I am still "stop-loss" in Europe so its still a few years off before/if I can do it, but I am considering the National Guard trying as a Information Technology Specialist (MOS 25B). I figure this would be best suited for me and the Army as it directly relates to what I do in civilian life.

I was wondering if anyone could share their experiances in this field, I am espicially curious to know how LAN/WAN systems in the Army compare to what I do as A network Admin. Of course I am interested to know what tech is used and how it is generally set up (I am not asking for anything confidential or TOP Secret).

I an also interested in in MOS 25N as I believe that relates to network switching, a field in civvy life I am currently studying for.

Thanks

Depending on your level of expertise, you might be more proficient at it than the Captain that runs the outfit!
I know someone who used to work for the US Army as an IT contractor. I'll ask what the 25Bs are like and see what we can find out from there.

For now I guess this will do:
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjobs/a/25b.htm

I think a lot of us here are glad that you're considering this sort of route.

ADDED:

Okay so I got some preliminary information... and it's a bit contradictory to what is said on the about.com website.

I'll PM you because some of the information, though not secret, isn't something I'll have hanging around out here for anyone.

Thanks I appriciate it.

I read through the descriptions at both the NG and GOARMY websites and it seems to be what I was looking for, I was just hoping to get a chance to speak to someone who has seen both the civvy and military aspetcts of the job.

Truthfully though, since I have no prior military experiance I am more worried about Basic/AIT training than I am about the IT part. I not overweight (tall and lean build) but I have done any sports since college...when dinosaurs ruled the earth.

I just hope I get the opportunity, the trouble is I am the primary breadwinner and family always comes first. I have to find a way to balance both the NG and my family obligations. I'd be interested to know how people in the NG do it?

Yeah sent you a PM. Glad to be of assitance

I do not hold that MOS but I work at a military installation and I know computers. It is probably the same exact stuff your using right now at your job. Cisco and all those brands. Some of the newer MOUT ranges have some pretty sophisticated setups, every area has cameras/comms/targetry. Thats about all I will say but if you like the IT thing some of what the military has would be a wet dream for you.

I have had friends in that MOS, you can msg me if you like.

Probably a good deal.
I have a basic idea as to what the full time 25Bs are like because I can just ask the folks who used to work with them but I have no clue how you could be a part time 25B. I mean, how can you maintain servers etc., on a part time basis?

You would go to the school and everything and drill on a monthly basis as well as have a 2 week AT once a year. You can also try to get a AGR job working at a local installation or working for your unit. There are many NG soldiers who work full time just like active duty soldiers.

Yeah but I don't think that's what Mmarsh wants. He has got a career that he needs to maintain. Like I said, I have a pretty good picture of what full time 25Bs are like but for the life of me can't imagine how that MOS could be a part time job unless they were in charge of the mobile HQ computers... and even then a part timer's proficiency could be dangerously inadequate (not in the case of Mmarsh but in general).

You can easily maintain a fulltime career and the NG. You only have to do one weekend a month and 1 AT a year. As for maintaining your skillset thats on you to do and also for the monthly drills. NG soldiers are pretty much on standby untill deployment time. Once activated they hit their MOS hard with 3-4 months of day after day training. They do not get orders and go straight to country, there is a huge train up prior to stepping foot in the sandbox.

I can see how that would work for other MOS just not for stuff like 25B. I think we need to ask a part time 25B about this and quite frankly I'm curious myself! Sounds suspiciously like a case of hiring contractors to go with the activated/deployed NG unit.