Army Recruiting Brigade Hosts Educator's Tour, Visits Cyber Brigade

Photo By Steven Stover | Soldiers assigned to the 780th Military Intelligence (MI) Brigade talk to educators from the Southwestern United States and Soldiers from the U.S. Army 5th Recruiting Brigade, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, about their cyber training and education as part of an educator's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math tour, at the MI brigade headquarters, Fort George Meade, Maryland, May 3.  

FORT MEADE, MD, UNITED STATES

05.04.2017

Story by Steven Stover 

780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber)

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Maryland -- Educators from the Southwestern United States and their escorts from the U.S. Army 5th Recruiting Brigade met with Soldiers and civilians with the 780th Military Intelligence (MI) Brigade to discuss education and training opportunities, and the mission of the cyberspace workforce at the MI brigade headquarters here, May 3.

The meeting engagement was one of several stops during an educator's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (E/STEM) tour in the D.C. area to showcase the Army's commitment to supporting today's educators and students.

The educators were interested in what training programs and opportunities the Army has to offer, but were equally interested in how their school districts could prepare their students for a career in cyberspace operations.

Maj. Todd Arnold, Cyber Solutions Development Detachment, 780th MI Brigade, told the educators and recruiters that the Service's continued investment in personal education and conference attendance is one of the reasons cyber Soldiers stay in the Army; however, it takes a special Soldier to make it through the rigorous training curriculum to become a cyberspace operations specialist, technician and officer.

"The Cyber branch does need Soldiers who are technically competent," said Todd. "However, we also need them to have the following characteristics: self-education and development, intellectual curiosity, inference, and critical thinking."

In addition to a discussion on the brigade's operations and the cyber mission force training model, the 780th MI Brigade had Soldiers of all ranks talk about their background, training, and what inspired them to be a cyber warrior. Because the cyber branch is only six years old, their individual stories were as informative to the Army recruiters and they were to the educators.

"I re-enlisted in the Army because it brought out something in me that I didn't see in myself; it gave me a confidence that I did not have before," said Spc. Kayla Lee. "I decided to stay as a 35N (signals intelligence analyst) because I am passionate about what I do but I also get to watch the cyber field grow and evolve and I get to be a part of that. It will only get bigger and better from here."

According to Army Col. Terance Huston, the brigade commander of the 5th Recruiting Brigade, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the E/STEM tour was part of a larger STEM campaign focused on highlighting the mainly intellectually rigorous and technologically cutting-edge career opportunities that the Army offers.

Other stops on the E/STEM tour included visits to Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, Fort Belvoir, Va., a Pentagon Tour, and a meeting with the Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2 (intelligence), Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley.

The U.S. Army 5th Recruiting Brigade is headquartered at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, with subordinate battalions dispersed throughout the Southwestern United States in Dallas, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Mo., Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Phoenix.

• Date Taken: 05.04.2017
• Date Posted: 06.08.2017 16:58
• Story ID: 236940
• Location: FORT MEADE, MD, US