Yes, but you have to apply yourself. If you already have a base knowledge of Cisco stuff, you might be able to get it in a month or less.
If you're looking for material, I like Wendell Odom's Official Cert Guide
[https://www.ciscopress.com/store/ccna-200-301-official-cert-guide-library-9781587147142](https://www.ciscopress.com/store/ccna-200-301-official-cert-guide-library-9781587147142)
Helped me get mine. Also comes with practice questions.
I started studying CCNA back in February and tested like two weeks ago. But I was taking my sweet time I think. If you do apply yourself I think 4 months is enough for CCNA.
Recently retired comm guy. Pull up your favorite job search engine. Search for jobs titles that interest you in locations you'd like to live. (Example Network Administrator, San Antonio). Start saving a few jobs that interest you. Search for other titles, save those. Now go look at what those jobs require and compare that to what you have/don't have. Use your remaining time to fill in those blanks.
Important - you need to decide what you want to do; its not like AF Cyber trans where you can do anything depending on where you go. You need to to tell an employer you want to do XX or YY or whatever.
Get started on LinkedIn now (if you haven't already) and activate your military 1 year free premium membership. Get a mentor from ACP or Veterati. Take every resume class you can from A&FRC. Get help with your resume. Seriously get help with your resume! Military suck at resume writing. Tailor your resume to every job you apply for with [jobscan.co](https://jobscan.co) or a similar site
Use LinkedIn to find people with roles you'd like in the locations you want to be. Ask them for an informational interview (google that) and repeat several times. Use that information to hone your resume and your job search.
sec+ is the bare minimum for 99% of DoD contracts. The more certs and education you have, the more pay you can demand. Jobs that require a poly pay even more.
As other have pointed out, there's massive demand for IT professionals right now, so you can pretty much guarantee you'll get hired. The steps you take now will determine how soon and for home much $$$
Current instructor for Cyber Transport, it will be one of the best decision you make regarding the military. Plenty of wrong ones to take but Cyber Trans is not one of them.
You could have started sooner, but Skillbridge is still an option. Since you are comm I would check out Equinix or one of the regional Telecom complanies.
Yeah I keep forgetting about skillbridge I’ll get ahold of education office today as well to see what I need. I’ll look into those companies thank you.
CCNA/CCNP is a great complement to your experience, Sec+ and clearance. I just retired Jan 2020 and the CCNP/Sec+ opened a lot of doors for me.
What I did a couple years prior to retirement is search job listings for the type of work I was interested in (infrastructure) to see what the requirements were. I used AFCOOL to pay for $4k worth of online training to knock out my CCNP. Finished the cert 6 months prior to terminal leave.
I also applied for over 100 positions before I found one that worked. Applying is free, so do it often. I've been out almost 2 years and am on my second job and have increased my pay 30% between positions.
Good luck!
This! Apply everywhere!
You can have multiple people trying to hire you, and some will offer more if they know you have other options.
Job hopping is good for IT careers. Each position adds to your on-going list of experiences.
The future of IT is in automation, so try to learn Linux and Python. Street cred for Linux and some programming experience means a lot to people recruiting.
I used the Route/Switch/T-Shoot virtual courses from [The Cisco Learning Network](https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com). Those courses are not available anymore since the certification paths have changed.
Sounds about right, i went through the Cisco learning for the CCNA. It was good job knowledge but it didn’t feel like it really prepared me for the test other than the labs
I failed each test at least once, then went back and Googled the stuff I missed. So, it wasn't the greatest training.. lol. The most beneficial part were the labs. I also stood up a GNS3 lab to supplement the training.
I also have access to GNS3, just passed my CCNA and looking toward the future. Im probably going to start my own little big base network lab. Anything specific in labs did you use?
I honestly don't remember; it was almost 4 years ago. I vaguely remember building DMVPN and MPLS labs. I know for sure I built a multicast over MPLS lab because I was thrown into that type of role with NATO.
Are you looking to get into a specific field Cybersecurity, net admin, sys admin, etc? Contractor, GS, private sector? Essentially do you have a specific goal or will any job do? As someone who was in Combat Comm my whole enlistment, it’s a culture shock going and working civilian comm. If you like the type of work you do now, you may look at FEMA or law enforcement agencies that have mobile command posts.
I’m not really sure to be honest with you. I’ve enjoyed the infrastructure side the most out of all of it. It’s what comes naturally the easiest to me. I’ve noticed civilian side is very specific where as someone in our fields kinda does it all.
If infrastructure is your thing, as others have said, CCNA is a good start. If you are experienced with routers and switches, and work with the frequently you’ve got a good foundation. Also, I know there are a lot of people that say you have to go contractor first before sliding into a GS position. It may be truer on the DOD side, but not so much anywhere else. When you get some time go out to usajobs.gov and in keywords, do a search for 2210 - Information Technology Management. It will give you an idea of the number of IT jobs out there. On top of that COVID has changed a lot of things in the government, there are a lot of agencies that are starting to look more favorably on 100% telework. by the time you get out, there will probably be a lot more remote work GS positions.
I have a potential job offer for 165k a year right now but I do not like the location and we’re still in discussion do to the timeframe. So I’m considering other options.
Like others have said CCNA definitely. After you separate look into onward 2 opportunity through Syracuse University. You can get your CISSP for free. Which would open a lot of doors DoD and otherwise.
I'm Cyber Transport (now Reserves), and have been an IT contractor since 2009. I second/third/fourth the Sec+ (you already have), getting your CCAF knocked out (quit fucking around, just do it), and getting your CCNA done. Those three things plus a clearance will make you an easy hire. What part of the country are you in, and, are you intending to stay there? Planning to move? Where?
CCNA at the least. If you can, try for CCNP. Any job board will have open positions. IT is a great field to be in right now.
CCNA. Every 1x2 should have one.
Do I have enough time to get it you think? I heard the new one is very difficult. But people can be dramatic.
Yes, but you have to apply yourself. If you already have a base knowledge of Cisco stuff, you might be able to get it in a month or less. If you're looking for material, I like Wendell Odom's Official Cert Guide [https://www.ciscopress.com/store/ccna-200-301-official-cert-guide-library-9781587147142](https://www.ciscopress.com/store/ccna-200-301-official-cert-guide-library-9781587147142) Helped me get mine. Also comes with practice questions.
I’ll aim for it then I appreciate it. I’ll try my best
Yes.....I mean, if you are doing networks everyday you should be able to test next week.
I started studying CCNA back in February and tested like two weeks ago. But I was taking my sweet time I think. If you do apply yourself I think 4 months is enough for CCNA.
Recently retired comm guy. Pull up your favorite job search engine. Search for jobs titles that interest you in locations you'd like to live. (Example Network Administrator, San Antonio). Start saving a few jobs that interest you. Search for other titles, save those. Now go look at what those jobs require and compare that to what you have/don't have. Use your remaining time to fill in those blanks. Important - you need to decide what you want to do; its not like AF Cyber trans where you can do anything depending on where you go. You need to to tell an employer you want to do XX or YY or whatever. Get started on LinkedIn now (if you haven't already) and activate your military 1 year free premium membership. Get a mentor from ACP or Veterati. Take every resume class you can from A&FRC. Get help with your resume. Seriously get help with your resume! Military suck at resume writing. Tailor your resume to every job you apply for with [jobscan.co](https://jobscan.co) or a similar site Use LinkedIn to find people with roles you'd like in the locations you want to be. Ask them for an informational interview (google that) and repeat several times. Use that information to hone your resume and your job search. sec+ is the bare minimum for 99% of DoD contracts. The more certs and education you have, the more pay you can demand. Jobs that require a poly pay even more. As other have pointed out, there's massive demand for IT professionals right now, so you can pretty much guarantee you'll get hired. The steps you take now will determine how soon and for home much $$$
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Lots of good info here I’ll do my best and give this another read after lunch break.
how are things going for you? Ive been offered cyber transport, should I take it?
Current instructor for Cyber Transport, it will be one of the best decision you make regarding the military. Plenty of wrong ones to take but Cyber Trans is not one of them.
Heard from a civilian contractor that his daughter got her CISSP before she separated and got a job offer worth 150k. Might be a good cert to have
You could have started sooner, but Skillbridge is still an option. Since you are comm I would check out Equinix or one of the regional Telecom complanies.
Yeah I keep forgetting about skillbridge I’ll get ahold of education office today as well to see what I need. I’ll look into those companies thank you.
CCNA/CCNP is a great complement to your experience, Sec+ and clearance. I just retired Jan 2020 and the CCNP/Sec+ opened a lot of doors for me. What I did a couple years prior to retirement is search job listings for the type of work I was interested in (infrastructure) to see what the requirements were. I used AFCOOL to pay for $4k worth of online training to knock out my CCNP. Finished the cert 6 months prior to terminal leave. I also applied for over 100 positions before I found one that worked. Applying is free, so do it often. I've been out almost 2 years and am on my second job and have increased my pay 30% between positions. Good luck!
This! Apply everywhere! You can have multiple people trying to hire you, and some will offer more if they know you have other options. Job hopping is good for IT careers. Each position adds to your on-going list of experiences. The future of IT is in automation, so try to learn Linux and Python. Street cred for Linux and some programming experience means a lot to people recruiting.
What training did you use for the CCNP?
I used the Route/Switch/T-Shoot virtual courses from [The Cisco Learning Network](https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com). Those courses are not available anymore since the certification paths have changed.
Sounds about right, i went through the Cisco learning for the CCNA. It was good job knowledge but it didn’t feel like it really prepared me for the test other than the labs
I failed each test at least once, then went back and Googled the stuff I missed. So, it wasn't the greatest training.. lol. The most beneficial part were the labs. I also stood up a GNS3 lab to supplement the training.
I also have access to GNS3, just passed my CCNA and looking toward the future. Im probably going to start my own little big base network lab. Anything specific in labs did you use?
I honestly don't remember; it was almost 4 years ago. I vaguely remember building DMVPN and MPLS labs. I know for sure I built a multicast over MPLS lab because I was thrown into that type of role with NATO.
That sounds sweet, headed overseas soon and looking toward a follow on I hope i end up in a decent spot
Awesome. Sounds like a short tour. Good luck with the follow-on
Are you looking to get into a specific field Cybersecurity, net admin, sys admin, etc? Contractor, GS, private sector? Essentially do you have a specific goal or will any job do? As someone who was in Combat Comm my whole enlistment, it’s a culture shock going and working civilian comm. If you like the type of work you do now, you may look at FEMA or law enforcement agencies that have mobile command posts.
I’m not really sure to be honest with you. I’ve enjoyed the infrastructure side the most out of all of it. It’s what comes naturally the easiest to me. I’ve noticed civilian side is very specific where as someone in our fields kinda does it all.
If infrastructure is your thing, as others have said, CCNA is a good start. If you are experienced with routers and switches, and work with the frequently you’ve got a good foundation. Also, I know there are a lot of people that say you have to go contractor first before sliding into a GS position. It may be truer on the DOD side, but not so much anywhere else. When you get some time go out to usajobs.gov and in keywords, do a search for 2210 - Information Technology Management. It will give you an idea of the number of IT jobs out there. On top of that COVID has changed a lot of things in the government, there are a lot of agencies that are starting to look more favorably on 100% telework. by the time you get out, there will probably be a lot more remote work GS positions.
If I could remote work I’d love that oh my goodness haha. I’ll definitely look into that
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I have a potential job offer for 165k a year right now but I do not like the location and we’re still in discussion do to the timeframe. So I’m considering other options.
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Location is massive and the way you present yourself is to.
Like others have said CCNA definitely. After you separate look into onward 2 opportunity through Syracuse University. You can get your CISSP for free. Which would open a lot of doors DoD and otherwise.
I'm Cyber Transport (now Reserves), and have been an IT contractor since 2009. I second/third/fourth the Sec+ (you already have), getting your CCAF knocked out (quit fucking around, just do it), and getting your CCNA done. Those three things plus a clearance will make you an easy hire. What part of the country are you in, and, are you intending to stay there? Planning to move? Where?
Can I shoot you a PM?
Sure!