How to become an officer in the military in a cybersecurity field?
As the title says I'm considering the Air Force or the the Navy to become an officer in the cybersecurity field. I have a duel bachelor's degree in Political Science/Criminal Justice and an associate degree in Criminal Justice Technology. I want to join the military to change my career path to a job that's cybersecurity related. Everytime I talk to a recruiter it's like they push me towards intelligence officer which I don't believe has anything related to cybersecurity. My question is what would you feel is the best thing to do.
1. Go in as an intelligence officer and switch later down the line.
2. Start from the bottom and get a cybersecurity join enlisted
3. Go reserve or national guard and go to a bootcamp and or get certifications and attempt to go active when I have more credentials.
Any other suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
TAD
Answers ( 1 )
Okay, well, Tad, you aren't going to like what I am telling you, but---
Cybersecurity can be a sub-field of intelligence. Also, since your dual degrees have nothing to do with either intelligence or cybersecurity, things can get a little tricky. Especially when you are looking at AF and USN; the, well, let's lay our cards on the table, easy-duty services.
Yeah-yeah-yeah. Navy can be away months at a time! True- but they are rarely engaged in actual combat and even more rarely killed by insurgents. So you're wanting to go into one of the two services most likely to be easily meeting their quotas- and then you're trying to dictate terms with a pair of deuces in your hand.
So, if it were me, I'd likely go in as an officer in/as whatever provides you the best offer- duty station, commission bonus, whatever, and make the best of it until you see a way to move into a field you may like better or get passed over and be slid on out into civvie world again.
And, trust me, even in the easy duty services, your first year is going to be a full-frontal learning opportunity which is going to directly effect the rest of your time in military service- with a HIGH influence on how easily- or not- you make rank. Do not EVER, in your first two years, try to pull rank on an NCO unless you are just short of bringing that NCO up on charges- you really have no idea how much power that person has. For your first two ranks, you watch, you keep your mouth shut as much as possible, and you learn. That way, well, you might make Captain. Then, of course, Major is a bit of a run-up, but it is Light Colonel where you'll be made, or broken.
The military doesn't care about you, Tad, the person, the military cares about itself, the over-arching missions. You'll do fine if you accept that going in. Ask for ALL your options- and consider approaching the Marines, perhaps; use their offer as a chip in the game if you can.
Good Luck!