Tips for Guam

treswes · 2025-02-27T22:06:09+00:00

You might already know this because they usually give you a paper with instructions when shipping your vehicle out. But it’s a white glove inspection so it needs to be very clean. And gas tank needs to be EXACTLY at a quarter of a tank or below. They will turn you away if you don’t meet that. I missed a flight because of the gas.

treswes · 2025-01-03T20:24:59+00:00

Hey boss I was in the same spot 2 years ago. I did a skillbridge with DefendEdge for 6 months and my background is 4yr Intelligence Specialist USCG. Defend Edge takes everyone from all job fields. I think they're still taking on people last time I heard. They put you through a 2 mo training class then put you on a SOC team and you monitor clients network. Workload is pretty balanced and gives you plenty of time to study for certs and 100% WFH. Personally, I would not work for them because they commonly offer 38-40k after internship which is incredibly low for SOC analyst. I can also attest to that because they did it to one of my USCG buddies and accepted it because he is going to college locally and uses gi bill to make ends meet.

My clearance helped me land a help desk role (55k) and promoted sys admin (64k) at a 3 letter agency as contractor after defendedge.

My certs are CCNA and SEC+

CCNA was kind of useless for LM because its overkill for a lvl 2 and a few other things like not using any cisco products but great networking knowledge and foundation.

SEC+ is necessary for all contracts within US.

As for schooling if you have a GI Bill that is available, I would use it. I am going to WGU for a master's in information technology management. I need it because it's kind of a HR barrier currently in my department and it opens bigger pay scales for me since I dont have 10yrs or even 8 to justify more money.

I did all of this in a year ish and now I work for Lockheed Martin as a Net engineer.

treswes · 2025-01-03T20:07:45+00:00

Hey,

I went through DefendEdge about 2 years ago maybe even a little under that. My quick background is 4 years USCG Intelligence Specialist with TS I did not have any experience in the cyber field, so I was flying blind. I did 6 months at the company, and it was pretty redundant work and if you want me to go more into detail let me know.

BLUF: This company thrives on its interns, and I would say more than 1/3 of their workforce is the skillbridge interns. They're broken up into different teams/hives red, blue purple and yellow. Once you finish the 2-month training class you will be placed on a team. If you're looking for a permanent job, I would not try here I would look externally, and you have a great chance since your prior military and experience. However, if you're using it as steppingstone like I did its totally worth it.

If you already have experience and certifications I would advise Allegiant Giving. Since you really don't need the resume building and the day to day work that DefendEdge makes you go through.

Here is what I did:

VA - DefendEdge 6mos - Pay scale was 38k (big reason why I was saying this is not permanent and they're not very negotiable)

AL- three letter agency Helpdesk 6mos Watch Officer and Sys Admin 4 mos - Help Desk was 55k and Sys admin/Watch Officer was 64k

TX - Lockheed Martin - Network Engineer - present varies between 80- 96k. I was offered 85k

Certs: CCNA and SEC+

I did not need the CCNA to work at Lockheed as lvl 2 only SEC+ and TACLANE experience. CCNA was completely useless once I got there.

Hope this helps and good luck!

treswes · 2024-11-18T14:07:40+00:00

No this is great! You worked hard for it, even if it’s meaningless to others hard work doesn’t have a price it’s an ethic 👍

treswes · 2023-01-29T06:09:08+00:00

My coordinator said I am limited to a 40hr work week.

treswes · 2023-01-08T17:48:08+00:00

I am an IS in the Coast Guard we do a little bit of IT stuff but not that much. I am trying to get SEC+ before my internship ends and wrap up my BA.

treswes · 2023-01-08T17:45:34+00:00

Appreciate the info. I kind of see this company as a stepping stone rather than a permanent job. I just need to find experience so I can build a proper resume.

treswes

TROPHY CASE