STEM – Technology in the North Dakota Army National Guard
Technology constantly evolves—and the Guard evolves with it. Cyber warriors dominate today’s digital landscape, and information techs establish military communication networks. STEM Soldiers possess elite, and often highly sensitive, technological skills, which makes them extremely valuable.
Start your journey here. Explore STEM careers and connect with a recruiter.
Enlisted MOS Options
15E Rq-7 Repairer
OVERVIEW
The RQ-7 unmanned aircraft systems repairer is primarily responsible for the maintenance functions on unmanned aerial vehicles. They keep the aircraft ready to fly and ensure their ability to collect and transmit information.
JOB DUTIES
- Repair the aircraft’s electrical, avionics, propulsion and fuel systems
- Maintenance of optical payloads, weapons systems, electrical systems, radio frequency systems and takeoff/landing systems
TRAINING
Job training for an RQ-7 repairer requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 16 weeks and 2 days of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Huachuca, AZ with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field.
Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Electrical theory and system maintenance
- Troubleshooting procedures
- Soldering skills
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Preference for mathematics and shop mechanics
- Interest in working with aircraft
- Ability to work as a member on a team
- Experience working with electronics and electronic equipment
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
- Electronics (EL): 93
- Mechanical Maintenance (MM): 104
WARRANT OFFICER TRACK
150U Tactical Unmanned Aerial System
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with intelligence agencies, commercial airlines and other organizations that have fleets of airplanes/helicopters.
15W Rq-7 Operator
RQ-7 Operators are remote pilots of unmanned observation aircraft who gather intelligence used in operational tactics. As intelligence specialists, they are integral to providing Army National Guard personnel with information about enemy forces and battle areas.
JOB DUTIES
- Conduct air reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting and acquisition missions
- Plan and analyze flight missions
- Perform preflight, in-flight and post-flight checks and procedures
- Launch and recover airframe from runway
- Perform maintenance on communications equipment, power sources, light- and heavy-wheeled vehicles, and crane operations
TRAINING
Job training for an RQ-7 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 15 weeks and two days of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Huachuca, AZ with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field.
Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Performing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance simulation missions
- Preparing maps, charts and intelligence reports
- Analyzing aerial photographs
- Using computer systems
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Interest in remote/radio control vehicles
- Ability to organize information and study its meaning
- Ability to think and write clearly
- Attention to detail
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Surveillance & Communications (SC): 102
Learn more about the ASVAB.
WARRANT OFFICER TRACK
150U Tactical Unmanned Aerial System
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with federal government agencies such as the CIA or the National Security Agency. It can also prepare you for other fields, such as research or business planning.
17C Cyber Operations Specialist
OVERVIEW
Cyber Operations Specialists execute defensive and offensive cyberspace operations (DCO and OCO). Cyber Operations Specialists ensure the freedom of maneuver within the cyberspace domain and deny the same to adversaries.
JOB DUTIES
- Perform cyber attacks/defenses
- Perform cyber intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance actions on specified systems and networks
- Conduct network terrain audits, penetration testing, basic digital forensics data analysis, and software threat analysis
- React to cyberspace events, employ cyberspace defense infrastructure capabilities, collect basic digital forensics data, provide incident response impact assessments and produce network security posture assessments
REQUIREMENTS
Those who wish to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army National Guard jobs are best for you.
TRAINING
Job training for a Cyber Operations Specialist requires completing 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 36 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in Fort Gordon, GA.
Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Conducting defensive cyberspace operations
- Conducting offensive cyberspace operations
- Analyzing information
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
- General Technical (GT) : 110
- Skilled Technical (ST) : 112
Learn more about the ASVAB.
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Self-discipline, confidence and intelligence
- Physical and mental fitness to perform under pressure
- Ability to make quick decisions
- Capability to bear numerous responsibilities
COMPENSATION
Total compensation includes housing, medical, food, special pay and vacation time. Learn more about total compensation.
EDUCATION BENEFITS
In the Army National Guard, qualified students can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships; allowances for books and fees; and an annual stipend for living expenses. Learn more about education benefits.
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career in certain government agencies, as well as jobs in private electronic/communication companies.
17E Electronic Warfare Specialist
OVERVIEW
The Electronic Warfare Specialist advises and assists the commander on electronic warfare operations. This person makes use of electromagnetic and directed energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) and defeat the enemy through planning, coordination, integration, and execution of electronic attack (EA), electronic protection (EP), and electronic support (ES).
JOB DUTIES
- Plan and execute electronic warfare operations
- Target adversaries’ electronic systems
- Defeat adversaries’ electronic systems
REQUIREMENTS
Those who want to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army National Guard jobs are best for you.
TRAINING
Job training for an Electronic Warfare Specialist requires 28 weeks and 4 days of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, GA. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part takes place in the field with on-the-job instruction.
Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Radio wave theory
- Planning and execution of electronic warfare operations
- Determining proper frequencies
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Ability to work as a team member
- Ability to perform strenuous physical activities
- Interest in computers and technology
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
- Surveillance & Communications (SC): 100
- Electronics (EL): 100
- Skilled Technical (ST): 100
COMPENSATION
Total compensation includes housing, medical, food, special pay and vacation time.
EDUCATION BENEFITS
In the Army National Guard, qualified students can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships; allowances for books and fees; and an annual stipend for living expenses.
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career in certain government agencies, as well as jobs in private electronic/communication companies.
25B Information Technology Specialist
OVERVIEW
An Information Technology Specialist maintains and troubleshoots systems that support the Army’s logistics and classified data. They build firewalls that can withstand any cyberattack and the programs that Guard Soldiers rely on to accomplish their mission.
JOB DUTIES
- Perform maintenance on networks, hardware and software
- Help others learn to use networks and software
- Build and test your own computer applications
REQUIREMENTS
To serve in the Guard, you must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identifies which Army National Guard job is best for you. You must also be a U.S. citizen and eligible to obtain a Secret security clearance.
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Skilled Technical (ST): 95
Learn more about the ASVAB.
TRAINING
Job training for an information technology specialist, requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 19 weeks of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, GA with on-the-job instruction.
- Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Use of computer consoles and equipment
- Computer systems concepts
- Planning, designing and testing computer systems
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Interest in computer science
- Attention to detail
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Experience in installation of computers
25D Telecommunications Operator-Maintainer
OVERVIEW
The Telecommunications Operator-Maintainer performs specialized computer network defense duties, including infrastructure support, incident response, auditing and managing. The Cyber Network Defender also protects against and detects unauthorized activity in the cyberspace domain and uses a variety of tools to analyze and respond to attacks.
JOB DUTIES
- Test, implement and deploy infrastructure hardware and software
- Respond to crisis or urgent situations within the network to mitigate immediate and potential cyber threats
- Use defensive measures and information collected from a variety of sources to identify, analyze and report events that occur or might occur within the network in order to protect information, information systems and networks from threats
- Provide detailed analysis reports as necessary
- Use mitigation, preparedness, and response and recovery approaches as needed
- Conduct assessments of threats and vulnerabilities
REQUIREMENTS
In order to qualify as a Telecommunications Operator-Maintainer, the successful candidate must have:
- An SSG, MOS immaterial, with at least four years of experience in IA and IT; this experience must be verified by the personnel development officer
- Top Secret security clearance
Contact your recruiter for additional requirements.
TRAINING
Job training for a Telecommunications Operator-Maintainer is conducted under the auspices of the USA Signal School at Fort Gordon, GA. Training will last 14 weeks at Fort Gordon, GA and will be both in the classroom and hands-on. Contact your commanding officer for inquiries regarding waivers.
Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Conducting defensive cyberspace operations
- Conducting offensive cyberspace operations
- Analyzing information
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Self-discipline, confidence and intelligence
- Physical and mental fitness to perform under pressure
- Ability to make quick decisions
- Capability to bear numerous responsibilities
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
- General Technical (GT) : 105
- Skilled Technical (ST) : 105
Learn more about the ASVAB and see what jobs you could qualify for.
COMPENSATION
Total compensation includes housing, medical, food, special pay and vacation time. Learn more about total compensation.
EDUCATION BENEFITS
In the Army National Guard, qualified students can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships; allowances for books and fees; and an annual stipend for living expenses. Learn more about education benefits.
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career in certain government agencies, as well as jobs in private electronic/communication companies.
25S Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer
OVERVIEW
As a Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer, you help keep open the line of communication that missions and lives depend on. Maintain a multichannel radar system that spans the entire Army. Everyone will depend on you, from first-class privates to four-star generals.
JOB DUTIES
• Maintain satellite communications equipment and associated devices
• Conduct network operations
• Prepare system- and equipment-related forms and reports
TRAINING
Job training for a Satellite Communications Systems Operator-Maintainer requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 26 weeks of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, GA with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field.
Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Use of various types of communications equipment
- Working with codes
- Maintenance and care of communications equipment
HELFUL SKILLS
- Interest in communications equipment and satellite systems
- Ability to perform physically and mentally under pressure
- Can thrive in a team environment
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Electronics (EL): 117
Learn more about the ASVAB.
WARRANT OFFICER TRACK
225N Network Management Technician
948B Electronic Systems Maintenance Warrant Officer (with approved feeder MOS waiver)
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career as a communications equipment operator at airports, telephone companies and police/fire stations.
25U Signal Support Systems Specialist
OVERVIEW
Signal Support Systems Specialists are primarily responsible for working with battlefield signal support systems and terminal devices. This equipment needs to work in order for the Army to direct the movement of its troops.
JOB DUTIES
- Maintain radio and data distribution systems
- Perform signal support functions and technical assistance for computer systems
- Provide technical assistance and training for local-area networks
- Maintain equipment, terminal devices, assigned vehicles and power generators
TRAINING
Job training for a Signal Support Systems Specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 17 weeks and four days of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, GA with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field.
Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Mechanical and electrical principles
- Preventive maintenance procedures
- Line installation and wiring techniques
- Communication security policies and procedures
HELPFUL SKILLS
- Interest in working with electronic equipment
- Strong problem-solving skills
REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
- Surveillance & Communications (SC): 92
- Electronics (EL): 93
Learn more about the ASVAB.
WARRANT OFFICER TRACK
255A Information Services Technician
FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with companies that produce communications and electronic equipment. Additional study and two years of electronics experience will also qualify you for certification as an associate-certified electronics technician.
