Civilian IT jobs in the military?

I've been looking into civilian jobs in the military and wondering if anyone can provide any insight as to what is the best route to take? I see a lot of security guys on various boards, youtube videos, blogs, and articles, who got started in security with the military.

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Valsacar

What's your background, experience, certs, etc? Do you have a clearance? Do you want to work in the states, or overseas?

There are basically two routes, there's GS (government service) and contractor. The "big guys" for contracting would be GDIT (General Dynamics), BAE, Booze Allen, Northop Grumman....

shodown

depends on what you want to do. The above poster pretty much gave the skinny on how it works. Try it see if you like it. I've been working in SCIF's since I was 18 and I needed a change of pace, some people get in there and love it. I find with the draw down the money is better in the private sector. A few years ago I would have said the oppositie.

spiderjericho

Valsacar wrote: »

What's your background, experience, certs, etc? Do you have a clearance? Do you want to work in the states, or overseas?

There are basically two routes, there's GS (government service) and contractor. The "big guys" for contracting would be GDIT (General Dynamics), BAE, Booze Allen, Northop Grumman....

This.

You're going to need a clearance (though if they want you ba enough, they'll pay for the investigation) and with DoD 8570, I helps to have Net+ and Sec+.

I'd try out contracting as the money is better.

If you want to make a lot of money and don't mind danger, you could always go over "there."

One of my ex coworkers said he ran into a CCIE in Afghanistan and said they were making ridiculous money (from my experience a hohum contracting job overseas is 100K, I can only imagine with that qualification).

Definitely check out Smarttronics, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, MCI, AT&T, etc for jobs.

Location also plays a part, it's probably easier to land a job in SoCal or VA/D.C. Area.

dt3k

Valsacar wrote: »

What's your background, experience, certs, etc? Do you have a clearance? Do you want to work in the states, or overseas?

There are basically two routes, there's GS (government service) and contractor. The "big guys" for contracting would be GDIT (General Dynamics), BAE, Booze Allen, Northop Grumman....

Well I'm mostly looking at the future right now. I'm a computer/network tech for school district right now making 45kish a year. Have my A+, CCENT, CCNA, Security+, Apple Certified Associate, and Network+. 28 years old and about 6 years in IT. Also have an Associates degree in Networking from a tech college and almost finished with the IT: Security BS from WGU. I want to finish a couple certs I have planned when I finish my BS and start working on my Masters after that. Probably a Masters in Security or an MBA. Haven't decided yet. No criminal background at all. Will work in the states or overseas.

Valsacar

The biggest problem you'll most likely have is the clearance part. They aren't cheap and I've seen people with less skills (didn't even have all the skills needed for the job) hired over a qualified person without a clearance. For most general positions, it's cheaper to train someone than it is to get them a clearance. GS is probably easier to get the clearance than contracting, unless you have a highly needed skillset (or willing to work in areas that many will not).

I have seen people join the guard or reserves specifically to get the clearance. Out of the over 100 GS and contracting personnel in our organization, I think maybe 8 have no prior military experience.

Edit: I should add, when looking at jobs you want to look for ones that say "Can obtain X clearance..." as those are willing to pay for the clearance (same thing with certs). If it doesn't say "Can obtain" they are looking for people that already have it.

dt3k

Valsacar wrote: »

The biggest problem you'll most likely have is the clearance part. They aren't cheap and I've seen people with less skills (didn't even have all the skills needed for the job) hired over a qualified person without a clearance. For most general positions, it's cheaper to train someone than it is to get them a clearance. GS is probably easier to get the clearance than contracting, unless you have a highly needed skillset (or willing to work in areas that many will not).

I have seen people join the guard or reserves specifically to get the clearance. Out of the over 100 GS and contracting personnel in our organization, I think maybe 8 have no prior military experience.

Edit: I should add, when looking at jobs you want to look for ones that say "Can obtain X clearance..." as those are willing to pay for the clearance (same thing with certs). If it doesn't say "Can obtain" they are looking for people that already have it.

Thank you for your help

onesaint

Valsacar wrote: »

Edit: I should add, when looking at jobs you want to look for ones that say "Can obtain X clearance..." as those are willing to pay for the clearance (same thing with certs). If it doesn't say "Can obtain" they are looking for people that already have it.

This ^^ and having the DoD 8570 certifications met are a good way to go.

CodeBlox

Contracting company I work for sponsored me for mine and in the description of the job, it said "Must be able to obtain security clearance". So as mentioned, look for postings that state something like that. I'm also 8570 compliant with this job because they require security+ I've seen a lot of other jobs that do, too.