Cybersecurity BA - Military

[SwiftHax]

CySA+ knocks out a whole load of things for PUG and if you're VETTEC eligible you may want to look into using that to get your CySA+. Especially since you were planning on going part-time at work anyway.

VETTEC doesn't use your GI Bill, though you have to be eligible for GI Bill to use it, but they pay you BAH while you study. Some VETTEC providers it's just the prep training courses, some also include vouchers for the certification exams. Choose carefully on that, they bill the government the same amount either way.

Great advice I have never even heard of VETTEC

---

My questions now are, when is it advised to enroll? If I go through PUG and want to start finding out what my credits go toward and whats left. Maybe after the CySA+ program? My other question is for the CySA+ course, is it recommended to do the 002 or 003?

[MNomadic]

Purdue Global is probably your best option overall. They are very transfer friendly, very transfer cert friendly, offer military tuition pricing (should work with your military TA if available), they have self paced *AND* traditionally paced options. While you're in, try to max out your FREE CLEPS and DSSTs. Any that you don't pass, no worries, you can use Sophia/Saylor/Study/etc. Also, look to see if your command will cover any IT/cybersecurity certs that will not only help your career, but also count as transfer courses at PUG.

https://www.purdueglobal.edu/alternative...ion-exams/

---

My questions now are, when is it advised to enroll? If I go through PUG and want to start finding out what my credits go toward and whats left. Maybe after the CySA+ program? My other question is for the CySA+ course, is it recommended to do the 002 or 003?

You could start the application process now and start getting your current transcripts evaluated so you know what you have remaining. I've done VETTEC, go ahead and check your eligibility:

You aren’t on active duty or are within 180 days of separating from active duty, and
You qualify for VA education assistance under the GI Bill, and
You have at least one day of unexpired GI Bill entitlement, and
You’re accepted into a program by a VA-approved training provider


Go ahead and apply on the VA website to get your COE(certificate of eligibility) now, which you can take to any program. Most of the programs are coding boot camps but some are IT/cyber cert training. It may not be worth it to delay everything just wait on your application, available start dates, etc. to get started on certs. If you do decide to go for CySA+, go ahead and just start studying for the 003. I've done both and they're about the same but 003 is updated and will be available longer. Also, look into the IVMF/O2O/Syracuse program to get a certification completely free(including CySA+) with fewer hoops to jump through than other programs. 

https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/caree...-pathways/

Try to put together a degree plan based on what you have and what you have remaining at PUG, and we can help you map whatever remaining courses.

---

Also, just adding in: since there's a bunch of different ways to get IT/cybersecurity certs cheap/free through military and vet programs, you may want to see if there are other non-certification-oriented(but still related to your cybersecurity goals) programs in VETTEC to look into. The VETTEC programs require a time commitment and they generally require you acquire tech related employment within 6 months of graduation for funding related reasons(depending on what you see online, there may or may not be consequences for not getting a job), so keep all that in mind, too.

[StoicJ]

I am working on a BS Cybersecurity Technology from University of Maryland Global Campus. Transferred in 89 or 90 credits. Need 30 credits through UMGC. Very doable to do 2 courses per term, 5 or 6 terms in 12 months.... so done in 12 months. I xferred in some ACE as well as RA credits. I forget the max per each but I can look.

Enjoying the courses. Really it seems like a networking degree. I could have done more UL cyber/info security courses (Red Team, etc) but I ended up being more interested in the cloud tech and Cisco stuff. I'd say that if I was in a class of 20 students, a good 15-18 of them were military or ex-mil.

[bjcheung77]

For those interested in the UMGC program, they have two very alternative credit degrees that have similar requirements. They have a "general studies" program geared for those who want a liberal arts degree. Then they have an Applied Technology degree for those who want to get into IT and all the related subfields. You can read this thread here for an introduction in my posts, and then read post #8 as I have a link to another thread that explains how it works: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...CS-at-SNHU

[SwiftHax]

Purdue Global is probably your best option overall. They are very transfer friendly, very transfer cert friendly, offer military tuition pricing (should work with your military TA if available), they have self paced *AND* traditionally paced options. While you're in, try to max out your FREE CLEPS and DSSTs. Any that you don't pass, no worries, you can use Sophia/Saylor/Study/etc. Also, look to see if your command will cover any IT/cybersecurity certs that will not only help your career, but also count as transfer courses at PUG.

https://www.purdueglobal.edu/alternative...ion-exams/

---

My questions now are, when is it advised to enroll? If I go through PUG and want to start finding out what my credits go toward and whats left. Maybe after the CySA+ program? My other question is for the CySA+ course, is it recommended to do the 002 or 003?

You could start the application process now and start getting your current transcripts evaluated so you know what you have remaining. I've done VETTEC, go ahead and check your eligibility:

You aren’t on active duty or are within 180 days of separating from active duty, and
You qualify for VA education assistance under the GI Bill, and
You have at least one day of unexpired GI Bill entitlement, and
You’re accepted into a program by a VA-approved training provider


Go ahead and apply on the VA website to get your COE(certificate of eligibility) now, which you can take to any program. Most of the programs are coding boot camps but some are IT/cyber cert training. It may not be worth it to delay everything just wait on your application, available start dates, etc. to get started on certs. If you do decide to go for CySA+, go ahead and just start studying for the 003. I've done both and they're about the same but 003 is updated and will be available longer. Also, look into the IVMF/O2O/Syracuse program to get a certification completely free(including CySA+) with fewer hoops to jump through than other programs. 

https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/caree...-pathways/

Try to put together a degree plan based on what you have and what you have remaining at PUG, and we can help you map whatever remaining courses.

---

Also, just adding in: since there's a bunch of different ways to get IT/cybersecurity certs cheap/free through military and vet programs, you may want to see if there are other non-certification-oriented(but still related to your cybersecurity goals) programs in VETTEC to look into. The VETTEC programs require a time commitment and they generally require you acquire tech related employment within 6 months of graduation for funding related reasons(depending on what you see online, there may or may not be consequences for not getting a job), so keep all that in mind, too.

I've been looking through these resources and trying to wrap my head around them. I never use army resources for how frustrating and confusing the process can be and how little guidance there is along the way. I'm going to try my best to actually go through with using my benefits for once here lol 

I've applied for Purdue Global, sent in my transcripts, gone through the VA and applied for my COE for my Montgomery G.I.(at least I think I did this last part correctly). I will update with a degree plan once the transcripts go through. 
So now I need to choose if I want to take the COE directly to CompTIA or if I want to do multiple certs through IVMF then? 

I also would like to know if you could explain the IVMF O2O program a little more to me! I've scoured their website and the information is feeling vague. So as I understand, you pick a 'career track'- in this case the 'Information Technology/Cyber Security' pathway, and then they will give me access to those certs and they are self-paced from that point? My G.I. bill is not involved in this process, correct? After I applied I also received an email saying that I must be within 6 months of separation/retirement. Did that mean only available up to 6 months after, or is that only relevant for active members? Because I am nowhere near that date.

[MNomadic]

So now I need to choose if I want to take the COE directly to CompTIA or if I want to do multiple certs through IVMF then? 

I don't think Comptia directly takes any military benefits (could be wrong), but you can see a list of VA VETTEC training providers and programs here:

https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/FGIB/...viders.asp

I also would like to know if you could explain the IVMF O2O program a little more to me! I've scoured their website and the information is feeling vague. So as I understand, you pick a 'career track'- in this case the 'Information Technology/Cyber Security' pathway, and then they will give me access to those certs and they are self-paced from that point?

Yup, the O2O/IVMF program, you just apply and pick your path/cert. They give you unlimited access to training resources so you could use them to study for multiple certs, but they only pay for 1 cert. 
 And no, it does not involve your GIBill, it's just a free cert, no strings attached, no need to use your other benefits.

After I applied I also received an email saying that I must be within 6 months of separation/retirement. Did that mean only available up to 6 months after, or is that only relevant for active members? Because I am nowhere near that date.

Yeah only applicable for active duty I think. I used it a few years after separating. Not sure if you can use it during reserves(apologies if you're not eligible currently). 

Yeah good luck and keep us updated! We'll try to help you maximize your resources and get going on your goals. Once you have your transcript evaluation it'll be pretty straightforward to get a game plan going.

[SwiftHax]

My credits have gone through at PUG and my evaluation is complete. They took about 70 of my credits (I had more than I remembered) and that finished up my electives! 

(Just a reminder that they run on a different credit value system where the typical 3 credits are equivalent to 5)

I have made up a list of everything left to take and where I plan on taking it:

Intro to Networking [5] Sophia
Python Programming [3] Sophia
Statistics [5] Sophia
College Algebra [5] Sophia
College Composition II [5] Study.com
Descrete Math [5] Study.com
Intro to cybersecurity [5] Study.com
Cybersecurity Policies [6] Study.com
Certified Ethical Hacking I [5] CySa+
Network Security Concepts [5] CySa+
Certified Ethical Hacking II [6] CySa+
Intrusion Detection and Incident. [6] CySa+
Linux System Administration [5] PUG
Networking With Microsoft Tech. [5] PUG
Routing and Switching I [5] PUG
Routing and Switching II [5] PUG
Linux Security [6] PUG
Digital Forensics [6] PUG
Communicating Professionalism [5] PUG
Ethics in Cybersecurity [6] PUG
Capstone or internship [6] PUG
Total credits thru PUG 49 (27% of total credits)
Total needed 110

I don't plan on taking the CompTIA Linux+ course because it feels like more of a hassle to do than taking the course through PUG. I needed another course to keep me above the 25% of required PUG courses anyways. If this is a bad call then by all means let me know. 

Another thing that I found out was that the military will not fund the Excel track, so I'm trying to debate if it's worth it or not. I'll have some time to think on it as I don't plan on starting classes at PUG until the rest of my courses are transferred in. 

I'm currently in my first Sophia course- Intro to Networking. (What a rough course to start at!) I'm hoping to finish that up this week.

[rachel83az]

PUG's ExcelTrack is pretty quick and affordable for what it is. If you really want Cybersecurity, I think it's worth it to fund out of pocket, if you can. Otherwise, you need to do a different degree and/or take years getting your degree. Let the military pay for your Master's.

[MNomadic]

Another thing that I found out was that the military will not fund the Excel track

Just to clarify, they won't fund the excel track, but they would still fund the traditionally paced program right? I'd say just go for the traditionally paced program(The classes are the same either way) and try to enroll in your first classes around spring 2024 since that should be plenty of time to finish your Sophia/study courses and work out military TA. Any extra time you can start studying for CySA+ which will probably take several months of prep for at a minimum, though you will get some good overlap from your other IT/cyber courses. You'd still be accelerating this way and be able to finish in about a year or less. Despite many online communities pushing everyone to self paced programs, citing the hyper accelerators out there who can finish very fast and cheap(these are usually people with lots of experience), the majority of people don't find that to be the case for them.

 I don't plan on taking the CompTIA Linux+ course because it feels like more of a hassle to do than taking the course through PUG. I needed another course to keep me above the 25% of required PUG courses anyways. If this is a bad call then by all means let me know. 

That's a perfectly fine plan. Feel free to ask any other questions and advice.

[SwiftHax]

Another thing that I found out was that the military will not fund the Excel track

Just to clarify, they won't fund the excel track, but they would still fund the traditionally paced program right? I'd say just go for the traditionally paced program(The classes are the same either way) and try to enroll in your first classes around spring 2024 since that should be plenty of time to finish your Sophia/study courses and work out military TA. Any extra time you can start studying for CySA+ which will probably take several months of prep for at a minimum, though you will get some good overlap from your other IT/cyber courses. You'd still be accelerating this way and be able to finish in about a year or less. Despite many online communities pushing everyone to self paced programs, citing the hyper accelerators out there who can finish very fast and cheap(these are usually people with lots of experience), the majority of people don't find that to be the case for them.

 I don't plan on taking the CompTIA Linux+ course because it feels like more of a hassle to do than taking the course through PUG. I needed another course to keep me above the 25% of required PUG courses anyways. If this is a bad call then by all means let me know. 

That's a perfectly fine plan. Feel free to ask any other questions and advice.

Correct, the military will fund the traditionally-paced program, just not the excel track. 

I think it might also be a good idea for me to go at a regular pace with the higher level cyber courses because I don't have a background in this field at all. As much as I want to go quickly, I also want to feel like I'm gaining competency in the field.