How to become an Army Cyber Officer (17A / 17B / 17D)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 เม.ย. 2022
- Army Cyber Branch Information - cybercoe.army.mil/CYBERSCH/in...
In this video I introduce the processes and procedures on how to join the Cyber Branch in the Army. This video is intended for Officer Candidates or Cadets, and outlines general Cyber information, packet requirements, point of contacts, duty stations, etc.
In the link provided you will points of contact for the Cyber Branch and more information regarding the general pipeline of a Cyber Officer.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask for my instagram or email.
Creating a PowerPoint for a TH-cam video is the most officer thing I've seen in a while lol - Great video, thanks for the info.
Literally was wondering about this all week. It's almost as if you read my mind.
Big initiative! Kudos!
Good job bro, many thanks
This information is super valuable
Wish this was around when I was in ROTC haha had to go on a scavenger hunt to find this info. At least I'm in now
Thank you for this but now I’m worried with my bs in cyber security I’m gonna end up like the guy that failed 😅
Hello thank you for this video! Do you know where I could find more info regarding cyber in the the PA ARNG? I didn’t see a cyber unit located in PA.
17d is the way
Being a 17B do you spend most of your time at a desk. Or do you get out in the field and practice interception and jamming of electromagnetic signals? The 17 series MOS interest me. I would like to do an MOS that gets me out in the field semi-often.
17B is gonna be the best mix between Cyber and Real Army. Really unit dependent but you have a much better chance being in the field with your guys as a 17B
I enjoyed watching this very informative video, kudos!! Please I’d like to expend on the questions asked in your phone interview? I have an interview coming up in 3days
I will just like to know as many questions that were asked during the phone interview
@@alaopuiyo4511 They just asked me 1.) Knowledge of Cyber (if I have any degrees related to it, certifications, etc)
2.) Where I get my morals from
3.) What it means to be a leader
4.) Why I want to join cyber
I'm trying to get into 17A BUT im confuse need help
Not sure why I can't reply to the earlier message but the slots they allocated this year for Active Duty OCS is 15. OCS commissions about 1100 Active, Reserve, and National Guard per year and my cycle has 160 students. There should be about two cyber slots for my class but I was not selected although I believe I did decently on both the branch packet and my interview.
I will pick signal as my number one choice on branch selection but doubt I will get it. I only scored a 489 on my ACFT and I'm not high speed. I believe I was close to getting accepted and the only thing I was missing was probably experience in the Cyber field. I'm disappointed but I knew this was a possibility when I signed the enlistment contract.
I wish you the best,
I wouldn’t give up hope too early, signal isn’t really sought after so you might get it depending on your OML
@michaelwang where can we keep in touch, IG or LinkedIn? I started my army reserve process and I would to hear from experience
Lol I think I’ll stick with 17C for now. Maybe progress to the officer version after my first contract
Definitely not a bad idea, you’ll have a leg up on other officers with your knowledge as a 17C.
@@brockpereira1031 yea just listening to the recommendations to help get to cyber officer through self study is too much for me.
I want to do 17D, I got a cybersecurity degree and want to do programming. What I need to prep for is appreciated
Hi Brock, I’m currently looking into going Army OCS and pursuing Cyber. I have a CS degree and computer programming work experience as well, please let me know if there’s a way I can reach you for some questions. Thank you!
instagram: broccoli_panera
Hey I’m considering either enlisting or applying for OCS for 17c/17a as I have a Computer Science degree.
1. I was just wondering, I’ve heard Officers move a lot more than enlisted, is this true for cyber too? I wouldn’t want to have to move every 2 years.
2. I’ve also heard that officers typically do more managerial work than enlisted, is this true for cyber as well? Are you actually doing any of the ethical hacking/coding or more just overseeing the enlisted doing it?
Any response would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your time.
1. Not in my experience, pretty sure it's the same across the board. You're gonna move every 2-3 years usually regardless of rank.
2. Officers in general are a managerial position. You have to know the technical skills, they'll teach you that in BOLC, but your 17C counterparts are going to be the one's actually doing it most of the time.
Id say go 17c and eventually make it to where you have experience to apply for 170D warrant officer
Howdy, I know this is way after this video was posted. But I was wondering what the pay for these specific jobs would be. I read something about specialty pay on top of rank pay. I have 1 year left of College, I am graduating with a Cybersecurity Degree, and currently have my Security+.
Thanks!
No speciality pay for cyber. As a first year officer you will probably get around 60K total compensation (including BAH and BAS) 2nd year it bumps up to around 75K and by your 4th year you’ll be a captain and making around 100K-105K.
You can do calculations here militarypay.defense.gov/calculators/rmc-calculator/
Hello, I’m a high school student going into college this year. I’m planning on going into the army after college. I have my eyes set for 17C but not sure whether or not enlisted or officer would be better. I know doing the ocs path is very beneficial but having that possibility of being forced into another job/branch is kind of worrying. Is their a way I can make sure I get the job I want moving forward? I’m still trying to gather information because i have no clue on how the process is in the army. Any response will be great! Thanks!
I can’t tell you to go enlisted or Officer, it depends on your goals and what you want out of your career. My experience as an officer, and from what I hear from prior service guys, is our quality of life is a lot better. We deal with less of the hand holding and are treated more like adults. However that comes with more responsibility.
There’s no guarantee for Cyber branch but if you prepare by getting a STEM degree and certifications before you graduate your chances sky rocket.
I can write out a better response when I’m off work
Do a search for "direct commission cyber". Enlisted route is not bad either, especially if you don't have enough money for college or can't get an ROTC Scholarship. 25B enlisted, you will most likely get Security+ certification and a security clearance that will make you extremely marketable with defense contractors after you leave the Army.
Good video, I ship out July 10th as a 17C and was thinking if I finish my degree when I’m in I could then become a 17A/B
i take the picat on friday if i qualify I will be a 17C
@@Dopamine2x nice gl on it hope you get your score!
If your far off you can retake it but if your within a point like I was you can get a exemption
Some people says they get a shorter version of basic training if you are going after officer because they have to attend OCS on top of basic training. Is that true?
No, same pipeline
How does Cyber BOLC work for Army Reserve Officers? Is it differrent?
No, you just get active orders while you're at BOLC. You would have to ask your reserve unit to send you / schedule your BOLC though. After BOLC you go back home to your unit
what are your thoughts on 17C?
I haven't done too much research yet, but I just finished my second year of school and I am looking at career options. I am getting a Bachelors in Cyber Security Engineering. From what I have seen in the comments you can't go straight to 17a without work experience. Is it better to enlist as a 17c and apply for 17a from there or is it better to gain some work experience to go straight into 17a? Would you have to go through OCS either way?
You can go 17A without work experience, the work experience is when you direct commission (doesn’t apply to you). If you don’t do ROTC then yes you would go through OCS.
Process:
1.) Get a degree
2.) Go to army recruiter and tell them you want to apply to OCS
3.) Fill out OCS packet and submit
4.) Go to board / interview
5.) Get accepted into OCS
6.) Go to basic training
7.) go to OCS
8.) Apply for cyber branch
@@brockpereira1031 Thank you for the quick reply and for explaining the clear path to 17a!
I was hoping to go down this pipeline and this is a big help, anyway I could get a way to contact you with a few more in depth questions?
Instagram: @broccoli_panera
Hi I am interested in 17D primarly and Reserve/NG only, can you speak to this? Can you do 17D part time?
I’m not sure, I’m not really privy to reserves as most my content focuses on active. Your best bet is to talk to a recruiter and see if they can get you in touch with a unit who has a 17D
I know 17A BOLC takes place in two different places and was wondering how long you are at fort gordon then how long at Fort Meade for 17A training?
Cyber BOLC is only at Fort Gordon
@@brockpereira1031 oh okay I wasn’t aware so I start 17A BOLC June 08 2024 so I’d be at fort Gordon for training until around march 2025? Also thank you for replying I appreciate it!
@@ethanhaynes7171 Yes, CyBOLC is 36 weeks long with an option to do 17B after
Thank you I appreciate it!
Likelihood of doing technical things as a 17a? I see on the timeline CMF operator / analyst. Would you strictly be a manager type figure or would you be hitting the keyboard or both?
Depends on the unit. You’ll definitely be doing a lot of managing but if you’re in a unit that needs you to be more hands on, you’ll be hands on. However, you should expect your 17C (enlisted counterparts) to be doing most of the technical hands on things. However, like I said some units require you to be on the keyboard as well.
@@brockpereira1031 are the officer contracts for cyber just as long as the enlisted cyber contracts?
@@Fatalistically1 Depends on your commissioning source. I think ROTC is 4 years, Westpoint might be 5 or 6 years, mine was only 3 because I went through OCS. However, because retention for cyber officers is kinda bad right now I think they added a minimum 5 year obligation. You only have an initial contract though, once those 5 years or whatever are over you just stay in or leave - no need to sign another contract
Is it still only a 3 year commitment when you sign for 17A/B/D or do they make you sign for longer since the training is pretty long?
Depends on your commissioning source. I think ROTC is 4 years, Westpoint might be 5 or 6 years, mine was only 3 because I went through OCS. However, because retention for cyber officers is kinda bad right now I think they added a minimum 5 year obligation. You only have an initial contract though, once those 5 years or whatever are over you just stay in or leave - no need to sign another contract
@@brockpereira1031 ohhh ok thank you so much! I’m becoming a 17c and then was thinking of finishing my degree fast while I’m in and then try for 17A since it’s only 3 more years but 5 more prob not since I’m like most people in the cyber devision kinda just want one contract… 😳
It says on the Army careers that you can be *Be accepted to college, in college, or completed a bachelors degree* Does this mean I can still apply if I'm currently working on my bachelors degree? I've talked to my recruiter, but he says I should join as enlisted first, but I want to join as an officer.
You can apply to OCS your last year of University. However, you still have to wait until you are done with University and have a degree. Like I said though, you can start the process before you graduate in order to expedite the process
@@brockpereira1031 Okay thanks
Do you have to go to OCS to become 17A, can you be a civilian with a bachelors & masters and do direct commission to 17A BOLC?
You can try but most of the time they require work experience to direct commission. I have a 2 BS and a MS and still had to go through OCS
Do you have a masters in IT or Cyber and a security related cert meeting 8570 and years of proven IAM or Cyber Security experience? If its MBA, they are a dime a dozen now unfortunately. If not probably no go on DC.
Thanks for the video!
I was wondering, if I have a Master's degree in Cyber Security, do I still commission as a O1, or they can give you a higher rank?
Thanks in advance.
Do you have any work experience? Or is it just the masters? Usually, in order to direct commission into a rank like Captain, you should have relevant work experience. If it’s only the Masters in Cyber Security you’ll have to start as an O1. I also have a masters in Cyber Security
@@brockpereira1031 thank you so much for the information and the quick response.
@@brockpereira1031 any IT experience is fine or only specific to cyberspace?
@@ramlingine4779 I think any IT experience is fine, can't say for sure though.
@@brockpereira1031 thank you for quick your reply. I'm an enlisted in finance working towards the officer school. I have more questions do you mind to get in touch with you?
Since you are an EW officers i wanted to ask does your MOS deploy a lot? Whats your normal day like, is it busy? Lastly do you have the same locations as the 17A that you get stationed at?
EW offers a better chance to deploy. The duty locations are different than 17A. 17As are usually at Fort Meade, Fort Gordon, or Hawaii. 17Bs are at any unit really. One of my friends is with 82nd, another with 1st Cav, another with 2nd Cav. I’m with 7th Special Forces group. Day to day varies depending on unit mission
@@brockpereira1031 good to know, im an active duty spectrum manager so im just dealing with software stuff but i would like to be out in the field also.
@@davidcolan3281 17B is a good choice then, especially given the fact you’re also 17A qualified. Only die down is long training pipeline
The link is not working is giving a 404 error.
Ill look into it and update it when I get home, thanks for letting me know
I started the process of enlisting seven months ago with the goal of becoming a Cyber Warfare Officer. Now that I'm in week four of OCS and I received news that I was not selected for the Cyber Branch. I have a Computer Science degree and believe I did decently on the packet / interview; this branch is not easy to enter into.
That’s unfortunate, did they say how many allocated slots they had for OCS? Some years they only offer 1 or 2 OCS slots for Cyber. Unfortunate truth is that westpoint get preferential treatment many times / more allocated slots.
Signal can be an okay back up to Cyber - I have guys in my unit right now that are filling cyber slots as 25 series. They do offensive cyber, and we’ve paid for any cert they want / send them to any cyberschool they want.
Second, one of my good friends that I graduated OCS with was a signal officer, He just got the go-ahead to switch to 17 series.
I would follow up with whoever the cyber branch point of contact is and see why you were rejected, but frame it in a “what can I do better?” way.
I honestly believe a lack of experience in the Cyber field the main reason why I was not selected. The amount of slots allocated this year is 15 for OCS, which still gives me a chance of getting in.
OCS commissions about 1100 per year including reserves and National Guard. I am in a class of 160 so there should be about two Cyber Slots my cycle.
I will place signal as my number one choice for branch selection, but I only scored a 489 on my ACFT and am not a high speed guy; probably mediocre / low ranking on the OML. Doubt I will get into signal but will try.
@@brockpereira1031
I believe the main reason I was not selected was because I was missing experience in the cyber field. There were 15 cyber slots allocated for active duty OCS component this year. OCS commissions about 1100 per year and I am in a class of 160, which leaves about 2 slots for my cycle. I had a chance of branching cyber but was not selected.
I will place signal as my number one choice for branch selection but I doubt I will get in. My score on the ACFT was 489 and I am not high speed; will probably rank average to low on the OML. I will try though but do not have high hopes of getting into signal. @@brockpereira1031
are my replies not working?@@brockpereira1031
I typed out two replies already but maybe they are too long and can't be posted here for some reason.
Hi, I’m starting my OCS packet right now and am interested in cyber. Did you have to score within the top ten to get cyber after OCS? It appears to be a job so many candidate want now and just wanted to know how well I have to do.
Your OML at OCS shouldn’t matter, things might be different now but Cyber is a branch you have to apply for separately
Thank you for the clarification. I’ll look into it some more! Do you think 17A is better for the civilian job after serving or 17D?
@@younson8942 both are good for their respect career field. 17A for cyber security, 17D for development and software. Cant go wrong with either if you’re looking at the civilian side of things
Hi, I am a civilian and want to join as an officer in cyber. I got a master in computer science. But I cant hold on to a cyber recruiter. Do you know recruiter?
Hello,
Do you have any work experience in Cyber field? IT etc? If not, you can not apply to Cyber directly. You will need to either enlist as a 17C or apply for OCS (officer) and then once you are accepted into OCS you can apply to the Cyber branch.
Hi Brock, thanks for the video. I am currently applying for a commission in the guard for 17B. Would a physics degree plus having electronics engineering experience as my day job. I don’t have much networking or programming experience. What would you recommend I do?
Everything you need to know, will be taught over BOLC plus experience through your job in the Army. If you want to go Cyber, I think you have a great shot at it since EE and Physics degrees are tangentially related.
@@brockpereira1031Okay thanks. In your opinion, is 17B a job you could see yourself doing for 20 year career
@@jordonmason2821 Sure, but that’s because I’m at a good unit. If done correctly, Cyber and EW should be utilized together, not separately. If all my future positions were similar to my unit now, I could stay in for 20 years
Do cyber officers get special duty pay ?
No they do not
What’s the field like for 17B?
Normal army stuff with added EW component. Mostly just utilizing your VROD/VMAX system. Maybe using a prophet or other vehicles.
Medal Free
Hello! I emailed you today. Check your emails when ever you get a chance.
Hey. How long is Signal BOLC comparatively?
4 months.
Looked into this myself. Signal officer slots gets 1000s more people going for it between ROTC, prior enlisted between all branches now with degrees including arts that have chances with it. Cyber is getting to much more STEM+ security related certs now and of course IT specific experience. Bachelor of arts even 4.0 GPA from a big name school non prior getting a 17A slot is about as lucky as winning the lottery. You can apply but dont expect getting it. Usually the interview weeds out a ton.
@@Jake-fe4uf I think at least 6 of my classmates in BOLC were non-stem graduates. It’s competitive but it also depends on cycle and whether or not they’re over saturated for that fiscal year
What if you have a masters degree in non STEM degree but have 5 years of experience managing cyber programs and hold Sec+ and CISSP, do I have a shot to join the cyber as an officer reservist?
Reserves is significantly easier to do. If you find a unit that has 17A slots and accepts you, you’re pretty much good to go. Find a local unit and reach out to them.
@@brockpereira1031 how do I find a unit while I’m still in the recruitment process? I am seeing the recruiter tomorrow. Do I have to complete OCS before I can look for available slots or I can find out before I even join?
@@kwakufordjour9568 I’m not 100% of the reserves process to be honest so take everything I say with a grain of salt. However, from what I recall from my fellow reservists at OCS, they already had a unit before they were at OCS. I’m not sure if that’s because they were prior service or not.
Talk to your recruiter but also look around for units that are in your area and reach out to them via email or call. Your recruiter might be able to give you more info.
Maybe use www.usar.army.mil/ARCG/ARCG-Find-A-Unit/ to find a unit?
www.reddit.com/r/armyreserve/s/WTuwqV0pzN
www.arcyber.army.mil/Careers/Reserve-Affairs/
www.reddit.com/r/armyreserve/s/RYSuBvDPP9
This is not a guaranteed role if you apply right? If you score poorly on the OML you will have to do whatever role the army requires you to do.
Application to Cyber is independent of the OML, your OML at OCS does not matter when applying to Cyber. You could be last place on the OML and if Cyber accepts you, you are Cyber. That being said, if Cyber rejects you then you have to use the OML at OCS to choose your branch
@@brockpereira1031 Thank you for clarifying. I am finally beginning the process of joining the army and am taking the ASVAB next week with the goal of becoming a Cyber Officer.
@@michaelwang1524 good luck!
@@brockpereira1031 than you! do you know how competitive the cyber branch is right now and what percent chance I have of getting in?
@@michaelwang1524 I can't give you exact numbers to be honest, but the Cyber Branch is always looking for people. If you have a good interview, and have a good cyber packet you will be accepted.
I am nearing the completion of my Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and have been working closely with a recruiter to prepare my OCS packet. I really want to join the cyber branch after OCS. Do you think I can request an interview with the Chief of Cyber now and receive the results before I join OCS? Otherwise, I would prefer to enlist in the Air Force for cyber position.
You would have to be in the army before you apply to cyber. You can try to reach out via email to the cyber branch and see what they say though.
Before you enlist in the Air Force, I would take time to consider the big pay gap between officers and enlisted men, as well as duties and responsibilities.
@@brockpereira1031 Thank you! The main issue is that I am a naturalized citizen with a foreign-speaking accent. I don't really want to waste my degree and might do something unrelated to my field. Since cybersecurity is a highly sensitive field in the military, I'm not very confident when they hear my accent. :(
@@wangjayden9307 Which country? We have people in our BOLC who are Chinese-born and Russian-born and we’re still able to get a top secret security clearance easily. I don’t necessarily think you’ll be disqualified for having an accent or having foreign “origins” (for lack of a better term). The only downside I can think of, is it might take a little longer to get a clearance since during the investigation they have to reach out to all your foreign family members and clear them as well. I know plenty of non-born in the USA citizens who are doing very well in the BOLC
@@brockpereira1031 China and my single scope of family members are all U.S citizens
@@wangjayden9307 I don’t want to say you’re 100% gonna be okay, but if you do apply, you have a good chance to be accepted (assuming your qualifications are okay.) you’re a USA citizen, you’re afforded every right to serve your country as anyone else. Your accent shouldn’t be a factor in anything brother. I wish you the best of luck, regardless of your decision!
I wanted to do navy Cryptologic Warfare Officer as a reservist or Airforce cyber operations officer as a reservist. Navy and Airforce have better tech. However i hear that you are more guaranteed to get your desired officer mos through ROTC. The Navy ROTC only want unrestricted line officers and a slim chance to get restricted for cryptologic warfare officer and dont take for reserve. For AirForce ROTC you make a list of the MOS you want and they pick one like a lottery. They also are like Navy ROTC only wanting active duty and are stingy in accepting for reserve/air national guard. Army ROTC gives me the choice to go reserve or army national guard. They said i can do one of the 17 series or 25 series. I would prefer to be a 17A/17B/17D over 25A. Would i be able to do this? I want reserve since i want to see if i like the military for the long run. If i do i can switch to active. Can you give me insight? Thank you
I’m not a 100% about reserve, I know for active duty ROTC you still have to compete for the branch you want and it’s OML dependent throughout your college career.
If you’re able to choose your branch as a reservist then 17A is a good job to have. 17D and 17B are harder / less amount of positions available for reservists though.
Switching to active duty from being a reservist is difficult if you’re not talking about AGR.
@@brockpereira1031 what is the difference between 17A, 17B, and 17C? They look similar. Does 17D actually do software and hardware?
@@ericcr6780 17A is cyber security and will do Defensive Cyber operations or Offensive Cyber operations.
17B is electromagnetic warfare officer and they deal with more tactical systems. Jamming radios, jamming satellites, electronic deception, direction finding (to name a few)
17D do software and possibly hardware development. They deal with the innards of army systems and develop new cyber tools or cyber exploits
@@brockpereira1031 ok so 17D is good if you want to do hardware and software while 17a and 17b are good if you only want to do software?
@@brockpereira1031 also is the technology in the army good? Everyone is always telling the navy and airforce are the best for technology.
Is it cool if I can email you with more specific questions about Cyber officers?
pereirabrock1@gmail.com
@@brockpereira1031 sent you an email , might be in your spam
@@LodeStarCEMA do you remember the subject line?
@@brockpereira1031 I checked it and it says “ Cyber Branch Questions”
@@LodeStarCEMA can you send it again? I’m not seeing it, I think my spam clears out after a week. My apologies
Is electromagnetism more specific for 17B, or is this questionnaire universal for 17a 17b and 17d?
Also, is getting a major directly in csec going to be more beneficial than a cs degree? What if you have an A.S in cs, then get a B.S in csec?
Can i get your email/reddit to ask further questions?
Electromagnetics is mostly for the 17B. Both are probably equally as beneficial, I think they mostly just look for STEM degrees.
Pereirabrock1@gmail.com
At my age. Just
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Im currently in the process of joining the army officer reserves, and wanted to ask you some questions. Whats a good email or your instagram that I can reach you at?