Are you, or someone you know, interested in the cyber field? With the ever-growing presence of cyber adversaries, the Army National Guard is committed to building a powerful cyber force manned with Soldiers capable of thwarting our Nation’s enemies.

For those with an interest in cyber and information technology (IT), the Army National Guard has incredible opportunities to develop and utilize Soldiers’ cyber skills. Cyber-related military occupational specialties (MOSs) are available to place Soldiers on the frontlines of the digital domain. By joining the cyber force, Soldiers become trained to execute offensive cyberspace operations, detect malicious activity on the electromagnetic battlefield, conduct computer network defense and use advanced military networks and cyber weapon systems. Cyber Soldiers also gain certifications in networks, security and ethical hacking – credentials that are highly valuable in the civilian sector.

Army National Guard Cyber MOS Options:

Enlisted MOS Options

17C Cyber Operations Specialist

Cyber operations specialists execute defensive and offensive cyber operations. They are dedicated to ensuring the freedom of maneuver within the cyberspace domain and denying the same to adversaries.

Soldiers who choose this MOS will be trained to conduct defensive cyberspace operations (DCO), to conduct offensive cyberspace operations (OCO) and to analyze information. Duties of a cyber operations specialist include performing cyber attacks and defenses, conducting network terrain audits, penetration testing and software threat analysis. Soldiers with this MOS must also react to cyber events, employ cyberspace defense infrastructure capabilities, collect basic forensics data and software threat analysis.

25D Cyber Network Defender

Cyber network defenders perform specialized computer network defense duties, including infrastructure support, incident response, auditing and managing. It is their duty to protect against and detect unauthorized activity in the cyberspace domain and use a variety of tools to analyze and respond to attacks.

Cyber network defenders are tasked with testing, implementing and deploying infrastructure hardware and software. They respond to crises and urgent situations within the network to alleviate immediate and possible cyber threats. As cyber network defenders, these Soldiers must use defensive measures and information collected from a variety of sources to identify, analyze and report events that occur or may occur within the network to protect information, information systems and networks from threats. They must also conduct assessments of threats and vulnerabilities and provide detailed reports if necessary. If needed, these Soldiers will use mitigation, preparedness, and response and recovery approaches.

29E Electronic Warfare Specialist

Electronic warfare specialists advise and assist the commander on electronic warfare operations. They make use of electromagnetic and directed energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) and defeat the enemy through planning, coordination, integration and execution of electronic attack (EA), electronic protection (EP) and electronic support (ES).

Electronic warfare specialists must test, implement and deploy infrastructure hardware and software. They respond to crises or urgent situations within the network to mitigate immediate and potential cyber threats. These Soldiers use defensive measures and information collected from a variety of sources to identify, analyze and report events. Soldiers with this MOS will learn radio wave theory, how to plan and execute electronic warfare operations and how to determine proper frequencies.

Officer MOS Options

17 Cyber Operations Officer

Cyber operations officers lead, plan and direct both defensive and offensive cyberspace maneuvers and effect operations in and through the cyberspace domain.

These officers conduct OCO by using cyber capabilities in and through cyberspace to target and neutralize threats. They must also conduct DCO by protecting networks, data, net-centric capabilities and other designated systems through detection, identification and response actions to attacks against friendly networks. Cyber operations officers execute mission command of cyber maneuver forces during DCO and OCO missions in support of joint and combined arms operations.

Warrant Officer MOS Options

170A Cyber Operations Technician

Cyber operations technicians are the subject matter experts and advisors to the commander and staff regarding the use of offensive and defensive cyber operations assets and personnel. They direct, plan, administer, manage, integrate and assess cyberspace operations. They develop policy recommendations and provide technical guidance regarding the operation and management of Army, Joint, intergovernmental, interagency and multinational cyberspace assets and personnel.

These technicians integrate cyberspace effects into warfighting functions in an effort to optimize combat effectiveness. They are tasked with leading, training and mentoring cyber personnel through individual and group instruction, as well as the establishment, direction and evaluation of standard operating procedures (SOP) and job qualification standards.

If you know someone you think would be a good fit for a cyber career in the National Guard, advise them to visit www.nationalguard.com/careers/cyber-careers to learn more about these opportunities.

By Staff Writer Tatyana White-Jenkins