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Is it a good idea to work in cybersecurity for the Army?
Hello, I am currently enrolled in AP Networking (and intend to take AP Cybersecurity next year). Through JROTC, I have been interested in joining ARCYBER (Army Cyber Command), and I am curious as to the qualifications and skills the Army is looking for.
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Kevin’s Answer
I want to be clear up front - this answer is not from the perspective of someone who served in the U.S. Military, but from the perspective of someone who has had the honor of working alongside, leading, and being led by retired and reserve service members. Additionally, my answers are in the context of the United States, and may not be applicable to other countries. I am also answering your headline more than specific skills you would need. Others are more qualified to provide that information. I am speaking from the perspective of a CISO and investor / employer.
My sincere belief is that the military cybersecurity path is an excellent proving ground for someone starting their career in cybersecurity. I have three reasons for this belief. First, the military will teach you discipline and resilience. Call me an “old guy” (it’s true) but I am often not impressed by the work ethic of those who enter this field. It’s not a field where you work 9 to 4, it’s something that has to be a calling. The colleagues with military backgrounds have been the most mission focused and team positive people that I have been associated with.
If you follow the research on cybersecurity, the ability to be mentally resilient is more and more critical to those in the field, especially those who work on the front lines of incident response, detection, and day to day security operations center roles. This is a tough field, one where to win each engagement is expected and missing a single indicator can lead to organizational disruption and disaster.
Second, building your skills in a military career will teach you how to think in terms of both understanding strategy and being able to perform tactical analysis. Working across multiple organizations is critical in this. In the military, you will likely have the opportunity to work with allied cybersecurity teams, encounter attackers that are only in the shadows for those of us in corporate,
It’s no coincidence that the language of cybersecurity draws heavily from the language of military science. In many ways we operate in a virtual theater of combat. As operational technology becomes an increasing factor, it’s no longer a completely “bloodless” exercise. Supply chains, attacks on medical facilities, and disruptions of everything from hydroelectric dams to dumping the wrong ingredient into a food processing line make cyber defense something that protects our physical world.
Finally, from a purely financial standpoint, starting your career in the military can offer a number of financial benefits later in life. Many people who start a business or have the flexibility to take risky opportunities with startups and new technologies are able to do so because they have the security of their military retirement benefits and (if they are prudent during their service ) significant financial flexibility. If you take this path, use the skills that you learn for the long view. Take advantage of the financial resource and planning services available to military members, as well as every bit of education that you have the opportunity to participate in, You will be required to give a lot in the service of your country, but it’s up to you to take advantage of the benefits and resources that will also be available to you.
Best wishes on your decision, and on your future career in cybersecurity.
My sincere belief is that the military cybersecurity path is an excellent proving ground for someone starting their career in cybersecurity. I have three reasons for this belief. First, the military will teach you discipline and resilience. Call me an “old guy” (it’s true) but I am often not impressed by the work ethic of those who enter this field. It’s not a field where you work 9 to 4, it’s something that has to be a calling. The colleagues with military backgrounds have been the most mission focused and team positive people that I have been associated with.
If you follow the research on cybersecurity, the ability to be mentally resilient is more and more critical to those in the field, especially those who work on the front lines of incident response, detection, and day to day security operations center roles. This is a tough field, one where to win each engagement is expected and missing a single indicator can lead to organizational disruption and disaster.
Second, building your skills in a military career will teach you how to think in terms of both understanding strategy and being able to perform tactical analysis. Working across multiple organizations is critical in this. In the military, you will likely have the opportunity to work with allied cybersecurity teams, encounter attackers that are only in the shadows for those of us in corporate,
It’s no coincidence that the language of cybersecurity draws heavily from the language of military science. In many ways we operate in a virtual theater of combat. As operational technology becomes an increasing factor, it’s no longer a completely “bloodless” exercise. Supply chains, attacks on medical facilities, and disruptions of everything from hydroelectric dams to dumping the wrong ingredient into a food processing line make cyber defense something that protects our physical world.
Finally, from a purely financial standpoint, starting your career in the military can offer a number of financial benefits later in life. Many people who start a business or have the flexibility to take risky opportunities with startups and new technologies are able to do so because they have the security of their military retirement benefits and (if they are prudent during their service ) significant financial flexibility. If you take this path, use the skills that you learn for the long view. Take advantage of the financial resource and planning services available to military members, as well as every bit of education that you have the opportunity to participate in, You will be required to give a lot in the service of your country, but it’s up to you to take advantage of the benefits and resources that will also be available to you.
Best wishes on your decision, and on your future career in cybersecurity.
Updated
Kent’s Answer
Hi Anderson. Without knowing more about your focus on the Army, here's what I have to say first - don't limit yourself to thinking just about the Army. Don't get me wrong, I hold nothing against the Army. However, look at what the other branches have in the way of Cybersecurity training and jobs. The Navy, the Air Force and the Space Force all have fantastic Cyber programs. Here's the result from a quick Google search where I asked for a comparison between the services:
"The Air Force is often cited as a strong choice for cutting-edge cyber work, while the Navy focuses on cyber roles within its maritime and network-centric fleet operations. The Army has numerous opportunities due to its large size, but the more advanced roles can be harder to find, and the Space Force is focused on cyber defense in a space-centric environment. A recent study suggests a lack of coordination across all services leads to inconsistent training and potential gaps in cyber capabilities"
That's good input. Interestingly, the response also points out some general areas to think about. The Space Force is focused on defense, and the USAF is strong on cutting-edge (can you say AI?). These are good to consider, as well.
Try to find someone that's in the Army (maybe through your JROTC program or the ROTC program at a university) that might be able to connect you with someone in the Army's cyber program. That way, you'll get first-hand info and can ask all of the questions you might have about the requirements, training, etc.
Lastly, seriously consider going through college after high school. If you find a university that has both ROTC and a cybersecurity degree program, you can actually have your college paid for in return for a commitment to serve when you graduate. The benefit is that you would then go into the military as a commissioned officer. Benefits, salary and niceties are elevated for officers, so think long and hard about it if you are even remotely interested.
Best of luck to you, Anderson.
"The Air Force is often cited as a strong choice for cutting-edge cyber work, while the Navy focuses on cyber roles within its maritime and network-centric fleet operations. The Army has numerous opportunities due to its large size, but the more advanced roles can be harder to find, and the Space Force is focused on cyber defense in a space-centric environment. A recent study suggests a lack of coordination across all services leads to inconsistent training and potential gaps in cyber capabilities"
That's good input. Interestingly, the response also points out some general areas to think about. The Space Force is focused on defense, and the USAF is strong on cutting-edge (can you say AI?). These are good to consider, as well.
Try to find someone that's in the Army (maybe through your JROTC program or the ROTC program at a university) that might be able to connect you with someone in the Army's cyber program. That way, you'll get first-hand info and can ask all of the questions you might have about the requirements, training, etc.
Lastly, seriously consider going through college after high school. If you find a university that has both ROTC and a cybersecurity degree program, you can actually have your college paid for in return for a commitment to serve when you graduate. The benefit is that you would then go into the military as a commissioned officer. Benefits, salary and niceties are elevated for officers, so think long and hard about it if you are even remotely interested.
Best of luck to you, Anderson.
Updated
Don’s Answer
Hello Anderson,
It is good that you are thinking about doing cybersecurity for the Army. This is definitely an interesting career choice because it will help improve your skills, you will get detailed training, you get to serve your country and can open different jobs after you are done with the military. I think you should definitely try it if this is what you want to do. In terms of your second question, the qualifications for this position would include getting a bachelors degree, you would need to get a strong score on your ASVAB, you need to pass your medical and physical, you need to be in good legal standing, you need to have good technical/soft skills and much more. Hope this helps!
It is good that you are thinking about doing cybersecurity for the Army. This is definitely an interesting career choice because it will help improve your skills, you will get detailed training, you get to serve your country and can open different jobs after you are done with the military. I think you should definitely try it if this is what you want to do. In terms of your second question, the qualifications for this position would include getting a bachelors degree, you would need to get a strong score on your ASVAB, you need to pass your medical and physical, you need to be in good legal standing, you need to have good technical/soft skills and much more. Hope this helps!