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Dae-Breóna
Student
Hampton, Virginia
2
Questions
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What is the best major to take in college if I want to be a Network Operations Officer in the Air Force?
I'm considering being a Network Operations Officer in the Air Force. #air-force #military #government #operations #college
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2 answers
Glenn Brown
US Air Force Veteran specializing in Cybersecurity, GPEN,GCIH,CEH
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Glenn’s Answer
I am giving you my personal experience since I worked in Cyber Ops for many years in the USAF. You can find the top-level information from searching but finding information regarding the day-to-day will require you to speak to somebody that has been in the field (like me).
The Cyberspace Operations Officer field can vary greatly from the assignment you can receive. Those who make it through the technical training may be assigned a variety of duties. The most common would be as a section supervisor over cyberspace operations airmen (enlisted folk). This position awards officers with much-needed experience in managing a cyber operation (communications squadrons, development centers, enterprise services, network operations, security centers, etc). These positions will mainly utilize the IT business management part of your brain. On the other side of the spectrum, some officers opt for operator positions. These are highly technical officers that work "on-keyboard" (as we call it). Meaning, they do the technical work alongside their enlisted counterparts. Regardless of the position you work, you will always have the opportunity to move to another position.
Best of luck!
The Cyberspace Operations Officer field can vary greatly from the assignment you can receive. Those who make it through the technical training may be assigned a variety of duties. The most common would be as a section supervisor over cyberspace operations airmen (enlisted folk). This position awards officers with much-needed experience in managing a cyber operation (communications squadrons, development centers, enterprise services, network operations, security centers, etc). These positions will mainly utilize the IT business management part of your brain. On the other side of the spectrum, some officers opt for operator positions. These are highly technical officers that work "on-keyboard" (as we call it). Meaning, they do the technical work alongside their enlisted counterparts. Regardless of the position you work, you will always have the opportunity to move to another position.
Best of luck!
Aaron Hager
Senior Associate, Advisory at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
2
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Dayton, Ohio
Updated
Aaron’s Answer
Dae-Breona serving in the military is an esteemed and courageous career path, may I wish you all the best if you decide this is a preferred option for you to pursue. The Air Force is a technology driven workplace. Therefore, you will notice that areas of academic study related to science, math and engineering are in demand for this branch of service.
Specifically, Network Operations Officers and many other functional area career paths can be found in the Air Force Officers Classification Guide. A simple Google search for “Air Force Classification Guide” will lead you to a public document to help you navigate all the requirements. Here is a link: (http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/PDFs/EmploymentForms/AFOCD%20Oct%2016.pdf). Use a simple find function for the word “network” or “network operations” and it will lead you to the information you are seeking. My research brought me to the 31 October 2016 guide and Network Operations Officer details can be found on page 78. Additionally, on page 247 of Appendix A, the mandatory and desired educational requirements are listed for qualified entry in the Network Operations Officer career field. Here are a few: Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics/Applied Physics...
Again, I wish you all the best in your pursuits. As a retired active duty Air Force officer, I have many fond memories of traveling the world over the past 24 years contributing in both peace and crisis situations that prepared me both personally and professionally for my career choice today. Let me recommend you follow up with the classification guide to narrow down your academic requirements for entry. Additionally, I would recommend seeking out a local recruiter in your area since they are best postured to keep up with changes in policy and have the inside track on what career paths the Air Force has listed as "in high demand".
Specifically, Network Operations Officers and many other functional area career paths can be found in the Air Force Officers Classification Guide. A simple Google search for “Air Force Classification Guide” will lead you to a public document to help you navigate all the requirements. Here is a link: (http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/PDFs/EmploymentForms/AFOCD%20Oct%2016.pdf). Use a simple find function for the word “network” or “network operations” and it will lead you to the information you are seeking. My research brought me to the 31 October 2016 guide and Network Operations Officer details can be found on page 78. Additionally, on page 247 of Appendix A, the mandatory and desired educational requirements are listed for qualified entry in the Network Operations Officer career field. Here are a few: Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics/Applied Physics...
Again, I wish you all the best in your pursuits. As a retired active duty Air Force officer, I have many fond memories of traveling the world over the past 24 years contributing in both peace and crisis situations that prepared me both personally and professionally for my career choice today. Let me recommend you follow up with the classification guide to narrow down your academic requirements for entry. Additionally, I would recommend seeking out a local recruiter in your area since they are best postured to keep up with changes in policy and have the inside track on what career paths the Air Force has listed as "in high demand".