Highly improbable that the IST trade will ever go away now. The amalgamation might disappear over time, but I think the IST trade is here to stay. It was only a matter of time before the army finally had a recognized IT trade. The Brits, Aussies and Americans, Germans, any modern military has the equivalent of a dedicated IT soldier.
For my entire reg force career I've been a TacNet system admin, and finally, now I have a true 'home' and I'm not just considered another dumb-ass Sig Op. For years some people thought I and most of the people in my section were 'techs' - of the LCIS type. We have had techs in our section and do currently! But we're not LCIS.
With all the different DND networks out there and the continuing complexity of even radios and satellite comms, IST is already a trade, now it's just finally recognized. It's always been there, regardless of the guy working at a helpdesk, TacNet, DWAN, Titan as it used to be, CSNI and the list goes on...
I'm unsure why so many people keep saying IST's will just be 'helpdesk' workers. It almost seems to me that it's the people who say that that would also say computers are stupid, difficult and shouldn't be in the army. The same people who would say LCIS techs are fing 'nerds' because they're jealous of they're attained Spec Pay. I don't know what their trying to compensate for, but if you're trying to convince yourself that the IST trade will be relegated to just 'helpdesk' to make yourself feel better, enjoy. But the reality of the matter is there is a lot of work done in different positions that most of you never see that will be IST guys doing it. Sure there will be hundreds of helpdesk positions of course, we need them to keep it all going! But there will always be a tactical field deployable network (TacNet) along with all the other goodies like the newly re-minted tactically field deployable TLAN (Deployable DWAN) kits. These all take server administrators and network administrators.
Designing networks? I've done it. So have others in my section. It used to be a few years ago, that the chain would tell us (Corporals) to 'come up with an IP plan'... They'd also be asking US how to make Visio look like a mesh topology or star topology. We would have to be the ones to explain how TCP/IP networking works or doesn't work and why the plan that the Brigade IMO came up with is an epic failure.
These days, it's less of that and more of it controlled from higher as someone else mentioned. Which actually makes our job easier! We shouldn't be planning an entire excercises network(s). Corporals are not making a Major's salary or being saluted right? You will still sometimes get the opportunity to 'make things work' though. I have while I've been overseas here, building things, sending them back home and having it implemented. Also 'made things work' before tour as well. No we may not design networks very often, but if you're going to be a real IST you'd better damn well know how to 'make things work' and use some of those skillsets you've left on the shelf for awhile! I had to pull out some interesting solutions for not only Tacnet but also DWAN while I was here...
Furthermore, cyber-warfare is the next generation's true wars. There are elements of the government and military whom are just now forming the basis and foundation of our defenses and guess where the military side of those NCM and NCO personnel will be drawn from? .... IST! One of the job descriptions for the new trade is "Network Penetration Tester". Hint hint? As time goes on, there will only be a need for more IST and technically inclined personnel. Not less.
My rant is done now.
:2c:
That will probably be it for the maint portion.
