Military Guard/Reserve Jobs

Is anyone on this board in that role? Looking to get out of the maintenance field and into the IT/Comm side. Any tips/pointers?

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wtrwlkr

I'm not guard or reserves, but I was active duty and am seriously considering going Air Force reserve.
Here's kind of the gist I got, anyone with better info than me feel free to correct me if i'm off base.
The reserve is a federal program. It's purpose is to help out the active duty component fill any manning shortages they may be experiencing. Normally you drill a weekend a month and 2 weeks a year. Deployments are a possibility, but from what i've been told, they are much more of a "voluntary" nature. The reserve has something called the Air Reserve Technician field. To my limited knowledge, ARTs are paid as GS employees but have a specific rank and wear a uniform full time.
The guard is controlled by individual states with the state's governor acting as Commander in Chief. They can be federalized in times of war to augment the active duty component. They drill on a similar schedule as the reserves, but the deployment chances are higher. Any time there is a natural disaster or civil unrest in your particular state, you run the risk of being called to active duty. This is in addition to any federal deployment they may go on. The guard also has some full time positions.
One thing the guard has going for them is that certain states will waive up to 100% tuition at state universities for people enlisted in that state's guard program. Florida and Texas do this for certain, other states may do this as well. This is in addition to any GI bill or tuition assistance program.
Are you prior service at all? If so, I don't want to go over stuff you might already know from your active duty days. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions.
Specifically, I was active duty Air Force from 2003-2014, as a 3D1X2, cyber transport systems. I can answer questions about that career field and other ones that are closely related.

BlackBeret

Having been both Army Reserve and Guard I can tell you that there's not much difference between the two. Both will get you the same training, experience, and deployments. The differences are like anywhere else in the military, unit dependent. There are good units and bad units everywhere. As far as job specifics I can't speak to the AF, but in the Army if you want traditional IT when you talk with the recruiter/career counselor only accept the 25B MOS (Information Technology Specialist), if they try to get you in to something else and tell you all kinds of nice things about the fun you'll have with computers just politely tell them you're not signing anything without that MOS on it. If you want to work in a security role, 25D (Network defender) or 35Q (Network warfare) are the MOS's you want. Very few states have 35Q as an MOS right now, the previous ASI for it was for active duty only so you might not find it in the Guard and Reserve.

Robertf969

25D on the reserve side is a royal pain to try to get. I meet all the prerequisites, the unit wanted me for it and their Brigade still said no. So now the unit wants me to come over as a 25N and evaluate me for a year before they agree to cough up the money required to send me to school. I agree that 25B is probably your best bet but if you want to do networking focused work I would recommend the 25N route.

Cyberscum

Go AF ANG/Res 3D series. I cant speak for any other branch but AF is a cake walk. You will be exposed to the latest and greatest in technologies and start a networking foundation that will accelerate you career.

Air Force Enlisted Job: 3D - Cyberspace Support

Questions PM me.

BTW I was 2A3X2 (Avionics Aircraft Maintenance) then went 3D0X3 (Cyber Surety) before becoming an officer IN 31PX (SFS Info Protection)

Mitechniq

I am in the Air National Guard as a 17D Cyber Officer. If you have any questions about the process or what to expect while serving in this capacity, just pm me.

bpenn

I am currently serving in the AF Reserve and my AFSC is 3D1X1 (Client Systems Administrator). It is basically Help Desk/Tier 2 support. Starting in October, Security+ is required to complete the technical training since A+ is being removed. If you are looking at more infrastructure, I believe that Cyber Transport is your best bet.

tsimmns

Can't find the PM button so some more questions for cyber scum and mitechniq. What units are you in, or you can pm me and maybe I can reply. I'm currently avionics myself. While it's a good career it's just not what I want to do. I'm a few classes from finishing up a degree in either CIS from Thomas Edison State or a few more classes and completing my degree from the University of Mississippi which is where I started a long time ago in MIS. Either way, I plan to apply for a Masters in MIS somewhere or just an IS. I know that I have the ASVAB score to get into the 3D series, just unsure which one of the 3D's is best, I guess that's where I need advice. I would love to get into comm flight and either translate that into a full time Guard/Reserve job or just get more experience. If any of you officers have any information on your units openings, please don't hesitate to email me at olemiss927@gmail.com. My enlistment is up in August and I'll hit the 10 year mark and a career change would be great in my opinion.

typfromdaco

I have actually been looking to join the Reserves when I leave active duty Army, though I have been leaning towards Air Force or Navy. How difficult is it to become an officer in the Air Force Reserve?

P.S. I am getting out with 11 years TIS

CCNTrainee

I don't know how this will effect the Reserve/Guard side, but I know changes has started to happen in Active Duty side. No matter which branch you decide to join, a lot of "fat" will be getting cut out. On the AF side, only the 1B4s (Operations Side) would be safe from getting the boot, since 3Ds only count as support and support has always been a joke when it comes to funding.

NDAA 2016
SEC. 591. REVISED POLICY ON NETWORK SERVICES FOR MILITARY SERVICES.
(a) Establishment Of Policy.—It is the policy of the United States that the Secretary of Defense shall minimize and reduce, to the maximum extent practicable, the number of uniformed military personnel providing network services to military installations within the United States.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/comments/37z0oa/fy16_ndaa_would_prohibit_the_use_of_military/

BlackBeret

Working in support of an AF unit, everyone is 1B where I'm at. To say that these positions and units are growing is an understatement. Think 4x the size in the next two year or so.

CCNTrainee

I would think so, since they count as Cyber Operations. If I was to join the Reserves, I would be going for 1B4s especially when I have completed Cyber 100 when it was on the High side and a real pain to get into the course.

SephStorm

If you want to work in a security role, 25D (Network defender) or 35Q (Network warfare) are the MOS's you want. Very few states have 35Q as an MOS right now

Is this confirmed on the reserve side? I never saw anything indicating they had officially opened requisitions for any of these on the reserve side?

Honestly I would consider it but my concerns remain. 25D- Going in I would already have more certs and more experience than most graduates. What am I gaining? 35Q - I assume it requires a poly which i've had issues with before. And as OP stated, availability.

Alternative is Warrant Officer, but i'm concerned because of upcoming changes. with my luck i'd come in and get locked into 25 series during the transition and wouldn't be able to move to 17 series, before I could apply to WOCS.

Mitechniq

There is a very distinct difference in how the Air Force reserve and Air National Guard accept enlisted or civilians to get commissioned.

There is a very few Air Force Reserve commissioning programs for civilians and most enlisted are already in the reserves through the Deserving Airmen Commissioning Program (DACP)

The Air National Guard is based on the state, and each state has a job posting site which you can apply for just like any other job, just make sure it is an initial commission position. This is a current post at my own unit for initial commission:

https://www.txmf.us/Data/Sites/1/media/air-traditional/136-15-29-17d3-amended---cyberspace-operations-254.pdf

If you are looking for cyber ops/defs positions (1B4), there is like 6 Reserve Units and 1 Guard Unit in Lackland doing this type of work.

SteveLord

I would note you should never bet your life on obtaining a full time gig. They are typically competitive and it can take months until the candidates for those positions are selected/filled.

tpatt100

Years ago my Guard unit told me about some full time Guard positions, I applied for fun and it took so long to find out the positions were filled I forgot that I even applied for them.

aftereffector

SephStorm wrote: »

Is this confirmed on the reserve side? I never saw anything indicating they had officially opened requisitions for any of these on the reserve side?

25Ds are coming to the reserve side, but the reqs aren't built yet and likely won't be until Q2 or Q3 FY16.

Source: We have a meeting about this weekly...

Cyberscum

tsimmns wrote: »

Can't find the PM button so some more questions for cyber scum and mitechniq. What units are you in, or you can pm me and maybe I can reply. I'm currently avionics myself. While it's a good career it's just not what I want to do. I'm a few classes from finishing up a degree in either CIS from Thomas Edison State or a few more classes and completing my degree from the University of Mississippi which is where I started a long time ago in MIS. Either way, I plan to apply for a Masters in MIS somewhere or just an IS. I know that I have the ASVAB score to get into the 3D series, just unsure which one of the 3D's is best, I guess that's where I need advice. I would love to get into comm flight and either translate that into a full time Guard/Reserve job or just get more experience. If any of you officers have any information on your units openings, please don't hesitate to email me at olemiss927@gmail.com. My enlistment is up in August and I'll hit the 10 year mark and a career change would be great in my opinion.

First, where are you located?

Second, What do you want to do for a career?

Third, how far from a degree are you?

I would say you are making a sound decision leaving the maintenance field. Opportunities are becoming scarce and realistically the only decent paying fed jobs would be with the FAA. I can see that you are interested in becoming an officer. I would say that becoming an officer in the National Guard will require a great deal of effort. Although units would say otherwise, most commission opportunities are very political.

If I was you I would pick a local ANG unit in your area or an area you wish to travel. Make appointments with a recruiter and personally make appointments with section officers in areas where you would like a commission. Tell them why you are interested and what you can provide for the unit. Unit positions are all based on open positions, but if you impress the right people they can double slot positions. If your ambitions align with leadership then apply for officer positions. You must be in officer school by age 34 without a waiver and you must have taken and passed the AFOQT, PT test and be within one your of graduation.

The funny thing about the guard is that you might join as a logistics officer and retire as an intelligence commander. An officer is an officer, you go where the unit needs and lead.

As far as full time positions, I have never struggled finding work in the federal government in the 2210 career field.

dmoore44

Another area to consider would be as a commissioned officer in the Navy Reserves as a Network Warfare Officer. I looked in to it last year but was rejected for consideration because psoriasis is an immediate disqualifier (the irony... I'm already an AF vet). Anyway, NWOs are part of the direct commissioning program, which means OCS is only about 3 weeks long.

bpenn

The full time AF Reserve gigs (Air Reserve Technician (ART)) are all GS-9 and arent even 2210. Not worth it unless you are just trying to get into the GS world. If you want a full time gig, I suggest making sure its 2210.

Codyy

Don't go near 25D, the actual work these guys are doing isn't anything close to a "Network Defender". 17's are being hand selected for the desirable positions, and from what I was told they've already filled the GOOD slots. This is on the active side, your experience may vary in the reserves.

tsimmns

Mitechniq wrote: »

There is a very distinct difference in how the Air Force reserve and Air National Guard accept enlisted or civilians to get commissioned.

There is a very few Air Force Reserve commissioning programs for civilians and most enlisted are already in the reserves through the Deserving Airmen Commissioning Program (DACP)

The Air National Guard is based on the state, and each state has a job posting site which you can apply for just like any other job, just make sure it is an initial commission position. This is a current post at my own unit for initial commission:

https://www.txmf.us/Data/Sites/1/media/air-traditional/136-15-29-17d3-amended---cyberspace-operations-254.pdf

If you are looking for cyber ops/defs positions (1B4), there is like 6 Reserve Units and 1 Guard Unit in Lackland doing this type of work.

I see you are in the Dallas unit. I have actually considered this unit as my fiancé wants to stay in the Dallas area. I currently live in MS and am in the 186th in Meridian. I see this unit currently has openings for most everything I am looking for on the traditional enlisted side.

As for the answer to the other posters questions, I have about 14 classes left for a BBA in MIS. As for what I want to do career wise, ideally I would like to finish up this degree, get into a Masters program and go from there. A federal job would be great, but it's not a must as I have experience doing Avioncs and NDI and can usually find work if I don't find something IT related right away. As for careers, I have no idea really. Network, Cyber Security, information Systems as long as it's out of maintenance and in IT.

buck666

Ok here it is usaf resves. Get craped on by ARTs. Ranthrough training pushed every weekend a month benifits for average guy nothing. Retire at see this 60years old. Thats when you collect medical none nothing more. Yes exams and evaluations then you pay your self to fix it. No travel pay more less we are suckers. Ones hoping to get full time ART postions join the devil and crowd those whom plan and exicute your uta weekends. They are the only true winners full time pay ect so they jusifie there full time postions for you to show up it takes then two days to plan your weekend utas for a unit been there done it. I M A usaf reserves another broken program lets see individual mobilization augmenty ly it is yes we have our records ready to be moblized guess what we do all the same bs paper work ect a gaurdsman or triditional reservest does to apply for moblization the biggest ly its flewiable you schedule your tour ly again now its manditory your unit has you submit your tour as long as it matches needed manning its ok if not screw you your miss guided. Youll do a tour when they say youll spend your cash for gas and activeduty units especially 647th asfs will **** on reservest when they show up enjoy that happy ass thought about hawaii its the worst place for USAF reserve units to go. Believe me 6 years whatching them.

bpenn

buck666 wrote: »

Ok here it is usaf resves. Get craped on by ARTs. Ranthrough training pushed every weekend a month benifits for average guy nothing. Retire at see this 60years old. Thats when you collect medical none nothing more. Yes exams and evaluations then you pay your self to fix it. No travel pay more less we are suckers. Ones hoping to get full time ART postions join the devil and crowd those whom plan and exicute your uta weekends. They are the only true winners full time pay ect so they jusifie there full time postions for you to show up it takes then two days to plan your weekend utas for a unit been there done it. I M A usaf reserves another broken program lets see individual mobilization augmenty ly it is yes we have our records ready to be moblized guess what we do all the same bs paper work ect a gaurdsman or triditional reservest does to apply for moblization the biggest ly its flewiable you schedule your tour ly again now its manditory your unit has you submit your tour as long as it matches needed manning its ok if not screw you your miss guided. Youll do a tour when they say youll spend your cash for gas and activeduty units especially 647th asfs will **** on reservest when they show up enjoy that happy ass thought about hawaii its the worst place for USAF reserve units to go. Believe me 6 years whatching them.

*brain aneurisyms violently*

mistabrumley89

Do NOT go the 25B route. I just got word from a few people at HQDA that this MOS will be merging with 25N and 25L. Soooooo, networking, general IT, and cable dogs. Promotions will become more difficult. The new MOS will be 25K. Most units don't know what to do with a 25D's either, and you will just be a glorified COMSEC custodian. I don't care how they try to sell it to you. Codyy is right, 17's are the ones filling the real cyber slots.

Pmorgan2

This is an old thread, but just in case people are curious still, here's some more information. 6 months ago I was deciding if I wanted to switch from Active Duty 25B to reserves, or just get out.

My goal was to join the reserves as a 17C, which is a new cyber occupation supposedly focused on attacking. There were no plans to make this available to reserves / national guard.

There was also 170C, which is the new Warrant Office cyber position. This was not available to reserves and they were only taking current Warrant officers for this job (255A / 255N / 255S).

25D (network defense) was not available to reserves. In addition, you need to already have 5+ years in the military to get that job (need to be Sergeant promotable). This job likely will not go to reserves for quite some time, since their intent is for you to do 3 years (active) at the Fort Gordon Cyber Center of Excellence before going to another unit.

So I was left with the option to go Warrant Officer (255A or 255N), stay in the dying 25B occupation, or just leave the Army behind. When I got a job offer overseas, and found out I can't go straight into the reserves overseas, that sealed the deal for me.

mistabrumley89 wrote: »

Do NOT go the 25B route. I just got word from a few people at HQDA that this MOS will be merging with 25N and 25L. Soooooo, networking, general IT, and cable dogs. Promotions will become more difficult. The new MOS will be 25K.

They've been talking about this for since 2012. Hopefully they're moving forward now. The plan was to merge all communication occupations into five (using non-military terms here):

- Help desk / networking
- Radio frequency / satellite
- Visual editing and presentation
- Network defense (Staff Sergeant and above only)
- Frequency and spectrum management (Staff Sergeant and above only)

Each of these are not exactly what you'd expect coming from a civilian perspective.

mistabrumley89 wrote: »

Most units don't know what to do with a 25D's either, and you will just be a glorified COMSEC custodian. I don't care how they try to sell it to you. Codyy is right, 17's are the ones filling the real cyber slots.

25D has some great training. By the Army's own admission, 60% of positions you can fill as a 25D are explicitly COMSEC. The other 40% could put you in a unit that doesn't know what to do with you, and makes you COMSEC. However, there are Cyber Protection Teams in which you will actually do what you'd expect from the job title.

It does seem like the 17 series are the real cyber jobs. 25D was a bit of bait and switch.

The Signal Corps grade plate reduction plan, MOS consolidation plan, and 25D career map should still be available on the Signal Corps AKO page.