Posted on Jun 22, 2018
SGT Signal Support Systems Specialist
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I am looking into switching to Air Force after my 20 years in the army, which is April 2020. My current MOS in the army is 25B: Information Systems Operator-Analyst. What is the equivalent Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC) for 25B?
I have 3.5 years of 25B2O experience, and have attended Primary Leadership Development Course (now called BLC). I have CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, CCENT (ICND1), and MCSA Server 2012 certification.
What are the procedure in switching Armed Forces Branch?
What do I need to do to prepare for the school or courses I will be sent to?
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Responses: 15
Capt Daniel Goodman
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http://www.goarmy.com/army-cyber/cyber-direct-commissioning-program.html

You probably also knew about this, being Army cyber, still, I thought I should mention it, I didn't know, you hadn't said, anything about college you might've dome, now, I don't know what the Army WO1 cyber would need, I'm unsure if college would be reqd, still, I did find that Army went commissioned for cyber whereas Navy went warrant, was interesting, if nothing else, you know? Both are good, certainly, just an interesting comparison.....
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Capt Daniel Goodman
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When I was in, a C MSgt at my installation was made head of a system program off (SPO), ephe first such instance in the USAF, which, since warrants were being phased out, was deemed unique at that time, novel, if you will, though certainly well deserved....
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Capt Daniel Goodman
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My point is, if you want to still do I tersvc USAF, fine, I fathom your reason, certainly, I merely suggest the Navy WO1 as an alternative, at higher level than USAF can give you, only as they no longer have warrants, obviously...I realize you might want senior enlisted, I didn't know from your description what level USAF was going to give you, were you to switch....
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Capt Daniel Goodman
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This tablet tends to conk out a lot, I have to send stuff frequently or I lose it....
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Capt Daniel Goodman
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https://news.usni.org/2018/06/13/navy-implements-warrant-officer-1-rank-for-cyber-specialists

There was a thread on this a cpl of was back, I follow you want to intersvc to USAF, I get that, I merely didn't know if you'd seen his for Navy...with about two decades Hus far for Army, I don't know what the rules are about a switch here, it just strikes me as rather a waste of an opportunity for you to not at least just call them to ask about it...Navy also has that whole limited duty officer (LDO) thing, that often is allowed for senior enlisted and/or warrants, we had a family friend who did something similar for flight rotary wing, he was Army enlisted, god Army WOCS for rotary wing, spent yes in that got his Bach in aviation from Embryo Riddle, then USCG picked him up, though it might've been as direct commission through an OIS not an OCS, since he'd been Army warrant at that point, let me send this....
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SGT Signal Support Systems Specialist
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>1 y
Thank you for all the awesome advice sir!
As mid to lower E-grade in the army I have observed many Signal W-Grade Officers (Warrant Officers) and regular Signal O-Grade Officers (Commissioned Officers) do not work in their technical field. Most O-Grade Signals do not have time in a function of any of their technical field. After their initial two years of being O-1, company O-grades (O-2 to O-3) are stuck in operational management spot and never work in the field of signal/cyber. Too busy being section/platoon/company commanders. When the O-Grades grow into field grades (O-4 or higher). They are taken and groomed to be a commanders of 1000+ men. And all the O-Grade officers have no choice, because of '2 pass over and you are out' rule. They have to do what the commanders above them say or get passed over for promotion and you will get drummed out. I have met many O-Grade Signal Officers never have touched a server or router in their entire military career.
W-Grade Officers get to work as true signal/cyber technician when the mission allows. But when there is need in the assigned unit, some W-Grade will fill the spot of O-Grades. I.E. Become a commander of a company or battalion, it is rare but some times be a deputy commander of brigade. I have met a signal warrant rank of CW5 (W-5) be a deputy commander of a General Staff. Only thing about the signal warrant officer route that is appealing might be, during WO1 in WOBC days right after WOC, The army will require Signal Warrant Officers to get their technical certificates before graduating WOBC. Like MCT, MCSA, CompTIA Sec+, CCNA, CISSP, CEH, and/or any of (ISC)^2 certifications.
I have been in a low level leadership role, and I know how much of pain to be an actual leader. I do not have desire to manage or supervise any one any more. It is too much of headache and a hassle to tell some yah-hoo who does not want to listen to do something. I only want to be a technician, ney a specialist, a true Subject Mater Expert.
I have been notified by many people in the Air Force, as enlisted in the Air Force, I do not have to be a leader, I can be a Specialist in my field. As long a I know the Air Force history, knowledgeable in my technical field, and be up-to-date in the current events. And go through the mandatory leadership schools.
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Capt Daniel Goodman
Capt Daniel Goodman
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I follow...as I'd said, I'd only sent alp that so you'd at least be aware of it, however, if you want what you say, obviously, that is your preference, certainly...do you want senior USAF NCO ultimately, MSgt, SMSgt, or CMSGt, of you can get it at all? Also, realize, you've only seen directly, in your world, though you no doubt overlapped at various times, the existence of other svcs, that is alp I'd point out, in alp likelihood, what you say about warrants leading units is no doubt also true for Navy cyber warrants, if they go high enough...however, having seen what senior USAF NCOs do, at a high enough level, they too, as I'd explained, actually lead offices, like that CMSgt where I was who'd headed a system program office (SPO). I can entirely comprehend your wish to remain purely technical, I've don't a good deal of server softwatez though I wasn't directly involved with them, I did, however, serious analog and digital engrg research pre-server, though I'm of course quite familiar with a good deal of server operation, certainly. I'd merely point out that, unless you expressly ask to he allowed to remain at whatever rank you'd he allowed in USAF, once your go interservice, declining all promotions, which, candidly, I don't even know if it's possible, as I've seen enlisted aspects often somewhat mirror the whole DOPMA/ROPMA up or out you described, that svcs want enlisted to promote and take more responsibility, at least as I've seen it, in alp svcs, I honestly don't know how you'd avoid supervising, honest. If you've been told hard be the case, I comprehend your argument, however, USAF doesn't have SPC ranks, and, as such, their organizational psychology rather differs, as I understand both organizations. I always rather thought of Army SPC ranks as being the Army enlisted equiv of Army warrants, at least, that was my impression, if nothing else, let me send this so I don't lose it....
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Capt Daniel Goodman
Capt Daniel Goodman
>1 y
I'd only suggest this to you, OK? With 20 yes in or thereabouts, God knows, you owe it to yourself, I think, to at least just aso Navy if they'd even at least consider you for WO1 cyber with them. First of alp, explain candidly your reservations. Second, ask them, realistically, if they'd think you'd have a chance. Bird, try to go actappy visit a Navy unit, and speak with actual Navy cyber warrants, or call their retailers, or whatever they call their personnel types, and actually go see for a day, if you can, or even a few hours, what the work is actually like, even if you had to take some leave to do it. Here's why, as I see it, honest...you could try to do as USAF is saying is possible, fine, if possible, great, however, you've got nothing to lose by asking Navy, plus, you could always change your mind, and simultaneously ask USAF to also consider you, as you'd described. Further, elaborate, if you can about schools, in your case...beyond cyber certifications, Cisco, Microsoft, whichever, have you done any college at all thus far? Assoc? Bach? Grad level? I'm only asking to get QN idea of your level, I'm sure you've been through alp needed industrial certifications involved, I realize those are major in IT, I get that, however, it'd just help me fathom your circumstances in greater detail if you could possibly elaborate on those specific aspects, as well, honest...I just thuink you owe yourself to find out, if you've got a bacherlos, or are close, there's always the Army direct commission cyber as well as I'd said, however, once again, trust me, I do fathom your preferences, I'm just interested, as I'd explained in your scenario, honest, I found it quite unusual, as you described it, and, as I'd explained, I have an interest in such career/educational stuff....I'd be most eager to hear more, whenever you might have time, no rush, glad the stuff was at least of interest, of nothing else, OK?
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