As a 25B what is the best route to getting my I.T. certifications?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 16:44:13 -0500

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2020 8:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 20:15:04 -0500

There are several different options. 1. Get your unit to send you to a training course (be sure that a testing voucher and facilition is offered). There are courses offered through the DOD (which get added to your SRB). Civilan companies also offer courses. 2. Self Study and get your unit to purchase a voucher. 3. As a service member you should be registeted with ATCTS and at the end of the FY the Army usually has certification exam vouchers available. From my experience I employ a combination of methods 1 and 2 for myself and my Soldiers. Self paced study for about six months and then take a course. I am planning on taking advantage of option 3 this year.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2020 9:08 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 21:08:33 -0500

So first thing would be to go to the ATCTS website and lookup the MTT training course and prep procedures. It gives you the walk through on what to do to get approved for a voucher for school house attendance or voucher approval for a test.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2020 9:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 21:44:42 -0500

If you have a warriors signal university, i would go that route. If not, check with your leadership and see if they can send you txt

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2020 3:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 15:21:10 -0500

Most comments say "Have your unit send you " I leaned that you can't rely on them for everything, or else you'll never get what you want. I had to go to the Signal University (FHSU), and get information on how to take classes. From there, all my unit had to do was sign the document and allow time off for the course duration. That's how I got 3 CompTia certs in a 3 month period, and I will be taking CEH in a week.
Point being, take initiative and don't rely on others.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2020 3:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 15:42:58 -0500

Looks like you're a Reservist which may impact how you would get your certifications. When I was active duty and NCOIC of the S6 help desk, I would do my best to get new soldiers to my shop scheduled to take training at Fort Hood's Signal University (as SPC Nguyen pointed out exists). When I saw a class I wanted to take I went through the process to get myself enrolled, etc.

Best route for Reservists is usually to take classes at the IA Training center at Fort McCoy. Reservists can also take them at various other IA training centers. First is finding out the schedule and when a course will run. Then find out how you can get your unit to register you. This will usually be some function of your S3 or S1 to manage your enrollment and orders, and of course securing funding to send you to such training. Vouchers for the certification tests will usually require things that are found on the ATCTS site for those that qualify. Depending on if you're in a role that requires the certifications (along with appointment orders) will impact that. Also the requirements will be appropriate skillport trainings.

Some of the sites require you to be on a MIL box, like using an ARNET account through CITRIX. Usually my AGRs will pull that info up for us.