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ARMY · 25YCareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.25Y.R.04

25Y · ARMY · Enlisted

Information Systems
Chief.

Army 25Y (Information Systems Chief). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $75K–$150K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours480DoD pipeline

ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended

Tech roles5mapped to your code

Civilian pathways5validated

Cert coverage2/6direct + partial

/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 5

Industry tech roles your 25Y background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.

Sort · Match descending

/ 02 · Skill Bridge

The gap, named.

What 25Y training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have08

01
Information Security (INFOSEC)→ Cybersecurity best practices
02
Network Management→ Network architecture and protocols
03
COMSEC Management→ Encryption and key management
04
Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP)→ Disaster recovery and business continuity planning
05
Team Synchronization→ Cross-functional team leadership
06
Rapid Prioritization→ Incident response and critical task management
07
System Modeling→ IT infrastructure design and analysis
08
Procedural Compliance→ Compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO)

To learn07

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.

+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Scripting languages (Python, Bash)+Cloud security principles and practices+Intrusion detection and prevention systems+Network monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, Nmap)+Configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Chef, Puppet)+Project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum)

How VWC fits

Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.

See VWC Programs →

/ 03 · Civilian Pathways

Where your code lands.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5

P.01

Information Security Manager

$145K

High match

Very high demand

Skills to develop

— CISSP Certification
— Cloud security knowledge (AWS, Azure, GCP)

P.02

IT Project Manager

$120K

High match

High demand

Skills to develop

— PMP Certification
— Agile methodologies

P.03

Network and Computer Systems Administrator

$85K

Good match

Stable demand

Skills to develop

— Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
— Linux administration
— Scripting (Python, Bash)

P.04

Computer and Information Systems Manager

$150K

Good match

High demand

Skills to develop

— MBA or related Master's degree
— Experience with specific industry software (e.g., Healthcare IT, Financial systems)

P.05

Compliance Officer

$75K

Moderate match

Growing demand

Skills to develop

— Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP)
— Knowledge of industry-specific regulations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, SOX)

/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 25Y training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

System Modeling

As an Information Systems Chief, you built and maintained complex models of information systems to understand their behavior, predict potential issues, and optimize performance, incorporating various hardware and software components.

Transfers to

This experience translates to a strong ability to design and analyze complex systems in civilian settings, such as IT infrastructure, logistical networks, or even financial systems.

S.02

Rapid Prioritization

You routinely made quick decisions on resource allocation, troubleshooting steps, and task delegation based on the immediate needs of maintaining vital communications and information systems.

Transfers to

In civilian roles, this translates to effectively managing competing priorities, responding decisively to crises, and ensuring that critical tasks are addressed promptly and efficiently.

S.03

Procedural Compliance

You were responsible for enforcing strict adherence to information security (INFOSEC) and operations security (OPSEC) policies, ensuring the protection of sensitive data and systems.

Transfers to

This experience demonstrates a strong understanding of regulatory requirements and a commitment to following established procedures, valuable for roles in compliance, risk management, or quality assurance.

S.04

Team Synchronization

Coordinating the activities of multiple teams responsible for the operation and maintenance of complex IT systems required ensuring all members worked efficiently to achieve mission objectives.

Transfers to

This demonstrates that you understand how to manage different departments and work roles so that different members of a team can efficiently achieve a goal, crucial in management roles.

/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches

Roles the recruiter won't suggest.

Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.

Business Continuity Planner

SOC 13-1199.00

You've been developing and implementing plans to ensure the continuity of operations in the face of disruptions. As a Business Continuity Planner, you'll leverage your skills in risk management, planning, and coordination to help organizations prepare for and respond to emergencies, ensuring minimal disruption to their operations.

Adjacent · Match

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been responsible for coordinating responses to emergencies affecting information systems. As an Emergency Management Director, you'll use your expertise in planning, communication, and resource allocation to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, security threats, and other crises, protecting communities and organizations.

Adjacent · Match

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been managing the logistical support for complex information systems, ensuring that equipment and resources are available when and where needed. As a Logistics Manager, you'll apply your skills in supply chain management, inventory control, and transportation to optimize the flow of goods and materials, improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Adjacent · Match

/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED

Academy