This path outlines the common training and certification milestones required for entry into and advancement within the 170A career field.
**CRITICAL PME INFORMATION:** For specific **Professional Military Education (PME)** attendance timelines and instructions on how to request your courses, please see the PDF documents available on the Downloads page.
Phase 1: Foundational Knowledge & Entry
Objective: Establish baseline IT and security knowledge necessary for selection.
Key Requirements:
**Knowledge:** Basic knowledge of coding and scripting lanaguages like C, Python, Powershell, and Bash.
**Experience:** Basic network troubleshooting and operating system administration.
Good Initial Certifications:
Certification
Why it Matters
Recertification Cycle
**CompTIA Security+**
Meets DoD baseline requirements; validates core security concepts and compliance.
3 Years
**CompTIA Network+**
Essential for understanding infrastructure, routing, and switching protocols.
3 Years
On a Team:
Warrants are advisors.
Master your job role.
Gain as much operational experience as possible.
Phase 2: Advanced Specialization & Leadership
Objective: Develop advanced skills in a chosen specialty (e.g., Forensics, Cloud, Offensive Cyber), do not become a jack of all trades, and prepare for leadership roles.
Training Options:
**SANS Certifications:** SANS has many courses for advanced defensive and offensive topics concerning incident response, inductrial control systems, and expolit development.
**CISSP:** Essential for mid-career professionals moving into management and strategic decision-making and for civiilan transition.
**Projects:** Working on projects like coding an application will help you learn and master your chosen specialty.
The cyber domain changes constantly. Professionals must allocate time for continuous learning, attending conferences, and contributing to open-source projects to maintain currency.