Photo By Steven Stover | Capt. Linnea Wright, a cyber operations officer with the 127th Cyber Battalion,...... read more read more
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Hometown: Topeka, Kan.
Military Occupational Specialty: Cyber Operations Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 17A)
Unit: 127th Cyber Battalion, Indiana Army National Guard, currently serving with Task Force Echo (TFE) VI, 780th Military Intelligence (Cyber)
Civilian employer: Booz Allen Hamilton
(NOTE: Rank and position are correct as of time of interview)
QUICK SKETCH:
-- Received a direct commission the rank of master sergeant to the rank of captain to serve as a commissioned cyber officer, the third TFE Soldier to be direct commissioned.
-- Graduated from Shawnee Heights High School
– Enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in August 2004 as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst (MOS (96B/35F).
- After graduating Advanced Individual Training at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., she deployed with the 731st Transportation Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
– Has earned an associate degree in Intelligence Operations from Cochise College; an associate degree from Allen Community College; a bachelor's degree in Legal Studies from American Military University; and a master's degree in Computer Science from Colorado Technical University. She is currently working on her doctorate in Computer Science from Northcentral University.
– Has earned and maintains 62 IT industry certifications, including six from the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2); seven from the Global Information Assurance Certification GIAC program; two from Cisco; two from Amazon Web Services, three from the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, 13 from Microsoft, 13 from CompTIA with another 12 stackable certifications from CompTIA, two from OpenEDG, EC Councils Certified Ethical Hacker, and AXELOS ITILv4 Foundations.
ON WHY SHE JOINED THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND CHOSE THE CYBER CAREER FIELD:
“I joined the Kansas Army National Guard (ARNG) as a 31B (Military Police), but changed to 96B/35F (Military Intelligence) prior to departing to basic training. I joined to do MP/MI work based on my experience with the Topeka Police Department's cadet program, where I worked with the Crime Stoppers team and a few detectives who were excellent mentors. I was a “plank owner” of the Shawnee Heights High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program, where I got my first taste of military life and training, to include JROTC/Sea Cadet Damage Control Familiarization training at the Center for Service Support Learning Site in Norfolk, Va., while still in high school. I felt the Kansas ARNG was the best way to be able to support my community while serving in the military. I initially served as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst (96B/35F) where I was subsequently trained in OSINT (open source intelligence), SIGNT (signals intelligence) and some GEOINT (geospatial intelligence). I later began working as an Information Technology (IT) Solutions Consultant and picked up the IT Specialist (25B) MOS before Cyber was established as a branch in the Army. I completed an interstate transfer to the Indiana ARNG to join the 127th Cyber Protection Battalion, where I subsequently received my direct commission.”
ON THE PROCESS SHE COMPLETED TO EARN A DIRECT COMMISSION:
“It is a lengthy process, but the guidance is provided in the Army National Guard Direct Appointments Personnel Policy Operational Memorandum 20-045, which includes a flow chart the Army National Guard folks go through. Basically the process is to apply through proponent with the packet in the format they require. They screen the packets from candidates then select individuals to conduct phone interviews with. If approved by the board from the phone interview, the candidates are advised if they are continuing to the in-person interview at Fort Gordon, Ga. Once selected by that panel, the packets move forward for review and approval by another board, then to Director of Military Personnel Management for approval of the board's selections. The flow diagram is a better overview, as there are a lot of pieces which differ for those already serving and those who are civilians who have never served. The clearance, commissioning physical, and any waivers. etc. are done at the stat level for those in the Guard; they can be worked in parallel to the packet processing with proponent, though must all be ready to go before the candidate can appear before the State FEDREC (Federal Recognition) board.”
Here are some resources about the program and process:
Army Cyber Command Direct Commissioning fact sheet
U.S. Army Talent Management Direct Commissioning web page
U.S. Army Talent Management cyber officer information page
U.S. Army Talent Management Army National Guard cyber officer information page
ON WHAT ADVICE SHE WOULD GIVE OTHERS SEEKING A CYBER DIRECT COMMISSION:
“Do not use my background as a gauge on whether to apply or not to apply. If you have a bachelor’s degree and years of experience, but not a postgraduate degree, continue to apply. If you are not selected, don’t give up. If you need more experience, get it then try again after the one-year waiting period, or go through the traditional route of (Officer Candidate School and Basic Officer Leader Course) to get into Cyber. The training, opportunities and mentorship along the way really help you hone in your skills and passion for the work. If you have a bachelor's in Computer Science or other STEM field and are looking for a way to break into the cyber industry to get the experience many companies want even for their entry-level roles, the Army is a great way to get immersive training and build experience. And if you would rather do it part-time, the Army National Guard in your state or a neighboring one is a great avenue as well.”
ON HER FUTURE GOALS:
"To complete a PhD in Computer Science and continue to mentor and grow the Cyber community."
ON WHO SHE’D LIKE TO THANK FOR SUPPORTING HER IN HER CAREER:
“I would like to recognize Lt. Col. Rose Gilroy, my 127th CPB commander, and the Indiana Army National Guard command who were instrumental in making the pieces fall into place to allow me to commission, especially while on a mobilization. I also would like to recognize Booz Allen Hamilton, my civilian employer, who has continually gone above and beyond to support their Army Reserve and National Guard service members.”
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ABOUT US: United States Army Cyber Command directs and conducts integrated electronic warfare, information and cyberspace operations as authorized, or directed, to ensure freedom of action in and through cyberspace and the information environment, and to deny the same to our adversaries.
Interested in the challenge of joining the Army Cyber team? Check out military and civilian cyber career and employment opportunities by clicking on the "Careers" tab at www.arcyber.army.mil
ARCYBER on the web: https://www.arcyber.army.mil
ARCYBER on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arcyber
ARCYBER on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/us-army-cyber-command
Army.mil cyber page: https://www.army.mil/armycyber
Members of the Army Reserve and Army National Guard in the Signal, Cyber, Military Intelligence, Information Operations, Electronic Warfare, Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations fields interested in tours with Army Cyber Command can get more information at https://www.arcyber.army.mil/Careers/Reserve-Component-Tours-with-Army-Cyber/
Interested in learning more about the Army Cyber Direct Commissioning Program that allows qualified service members and civilians with cyber-related qualifications and/or experience to join the Army’s Cyber Corps with a direct appointment as a commissioned officer? Check out our fact sheet at https://go.usa.gov/xJwXx
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.13.2022 10:23 |
| Story ID: | 429184 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 1,451 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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