Cyber operator questions

[CivJuniorProgrammer]

Hello everyone! Hopefully the is the right place to post this if not please let me know. That being said I'm 31 years old, in college pursuing software development and I'm in my final semester, and have become interested in the cyber operator position within the CAF for many reasons the main purpose honestly for me would be to have a purpose and greater meaning to my life and having a sense of gratification knowing my work actually means something, but anyways I've contacted a recruiter for General information but it was a very basic and brief response and I'm wondering if anyone could provide more insight into this career path? I have a few questions of course and I'll list them as follows:

1. Will I still have to do a CFAT to gain entrance into the cyber operator career path? Or there is some exemption with a college diploma? If it's recognized by a review panel etc.

2. What's the day to day like as a cyber operator?
(Besides watching the recruiting video for cyber ops) lol

3. Upon completion of the courses to become a cyber operator, do you come out a private or a corporal? The recruiter wasn't clear on this and just sent me a link to a pay scale that showed corporal/ specialist 1 which I took as that would be my rank after course completion, am I wrong in thinking this?

4. Besides the 10 week basic training,What's the initial military qualification for physical fitness test involve?(how many push ups, sit ups In amount of consecutive reps etc) , just want be sure I'll pass whatever physical side of things are as I do work out 5 days a week 2 hours a day, lots of strength training with heavy weights etc
5. What's the current situation on military housing? Is it subsidiary or all out of pocket?

Being able to talk to someone who's currently a cyber operator would be amazing! Or even another CAF member for just some general info would also be amazing! Thank you for your service and time !

 

[sarahsmom]

1.Everybody must do the CFAT. Even officers who need a Bachelor's degree for their trade need to do and be successful ont he CFAT.
2. no idea. Sorry. Not a cyber op.
3. No idea. Sorry. Not a cyber op.
4. The force test is 20m prone rushes, loaded intermittent shuttles, sandbag lifts, and a sandbag drag. Have a look on google for the Force test and you will see demos.
5. Military housing is not subsidized. You pay rent or mortgage just like any other Canadian. You may have access to housing on base, rent for which is based on the local economy. There is a Canadian Forces Housing Differential allowance for some location based on some levels of pay. It is new and will be implemented officially in July. You can lose it if you get posted somewhere that doesn't qualify, if your pay goes up through promotion or other means, or if you are at a qualifying location for 7+ years.

 

[BrianWL]

baha. gotta think the Dwyer hill operators might not like keyboard warriors using the same nomenclature......or. maybe not.

 

[jem]

baha. gotta think the Dwyer hill operators might not like keyboard warriors using the same nomenclature......or. maybe not.

It's a good thing there are no other trades that use the word operator, that would be embarrassing...

Signal Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

forces.ca

Aerospace Control Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Aerospace Control Operators control and coordinate the movement of military and civilian air/ground traffic.

forces.ca

Sonar Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Sonar Operators compile and analyze acoustic intelligence information.

forces.ca

Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators use advanced electronic sensor systems to operate airborne sensors onboard long-range patrol aircraft, maritime helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

forces.ca

Intelligence Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Intelligence Operators provide military intelligence in support of operations, planning and decision-making.

forces.ca

Mobile Support Equipment Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Mobile Support Equipment Operators operate military vehicles of various sizes.

forces.ca

Naval Combat Information Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Naval Combat Info Operators are responsible for the shipboard surveillance radars and the shipboard intelligence, surveillance and recognizance systems.

forces.ca

Naval Electronic Sensor Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Naval Electronic Sensor Operators detect, locate and identify friendly and enemy submarines, ships and aircraft.

forces.ca

 

[jem]

2. What's the day to day like as a cyber operator?
(Besides watching the recruiting video for cyber ops) lol

3. Upon completion of the courses to become a cyber operator, do you come out a private or a corporal? The recruiter wasn't clear on this and just sent me a link to a pay scale that showed corporal/ specialist 1 which I took as that would be my rank after course completion, am I wrong in thinking this?

2. A lot of the work they complete is classified, so I can't imagine you'll hear much on this forum. Most of your day will be in a windowless room with a computer. You will likely not have access to a cellphone. If you look up protocols related to SCIFs, that should give you some sense of the work environment. I'm not saying this to deter you, but to prepare you for the reality of the type of work that they do. I'd rather be in a windowless room for 8 hours than on a ship for 6 months.

3. Also not a cyber operator, but I do know a lot of cyber operators will be posted to Ottawa. I've heard that given the current cost of living situation, junior members in Ottawa have been receiving advanced promotions. This is usually CoC related, so I don't know if there are any guarantees. This may have also changed since CFHD has been implemented. CFHD to help with affordability for the first 7 years of your career.

 

[brihard]

2. A lot of the work they complete is classified, so I can't imagine you'll hear much on this forum. Most of your day will be in a windowless room with a computer. You will likely not have access to a cellphone. If you look up protocols related to SCIFs, that should give you some sense of the work environment. I'm not saying this to deter you, but to prepare you for the reality of the type of work that they do. I'd rather be in a windowless room for 8 hours than on a ship for 6 months.

3. Also not a cyber operator, but I do know a lot of cyber operators will be posted to Ottawa. I've heard that given the current cost of living situation, junior members in Ottawa have been receiving advanced promotions. This is usually CoC related, so I don't know if there are any guarantees. This may have also changed since CFHD has been implemented. CFHD to help with affordability for the first 7 years of your career.

I have to wonder what retention will look like? Trained cyber operators in Ottawa will have some interesting doors open to them.

 

[jem]

Trained cyber operators in Ottawa will have some interesting doors open to them.

Absolutely. I'm sure that there will be a few years of losing all of them to CSE before they implement a pay review and give them a separate pay scale. I guess we'll have a better sense after the 500 series pay review goes through. Separate pay scales for every trade may be the way forward.

 

[BrianWL]

It's a good thing there are no other trades that use the word operator, that would be embarrassing...

Signal Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

forces.ca

Aerospace Control Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Aerospace Control Operators control and coordinate the movement of military and civilian air/ground traffic.

forces.ca

Sonar Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Sonar Operators compile and analyze acoustic intelligence information.

forces.ca

Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators use advanced electronic sensor systems to operate airborne sensors onboard long-range patrol aircraft, maritime helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

forces.ca

Intelligence Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Intelligence Operators provide military intelligence in support of operations, planning and decision-making.

forces.ca

Mobile Support Equipment Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Mobile Support Equipment Operators operate military vehicles of various sizes.

forces.ca

Naval Combat Information Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Naval Combat Info Operators are responsible for the shipboard surveillance radars and the shipboard intelligence, surveillance and recognizance systems.

forces.ca

Naval Electronic Sensor Operator | Canadian Armed Forces

Naval Electronic Sensor Operators detect, locate and identify friendly and enemy submarines, ships and aircraft.

forces.ca

touche......

 

[CivJuniorProgrammer]

1.Everybody must do the CFAT. Even officers who need a Bachelor's degree for their trade need to do and be successful ont he CFAT.
2. no idea. Sorry. Not a cyber op.
3. No idea. Sorry. Not a cyber op.
4. The force test is 20m prone rushes, loaded intermittent shuttles, sandbag lifts, and a sandbag drag. Have a look on google for the Force test and you will see demos.
5. Military housing is not subsidized. You pay rent or mortgage just like any other Canadian. You may have access to housing on base, rent for which is based on the local economy. There is a Canadian Forces Housing Differential allowance for some location based on some levels of pay. It is new and will be implemented officially in July. You can lose it if you get posted somewhere that doesn't qualify, if your pay goes up through promotion or other means, or if you are at a qualifying location for 7+ years.

Appreciate you taking the time to reply! great information

 

[CivJuniorProgrammer]

2. A lot of the work they complete is classified, so I can't imagine you'll hear much on this forum. Most of your day will be in a windowless room with a computer. You will likely not have access to a cellphone. If you look up protocols related to SCIFs, that should give you some sense of the work environment. I'm not saying this to deter you, but to prepare you for the reality of the type of work that they do. I'd rather be in a windowless room for 8 hours than on a ship for 6 months.

3. Also not a cyber operator, but I do know a lot of cyber operators will be posted to Ottawa. I've heard that given the current cost of living situation, junior members in Ottawa have been receiving advanced promotions. This is usually CoC related, so I don't know if there are any guarantees. This may have also changed since CFHD has been implemented. CFHD to help with affordability for the first 7 years of your career.

Great information thank you

 

[crypto_fan]

1. Will I still have to do a CFAT to gain entrance into the cyber operator career path? Or there is some exemption with a college diploma? If it's recognized by a review panel etc.

No exemption.

2. What's the day to day like as a cyber operator?
(Besides watching the recruiting video for cyber ops) lol

Most positions are analyst based. Investigating incidents and such. Look up SOC analyst on google, That is much of the work. There are opportunities in other, more, specialised duites, but you will have to prove yourself. Anything else, as others said, classified.

3. Upon completion of the courses to become a cyber operator, do you come out a private or a corporal? The recruiter wasn't clear on this and just sent me a link to a pay scale that showed corporal/ specialist 1 which I took as that would be my rank after course completion, am I wrong in thinking this?

Private as it stands. That all being said the training is long. Right now with basic, willis and 1.2, you are looking at over 2 years and that is if you are not waiting at any stage. So it is conceivable that some will graduate 1.2 as a corporal. Once you make corporal and trained, you will in theory get spec pay.

4. Besides the 10 week basic training,What's the initial military qualification for physical fitness test involve?(how many push ups, sit ups In amount of consecutive reps etc) , just want be sure I'll pass whatever physical side of things are as I do work out 5 days a week 2 hours a day, lots of strength training with heavy weights etc

The biggest thing for me, was the stairs and the rucks, not the actual fitness test.

5. What's the current situation on military housing? Is it subsidiary or all out of pocket?

While on training, you are covered. Once out and in ottawa, you will be on the private market as there is very little mil housing in the area. But you will get the new housing funding they just released.

Hope that helps/

 

[CivJuniorProgrammer]

Oh wow thank you so much for the indepth answers, are you or have you served as a cyber op? Or some other occupation

 

[crypto_fan]

Oh wow thank you so much for the indepth answers, are you or have you served as a cyber op? Or some other occupation

Take a hint from my username and the answers I gave. And you are welcome.

 

[crypto_fan]

I have to wonder what retention will look like? Trained cyber operators in Ottawa will have some interesting doors open to them.

Cyber folks have interesting opportunities anyways... I will not get into details, obviously.

 

[CivJuniorProgrammer]

Appreciate all the details! Thank you for your service as well

 

[brihard]

Cyber folks have interesting opportunities anyways... I will not get into details, obviously.

Oh, no doubt. I was mostly speaking from the pay and comp standpoint. This is a skillset everyone’s clamouring for.

 

[Infanteer]

Take a hint from my username and the answers I gave. And you are welcome.

You could be the guy in the Sig Sqn crypto vault with that handle, or just like Bitcoin....

 

[crypto_fan]

You could be the guy in the Sig Sqn crypto vault with that handle, or just like Bitcoin...I

The only crypto is cryptography. Nothing runs in our world without cryptography.

 

[Good2Golf]

The only crypto is cryptography. Nothing runs in our world without cryptography.

This does…

 

[MedCorps]

You could be the guy in the Sig Sqn crypto vault with that handle, or just like Bitcoin....

Man that dude is always so unhappy. Feel like it should come with an obligatory MEL for suicide watch.

MC