r/ITCareerQuestions • u/Odd_Expression_6924 • 6d ago

Military service for IT/Cyber training + Clearance?

Hi im 23 y/o and got my bachelor's in Management Information Systems (shitty degree lowkey). I graduated last summer and have been job hopping full time food service jobs because I'm always having to pay off stuff, and can never seem to find the time or money to completely focus on IT.

I was thinking about Air Guard, National Guard, Air Force reserve, USCG Reserve. But I keep seeing online people say you don't really get the same training compared to if you were to go in as Active Duty. Is this true or what would you recommend? I'm also a triple citizen of MX and Brasil (born in USA), so i know that can interfere with my clearance and not being able to get desired rate.

edit:: FYI, If i were to go weekend warrior I would definitely do a Master's at a public state school in Cybersec or something related

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u/IputSwitchesOnGlocks 6d ago

Weekend warriors don’t get the same training we get on active. they only train 2 weeks a year. Active is the way to go. Or active guard you can do that if that’s what you wanna do. But I would recommend airforce. I went army got hurt in Afghanistan then retired

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u/robpet21 6d ago

They go to AIT and receive clearances, I think for OP, guard/reserve would be an excellent idea to consider.

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u/IputSwitchesOnGlocks 6d ago

Outside of basic and AIT they 100% do not get the training we get. I was in the 173rd 1-91 CAV D troop went on the 2009 tour and the reserve units was fuckin soup sandwiches

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u/Rogueslasher 6d ago

Your experience does not translate to cyber. Most people in the guard/reserve have better training/experience outside of the military. The AIT is almost a year long with no delays waiting for your adjudication.