Military Connection: Army Activates New MOS: By Debbie Gregory

On September 5, 2015, the U.S. Army activated its first Cyber Protection Brigade out of Fort Gordon, Georgia.

The Cyber Protection Brigade is expected to be made up of 20 Cyber Protection teams of approximately 39 people, each manned by a combination of soldiers and civilian contractors. The teams will conduct defensive cyberspace operations in support of Army and joint military missions under the U.S. Cyber Command.

The activation of the brigade represents a deeper investment from the Army in its cyberspace capabilities. The brigade is in the process of manning, equipping and training its teams in order to support its operations. Currently, the Army is actively pursuing efforts to fill the ranks of this selective new military occupational specialty, “Cyber Network Defender,” or 25D. Currently, there are more than 700 25D positions across the Army, and the MOS is open to experienced soldiers in the grades of staff sergeant to sergeant major.

The Office of the Chief of Signal accepts application packets from soldiers with backgrounds in information technology and information assurance, mostly at the staff sergeant level. There are also limited opportunities for sergeants first class and master sergeants. Soldiers aren’t required to have military experience in the field, but do need some education or verifiable experience.

Upon successful completion of training, members of the cyber protection teams will receive an additional skill identifier of E4.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.