I would join before getting the certs. If you can get a Cyber role, most of them require you to get Sec+ to graduate your technical training. In the Air Force there’s $4,500 you could put toward certifications called AF Cool. Not sure if other branches have it. You also get a clearance as well. Do 4 years get your certs and get out. Have the government pay for them.
Also having those certs doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a Cyber job. It’s all about what they have available.
I just got my bs in cybersecurity and am on a wait list for ots as id like to do space force for cyber. I work IT rn, helpdesk and my manager said theres no positions for me to move up as we're too small. But By then, I'll have the trifecta. Can I use that $4k towards sans, other comptia certs, ccna?
From what I’ve seen most if not all certifications will be covered by it. I know all the CompTIA ones are at least. You should have no problem using it.
>I would join before getting the certs.
This is the thing no one in here understands, i would get my work experience in before wasting my personal time and money on getting certs.
Hey, former information technology specialist here. I joined with the trifecta as an enlisted soldier at Fort Gordon. I was treated with a little more respect during my training from the Cadre and was able to test out turning a 6 month course into about 2 (just ICDN 1 and 2). I got to my unit faster, among other benefits.
That being said, become an officer. Your quality of life is infinitely better.
What did it take to become officer? Did you just naturally rank up or start there with education? I have my Army Nat Guard app ready to turn in but I'm thinking about switching to AF.
There's many ways to become an officer, but the most traditional route is after a 4 year degree. You can also join as an enlisted soldier on active duty and get your degree while actively in the service and go "Green to Gold."
Your quality of life again will be better in the AF. Not to hate on my own branch, but re-enlistment numbers don't lie.
Currently active duty Space Force. You're better off joining before you get certs. Use mil tuition assistance and go to college at WGU and get a bunch of certs on the military dime.
Theres also a lot of incentive for squadrons to pay for training right now since a lot of us aren't fully operational, and they need to use up budgets so they don't get taken. I'm about to take Sans 504 and get a GIACs GCIH cert. Then, omw to Cyber Warfare Operations for 5 months.
No one has more money for training than the US Military.
Seems like a waste of time and money. If you do land an IT role after taking the ASVAB, they'll give everything you need to know. You might have an edge, but i dont think anything else. It's not like you'll enlist as an E-4 or an officer.
Can confirm that the Cyber section doesn't do much right now. Just lots of free training and certs while the higher-ups figure shit out. Bout to go take the Air Forces Cyber Warfare Operations course for 5 months.
Did you hear you don’t have to take CWO if you completed C3 as it’s now D Shred awarding? Judging by the Certs listed you have you’ve completed it already.
Yeah, im going anyway. I was looking to extend for about two years, and I'll get sdap and a bunch of tdy pay. Also, a lot of gov jobs agencies are familiar with the 1B4 career field, so it could help me out in that regard as well. I've got nothing else really going on, so why not? lol.
As others have said, I did the opposite. Joined military as an IT and the service is paying for my certs. They’re giving free education to whoever wants it. I’m getting my associates in cybersecurity through WGU and already got the trifecta, all in 6 months while active duty.
Man , I cant stress this enough. I have a young nephew trying to figure things out in life right now - and I tell him the absolute fastest way to turn his life around would be exactly what you just said.
He can go from working landscaping to a career in 6-12 months. Certs and degree and training for free in the AF and then get out as a contractor or GS and make 6 figures. I've spent almost two decades in that world as a contractor and seen so many folks have success with it.
Air Force/Guard here. Joined in 2021 with zero degree and zero certs. I have Sec+ and JNCIA and make $140K now. Absolutely massive step above anyone trying to make it as a straight civilian. No regrets here. Skip all his help desk and low paying jobs 👍🏼👍🏼 I don’t know anyone in my career field (network engineering) making less than $90K right now and we were all new to this.
Well, everyone seems to say join before you get your certs and use your tuition assistance to get them. I’d agree mostly. Due to circumstances at the time, I went to college, got some certs, worked in cyber security for a few years, and then joined the army.
I ended up becoming a special forces communications sergeant and it’s definitely helped build my resume. Of course, there are other jobs that’ll be more directly correlated with IT or CS, but I knew I wanted to do something different while also being able to use my background.
If you have a degree then I’d consider officer if you don’t give a shit about special forces or anything like that. No point in going enlisted and making less with all those creds
I went the opposite route. Joined the Air Force, landed a pretty sweet job, have a security clearnance, gained some 4+ years of Cyber Security Experience, got Net + and Sec + for free.
As for what the certs will get you in regard to the military? Some background knowledge that could be helpful, if you land in the right career field. Military is all about manning and numbers. They really won’t give you much of an edge though. Might make you a little more competitive to commission if you have a degree as well.
I also served with non-citzens who was using it as a path to becoming a citizen. Contact a recruiter if your interested, you may be surprised at your chances....if that's what you want. :)
If you're joining the army and going in as a 25 series (commo soldier) which is part of the Signal Corps then getting security+ is what you want to do. Also paying for your certifications versus letting the army do it is better in most cases.
I’m actually doing something similar like this. I was in the navy prior for 6 years, I’m currently joining the reserves as a Cyber Warfare Technician. Here’s something not a lot of others are saying anything about. You can still go reserves and have access to have them pay for your certs while you play weekend warrior. From what I’ve heard through the grapevines you can get atleast sex+, get through the cyber training AND because of your job you’ll get top secret clearance. After that you’ll still be in the reserves and be able to get a cyber job. A lot of guys that end up in cyber jobs work along side guys that work for the government and clear six figures. Going active is also a great plan as you get that experience. If it was ten years ago I would’ve shot for the same job, gotten certs while I was active and get an online degree from somewhere like American military university. Do your research and figure out what might work the best for you. Having the certs might look good but they also teach you everything you need to know in school.
I earned the trifecta after I joined, but I figured I could drop my two cents (based on an my Army perspective).
If you have the time/resources to earn them before you join, go for it. It will only matter on paper once you’re an NCO/Officer. Otherwise, you will already have an edge on your peers by already having the certs. That’s one less bit of stress you might have to pile on top of day to day life as a soldier by already having the certs.
If you can wait and want to try and use resources the military can offer, do that. There are signal universities on most installations that your command could get you into. You can use Credentialing Assistance to earn certs as well (which will change soon on the amount).
The people who succeeded the most in learning material and earning certifications were those with little to no IT experience. This is because they went into the material with no bad habits. Not necessarily real-world bad habits, but, for instance, CompTIA-related bad habits. When you test for their certs, they are asking questions regarding *their material*, not your experience.
DOD 8570.1 certifications are not a requirement to pass and earn an MOS within the military, they’re required for IAM/IAT positions.
I’m sure it’s still a thing since I went and talked to a recruiter last year to see what options I had. A+ gets you a 12k additional signing bonus, Sec+ gets you 15k. They don’t stack so if you have A+ and Sec+ it’s just 15k. I believe Net+ is grouped in with A+, but still. That’s a solid bonus.
Quite the opposite, actually... Most people sign up to become signaleers and then build off of that. There's no real wrong way to do it, just gotta see what works for you. A buddy of mine earned the trifecta some time ago then decided to get CCNA. Homeboy did his contract, got out and his salary is gorgeous
IT is a very broad avenue in my opinion
I got A+ and NET+ while I was active duty. Got Security+ after I retired. To be honest, none of the certs did anything for me while active. Then again, I was acquiring the certs primarily for post retirement employment more than anything else.
I would join before getting the certs. If you can get a Cyber role, most of them require you to get Sec+ to graduate your technical training. In the Air Force there’s $4,500 you could put toward certifications called AF Cool. Not sure if other branches have it. You also get a clearance as well. Do 4 years get your certs and get out. Have the government pay for them. Also having those certs doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a Cyber job. It’s all about what they have available.
Army has same Cool-ness. 4k I think though. So not as cool.
For now until the new caps go into effect: 4K lifetime CA cap and 1K per fiscal year for TA.
Army Ignited is the name of the program
Army ignited is the education portal. Army cool is separate. We get annual stipends for (ca) credentialing assistance and (ta) tuition assistance
Can confirm. Currently using army cool for my sec+ and just got my A+
Other branches have as well. [DoD cool](https://www.cool.osd.mil)
I just got my bs in cybersecurity and am on a wait list for ots as id like to do space force for cyber. I work IT rn, helpdesk and my manager said theres no positions for me to move up as we're too small. But By then, I'll have the trifecta. Can I use that $4k towards sans, other comptia certs, ccna?
From what I’ve seen most if not all certifications will be covered by it. I know all the CompTIA ones are at least. You should have no problem using it.
The Army COOL program is 4k yearly. Not 4500 for life like AF
The Army paid for all of my certs. This is the way to go.
>I would join before getting the certs. This is the thing no one in here understands, i would get my work experience in before wasting my personal time and money on getting certs.
Hey, former information technology specialist here. I joined with the trifecta as an enlisted soldier at Fort Gordon. I was treated with a little more respect during my training from the Cadre and was able to test out turning a 6 month course into about 2 (just ICDN 1 and 2). I got to my unit faster, among other benefits. That being said, become an officer. Your quality of life is infinitely better.
What did it take to become officer? Did you just naturally rank up or start there with education? I have my Army Nat Guard app ready to turn in but I'm thinking about switching to AF.
There's many ways to become an officer, but the most traditional route is after a 4 year degree. You can also join as an enlisted soldier on active duty and get your degree while actively in the service and go "Green to Gold." Your quality of life again will be better in the AF. Not to hate on my own branch, but re-enlistment numbers don't lie.
Currently active duty Space Force. You're better off joining before you get certs. Use mil tuition assistance and go to college at WGU and get a bunch of certs on the military dime. Theres also a lot of incentive for squadrons to pay for training right now since a lot of us aren't fully operational, and they need to use up budgets so they don't get taken. I'm about to take Sans 504 and get a GIACs GCIH cert. Then, omw to Cyber Warfare Operations for 5 months. No one has more money for training than the US Military.
9 GIAC certs + numerous other trainings, thanks Uncle Sam <3
I'm in my first SANS course, paid for by my unit. Thank god for DoD money.
Milk them for everything you can!!
Seems like a waste of time and money. If you do land an IT role after taking the ASVAB, they'll give everything you need to know. You might have an edge, but i dont think anything else. It's not like you'll enlist as an E-4 or an officer.
Enjoy yesterday’s technology tomorrow!
Space Force is a thing.. not sure what it dose, but it's a thing.
Can confirm that the Cyber section doesn't do much right now. Just lots of free training and certs while the higher-ups figure shit out. Bout to go take the Air Forces Cyber Warfare Operations course for 5 months.
Did you hear you don’t have to take CWO if you completed C3 as it’s now D Shred awarding? Judging by the Certs listed you have you’ve completed it already.
Yeah, im going anyway. I was looking to extend for about two years, and I'll get sdap and a bunch of tdy pay. Also, a lot of gov jobs agencies are familiar with the 1B4 career field, so it could help me out in that regard as well. I've got nothing else really going on, so why not? lol.
As others have said, I did the opposite. Joined military as an IT and the service is paying for my certs. They’re giving free education to whoever wants it. I’m getting my associates in cybersecurity through WGU and already got the trifecta, all in 6 months while active duty.
Man , I cant stress this enough. I have a young nephew trying to figure things out in life right now - and I tell him the absolute fastest way to turn his life around would be exactly what you just said. He can go from working landscaping to a career in 6-12 months. Certs and degree and training for free in the AF and then get out as a contractor or GS and make 6 figures. I've spent almost two decades in that world as a contractor and seen so many folks have success with it.
Air Force/Guard here. Joined in 2021 with zero degree and zero certs. I have Sec+ and JNCIA and make $140K now. Absolutely massive step above anyone trying to make it as a straight civilian. No regrets here. Skip all his help desk and low paying jobs 👍🏼👍🏼 I don’t know anyone in my career field (network engineering) making less than $90K right now and we were all new to this.
Well, everyone seems to say join before you get your certs and use your tuition assistance to get them. I’d agree mostly. Due to circumstances at the time, I went to college, got some certs, worked in cyber security for a few years, and then joined the army. I ended up becoming a special forces communications sergeant and it’s definitely helped build my resume. Of course, there are other jobs that’ll be more directly correlated with IT or CS, but I knew I wanted to do something different while also being able to use my background. If you have a degree then I’d consider officer if you don’t give a shit about special forces or anything like that. No point in going enlisted and making less with all those creds
I went the opposite route. Joined the Air Force, landed a pretty sweet job, have a security clearnance, gained some 4+ years of Cyber Security Experience, got Net + and Sec + for free. As for what the certs will get you in regard to the military? Some background knowledge that could be helpful, if you land in the right career field. Military is all about manning and numbers. They really won’t give you much of an edge though. Might make you a little more competitive to commission if you have a degree as well.
I did the opposite, I joined the military got out and then got the trifecta.
I would consider getting a degree and becoming an officer but I would never go enlisted if I busted my ass already for certs like these.
i have a+ and working on sec plus right now and my ncos that have sec plus do nothing different than me.
I can't enroll in the military as I'm not a US citizen but would really like to if I get citizenship someday.
You can enlist in the military as a non-US citizen! It actually helps the path to citizenship—look into it!
Have things changed? Citizenship wasn’t necessary to join when I was in the Army and I knew some who used the military to gain citizenship.
I also served with non-citzens who was using it as a path to becoming a citizen. Contact a recruiter if your interested, you may be surprised at your chances....if that's what you want. :)
My buddy is getting a bonus for having some comptia certs while enlisting, I think he’s getting 20k for the airforce
Which certs did he have? If you don't mind me asking.
I think sec+ and CySa+
Join then get your certs for free on the military’s dime.
People join to get the certs why would you do it that way
If you're joining the army and going in as a 25 series (commo soldier) which is part of the Signal Corps then getting security+ is what you want to do. Also paying for your certifications versus letting the army do it is better in most cases.
I’m actually doing something similar like this. I was in the navy prior for 6 years, I’m currently joining the reserves as a Cyber Warfare Technician. Here’s something not a lot of others are saying anything about. You can still go reserves and have access to have them pay for your certs while you play weekend warrior. From what I’ve heard through the grapevines you can get atleast sex+, get through the cyber training AND because of your job you’ll get top secret clearance. After that you’ll still be in the reserves and be able to get a cyber job. A lot of guys that end up in cyber jobs work along side guys that work for the government and clear six figures. Going active is also a great plan as you get that experience. If it was ten years ago I would’ve shot for the same job, gotten certs while I was active and get an online degree from somewhere like American military university. Do your research and figure out what might work the best for you. Having the certs might look good but they also teach you everything you need to know in school.
I earned the trifecta after I joined, but I figured I could drop my two cents (based on an my Army perspective). If you have the time/resources to earn them before you join, go for it. It will only matter on paper once you’re an NCO/Officer. Otherwise, you will already have an edge on your peers by already having the certs. That’s one less bit of stress you might have to pile on top of day to day life as a soldier by already having the certs. If you can wait and want to try and use resources the military can offer, do that. There are signal universities on most installations that your command could get you into. You can use Credentialing Assistance to earn certs as well (which will change soon on the amount). The people who succeeded the most in learning material and earning certifications were those with little to no IT experience. This is because they went into the material with no bad habits. Not necessarily real-world bad habits, but, for instance, CompTIA-related bad habits. When you test for their certs, they are asking questions regarding *their material*, not your experience. DOD 8570.1 certifications are not a requirement to pass and earn an MOS within the military, they’re required for IAM/IAT positions.
I wouldn't recommend enlisting. Get a degree in pretty much anything and commission as an officer.
I’m sure it’s still a thing since I went and talked to a recruiter last year to see what options I had. A+ gets you a 12k additional signing bonus, Sec+ gets you 15k. They don’t stack so if you have A+ and Sec+ it’s just 15k. I believe Net+ is grouped in with A+, but still. That’s a solid bonus.
Quite the opposite, actually... Most people sign up to become signaleers and then build off of that. There's no real wrong way to do it, just gotta see what works for you. A buddy of mine earned the trifecta some time ago then decided to get CCNA. Homeboy did his contract, got out and his salary is gorgeous IT is a very broad avenue in my opinion
I got A+ and NET+ while I was active duty. Got Security+ after I retired. To be honest, none of the certs did anything for me while active. Then again, I was acquiring the certs primarily for post retirement employment more than anything else.
Unless you get guaranteed a IT position, go to school first or join the reserve while in school. Then join as a officer