
YEP! That sweeping and mopping crap they will assign those particular jobs to certain people in a heart beat especially if your E1 thru E4 and leadership doesn't care if it's related to your particular career role or not. I hate to sound so negative BlackBeret and Russ5813 but these were my experiences and I just need to get somethings off my chest. Of course anybody who's prior or joining for the first time may not have to go through some-of- the things that I went through.

Russ5813

@Black: Yea I've been calculating retirement under the Guard/Reserve system. It seems like a good deal and I'd hate to let my 8 years of service depend on the off chance I can land one of the rare title 10 jobs in my area to apply towards retirement, or let it go to waste all together. It sounds like I may be disappointed with the training/work experience, but it might scratch the itch I get for the military life.

@David: Thanks for sharing your experience. You make a good point about cross-training, which isn't really a bad thing, but I'd like as much focus on computers/networking as possible. I'm actually going to talk to a recruiter on Friday about an opening for a client systems tech. I don't have A+ or N+, but with my experience it wouldn't be terribly difficult to certify. I'm actually scheduled to take the CISSP later this summer, which is what my focus is on right now. Not being able to retain my E5 is probably a deal-breaker.

DAVID Q

@RUSS5813
When talk to the Airforce recruiter make sure they direct you to jobs that involve either:
CYBER SPACE OPERATIONS(3DX0000) OR CYBER SPACE SYSTEMS(3DXX111) IT's like 10 to 12 jobs with different specialties
Some of the Specialties
1.Computer Networking (Cyber Transport)
2.Tech-Support(Client Systems)
3.Cable & Antenna
4.Radio Frequency & Satellite
5.Main Fram & Server Farms
6.Computer Programming
7.Computer Security
8.Application Specialists

Your already E5(Staff Sergeant), so I don't see you having to rank down, but if you acquire the CISSP and some of the COMPTIA CERTIFICATIONS(The Big Three) before joining you should be able to keep your rank. The good thing if your able to acquire Three of the main certifications (Comptia A+,Sec+,and Network+) before shipping off to Techschool They will send you home a lot earlier from Tech school maybe two weeks earlier than the rest of your unit. The extra weeks goes toward studying for those particular certifications.
you should be able to keep your Rank if you get them before TECH-SCHOOL. By the way Air Force has one the best TECH-SCHOOLS in terms of CYBER-SPACE JOBS TRAINNING. I loved that base located down in Mississippi.

IF your ASVAB score is STrong in Electrical&Electronics, and your good
medically you should be good. Some of the CYBER-SPACE-JOBS require one to NOT TO BE COLOR-BLIND. I was able to escape as A CLIENT SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN because the requirements had changed and didn't require one to be non-colorblind. I barely got the 2nd job on my lists because I was color deficient,but I was lucky because the requirements had changed, but I will tell you one thing I CAN READ A CAT5,6, AND 7 CABLE JUST AS WELL AS SOMEONE WHO ISN'T color blind.and can TERMINATE THE WIRES TOO.