U.S. Air Force gets 3,000 new 'cyberspace officers'
By Donald Melanson 
posted May 18th 2010 7:08PM
posted May 18th 2010 7:08PM
The U.S. Air Force already made a sizable push in November of last year by establishing a new cyberspace operations division with no less than 27,000 officers, and it looks like it's now further bolstered their ranks by promoting some 3,000 communications officers to the rank of "cyberspace officer." That new title also comes complete with the impressive-looking badge pictured above, not to mention a full 115 days of additional training that promises to "raise the bar on technical competency." Hax0rs, beware.
But do they recieve more $$$?
USAF Versus the Pedobear of Doom...
@tusing
Nope,but they earn cool titles and probably first do to that type of works. kind alike woman serve in the subs.
@tusing
Doubt it. But they can now raise their heads up high in the mess hall the next time they are confronted with some visiting Naval Aviators swapping stories about night time carrier landings in zero visibility.
@tusing I'm somewhat annoyed because when I looked at the thread title I excluded the word "cyber" and inserted the word 'outer'.
@techlord
I hope they had some kind of computer science or engineering degree before that promotion. You don't want them to go on cyber-warfare with only 115 days of training, do you?
@tusing
well all those ps3's are down, what else are they gona do?
@WilliamNighthawk I did the very same thing and I was really hoping to see a space marine corp. From my understanding it's against UN rules to have such a force.
@tusing I hope they don't can skip the physical, 4eyes nerds have a chance to work for USAF
@jappleng
yeah, like the UN actually has any power
@jappleng It was against the UN rules to invade iraq, the US doesn't care.
Due to recent expenditure cuts, the United States Air Force will be partly subsidized by our newest partner, Google.
US Officer, "Halt that intrusion attempt immediately, it must not reach our critical servers!"
Second Voice, "Is your computer under attack? Try Norton 2010 now."
@tusing : 11th level prestige badge. :)
@engadget123 good point :P
yay, skynet officers. we're safe.
@Jimbojangles
Nah, they'll recruit from Geek Squad, and their training facilities [read: high schools].
It's the über 1337 h@x0rs with a strong sense of Patriotism
@10nisman94
A "1337 h@x0r" medal would be a perfect addition.
For Exceptional Bravery in Flame Wars. Or something like that.
@10nisman94
Nah, they just applied because of the 25% Off Card they get for the Buy More™.
@Blackstar What's up with computer guys from Buymoria turning into spies?
@10nisman94 What's 'up' is directly related to what's over at the Orange Orange.
@10nisman94
Capt. Hax: "Private Haxor we are under attack. Defend our Firewall at all costs!".
Private Haxor: "Aye Captain...pew pew pew..."
@Blackstar Chuck :D
I think I got one of those once in a box of Frankenberry....damn I miss Frankenberry.
Cyberspace babysitter!
I'm joining for that badge.
I'm sorry, but that badge looks like Mothra just shat upon the world.
Guess thats whose in charge of playing all those PS3's!
@Stevenk
Some of you guys just don't have a clue of what takes place out there and what it takes to keep your asses safe.
@BeDetermne
some of you guys cant take a joke
@BeDetermne That's exactly why the government should have more transparency with the pubic. Until then, ignorance is bliss.
*pubes*
Why Air Force? Why not a 4th branch?
@GaryZ Because the Air Force already has all the people who can think. Why waste time with all that paperwork?
There are already five branches of the United States military. They are the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
@GaryZ
the Air Force has decided to take on the role of cyberspace operations. The revamped mission statement states:"The mission of the United States Air Force is to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests -- to fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace. "
It's not that the other branches don't have similar roles, but the USAF is trying to more clearly define the roles and posture the networks for 21st century electronic warfare
@GaryZ
The size and limited scope does not necessitate a separate branch yet.
@GaryZ alright guys...but can it prevent Skynet?
@GaryZ
it IS skynet fool
@GaryZ Skynet is already self aware................
@GaryZ What would it be called? What would u call it?
@GaryZ you mean th branch cause you have the army, air force marines,the navy and the coast guard.
@guruboy
I'm not positive, but last I knew the Coast Guard was a branch of the DOT not the DOD. That might've changed; I haven't bothered to look it up.
@JeanLuc
USCG is part of Department of Homeland Security
Hello... "Cyberspace Operator" here.
It's not a promotion, it's a conversion from "Communications & Information Officer" to "Cyberspace Operator". Both are officer positions. It's an administrative change, but the mission itself has been evolving for the last few years. The conversion itself happened on 1 May 2010.
We're split into two categories. A and B "shreds". A is a more technical role doing roles such as "active network defense" and B shreds those who maintain the network infrastructure and passing network defense like pushing software patches. Really though, the majority of officers are managers.
Google "17D AFSC" if you want more info.
@ThatAirForceGuy
So...do you get to axe the powercables when the servers are being hacked?
@kapanak
No, that would be me. An enlisted 3DXXX guy...Officers don't know how to use tools, only us grunts do.
@ebayaholic
What did this project cost?
@Rick36
$3.50 plus the cost of tape to hold our glasses together
@Rick36 No tanks, no planes, no drones, work from home? Maybe they'll outsource it to India in 10 years :-)