What can I do/study to make a strong 17C packet? Also, where can I find the packet requirements?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:13:42 -0400

So I've been looking into reenlisting into the 17C MOS, and I basically have no relevant experience outside of being a quick learner with high GT/ST scores. What can I do/study to make a packet that is basically bomb-proof in the ~18 months before I ETS? Also, where can I find the packet requirements since the army cyber website is apparently defunct?

So far I've seen the following as good things to have in a packet:
- High PT Scores
- CompTIA Certs (N+, A+, S+)
- Relevant Degree, or progress towards said degree
- Coding Experience

Really the #1 thing I've found is that I should have enlisted as it, but I was dumb and wanted the "action" of the infantry. So now I'm willing to do a lot of things to make this happen.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jun 14 at 2023 2:38 PM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:38:02 -0400

No. You only need to be a high school graduate.

However, I assume that what you really want to know is "will my application to 17C be accepted if I don't have a degree?" As you likely know, 17C is an application MOS, so you'll have to be accepted into the branch before you can reclassify.

When you say "degree", if you mean a college degree, that's a pretty firm "don't worry about having one" (if you were an officer trying to transfer, that's a different situation). If you mean "some type of IT certification", then that's more applicable. Will having certifications (such as A+, Security+, etc.) improve your packet and the likelihood of being accepted? Yes. As will any courses you take in programming, information assurance, network management, etc.

I'm being a bit evasive on giving you a firm answer because it changes from year to year. By its very nature, 17C will remain a shortage MOS because of the tremendous overlap with civilian career fields that are very in-demand (a recent thesis paper* at NPS showed it at ~40% attrition rate at the 72-month point). The applicability to your situation is "what is the cut-line for experience THIS YEAR" and many factors are going to go into that (primary of them is "what's the potential pool of applicants?"). Something that would be "YES!" last year could be "Maybe.." this year.

Bottom line is that anything you can do to show that you will do well in a very IT heavy and technical MOS will put checkmarks in the "accept him" column.

I would look over the US Army Cyber School page to see if there is any additional advice as I've been out of the Army's cyber game for a couple of years now.
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* Thesis paper regarding 17C - https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/trecms/pdf/AD1164405.pdf
* CCoE page - https://www.milsuite.mil/book/community/spaces/army-cyber-net/cyber-regiment/enlisted/17c-cyber-operations-specialist

AD1164405.pdf

Response by COL Dan Ruder made Jun 16 at 2023 2:08 AM

COL Dan Ruder — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 02:08:54 -0400

Use this link for the Cyber School at Fort Gordon.
https://cybercoe.army.mil/CYBERSCH/COURSES/17c_cyber_operations_specialist.html

Send the Cyber Branching POC an email stating you are interested in 17C and pose your questions--this email address exists for the sole purpose of connecting with people like you and getting you directly connected with first-hand source information.
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Cyber Operations Specialist (17C)