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IT Training in the Military?

Posted by Cliff on from the sgt.-byte-and-cpl.-processor dept.

firehzd1 asks: "Yesterday's article about the new Czar of Security for the Department of Homeland Security raises a very important question, especially lately. What type of opportunities are there for IT work in the military/government. It seems every article I read is bashing the govt/military for terrible IT decisions/systems but I never hear the other side of the story. How bout we hear from those in the field that can give us a idea of what it is like behind the other side of the heavily armed gate?"

5 of 344 comments (clear)

  1. There's lots of IT... but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Most of the people at the top of the IT chain have been in the military for decades. It's not like a regular business where you just hire new people. Everyone comes from within at lower levels and not always because they're the best person for the job.

    1. Re:There's lots of IT... but... by Obsequious · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I don't know if I'd put it quite like that. Yes, everyone in the upper leadership came up through the ranks, but in general the military does a pretty good job of making sure that you're the best person for the job.

      It's just that all the jobs are about killing people.

      You have to remember that these are people who gamble under the highest possible stakes: their own and other people's lives. When the stakes are that high, you simply DO NOT change ANYTHING until someone comes in and damned well proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that their new way is better.

      Hence, the military definitely has a culture that corporate we weenies would probably identify as "Not Invented Here Syndrome." However, I argue that if ANYONE has a legitimate right to that position, it's the military.

    2. Re:There's lots of IT... but... by psychosis · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Sorry, but I think you've missed the mark entirely. The military barely does a respectable job at making sure you're a PERSON (let alone the right one) when assigning jobs. In the Air Force, any 'technical' degree qualifies you to be what's basically an "IT Officer". History major? Well, you've got some 100-level science here, and a physics course you didn't fail. Welcome to the halls of network management!

      Not all the jobs are about killing people either. In fact, when you look at the Air Force and the Navy, the overwhelming majority of jobs are there to support the 10% that "break things and kill people". I know that number is higher in the Army and Marines, but I'd be surprised if it were more than 60%.

      The standard military mindset is to change everything you can, in order to 'leave your mark' on the organization, and generate performance review statements that make it look like you did lots of "good stuff(tm)" during your tour. Hell, if you look at the performance reviews of anyone in the Air Force, every damned person moves mountains, silently, in their sleep, under budget, and ahead of schedule. I fought and fought to rate a truly worthless upper-to-mid-level manager 3 out of 5 on his annual report, but was told I couldn't because it "didn't look good for him."

      Remember - glossy ads and brochures are there to SELL you a product. If it's worth buying, you'd think they could just tell you the truth, but instead, the military has to keep bringing in million-dollar ad agencies to maintain their enlistment numbers... Something to keep in mind next time that stupid-assed "cross into the blue" Air Force commercial comes on TV.

  2. Make computers your hobby by Dancin_Santa · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Get a degree that will actually make you money. An MBA would be a good choice.

    Then play with computers in your spare time.

    You will have more money, more time to spend on your hobby, and you won't get burned out on technology because of idiotic managers and other riff raff dictating to you.

    You will be the idiotic manager. And much happier for being it.

  3. Don't bother... by psychosis · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The only reason to work IT-type stuff in the government is to get a clearance so you can get a job doing the same thing for more money and less bureaucracy as a contractor.
    90% of the good tech-based jobs in the government sector are performed by civilian contractors. The other 10% are generally far, far behind closed doors, and you'd never even know where to look for them unless you're already "in the know."
    In the military, at least, the "401k" plan consists of two easy steps: #1 work for us for 20 years. #2 get 50% of your base pay at the 20 year point for life. There is NO middle ground - you leave before 20, you get ZE-freaking-RO. Sure, the promise of a paycheck for life is a nice thought, but the 20 years of bullshit that you'll have to endure is (IMO) hardly worth it.
    Again, in the military there is next to no inspiration to perform well. Unless you royally screw the pooch, you WILL get promoted. (Even printing out porn on a .mil network isn't enough to get some officers in trouble - I've seen it myself.) You'll enjoy the fact that you can coast on by and leave a mess behind when you move on in a year or two. Your reward for leaving things in decent shape would be that the next guy/girl will change everything (to leave a bigger mark in their short time in the position), making your advances null and void.

    I've been on both sides of this - govvie and contractor. I can honestly say that I've done more valuable work in just a few months than I did in the 10 years spent in the federal employ. Don't do it unless it's your last option, and for certain, don't fall into the "we give you good komputter and teknichul skilz" trap - it's a lie, lie, lie.