Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (2024)

Cyber Warfare Operators are charged by the United States Air Force to help defend our national interests from attack, as well as to utilize cyberspace to achieve national objectives.

Enlisted airmen in the Air Force Specialty Code 1B4X1 execute command and control (C2) of assigned cyberspace forces and avoid cyberspace operations conflicts.

AFSC 1B4X1 is split into two different lines of operations: Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO) and Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO).

Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (1)

The overall mission of an Air Force Cyber Warfare Operator is to create effects designed to deny, destroy, disrupt, degrade, or manipulate adversary capabilities.

Like Air Force Flight Attendant (1A6X1), Cyber Warfare was initially a retrain-only AFSC, with candidates typically transfers from Cyber and Intelligence AFSCs.

However, the Air Force changed the rules at the beginning of the fiscal year 2019.

Civilians can still no longer join the Air Force as a Cyber Warfare Operator.

However, the USAF initiated an initiative to allow select airmen in the cyber transport systems pipeline who display the ability to succeed in Cyber Warfare Operations (CWO) to be placed in the pipeline.

Related ArticleAir Force Cyber Surety (3D0X3): Career Details

Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (2)

On April 10, 2019, Airman 1st Class Josephino Cambaso, a student in the 333rd Training Squadron, became the first non-prior service member to graduate the Cyber Warfare Operations Apprentice Course.

Although the training proved exigent for the first-term airman.

“It is definitely more challenging than an average technical training I’ve been through.

“The instructors impart a lot of knowledge, technical skills and they maintain a lot of technical expertise,” said A1C Cambaso after graduation.

Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (3)

However, the Airman is proud of his accomplishment and looking forward to serving as a Cyber Warfare Operator:

“I am honored to be the first non-prior service pipeline student. I am excited to join like-minded individuals in a team effort to defend our nation’s cyberspace.”

Related ArticleAir Force Cyber Systems Operations (3D0X2): Career Profile

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Requirements and Qualifications

Training and Career Path

Pay And Benefits

What’s Life Like as an Air Force Cyber Warfare Operator?

Civilian Career Opportunities

Requirements and Qualifications

To become a Cyber Warfare Operator in the United States Air Force, there are specific requirements and qualifications one must meet, which include:

  • United States Air Force Enlisted Airman (prior qualification in any AFSC or Airmen in the Cyber Transport Systems Pipeline displaying the ability to succeed in the CWO Pipeline).
  • High school diploma, GED with 15 college credits, or GED.
  • Must be between the ages of 17 and 39.
  • ASVAB score of at least General: 64.
  • Demonstrated weight lift of 40 pounds.
  • Mandatory knowledge of computer operating systems, software applications, protocols, addressing and hardware.
  • A minimum score of 60 on the Air Force Electronic Data Processing (EDP) test.
  • Must be eligible for a Top Secret/SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) security clearance.

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Training and Career Path

Since Cyber Warfare is (primarily) a retrain-only AFSC, we will forgo the Basic Military Training (BMT) requirements that all Air Force personnel must go through at Joint Base (JB) San Antonio-Lackland, TX.

Instead, we will delve straight into the requirements of a Cyber Warfare Operator, or CWO.

Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (4)

Technical Sergeant Ryan Barkman, an Air Force Cyber Warfare Operator, checks a rack-mounted server. (Source: US Air Force Photo)

Air Force Cyber Warfare Technical Training

Cyber Warfare Operators attend the CWO Schoolhouse at Keesler Air Force Base.

Technical training is five months long.

For CWOs who do not have the CompTIA Security+ certification, training is an additional month, as they also have to take IT Fundamentals and Security+.

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Cyber Warfare Operations Apprenticeship training consists of proficiency in:

  • Computer Operating Systems
  • Software Applications
  • Database Concepts
  • Common Programming Languages
  • Hardware Components
  • Networking Fundamentals
  • Protocols
  • Network Addressing
  • Network Infrastructure
  • Telecommunications Theory
  • Data Communications
  • Wireless Technologies
  • Cryptography
  • Cyber Operation Laws

Successful completion of this course is required to earn the right to wear the Air Force Cyberspace Operator Badge.

Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (5)

After technical training, most will go through Initial Qualification Training (IQT) depending on the weapon system their unit uses.

IQT can last anywhere from four months to three years. There is a wide range of difficulty in IQT.

In general, however, OCO positions have a longer and more difficult IQT.

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How Much Are Air Force Cyber Warfare Operators Paid?

Pay for an Air Force Cyber Warfare Operator is identical to all other enlisted personnel (in all branches), based on an airman’s rank and length of service.

RankMonthly Pay (per month)
E-1 Airman Basic +4 months $1,917
E-2 Airman$2,149
E-3 Airman First Class$2,259
E-4 Senior Airman$2,503
E-5 Staff Sergeant$2,730
E-6 Technical Sergeant$2,980
E-7 Master Sergeant$3,445

Air Force Airmen with AFSC 1B4X1 may also be entitled to other forms of compensation including a basic allowance for housing (BAH) and base allowance for subsistence (BAS) pay if eligible.

US Air Force Cyber Warfare Operators are also eligible for Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP).

Additionally, AFSC 1B4X1 is one of the Air Force Specialty Codes included in the Regular Air Force Selective Retention Bonus Listing dated 3 July 2019.

The bonus is calculated by multiplying one month of an airman’s salary by the number of years reenlisting, and then by a multiplier specific to the number of years of service and the career field.

What’s Life Like as an Air Force Cyber Warfare Operator?

Air Force Cyber warfare operators consistently work with combat, network management, surveillance, and reporting systems.

They must protect data and network systems above such passive defense measures such as anti-virus software and firewalls.

Provided directives, they must be able to interpret those into specific procedures as well as develop and execute operation plans.

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Specifically, Air Force Warfare Operators must:

  • Conduct DCO to defend DoD and other friendly cyberspace assets. This includes passive and active cyberspace defense operations that preserve the ability to utilize friendly cyberspace capabilities and protect data, networks, net-centric capabilities, and other designated systems. It does not include passive defense measures intended to maintain and operate the DODIN (i.e., configuration control, patching and firewall operations).
  • Conduct OCO to project power by application of force in and through cyberspace. This includes targeting adversary cyberspace functions and/or using first-order effects in cyberspace to initiate cascading effects into the physical domains to affect weapon systems, C2 processes and critical infrastructure/key resources.
  • Conduct specific cyberspace actions including cyberspace defense, cyberspace operations in support of intelligence operations, cyberspace operational preparation of the environment and cyberspace attack in order to support OCO and DCO.
  • Provide C2 of cyberspace operations in support of DoD, interagency and Coalition Forces to establish situational awareness of both friendly and adversary operations.
  • Develop operational tasks and orders, evaluates mission feedback, and aligns with strategic intent.
  • Develop and execute TTPs.
  • Analyze national defense guidance and strategic objectives to create operational policies.
  • Implement policies through the development of TTPs in support of assigned cyber capability execution.
  • Plan, conduct, and evaluate exercises to enhance operational readiness.
  • Establish performance standards, train and conduct evaluations to ensure personnel are proficient, qualified, and certified.
  • Ensure units meet operational readiness goals and adhere to operational procedures.
  • Participate in research and development as well as operational testing and evaluation to determine possible new or modifications to existing capabilities.
  • Assess and reverse engineer network nodes and infrastructure devices (including operating systems and software applications) to determine capabilities, functionalities, limitations and vulnerabilities.
  • Apply forensic and reverse engineering TTPs to determine the extent of the battle damage sustained during cyberspace attacks (may require partnering with other DoD, interagency and Coalition Forces).

Reviews from current and former Air Force Cyber Warfare Operators are overwhelmingly positive on the job site indeed.com where the job boasts a rating of 4.5 out of a possible 5.

Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (6)

Airmen posting on the site cited benefits, opportunities, training, guaranteed pay, and the opportunity to travel.

Respondents did have a few gripes (or cons). One reviewer was unhappy with frequent management changes, another not a fan of long work hours, and yet one more Cyber Warfare Operator disliking having to be on-call 24/7.

Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (7) Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (8)

Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (9)

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Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (12)

Cyber Warfare Operations is primarily a desk job, but one of the best ones in the Air Force.

CWOs normally work in an operations center or a planning cell.

Job hours vary for Cyber Warfare Operators depending on the mission’s unit. Some CWOs will work 0730-1630.

Others will be required to work Panamas (12 hour days, two on, two off, three on, or three off).

It is all dependent on the unit to which they are assigned.

Occasional on-call duty, however, should be expected by all CWOs.

CWOs working in offensive units normally work at a very high tempo.

The top three traditional bases for 1B4X1 are:

  • Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland
  • Fort Meade, Maryland
  • Scott Air Force Base, Illinois

But, there are many other Air Force bases that need Cyber Warfare Operators, as well.

Keep in mind, however, that these bases have many fewer billets than the top three.

There are currently about 567 active duty Cyber Warfare Operators serving in today’s Air Force.

96.12% of these are male, while 3.88% are female.

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Civilian Career Opportunities

The career opportunities for a Cyber Warfare Operator leaving the Air Force are excellent. In fact, they cannot be overstated.

Many Airmen leaving the military with the 1B4X1 AFSC are worth more than $100,000 annually in the private sector.

Government contracting positions that utilize and take advantage of the CWO’s Top Secret/SCI clearance are even more lucrative.

Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (13)

Air Force enlistees in the Cyber Transport Systems Pipeline who shine during training are sure to get tapped for the Cyber Warfare Operations Pipeline since the demand is so high.

If you are a dedicated Air Force airman in the cryptological or intelligence field, possess the necessary qualifications, have “the right stuff,” and are looking to be a player in the cyber arena, starting off as an Air Force Cyber Warfare Operator could just be your ticket.

As from Brigadier General Brian Kelly stated at the inception of the Air Force’s Cyber Warfare program two years ago,

“You join the Air Force, we’re going to give you all the training you need. They’re not going to be masters by the time they graduate [from technical training], but they’re going to have enough skills to be successful in learning new things at that first base we send them to. There are not a lot of other companies that invest that much time. … They’re going to expect you to already know, and already have all your certifications. They’re not going to help you do that.”

Related ArticleHow To Get Into The Air Force Academy

References

Official Air Force Career Webpage

Air Force Reserve Webpage for Cyber Warfare Operations

Indeed USAF Cyber Warfare Reviews

Air Force Times – Re-enlistment Bonuses

Cyber Warfare Operations Career Field Education and Training Plan

Josephino Cambosa: Cyber Warfare Operator

Air Force Times – Cyber Warfare Enlisted Opportunities

  • Author
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Rob V.

Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics.

Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.

Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.

Latest posts by Rob V. (see all)

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General FAQ

What is cyber warfare operations?

Air Force Cyber Warfare Operations defends national interests from cyberattack and design counter attacks. They conduct both offensive and defensive cyber space operations.


What ASVAB score do I need for cyber warfare operations?

To qualify for cyber warfare operations, you’ll need a score of 64 in the General portion and a minimum score of 60 on the Electronic Data Processing (EDP) test.


How long is tech school for USAF cyber warfare operations?

Tech school for cyber warfare operations is five months long and is located at Keesler AFB, Mississippi.


How much does USAF cyber warfare operations pay?

Air Force Cyber Warfare Operations pays according to rank and time in service. However, this AFSC is currently eligible for a retention bonus.


Where are USAF cyber warfare operations personnel stationed?

The three primary bases for cyber warfare operations are Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Fort Meade, Maryland, and Scott AFB, Illinois.

Originally posted on July 22, 2019 @ 1:35 am

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Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details - Operation Military Kids (2024)

FAQs

What does a 1B4 do in the Air Force? ›

Conducts Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO). Plans and/or performs OCO actions to project power by application of force in, from, and through cyberspace.

How much do Air Force cyber warfare operations make? ›

Total salary range for US Air Force Cyber Warfare Officer

The estimated total pay range for a Cyber Warfare Officer at US Air Force is $98K–$150K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Cyber Warfare Officer base salary at US Air Force is $121K per year.

What does cyber warfare do in the Air Force? ›

Develop, maintain and enhance Air Force defensive and offensive cyber assets and capabilities. Program, install, and operate software and hardware to detect and repel unauthorized activity on critical infrastructure (e.g. client and military networks, data/voice systems, databases).

What ASVAB score do you need for cybersecurity in the Air Force? ›

ASVAB Score Requirements: General - 64

Other Requirements: The Cyber Warfare Operations career is only open to enlisted personnel currently serving in Air Force IT professions. A minimum score of 60 on the Air Force Electronic Data Processing Test is also required to cross-train into this career field.

How long is 1B4 tech school? ›

I keep reading about how tech school for Cyber Warfare Ops is rather long, but when I add up the three phases (non-prior comm) IT fundamentals (10 days), Sec+ (10 days), and 1B4 course (85 days) it only adds up to about 5-6 months.

Does Air Force Cyber deploy? ›

The 688th CW is a world-class cyberspace warfighting organization dedicated to deployable tactical communications, engineering and installation capabilities, defensive cyber operations, and network operations across the Air Force enterprise.

How long is Air Force cyber training? ›

Cyber defense operations specialists also work to protect the data and technology used by the Air Force. They also supervise all computer installations and oversee the training programs. This role requires seven and a half weeks of basic training and a 50-day technical training program.

Does cyber warfare get deployed? ›

Army Cyber forces are deployed globally, conducting defensive and offensive cyber operations 24/7.

Where do Air Force Cyber security get stationed? ›

The 67th Cyberspace Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, is aligned under Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), Air Combat Command. The wing presents combat cyberspace capabilities to the Service, United States Cyber Command, and the Joint Forces.

Is Air Force cyber security worth it? ›

US Air Force reviews FAQs

Is US Air Force a good company to work for as a Cyber Security? Cyber Security professionals working at US Air Force have rated their employer with 4.1 out of 5 stars in 150 Glassdoor reviews. This is an average score with the overall rating of US Air Force employees being 4.1 out of 5 stars.

What branch of the military does cyber warfare? ›

U.S. Army Cyber Command integrates and conducts cyberspace operations, electromagnetic warfare, and information operations, ensuring decision dominance and freedom of action for friendly forces in and through the cyber domain and the information dimension, while denying the same to our adversaries.

What does a cyber warfare operations officer do? ›

A Cyber Warfare Operations Officer commands a crew and is in charge of cyberspace weapons systems. Combat communications, missile guidance systems, the nation's power grid, rocket launches…all depend on cybersecurity in the battle space above our planet.

Is it hard to get a cybersecurity job in the Air Force? ›

Passing ASVAB and EDPT

Before you join the Air Force, you will be asked to take two tests. In order to get into cybersecurity, you must score a 64 on your ASVAB and a minimum of 60 on your EDPT.

How much do you get paid in the Air Force cyber warfare? ›

Total salary range for US Air Force Cyber Warfare Operations

The estimated total pay range for a Cyber Warfare Operations at US Air Force is $81K–$127K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Cyber Warfare Operations base salary at US Air Force is $101K per year.

How much does an Air Force cybersecurity officer get paid? ›

As of Aug 3, 2024, the average annual pay for an Air Force Cyber Security in California is $120,201 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $57.79 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,311/week or $10,016/month.

What does a fusion analyst do in the Air Force? ›

Responsible for acquiring and analyzing information, Fusion Analysts determine the value and implications of intelligence we receive from target network communications.

What do Air Force Special Recon do? ›

U.S. Air Force special reconnaissance employs as an element of special tactics teams to prepare the environment, ensure global battlespace awareness, provide global access and affect air, space, cyberspace and information superiority for the successful execution of Joint Force objectives.

Is 1b4x1 retrain only? ›

This job right now is still retrain only, which means you would have to have a job in the air force or another branch that is suitable to this job.

What does special warfare do in the Air Force? ›

They include combat search and rescue, precision strike, global access, special reconnaissance, personnel and material recovery, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, counterinsurgency, command and control, security force assistance, countering weapons of mass destruction, unconventional warfare, theater security ...

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