The initial branch transfer panel for 170A convenes Aug. 3. The results will be released in late September.
The application window is now open, and will close July 15 for all interested warrant officers of the active component.
This particular transfer board, which is projected to fill 50 percent of the Army's 205 MOS 170A requirements, will not consider applications from National Guard and Army Reserve warrant officers, including members of the Active Guard and Reserve.
The transfer program is one of several actions being taken by the Army to staff the personnel components of the Cyber Branch established by senior leaders in September 2014. To date, other actions have included the creation of Army Cyber Command, the Army Cyber Center of Excellence and Army Cyber School at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and the standing up of 17-series career fields for officers and enlisted soldiers.
While Army Competitive Category officers in the grades of WO1 through CW5 are eligible for branch transfer consideration, the service is particularly interested in officers who have operational experience with the Cyber Mission Force, or technical expertise in cyber-related activities.
Officers who are serving active-duty service obligations incurred for special selection programs are eligible for branch transfer, as are officers who have attended graduate school under the Advanced Civil Schooling program, or participated in the Training with Industry program, fellowships and other civilian education programs for which they incurred a service obligation.
Applicants for 170A must be able to obtain and maintain a top secret security clearance with access to sensitive compartmented information, pass a counterintelligence polygraph and be granted access to National Security Agency activities.
Personnel officials note that NSA access is required for many of the Army's Cyber Mission Force assignments.
In accessing officers for the 170A designation, the selection panel will evaluate applicants for these by-grade attributes:
WO1 and CW2: Panel will look for technical aptitude and potential related to the cyber field as expressed in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees, cyber or information technology certifications, cyber-related training and performance in cyber-related positions, either in or outside of the Cyber Mission Force.
CW3: Panel will look for technical skills as expressed in STEM degrees, professional certifications and job performance. Also, experience in information assurance, network operations, signals intelligence, electronic warfare, targeting, operations planning or information operations at multiple echelons.The absence of a STEM degree can be offset by experience and exceptional job performance in the areas listed above.
CW4 and CW5: Panel will look for depth of experience and proven leadership in cyber operations, information assurance, network operations, signals intelligence, electronic warfare, targeting, operations planning and information operations. Experience in more than one of the areas is preferred, as is Training and Doctrine Command instructor experience.
For application procedures and additional information, access MilPer Message 15-166, dated June 4, and the Army Human Resources Command website.
