Right Place, Right Time (Score 1)

Just like most things, if your not in the right place at the right time you miss out. I've been lucky to recieve some great IT training from the DoD. As a Marine, I have the MOS of a 0659 (Data Communications Chief). When we deploy as a unit we take everything; server, switches, routers, cable, software, the works. One of things I enjoy the most is on that deployment, it isn't some double degree holding puke creating the network, it's me and my Marines. We do the planing, design, loading, and creation of it. It's like building a car just pulled from the junk yard. I can say that cause when we go pull the gear, it's like searching through a computer junk yard. There are those cases though that I have worked with the latest and greatest equipment. I've been on projects where we use all fiber equipment, to 110 miles of wirelss connectivity. Some people may have heard of ELB (Extending the Litoral Battle Field) where we used wireless equipment on ships, planes, vehicles, and even troops so that battle information can be passed. That technology is used today. I've transmitted data across steel lines, copper, fiber, radio (including HF, VHF, and SHF equipment). I know there are many in the DoD that haven't had the training like some have. Again, right place at right time. Yes there have been some rough times. Spending days, weeks, and months in heat, rain, and inside a steal floating can will be rough. If you can handle that, then join up. If not, be a civilian contractor. I know plenty of those pukes too. I know the Marines Corps has embraced technology, and is pushing it as hard as the budget will let us (thank you Gen. Grey). I know of plenty who have left ther service to move on to bigger and better jobs, and mostly it was because of the training they recieved from being in the military. I'll say it again, they just happen to be with the units that can/do provide a high level of training. Just a sugestion for those who don't recieve training, make your own training. Out here in the desert I work with the Army. The soldiers I have are traing only in one specific area. Some A+, some Win2k, some web pages. I brought the learning material I have with me, and we started a training program so that each of us can teach something we know. If you want to strive to become better, put Warcraft III on pause for a while, and just sit down to learn. I would be half of the training a person needs to excell in this line of work can come not from a classroom, but from the people sitting around you.