Will this Military Job count towards Experience?

GamingCrazy

I'm going into the Coast Gaurd next year to be a IT (Information System Technician) I will be there for a minimum of four years, I was wondering when I transfer to the civilian world will that count as

IT Experience, considering I will be maintaining and managing all of that stuff.

The reason I ask, is solely because its experience in a military environment rather than civilian.

I'm hoping to get my CCNA:Security while in to,

Thankyou in Advance!!!

networker050184

Hell yeah it will count! Military experience is a very good thing to have, especially military IT experience. I did a little over six years in the Army doing networking stuff and when I got out I had no issue finding a job. Employers were more than impressed with what I had done and they love the discipline angle of the experience as well.

Make sure you take advantage and learn all you can. I had plenty of people I served with that had my same job but couldn't even set an IP address on an interface. I took the initiative to learn above and beyond what they teach you and it really paid off for me. You really do get out of it what you put in.

Good luck!

Ryan82

I second what Networker said.

You will see that in the military (as is the case probably anywhere) that there are lots of people who are just collecting a paycheck and then there are the 10% who do 90% of the work. Be part of that 10% and learn everything you can.

Also, if you don't have your degree, go ahead and take as many classes as you can while you are in. Tuition is 100% paid for up to 16 s.h. a year and doesn't use up your GI bill.

One negative thing about being an IT in the military is that a lot of times the military doesn't have any hands on in the network as everything is contracted out. This seems to be site dependent and may or may not be what you actually experience, but I have seen both types of places so don't be totally surprised if that is the case.

Lastly the security clearance you will likely obtain is golden.

Good luck, I think you will find it to be a rewarding experience shall you choose to only do your 4 years or do the full 20.

GamingCrazy

networker050184 wrote: »

Hell yeah it will count! Military experience is a very good thing to have, especially military IT experience. I did a little over six years in the Army doing networking stuff and when I got out I had no issue finding a job. Employers were more than impressed with what I had done and they love the discipline angle of the experience as well.

Make sure you take advantage and learn all you can. I had plenty of people I served with that had my same job but couldn't even set an IP address on an interface. I took the initiative to learn above and beyond what they teach you and it really paid off for me. You really do get out of it what you put in.

Good luck!

Hey : ). I've been looking into the Army regarding that too, since the coast guard and air force are harder to get into I'm looking at another branch to fall back onto.

Question I have is, I've browsed all the different army mos's and I cant find anything related to networking under there. Was it a specific mos with a different subspecialty?

Thanks!

networker050184

I originally was a 31F then that changed to a 25F then finally a 25N. As a 25N you would work on Cisco routers, switches, CCM, CME and all kind of other fun stuff too.

shodown

I'm prior military too. One thing to do is make sure you get to a place where the work is not contracted out. You will get the schools and training and when u get to the job you will see contractors doing most of the work and u will be doing most of the menial task. Make sure if that happens that you get with them and get all you can from them. If u go to a ship no contractors to deal with, so u will get to do a lot of stuff, but its mostly server side.

networker050184

Northbr1dge wrote: »

I'm currently deployed as a 25B (Information Technology Specialist). In my opinion, it's the most IT-centric MOS in the Army, and it directly correlates with "outside" jobs. It's mainly server administration / end user trouble-shooting job. 25N's seem to be more network oriented than us, and probably would be more likely to do Cisco-like tasks, but I've also noticed they work on tactical equipment that's only found in the military which I think it's sort of a drawback.

As a 25N you will be working on some military only devices like encryption devices and some muxes, but the vast majority of the equipment you work will be be off the shelf commercial equipment. It will be in a nice hardened shelter or box, but its the same stuff you'd find out in a business.

shodown

networker050184 wrote: »

As a 25N you will be working on some military only devices like encryption devices and some muxes, but the vast majority of the equipment you work will be be off the shelf commercial equipment. It will be in a nice hardened shelter or box, but its the same stuff you'd find out in a business.

The experience with encryption devices come in handy. You never know who you will be working for later on. I didn't use any my 1st year out, but all my experince with them came in handy when I came back to working mil. I've even seen jobs at the post office where it mentioned encryption devices for there network admins.

NinjaBoy

As an IT manager I would say "Yes".

It doesn't matter what sector your in (eg IT, Public sector, education, engineering, etc) as long as your job is in the IT field. Then of course it depends on your experience (and the tehcnology your supporting/using) whether or not you'd be suitable for the next job... Eg next job is linux based, but person A doesn't have any linux experience, etc...

-ken

VAHokie56

Would you guys that have been in military IT and are now working outside of it say that 26 is to old to go into the service for IT? and with no prior military experience but having a associates degree and a few certs under my belt , what kind of opportunities am I looking at right out of the gate?

GamingCrazy

networker050184 wrote: »

I originally was a 31F then that changed to a 25F then finally a 25N. As a 25N you would work on Cisco routers, switches, CCM, CME and all kind of other fun stuff too.

Army is interesting to me, do you get deployed to Iraq as an IT Specialist? Only downside is my parents deny any knowledge of the Army and it's a struggle to even sit down and mention the name.



That sounds interesting, but as to mention to the contracting aspect that I have to look out for would it be best to consider the Coast Guard first? Knowing they are the smallest branch that contains boats offshore I wouldn't think that they would do much contracting.

I mean obviously the demands of the branches I'm looking at are scarce atm due to the economy, so I'm might only get one option.

Thanks!!!!

Mrock4

GamingCrazy wrote: »

Army is interesting to me, do you get deployed to Iraq as an IT Specialist? Only downside is my parents deny any knowledge of the Army and it's a struggle to even sit down and mention the name.

I spent 15 months in northern Iraq as a 25B.

It all really depends on where you're at. Where *I* was at, I (a 25B), did almost 100% of Cisco-related tasks..even though we had 25N's. The reason? They were mostly incompetent when it came to Cisco gear. They were examples of people who joined, and just wanted to skate through..the 25B's I worked with were pretty much doomed to be on the helpdesk the entire time, because *most* of them were the same way, with few exceptions. Having my CCNA also meant that I added credibility, which ensured I got to do the good stuff.

Now, still a 25B, I manage a NOC. My cisco experience now is limited to discussing architecture and coordinating maintenance. Not because we have contractors..but just because that's how the ball fell.

As a 25B, I've worked the helpdesk, I've worked as a network engineer, was a server admin, worked on sat's, done plenty with radio's...it goes on and on. It really depends on the unit, and their needs..

But it sure doesn't help no matter what MOS you are to show interest in Cisco if that's what you want to do. I would suggest going 25N, and simultaneously studying Cisco on your own time. This will ensure you don't end up like our 25N's who did nothing but pull shift, because they were out of touch with the technology. Just my $.02.

At the end of the day, it truly is what you make of it.

jonfc3s

A plus to this as well is that you will have all of your DoD approved certification costs covered by the Coast Guard. Google 8750.1 M Directive!

A+, Net+, Security+, and a handleful of Infosecurtiy certs!

Good luck,

Jon

GamingCrazy

jonfc3s wrote: »

A plus to this as well is that you will have all of your DoD approved certification costs covered by the Coast Guard. Google 8750.1 M Directive!

A+, Net+, Security+, and a handleful of Infosecurtiy certs!

Good luck,

Jon

That's awesome that it will covered as well, I could basically come out of the coast guard educated and experienced,

Would this rule out college, if of course I get the oppurtunity?

networker050184

GamingCrazy wrote: »

That's awesome that it will covered as well, I could basically come out of the coast guard educated and experienced,

Would this rule out college, if of course I get the oppurtunity?

No it wouldn't rule out college. You can get certification and college money from the military.

As far as deploying it really depends on the duty station you are at. If you go to a fixed station site you won't deploy, but nothing says you will spend your whole enlistment there though. If you go to a tactical unit or BCT then you are very likely to deploy. I split my time between working in a signal brigade and working in a BCT and deployed with both for a total of over two years. Its really not that bad to be honest with you, but everyone is different.

Like Mrock4 mentioned 25B is another good MOS to go for. Its kind of the actual IT guy job rather than a network node position of a 25N. What exactly you will be doing really depends on where you go though. We had 25Bs that did nothing but operate satellite terminals and some that worked help desk roles. I had a few that worked with me in the NOC doing infosec stuff also.

Good luck on what ever route you choose though. I don't think you can go wrong with military service.

thomAZ

I've been in the Air Force for about 4 years now and it has been the best experience I've had. I'm a Network Infrastructure technician and basically manage the basic network and the long haul lines leaving base. I've worked on many different types of networking equipment. The only thing is that we don't really work much with our DMZ equipment beacause it is all remotely managed elsewhere. I acquired my NET + and Sec+ for free and all the training was done my civialians hired by the military. You can also get most certifications paid for but you have to pay the upfront costs and then get reimbursed by the VA, pass or fail. Also, clearances are very valuable in the civilian sector and almost all IT jobs in the air force will get you a TS clearance. As far as getting out I haven't seen anybody in my work center re-enlist yet and those getting out have never had a problem getting a job with great pay.

thomAZ

VAHokie56 wrote: »

Would you guys that have been in military IT and are now working outside of it say that 26 is to old to go into the service for IT? and with no prior military experience but having a associates degree and a few certs under my belt , what kind of opportunities am I looking at right out of the gate?

My buddy worked on air planes in the air force till he was about 25 and then cross trained into IT. He got about 5-6 years experience in the field and got out without a college degree. He did, however, get a lot of certifications: CCNA, CCDA, CCNA Sec, CCNP, MSCE and CCIE R&S. He got out when he was about 30 years old and got a job with a military contractor and got a GREAT pay raise. It worked for him I'm sure it'll work for you.

VAHokie56

Wow he got all those certs AND the CCIE in 5-6 years , pretty sick...

thomAZ

VAHokie56 wrote: »

Wow he got all those certs AND the CCIE in 5-6 years , pretty sick...

We'll technically he got out in JUL 09 and finished just the written portion of the CCIE in SEP 09, my bad. Still pretty damn good though.

GamingCrazy

thomAZ wrote: »

We'll technically he got out in JUL 09 and finished just the written portion of the CCIE in SEP 09, my bad. Still pretty damn good though.

Thomaz, I'm very interested in the Air Force!!!
My main focus is networking, as I love "IT"!!!!

I have a small disinterest to fixing computers as an IT Technician but have no problem doing to.

I'm looking at Cyber Surety and Cyber Systems Operation for the Air Force since it's new and everything.

thomAZ, would it be possible to set up an interview with you, because I believe you could answer all my questions regarding the air force.

I can send you a Pm or what not,

Thankyou for all of your help ,

and Thanks to everyone else a lot of this information isn't available on websites like classic traditional careers.

SephStorm

well, even the AF doesnt know what they are doing with the cyber surety field yet. At least not as of a month ago.

No location for training, no info on what kind of training. I think you can enlist in the field, but i doubt they will ship this year.

If you get any info, let me know though. Its too late for me to sign (25b Hooah), but I would like to know what they come up with.

thomAZ

SephStorm wrote: »

well, even the AF doesnt know what they are doing with the cyber surety field yet. At least not as of a month ago.

No location for training, no info on what kind of training. I think you can enlist in the field, but i doubt they will ship this year.

If you get any info, let me know though. Its too late for me to sign (25b Hooah), but I would like to know what they come up with.

Well I don't know much about cyber surety except it's not a career field that most IT guys want to get stuck with, especially if you work with COMSEC (very tedious and involves lots of paper work). I'm in Cyber Transport Systems and I don't have any complaints except for the devices that are remotely managed that we can't touch. Other than going through the military routine of things I think it would be a great career jumpstart in IT.