Anybody certified MOS 25B?

mmarsh

mmarsh

Active member
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
 
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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.
 
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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?
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
That is SOP for all NG MOS's. I work at a MOB site, I see it every day. Trust me, you can "remember" your job if you are training for it 18 hours a day for 4 months straight. I have seen every thing from cooks to Special Forces come through here.
 
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Yeah I know but maintaining a server? That's a day in and day out sort of thing.
So my question is, would NG 25Bs be more focused on the computers used in field and mobile HQs, their assembly and running in the field as opposed to most of the 25Bs that I know of who "ran" computers in fixed bases?
 
That's one I would let a MOSQ soldier answer, I can't give a definitive answer on that. All NG soldiers are expected to perform the same duties as thier active duty MOS counterparts in a combat zone though.

There will always be soldiers manning servers. If it's stateside they will be title 10 or 32 NG. If it's Iraq or Afghanistan they will have mobbed and replace a unit that is homebound. I have seen a admin unit get mobbed for Iraq and had thier mission cancled. They ended up using them at the mob site for a year. That's how I met the 25b friends I mentioned earlier.

It's not uncommon at all too see people carry over thier civilian jobs to pogue MOSs. You will see mechanics in military mechanic slots and state troopers and cops in MP positions.

Sorry if your thread got hijacked mmarsh.
 
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Yeah I know that's the theory, I was just curious as to how a 25B would go about being proficient enough maintaining computer networks part time. Hmm...
You think in the modern computerized Army, Mmarsh would learn enough about US Army computer networks etc., even if he chose a different MOS like infantry?
I wouldn't know. My line of work didn't use computers for missions.
 
I'm not sure why you got your head wrapped around this 25b thing like you do. I can build the servers and the computers including picking out the SCSi controllers and configuring the raid setups. Setup the routing/switching. Install the OS and configure users privileges and access, as well as the security/firewall and the bandwith monitoring software. And I am just a grunt without a day of computer training. Sure there's more to it then that but that can be brought up to standards quickly. Ok ok, I'm done. :p
 
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Hey you mind not using our actual first names on the board unless the other party certifies that it's ok?

I don't think it's so much a thread hijack as it actually answers some of his questions.

Also the tasks you're referring to are the levels of a power user (a regular user who know his way around computers) whereas I'm referring to really technical stuff. I know some contractors that work here and they're IT people who work alongside 25Bs and other soldiers tasked with computer networks. Seems like all the complicated tasks are given to contractors while the power user level tasks are done by soldiers. But Mmarsh well beyond the level of a power user. He does this for a living.
I think the appropriate question would be: Just how many of your reservist 25Bs actually are certified computer people? Because with the active duty 25Bs, they're not that great at all. But we're looking at different situations. Whereas a person who signs on as a 25B in the Reserves or NG might be willing to give up some of their free time to give their skills for their country, an active duty 25B will most likely have joined up to acquire the computer skills they can take back to the civilian world later on. I know it is true for active duty 25Bs but I don't know how true it is for Res/NG.

That's what is relevant for Mmarsh.
 
Big_Z said:
I'm not sure why you got your head wrapped around this 25b thing like you do. I can build the servers and the computers including picking out the SCSi controllers and configuring the raid setups. Setup the routing/switching. Install the OS and configure users privileges and access, as well as the security/firewall and the bandwith monitoring software. And I am just a grunt without a day of computer training. Sure there's more to it then that but that can be brought up to standards quickly. Ok ok, I'm done. :p
Click to expand...

No Hijack...very interesting actually.

Thats certainly part of what we do, but remember every piece of equipment is different. Example managing a Linux or Unix based Server is very different than managing a Windows based one -though certain basic principals remain the same. I am happy for you that you know these skills but most people dont, most of my users are pretty computer illiterate. If I can say that about civilians, I will harbor a guess thats true in the military too. If you are interested in computers I would strongly suggest you pick up some certificates MCSA, MCSE, A+, CCNA+ might be a good place to start. Or if you want to make big money start learning software devolpment.

It isnt just maintaining my career, if I wanted to that Id stay a civilian. It just seems logical that my civilian skills would be of more use to the Army/NG then using me as something else. I turn 37 tomorrow, am near-sighted, and I have no previous military training, I just dont think I'd make a good rifleman. Thats how it seems to me, I have no idea how the NG sees it, thats what I am hoping to get come clarity on. Then again, I heard a story of soldier with a MOS as a pastry chef finding himself slogging the rice paddies of Vietnam 5 months after basic training.
 
The last time I heard they lowered the age limit to 35 in Reserves. 35 would be maximum to become a commissioned officer except in certain medical MOS where you don't have to retire by 55. Big_Z would be more up to speed on that department.
Unix is used in the military as far as I know.
MMarsh, if you do manage to get in, you have to sell your computer ability and odds are they'll boot someone out to put you with the computers if they have to and you'll minimize the odds of ending up as a 25B doing check point duty. Computer literate/proficient people in the military are not plentiful regardless of what some people might tell you. Most guys with Unix, Linux and high level Windows Networking skills and those endless list of certificates you mentioned don't enlist in the active duty military at the E level for pretty obvious reasons.
Hang on. Happy Birthday. Hell, how did I almost miss that?
So first of all, we're going to have to establish whether it's actually possible or not for you to join.
As for not being sure of being a good rifleman... the only issue regarding your age would be recovering from hikes and training. Our recovery just gets slow as we age so even though our fitness is better than the 18 year old we can whip day in and day out, wear and tear will get to us first. Don't worry about not being a good rifleman... when you set foot into boot camp, everyone's an idiot. Don't be fooled because they're wearing camouflage. Remember, so are you.
 
Thanks for this Redneck.

What I meant about the riflemen bit was not that I couldnt do it, but that there were people better suited. Your right at my age we slow down, how does it look to have 25 year olds running laps around you. I dont want to be the guy who gets the platoon killed because he couldnt keep up with the rest in an actual situation.

I should be clear that I am not decided, so I dont want you all to think this is something I will do. I would very much like to, but my biggest obsticle is that I am in Europe, and I need to go home within 5 years (the max age is 42 for someone with no Military experiance). I would like to go home, but can I be back within 5 years? I have a good job here, and as I said my family comes first. On the other hand my company does have an Office in the States. So its a tough call.

I do appriciate the advice though.

Another question. The NG website that Basic Training is 3X 3 Weeks. Does anyone know how spaced the weeks are? Is it 3 Weeks between weeks, months, years? As this is part-time, Is the 3 weeks assigned or can you choose?

There is another MOS that might be good too 25N, but I know less about that then 25B. Still its an option.
 
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I think 03 is the authority when it comes to Army NG.

Yeah we realize that it's not a decided matter but I'm excited that you're considering it. Family does come first but being a US citizen, I don't see why your company wouldn't consider sending you to their branch in the US.
Life is full of uncertainties so you can't really say what will happen but the prospect of downing beers with you listening to your boot camp stories sounds pretty neat if you ask me.
 
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