Considering the Military

So here's my situation. I've been looking for a new job for awhile now and I'm not getting much luck. I've considered the Military in the past but I guess I was/am alittle afraid to commit to something long-term like that. I guess It might helpful if I knew which job I wanted in the Military.

I'm wondering if anyone knows much about the job details of:
Air Force 3D0X2 - Cyber Systems Operations
Army 25B - lnformation Systems Operator-Analyst
Army 25N - Nodal Network Systems Operator-Maintainer

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IRONMONKUS

I don't know, but I love watching those NSA CyberDefense exercises. Kind of makes me wish I would have gone into the military when I was younger.

networker050184

I'm a little biased as a former member, but I think the military is a great way to start or reinvent a career. You get training, money for school, discipline and employers LOVE to see the military experience on the resume. Of course there are sacrifices to make putting yourself in danger and being away from your family.

I was in the Army so I can comment on 25N and 25B. 25B will be your basic "IT guy" working on servers, LANs, firewalls, etc. depending on your assignment. 25N (which is what I was) will be your network guy working on routers, switches, mux, telephony more on the WAN side.

With either of these what you do on a day to day basis will depend on what type of assignment you get. If its tactical you'll be working out of trucks and cases designed to be on the move. If you get a strategic assignment it will be more of an office type job working on fixed equipment.

myedjo24

I know a lot about being a 0651 in the Marines.

WilliamK99

I am a 25B in the military right now if you have any questions, don't like talking alot in a public forum about my job, but one on one I may give you a few details.

Priston

does 25B get sent out on tactical missions like 25N?

SteveLord

-Either one, (25B/25N) the army will invest training in what would be tens of thousands of dollars that would normally come out of your pocket in the civilian world. The real treats will be specific DoD level security training.

-You'll write Uncle Sam a blank check for the next 8 years. No less.

-You're guaranteed to deploy at least once. Likely at least twice during that time.

-You can go Active or if you want to do part time, you can go Guard. Chances of deployment won't necessarily be any less regardless.

-Going Guard can let you go to school, get paid to do it, get it paid for. You also open yourself up to federal technician positions, that will pay you a lot more than your E1-E5 grades.

-Do know, deployment does NOT guarantee you'll be doing IT stuff. You always have your primary job, and whatever Uncle Sam wants you to do instead. You may very well get stuck doing security details. Seen it happen to artillery, cooks, truck drivers, etc.

-Requirements to get in are more strict due to the military being overstrength. The younger, smarter and healthier you are, the better your chances. Also, any criminal background will slow this down.

-Completing a deployment will earn you veteran status. If you haven't noticed, this is often a question on many job applications and is one on EVERY government job application. It will automatically separate you from other applicants in government outfits.

Priston

Yea, that 8 years is the main reason I haven't joined yet.

Bokeh

8 yrs is really nothing. Look at it this way ...

Free travel, free education, health care for you and your family (if married). The clearance factor when you get out - worth big $$.

I did 10.5 yrs in Air Force in computer systems support, loved every minute of it. Spent the majority of my time overseas, met some great folks, got to play with some cool stuff back then (old school now).

You might even want to check the Coast Guard, see what their IT program is like. Don't think you would have too many deployments either.

networker050184

Priston wrote: »

does 25B get sent out on tactical missions like 25N?

Depends on what you mean by tactical mission. Neither will be kicking in doors under normal circumstances. Both would be working in similar situations if deployed. You may even be doing the same job.

As far as an eight year commitment, only four of those will be active duty. You just have to worry about being called back in those other four years. As these are high quality MOS the chances of getting called back due to shortage is slim. I've only known one person that had a signal MOS that was called back. I got out with two years left of my eight and never heard from the Army again.

hypnotoad

Well, my friend was sitting in his base one day in Iraq, and somebody shot a rocket launcher through the building and killed some people (friendly fire). He was in cryptography. You know, one of those cool hacker gigs.

He described it as "take all those loser kids from the bottom 25% of your high school, scare the **** out of them, and give them guns."

Where does I sign up to be one of them cyberspacer hackers and work in the matrix?

Da-Regulator

I know a little bit about it, I work with computers and im a 25u.. signal support systems specialist. I work with everything in the signal world. Because i try to learn all the jobs uncase someone isnt there. Mostly i work a helpdesk and fix radio problems. Most 25B stuff is like setting up the lan and then help desk after that in my unit.

If I ever had a chance to do it over though. I would of went 25B or N. If you go with either one you can apply for the DoD Directive 8570.01-M. Plus if you go 25N you will get promoted more quickly than a 25B points are alot higher to get promoted to SGT or SSG (actually i think they are maxed for E-5 and E-6).

I probably would of went National Guard or reserve also so i could of went to school and only have to go 1 weekend a month. My friend is a B and he actually got Security + during his AIT. I dont know alot about 25N except some people are trying to reclass to it.

BUT im in iraq right now and the only mos they will let us reclass to is

25L they run cables and work with fiber cables.
25E new mos that is called forgive me if i mess this up its Electromagnetic Spectrum Analyst.
25R - no clue what this is

Im not sure about people just joining the army or if it is just us in iraq right now but reenlisting is ridiculous out here for the signal world seeing as they are trying to cut down on people since we are leaving iraq in dec 2011

If you enlist i hope you the best man.

Da-Regulator

Almost forgot it is also an awesome way to get a security clearance

And im in Iraq right now and NO 25B goes outside the wire in my unit. They stay on the FOB. Most signal soliders dont go outside the wire. 25u go out sometimes, mainly because we are also radio guys and everyone has to keep constant comms.

JockVSJock

Priston wrote: »

So here's my situation. I've been looking for a new job for awhile now and I'm not getting much luck. I've considered the Military in the past but I guess I was/am alittle afraid to commit to something long-term like that. I guess It might helpful if I knew which job I wanted in the Military.

I'm wondering if anyone knows much about the job details of:
Air Force 3D0X2 - Cyber Systems Operations
Army 25B - lnformation Systems Operator-Analyst
Army 25N - Nodal Network Systems Operator-Maintainer

I just enlisted into the US Army and will ship to bct shortly. My MOS is 25N and it took some time to get because of US Army is having a field day with recruiting and retention.

If I could do it all over again, I would go USAF. Word on the street is that they are leading in technology and they are almost like a corporate job.

However I would check out both of their websites for recruiting and ask questions. Get in contact with a recruiter and ask a ton of questions. You can also pm me or ask questions here. There are a ton of military folks on this board who were able to answer my questions and help me in the decision process.

bc901

Bokeh wrote: »

You might even want to check the Coast Guard, see what their IT program is like. Don't think you would have too many deployments either.

I'm in the Coast Guard as an Electronics Tech(ET), but I speak with the ITs all the time about their work. It depends on what type of unit you get stationed to, but they deal with a lot of help desk support, telephone systems, and handling the Cisco networks on base.

If it means anything I've never met one who didn't enjoy their job.

Priston

bc901 wrote: »

I'm in the Coast Guard as an Electronics Tech(ET), but I speak with the ITs all the time about their work. It depends on what type of unit you get stationed to, but they deal with a lot of help desk support, telephone systems, and handling the Cisco networks on base.

If it means anything I've never met one who didn't enjoy their job.

about.com gave me the impression that Information Systems Technician (IT) in the Coast Guard mostly installed voice and data cable. Do they also configure the switches and routers and stuff like that?

Priston

JockVSJock wrote: »

I just enlisted into the US Army and will ship to bct shortly. My MOS is 25N and it took some time to get because of US Army is having a field day with recruiting and retention.

If I could do it all over again, I would go USAF. Word on the street is that they are leading in technology and they are almost like a corporate job.

However I would check out both of their websites for recruiting and ask questions. Get in contact with a recruiter and ask a ton of questions. You can also pm me or ask questions here. There are a ton of military folks on this board who were able to answer my questions and help me in the decision process.

Yea, I think the Air Force would be alot nicer than the Army. I just want to learn more about other options and such. I kinda was hoping Chris:/* would see this topic and give me his description of 3D0X2, a few months ago he posted alot of information in another topic about other jobs in the Air Force.

shodown

I did the navy as a FC and IT. I can't speak much for the other branches, but when I was in in my earlier years getting you CCNA and working around a bunch of cisco gear was common. As I was getting out you were still working the gear, but contractors were doing all the heavy engineering and the only certs the navy would send you too would be S+, so if u wanted your CCNA and higher they would pay for it, but it would be on your own time.

gunbunnysoulja

JockVSJock wrote: »

I just enlisted into the US Army and will ship to bct shortly. My MOS is 25N and it took some time to get because of US Army is having a field day with recruiting and retention.

If I could do it all over again, I would go USAF. Word on the street is that they are leading in technology and they are almost like a corporate job.

If you didn't do your final sign in, I'm pretty sure you can still switch to USAF. Not saying you should as I loved the Army (13D Fire Direction Center), but I know others who changed their mind last minute, before final sign in at MEPS.

bc901

Priston wrote: »

about.com gave me the impression that Information Systems Technician (IT) in the Coast Guard mostly installed voice and data cable. Do they also configure the switches and routers and stuff like that?

Yes on the local level they do a lot of the configuring and troubleshooting , on land we have civilian employees that handle it as well. However on our ships it's all ITs that do it since there's no civilians.

tpatt100

I was a 25B and a 25N in my Guard unit. Even if you go Guard it can open some doors if you put some effort into it. What I mean is the training will teach you the basics but its up to you to put in extra effort to make something of yourself. We have had kids come back from 25B schools who had no interest in IT and are pretty much worthless. We also had some people who went to college using military tuition assistance and got some IT certs and the military training helped their resumes stick out a bit and they got jobs in IT.

Phliplip112

I'm currently going through the recruiting process with the Air Force. All I all I can say is be prepared for the possibility of doing something other than what you want.

All the top jobs I picked were 3D jobs #1 being Cyber Transport, but I put some Intel on there too. Since you may not get an IT AF job, you have to think about how badly you want in the AF and how you will feel if you don't get the job you want.

Although you can cross-train into other fields some years into your enlistment

MrAgent

JockVSJock wrote: »

I just enlisted into the US Army and will ship to bct shortly. My MOS is 25N and it took some time to get because of US Army is having a field day with recruiting and retention.

If I could do it all over again, I would go USAF. Word on the street is that they are leading in technology and they are almost like a corporate job.

However I would check out both of their websites for recruiting and ask questions. Get in contact with a recruiter and ask a ton of questions. You can also pm me or ask questions here. There are a ton of military folks on this board who were able to answer my questions and help me in the decision process.

You know you can change your mind anytime before heading out to basic right? My best friend changed his mind twice before finally deciding to go with the Navy.

So if you want to go AF now, theres still time.

SephStorm

Af is a great way to go all around, except for the job guarantee. In the army you are at least guaranteed to be trained in your mos, although it is possible to be assigned to duties outside of it. My advise for anyone planning to do IT in the military, is to excel. Don't be the guy who just enlists and does his job everyday. You'll get so much more if you keep pushing for, more certs, more civilian education. Also, go ahead and knock out your Sec+, that will knock down some walls for you.

As for the AF Cyber mos, I was going to enlist for it, but it had just opened and they didnt have any real info out on it yet. If you can get it, I would jump on it. The AF was the first branch to figure out that giving a clear description of a job helps in recruiting!

So you can enlist for cyber if that is your interest. For the army you have a chance to work cyber with the following mos' from what I have been able to figure out.

35T MI Systems
29E Electronic Warefare
25B IT Specialist- possibly, it takes work...

uhtrinity

After spending 5 years active duty in the Army I can say be sure you want an Army life. I was a 45g - Fire control systems repair, essentially a low level electronic tech.
You don't always work 9 - 5, 8 hrs a day. There will be times where you might be on duty for a month at a time, 24/7, digging fox holes and pulling guard duty, even if not deployed. IT will not be your only job as you will be a soldier also, so expect to spend weekly time going over NBC, first aid, and many other soldiering skills. If deployed you are then looking at 12 - 18 months, 24/7 with a salary that isn't so great. As stated the Army guarantees specific MOS training, but can reclassify you as needed. From basic I almost got sent directly to accelerated infantry training which would have resulted in immediate deployment to Kuwait / Iraq. The recuiter failed to tell me that could even happen.

myedjo24

SteveLord wrote: »

-You'll write Uncle Sam a blank check for the next 8 years. No less.

-You're guaranteed to deploy at least once. Likely at least twice during that time.

-Completing a deployment will earn you veteran status. If you haven't noticed, this is often a question on many job applications and is one on EVERY government job application. It will automatically separate you from other applicants in government outfits.

These statements are incorrect. You do pay taxes to the federal and state government. You are not guaranteed to deploy but the chances are high. Also, to earn veteran status all you have to do is be in the military whether you deploy or not.

SteveLord

myedjo24 wrote: »

These statements are incorrect. You do pay taxes to the federal and state government. You are not guaranteed to deploy but the chances are high. Also, to earn veteran status all you have to do is be in the military whether you deploy or not.

Oh boy. First of all, when did I mention anything about taxes? My first statement is regarding enlistment. You give yourself to Uncle Sam for 8 years.

And veteran status is not a given by just enlisting. Typically, you need to have 90 or 180 days of active duty service (depending on branch) and then being discharged...all of which would be laid out in a DD214, the form that is typically required as proof.

And while there isn't a 100% chance of deployment, it is pretty darn close. Mentally, you should just expect it to happen in the next 8 years.

myedjo24

Alright, well the first statement I miss understood what you ment. The veteran status thing I was just pointing out that completing a deployment does not earn you veteran status like you said, but instead being in the military (90/180 days) earns you veteran* status whether you deploy or not.

uhtrinity

Stevelord, you said this:

Completing a deployment will earn you veteran status.

You just made it sound that if you're not deployed you aren't classified as a veteran.

uhtrinity

As far as deployment, even the local national guard artillery unit has been deployed twice to Iraq, and not for artillery duty.

SteveLord

uhtrinity wrote: »

Stevelord, you said this:

Completing a deployment will earn you veteran status.

You just made it sound that if you're not deployed you aren't classified as a veteran.

In the Guard/Reserve, you aren't. How else do you get active duty time? Either on a mission or training. Training doesn't count. So I was right. You are NOT a veteran by government recognition because you are 17 years old and swore in 5 minutes ago. Again........the DD214 is typically the defining document, since it officially discharges you from a form of active duty. Look it up.

Try applying for a VA Loan, government job, property tax reduction or the post 9/11 GI Bill and come back.