CCENT/CCNA timing?

I am going into the army in january, five year enlistment.

I am planning on focusing on Cisco directly after training, as of now I am planning to study as much as I can while in training, and to take a CCENT/CCNA boot camp to make sure I am ready for the exam (don't worry I'll be practicing labs after I get my cert to make sure I understand everything. And I'll be simulating during training.)

Anyway my dilema is whether I should get my CCENT now, wait three years, by that time I should have sufficient experience, and just study on any new CCNA subjects, and take the CCNA, so I have that when I get out or I am looking for employment, OR should I just get the CCENT/CCNA now, and renew it in three years(Maybe add that Security marker on there).

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Bl8ckr0uter

SephStorm wrote: »

I am going into the army in january, five year enlistment.

I am planning on focusing on Cisco directly after training, as of now I am planning to study as much as I can while in training, and to take a CCENT/CCNA boot camp to make sure I am ready for the exam (don't worry I'll be practicing labs after I get my cert to make sure I understand everything. And I'll be simulating during training.)

Anyway my dilema is whether I should get my CCENT now, wait three years, by that time I should have sufficient experience, and just study on any new CCNA subjects, and take the CCNA, so I have that when I get out or I am looking for employment, OR should I just get the CCENT/CCNA now, and renew it in three years(Maybe add that Security marker on there).

What type of role are you going to be doing in the army? Depending on what you are doing in the army, the ccna might not be so good. I mean if you know that you are going to be doing ground work (like busting in doors and stuff) maybe a security+ would be better (if anything) because at least you won't have to worry about it expiring. If you are going to be in for something IT or technology related then I think you should go for the CCNA now and renew it with a CCNA:S or another NA/DA level exam. IMO not showing forward progress (IE renewing a CCNA with a CCNA) would be foolish and a waste of money UNLESS you truly did not work with cisco equipment (or anything networking related) for the duration of the 3 year period before your cert expires.

SephStorm

I'll be an IT Specialist in the Army, just seems like a waste sometimes, to knock out both at the same time. Hmmm. If you take the bridge exam, you don't get the CCENT right? Just the CCNA?

Bl8ckr0uter

SephStorm wrote: »

I'll be an IT Specialist in the Army, just seems like a waste sometimes, to knock out both at the same time. Hmmm. If you take the bridge exam, you don't get the CCENT right? Just the CCNA?

Like it depends. I KNOW that the CCNA carries more weight on a resume than a CCENT. I am sure there are still some people who don't even know what a CCENT is. I have seen it on a few job postings but obviously not as many for the CCNA. I mean it is your choice, but I say getting a CCNA and a CCNA:S/V/W on your resume in 3 years is going to be more value than a CCENT and CCNA.

ziggi138

I know that if you earn the CCNA while you are in the Army, it helps you out a lot when you come up for promotion. I cant remember where i saw it, but there are also several other IT certifications that would help you out with the promotion board. So i recommend getting your CCENT before you ship out, and then while you are in, take the CCNA.

Just my $.02

SephStorm

Thats the Army COOL website here: https://www.cool.army.mil/25b.htm

mikej412

Get your CCENT now. Just like in the real world, your qualifications can set you apart from your coworkers.

Your assignments and coworkers may be "luck of the draw" -- so do your job and learn as much as you can so that when a new opportunity comes along you're the one with the qualification to fill the position. Hopefully you'll get in with a motivated and professional bunch.

Heero

SephStorm wrote: »

I'll be an IT Specialist in the Army, just seems like a waste sometimes, to knock out both at the same time. Hmmm. If you take the bridge exam, you don't get the CCENT right? Just the CCNA?

CCNA bascially says you know everything a CCENT would know, plus more. Bypassing the CCENT and just getting the CCNA off the bat wont affect you negatively at all.

Kaminsky

Remember, they expect you to be a soldier first and an IT specialist second. Keep that in mind in the initial months of very, very hard graft. Forget everything else until you pass out of basic and into the regulars. You will need as much strength and consentration just to get through the initial stages.

Do not think basic will just be some running and shooting, polishing and shouting. Army basic training messes with your head and you can fail at any wrong step and your thoughts of the whole 5 year deal is gone up in smoke.

Forget everything else, focus on the job at hand and get through that basic training and only THEN start planning your future. Once into the regular army, you are going to learn so much cool stuff. First you have to get there.

I would recommend all you do from now until then is run 5 miles at least twice a day and work on upper body strength in between .... Those are the main areas they use to hurt you. Also, remember never to take it personally or too seriously. It is exactly what it is designed to be and is the very same every intake.

It is precisely designed to take X amount of individuals, break them down mentally and emotionally and then build them back up how they want you. This is the only way a professional army can function. Understand that before you start ... It is the same today as it was 100 years ago. It isn't personal !

Best of luck.... I had a lot of fun and learned so much about myself that still holds true at 45. The main thing it taught me was that, deep down, I am a seriously lazy ba$tard. It also gave me a confidence and determined nature that I still have to this day. I passed out and left the UK army and joined university the next year. Luckily I got into IT where the rest of us lazy buggers hang out.

SephStorm

Oh, I'm Prior Service Marine Corps, no basic for me, straight to AIT.

RouteThisWay

SephStorm wrote: »

Oh, I'm Prior Service Marine Corps, no basic for me, straight to AIT.

Thank you for serving

And again!

SephStorm

Thank you, and happy holidays.