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Military Career: Computer Systems Specialists

 

Overview

The military uses computers to store and process data on personnel, weather, finances, and many other areas, as well as to operate sophisticated equipment during combat and peace time maneuvers.

What They Do

Computer systems specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Install, configure, and monitor local and wide area networks, hardware, and software
  • Collect, enter, and process information using computers
  • Provide customer and network administration services, such as electronic mail accounts, security, virus protection, and troubleshooting
  • Use computer programs to solve problems
  • Determine and analyze computer systems requirements
  • Program information into languages that computers can read
  • Develop, test, and debug computer programs

Branches of the Military

Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include computer science, math, and typing. Helpful attributes include:

  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • Ability to understand and apply math concepts
  • Interest in solving problems
  • Interest in work requiring accuracy and attention to detail

Training Provided

Job training varies between 7 and 13 weeks of classroom instruction, depending upon the specialty area. Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses in specific computer systems and languages. Course content typically includes:

  • Use of computers and peripheral equipment
  • Computer systems concepts
  • Planning, designing, and testing computer systems
  • Program structuring, coding, and debugging
  • Use of current programming languages
  • Computer security issues
  • Network management

Work Environment

Computer systems specialists in the military work in offices or at computer sites on military bases or aboard ships.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian computer systems specialists work anywhere that computer systems are used. They may be employed as network support technicians for large companies or as data processing technicians in local banks or school. Those who specialize in computer programming may work as programmers for software developers. The skills learned as a computer systems specialist are highly transferable to the civilian workforce.

Below is a list of similar civilian occupations:

Computer Engineers
Computer Systems Analysts

Opportunities

The services have about 24,000 computer systems specialists. Each year, they need new specialists to meet the changing demands in the field. After training, computer systems specialists work under the direction of experienced computer systems officers. With experience they may manage other computer systems specialists.


Source: U.S. Department of Defense, Washington D.C.