Being active in the Reserves doesn’t mean VetSec isn’t going to help because you haven’t separated or retired. We know that the opportunity to reskill and retrain matters both in and out of uniform. In this edition of VetSec Impact Stories, we hear from one member just how they are taking advantage of what VetSec has to offer the Active Reserves and those working in the Federal space.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background before joining VetSec?
I’ve been in the Air Force for 15 years (9 years Active, 6 years Reserve). The last 11 years I’ve been a Combat Communications network engineer. On the civilian side, I work as an general IT/help desk technician for a federal agency.
How did you first learn about VetSec, and what motivated you to get involved?
I learned about VetSec from LinkedIn. I’ve been interested in cybersecurity for a long time and wanted to shift my civilian career.
What were some of the biggest challenges or obstacles you faced in transitioning to a cybersecurity career before joining VetSec?
Honestly, the biggest obstacles with transitioning to cybersecurity were trying to figure out where to start and finding the motivation.
Can you describe your experience with VetSec’s training and mentorship programs? What specific resources or support did you find most valuable?
I haven’t used any of the benefit offerings from VetSec yet and honestly mostly lurked– however, the information in the channels have been great! I really appreciate that there’s current guard/reserve channels and a federal job discussion channel.
How has the VetSec community impacted you personally and professionally?
The community brought so many events and resources to my attention. I had no idea I qualified for additional GI Bill benefits under the Rudisill decision– that’s an additional ~$28k for schooling I’m eligible for that I discovered through this community. Furthermore, I learned I can use these towards SANS courses and certifications through SANS.edu.
Where are you currently in your cybersecurity career, and how did VetSec contribute to your success?
As mentioned above, I’m new to the community and new to cybersecurity in general. VetSec has shown me great resources to get started– I’ve got the next year or two of training ahead of me lined up and know there’s a community I can reach out to with any questions.
Can you share a specific moment or achievement during your time with VetSec that you are particularly proud of?
Signing up for the DOD Cyber Sentinel challenge, which was announced/advertised in the community was a great moment for me. I did it pretty quickly after I joined, and it’s given me motivation to start practicing with HackTheBox/TryHackMe and a challenge in the near future to hold me accountable.
Reflecting on your journey, how do you think your career and personal growth would have been different without VetSec? What are your future aspirations in the field of cybersecurity?
I’m honestly not sure I’d have heard about the Rudisill thing, so I don’t think the path I have ahead of me would be looking so promising. I’m now working on retraining into a cyber warfare career field as a Reservist, and grateful to have this community available.
What advice would you give to other veterans considering a career in cybersecurity and thinking about joining VetSec?
Just do it! I’m new and mostly lurk, but it’s still been incredibly valuable to me.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience with VetSec or a message to the community?
Thanks so much for taking the time to moderate and run this community. I’ll be looking forward to participating and contributing more as I get past the fledgling steps into my career shift. I don’t think I’d be as confident as I am without this community.