United States Army careers
Cyber Operations Specialist hero
17C
cyber
CMF 17 - CyberCombat SupportUnited States Army

Cyber Operations Specialist

Conduct offensive and defensive cyberspace operations.

Difficulty · hardFitness · moderate Requirements being verifiedActive DutyReserveNational Guard
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Job Overview

Army 17Cs execute cyber missions in support of Army and Joint operations.

Cyber operations specialists conduct network defense, threat hunting, offensive cyber operations, and vulnerability analysis in classified environments.

History & Deep Dive

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Daily Responsibilities

  • Analyze network traffic
  • Hunt for adversary activity
  • Develop cyber tools
  • Conduct authorized operations
  • Write reports
  • Continuous training
Work schedule
Shift-based watch floors; deep-focus project days
Environment
Secure operations centers, mostly indoors
Supports
US Cyber Command, Army Cyber, Joint teams

Training Pipeline

  1. 1
    BCT
    Fort Jackson, SC · 10 weeks
  2. 2
    17C AIT
    Fort Eisenhower, GA · ~37 weeks incl. Joint Cyber Analysis Course

Official Qualification Requirements

Army line score

Requirements being verified against the official service publication. We do not display unofficial or estimated scores — contact a recruiter for the current minimum.

Security clearance

TS/SCI

Official sources

Last verified: 2026-08-14

Requirements are subject to change by the Department of Defense and each service. Always confirm the current standard with an official recruiter before making a decision.

U.S. citizenship
U.S. citizen required

Required in practice. Recruiting sites do not print a job-by-job rule, but this specialty needs access to classified information, and federal personnel-security rules (32 CFR 117.10 and the SEAD-4 adjudicative guidelines) limit security clearances to U.S. citizens. Verified August 2026.

Physical requirements
Standard fitness. Must pass ACFT.
Required skills
Programming (Python, C)Networking (TCP/IP)LinuxAnalytical reasoningDiscretion
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Career Progression

E-1→
E-4→
E-5→
E-6→
WO1 (via WOCS)

Team lead, mission element lead, senior operator, warrant officer track available.

Assignments & Special Schools

Duty stations
  • Fort Eisenhower, GA
  • Fort Meade, MD
  • JBLM, WA
  • Fort Cavazos, TX
Special schools
Joint Cyber Analysis CourseSANS certificationsOSCP

Deployment: Mostly CONUS assignments; some overseas cyber teams.

Bonuses & Special Pay

enlistment bonus
High bonuses for qualifying 17C contracts
special duty pay
Cyber assignment incentive pay may be available
reenlistment bonus
Consistently offered for retention

Bonus availability changes frequently — confirm current amounts with a recruiter.

Lifestyle & Work-Life Balance

Mostly indoor, garrison-based work at Fort Eisenhower and cyber mission force sites. Regular hours in garrison with periodic shift work during operations.

Physical Fitness

Level · moderate

Aim for 400+; standard PT is enough.

Suggested preparation
  • Sit and reach mobility work
  • Steady cardio
  • Balanced strength training

Advantages

  • Elite technical training
  • Six-figure civilian potential
  • Enlistment bonuses
  • Clearance valued in industry

Disadvantages

  • Very selective — high ASVAB and clearance bar
  • Long, technical training pipeline
  • Sedentary desk-heavy work
  • Shift work during real-world operations

Who Should Choose This MOS?

Analytical thinkers who love computers, networks, and puzzles, and who can hold a Top Secret clearance.

Civilian Career Equivalents

Cybersecurity Analyst
Penetration Tester
SOC Analyst
Threat Intelligence Analyst
Career Match Scores
Physical Demand40
Mental Demand95
Leadership65
Technical Level100
Travel40
Deployment Potential45
Civilian Transferability100
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Context: 17C Cyber Operations Specialist
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