What is life like as a 25U in today's Army? Will it help me outside of the Army?

2016-09-20T23:04:25-04:00

I am soon leaving for AIT. I reclassed from 11B to 25U and is headed to Fort Carson. For any 25 series personnel could you tell me what to expect? What's life like as a 25U? Will I earn certifications such as CCNA or Network+ etc.? Overall will I have a good job coming out of the army with this MOS change. Thank you everyone in advance for the comments.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 11:14 PM

2016-09-20T23:14:06-04:00

Any training in the IT field will help you tremendously. Get all the CompTIA certs you possibly can! All I know is that with the training I've been provided, I could get a job at just about anywhere. Computers and technology is NOT going away. Being knowledgable and experienced in this field will only help you grow to be successful.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 11:14 PM

2016-09-20T23:14:59-04:00

which brigade? unless you are at bn/bde level/in a signal unit, ccna is unlikely unless you pursue it in your on time. What you do on a daily basis depends entirely on where you go.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 20 at 2016 11:41 PM

2016-09-20T23:41:23-04:00

I was a Bravo so speaking from my experience, being anything in the 25 series is good. But I would recommend you try to cross train with other 25 series Soldiers. The more you know, the more you grow, and you're only making yourself a bigger asset to the unit. That's no BS. As far as certs go, look at the current DoD standard. When I was in it was 8570 and I've heard it's morphed into other things. Signal is a HUGE deal, and Cyber is the new "core" of it. As a Bravo I was told to pick a certain section of my MOS and become the guru in it. He recommended security (this is in 1999), and I had no idea what was coming. Wish I had listened more. On certs, it would depend on the unit, their mission, and their requirements. IF they have no need for you to have a CCNA, they won't pay for it, and that makes sense. That should NOT stop you from getting it. Most Bravos start with A+/Net + and Sec+. Those are your starter pack certs. Many places require Sec+ so look into that. Once you have a foundation, figure out what you want to do. If you get out, or are even really contemplating it, START NOW figuring out what you need to be competitive. When you look for some jobs, they want you at the start to be qualified with certain certs. So waiting till the end is bad business. I'd also recommend you make a Linkedin account. There is a US Army Signal Section, and LOADS of other sections you can use to begin asking what is hot, what is not, and what you need to do to be "hot" when you punch out.

They talk about us, but they won't talk without us..........

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2016 2:14 AM

2016-09-21T02:14:15-04:00

You won't likely get CCNA or Net+ right away, since you'll behind the power curve by being a reclass. However, study the material they give you and go to the Army e-Learning website and start taking the required A+, Net+ and Sec+ modules. These will not only help boost CC hours for promotion, but are typically a prerequisite before being sent to a 40 hour class. The Army is also talking about allowing TA to be used for certifications, so I would look in to that as well. Either way, you'll find that the Signal Corps has a lot to offer when it comes to civilian career prospects. Just don't go full 11 Bang Bang on those poor IET privates. Lol. Fort Gordon is definitely something else.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2016 10:41 AM

2016-09-21T10:41:58-04:00

You will not get any certifications in AIT but it is an incredibly valuable experience. You will learn a lot about communications and technology that will help you on the civil side but ultimately I found that the greatest skill you learn in the critical problem solving skills. You learn how to disassemble issues and look for solutions whether great or small. It teaches you how to think outside the box and consider many solutions to the same problem. That was the greatest lesson I took from AIT. Never assume you know everything and be willing to think on your feet and pursue not just a solution but the best solution. It's a great MOS and it teaches you several skills that will help you civvie side and not all of them are going to be technology based.

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Sep 21 at 2016 6:30 PM

2016-09-21T18:30:31-04:00

I was a 25U for some time before I got out. Fort Gordon is a great experience. You will learn alot about the communications side of the Army. Remember: 25U is the jack of all trades and the master of none. You will learn a little about everything. Depending on your unit is what you will actually be doing. I spent my first 6 years in an Infantry Battalion (between S-6 and as a company commo chief), 2.5 years in a BCT unit doing basically nothing, and then in a QM company where IT was more important than tactical radios.

Certifications will be done on your own time, great professional development and gives you the edge if you get out. CCNA will be worthless unless you are actually in a unit where you can touch Cisco hardware and actually do any of the switching/routing protocols. Network+, A+, ETC are vendor neutral so thats where they will be beneficial to you.

Response by SPC Jason Lowry made Sep 21 at 2016 11:21 PM

2016-09-21T23:21:00-04:00

I just got out a few years ago. Life as a 25U is fairly easy. All i did was troubleshoot / replace radios and keep the units commo room organized

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Sep 22 at 2016 5:40 AM

2016-09-22T05:40:44-04:00

One thing I will add to your new chosen path of Information Technology. I can't speak to 25U or Network administration very much, my Brother is a Network Administrator and I went into Computer Programming after my stint in college. One thing to keep in mind is Network Administration on the civilian side your going to get tired eventually of being "oncall" 24 by 7. It's a rotational duty and sometimes Computer Programmers pull it as well. Keep in mind that you can move further up the ladder from Network Admin to Computer Programming without a huge amount of effort. Computer Programming would be after your time in the uniformed Army because there is not much opportunity to do it while in the Uniformed Army because typically the Army uses Civilian Contractors in that role from HP, Lockhead-Martin, Rockwell, etc. Computer Programmer means more pay and eventually an almost full escape from oncall duty as you gain more experience. The next rung up from programmer is Project Manager or Consultant. So my advice is to just keep it in the back of your mind that you have a career path and your not just stuck as a Network Administrator. Though some folks like the position of Network Administration and stay with it their whole life (nothing wrong with it). I just get a little surprised when I run into a Network Administrator that gets burned out and leaves the IT field completely without trying any of the other job positions or at least looking into them. Also, a lot of the Special Forces Network Admin roles have Civilian equivalent roles in which you could transfer over to DoD Civilian to a GS grade. If you do that for Special Forces, however, I think they prohibit you from any kind of Reserve Commitment as they want your availability 100% for Special Force support. It's just another thing to look into as far as options.

Response by CPL(P) Kevin Koch made Sep 22 at 2016 3:55 PM

2016-09-22T15:55:56-04:00

25U is primarily radio support. Working in a Battalion S6, the 25U's handled the radio side of the communication needs within the Battalion while the 25B's handled the IT side of it. A few were cross trained, and a handful even got Security+. However, the IT certifications you speak of were only allotted to 25B's during duty hours. As a 25U, you either had to luck into getting a slot for the training and certification exam, or do it on your own time and hope that you get reimbursed your expenses for it.

Response by SPC Phillip Ludlow made Sep 23 at 2016 5:17 AM

2016-09-23T05:17:42-04:00

I hope you like OE-254's....

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Sep 23 at 2016 9:50 PM

2016-09-23T21:50:46-04:00

Your main duties as a 25U will be repairing commo gear, conducting scheduled maintenance inspections on commo gear, maintaining forms and records on commo gear, establishing and operating a D/S maintenance account on commo gear above your authorized level of maintenance. You will be asked and directed to install, supervise others installing, and training others installing lots of OE-254 antennas that are supposed to be general purpose user. All the years I was a 31U, the old numbers for 25U, I only ever worked on any computers in one unit, for two years, at Fort Sill, OK. Absolutely no training, except on the job from my 1LT and not much of that. If you want to work on and be proficient on computers you better go 25B or you won't have much luck.

Response by SGT Paul Briones made Sep 25 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-09-25T11:14:45-04:00

In the 8+ years I did in the military. You will learn about BFT/FBCB2, LAN, Cisco routers, Warlocks, Asips, Singars, GPS and UHV radio. As a 25U just remember Always, Always check the connections!! Also keep a pencil eraser handy, to clean the round pin connectors in the H250's (Hand Mic).
Commo!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2016 1:09 PM

2016-09-26T13:09:31-04:00

If you are battalion or brigade lvl then BFT, Singars, various other harris radios, OE254. If division element you will probably end up on a CPP team. But you are signal now be flexible I have seen 25U right out of AIT get sent to a G6 help desk. As far as bases go carson is nice a little cold for my taste I am station about 15min away at Peterson AFB.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2016 3:29 PM

2016-10-04T15:29:20-04:00

Look at AR 600-25 first making your career progression priority then your certifications are based off of what you put into it. There are vouchers available for all MOS.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2016 9:23 PM

2016-10-04T21:23:16-04:00

Jack of All Trades....Master of None. If you wanted to get computer certs you should have gone 25B.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2016 4:26 PM

2016-10-07T16:26:13-04:00

Yes will most likely have a good job getting the army as 25U. All depends on you of course. Take advance and earn your certification while in the army.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2016 6:16 PM

2016-10-14T18:16:56-04:00

As a 25U myself, I'd say yes, there are job opportunities available to you. However, the training you receive in school for a 25U, is not exactly enough to land you a job without a little more schooling. Cross training with other 25 series, especially the 25B, you will learn more and receive more credit for the trades you are learning! are you going to Fort Gordon, GA?

Response by SPC Colten Pemberton made Oct 19 at 2016 7:46 AM

2016-10-19T07:46:06-04:00

Ultimately, you will go one of three routes. 'The Line', S- shop, or commo unit. Common units are alright, lots of down time, opportunity for quick advancemento if you are knowledgeable and dependable, a good leader, etc. S- shop work is much more specialized, you will gain experience with CAUs, VIIC systems, and antenna arrays, and \"THE DOPPLER EFFECT"/ I say it like that because no matter how you explain it, time and time again, some numbskull won't get it and will need unable to comprehend why his radio worked just fine during sun up, but can't reach anyone after dark. Get good at reading topographic maps and being able to plan for terrain features.
Down at the line, You are THE MAN. You have to run your own shop, by yourself, and deal with allocation of equipment, hand receipts (figure that system out early, I had to learn it on the fly and it was nearly disastrous), training personnel, installing/troubleshooting equipment and/or systems, and advising the commander (once you have shown your grit and earned some respect). It's a job that can go many different ways. Also, if you like working with computers and stuff, GET YOUR CERTIFICATIONS ASAP!! Your unit will pay for you to get c+, n+, and ccna certified, DO IT. It opens up Worlds of opportunity in the civilian sector

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2016 7:26 PM

2016-11-27T19:26:41-05:00

I'm a 25S and there is a lot of civilian job opportunities for any signal mos

Response by SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity made Dec 27 at 2016 7:47 PM

2016-12-27T19:47:57-05:00

I have a different outlook here. If you are trained to be a 25u understand what that is. Read and train up as much as you can in your MOS competencies. After you have learned the scope of your duties and responsibilities you can then begin to train others. As a 25b I understood what was expected of me on the "job" I then set out to surpass those expectations. Take on the extra things outside of your mos after you are proficient in what the army trained you to do.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2017 10:28 PM

2017-01-05T22:28:42-05:00

Don't get me wrong being a 25U is great, you learn a little about a lot. Even though you don't get "certified" like other 25 series but you can get those technical certifications easily if you chase it.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2017 1:18 PM

2017-01-07T13:18:15-05:00

It all depends on where in your unit you are assigned to and what certs your unit will allow you to get. For example, I work in brigade S6. Working in brigade, it is necessary for me to have SEC+ or higher. But for the 25Us working in the battalions, it's not as necessary. I love being a 25U though. Definitely has many perks.