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35Q Career Guide

Army

35Q: Cryptologic Network Warfare Specialist

Career transition guide for Army Cryptologic Network Warfare Specialist (35Q)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 35Q veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Information Security Analyst

$107K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CISSP, Security+)Specific security tools training (e.g., Splunk, SIEM)Knowledge of compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001)

Network Security Engineer

$115K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced networking certifications (e.g., CCNA Security, CCNP Security)Firewall and intrusion detection/prevention systems expertiseCloud security knowledge (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Intelligence Analyst

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Proficiency in specific analytical software (e.g., Palantir)Familiarity with open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniquesEnhanced report writing and briefing skills

Computer and Information Systems Manager

$150K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certifications (e.g., PMP, Agile)MBA or related master's degreeExperience with budget management and team leadership in a civilian context

Digital Forensic Examiner

$80K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Digital forensics certifications (e.g., EnCE, CFCE)Experience with forensic software and hardware toolsLegal knowledge related to evidence handling

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 35Q training built — and where they transfer.

Pattern Recognition

35Qs identify subtle patterns in digital signals and data to detect threats and understand enemy activity within complex digital environments.

This ability to spot anomalies and trends translates to identifying fraud, predicting market changes, or understanding user behavior in large datasets.

Rapid Prioritization

In time-sensitive situations, 35Qs must quickly assess the urgency and importance of incoming intelligence, prioritizing tasks and resources to address the most critical threats first.

This skill in quickly triaging information and allocating resources is highly valuable in fast-paced environments like emergency management, cybersecurity incident response, or project management.

Adversarial Thinking

A core part of the 35Q's job involves anticipating the actions of adversaries in the digital realm, understanding their tactics, and developing countermeasures to protect networks and systems.

This mindset is crucial for roles that require preemptive threat assessment and strategic planning, such as cybersecurity threat hunting, competitive intelligence, or risk management.

Situational Awareness

35Qs maintain a constant awareness of the digital battlespace, understanding the relationships between different systems, networks, and actors to provide timely and relevant intelligence to commanders.

The ability to maintain a comprehensive understanding of a complex environment translates well to roles that require monitoring and responding to dynamic situations, such as air traffic control, logistics management, or public safety dispatch.

After-Action Analysis

Following a cyber operation or intelligence gathering activity, 35Qs analyze the events that transpired, identifying lessons learned and areas for improvement in tactics, techniques, and procedures.

This skill translates directly to roles focused on process improvement, quality assurance, or forensic analysis, where understanding what went wrong and why is crucial for preventing future errors.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Financial Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2099

You've been trained to detect patterns in data and anticipate adversarial tactics. You can use these skills to uncover fraudulent activity and protect financial institutions.

Competitive Intelligence Analyst

SOC 19-3099

Your experience in SIGINT/EW has equipped you with the skills to gather, analyze, and disseminate information about adversaries. In this role, you'll be tracking competitors' strategies and helping companies gain a competitive edge.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

You are adept at rapid prioritization and situational awareness, making you well-suited to coordinate responses to emergencies, assess damage, and allocate resources effectively.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071

You excel in situational awareness and resource optimization. Your ability to manage complex systems and prioritize tasks will allow you to ensure efficient supply chain operations.

Training & Education Equivalencies

35Q Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Fort Huachuca, AZ

960 training hours24 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Collection Techniques
  • Digital Network Analysis
  • Endpoint Analysis and Digital Forensics
  • Cryptologic Cyber Operations
  • Intelligence Reporting and Dissemination
  • Target Identification and Operational Pattern Analysis
  • SIGINT/EW Planning and Coordination
  • Supervisory and Leadership Skills

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

CompTIA Security+70% covered

Requires study of specific security technologies, risk management, and compliance.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)60% covered

Requires focused study on hacking tools, techniques, and methodologies from an ethical perspective, plus legal and ethical issues.

GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)50% covered

Requires further study in network traffic analysis, intrusion detection systems, and incident handling.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)GIAC Security Expert (GSE)Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Regional Security Stacks (JRSS)Next-generation firewalls and intrusion prevention systems (e.g., Palo Alto Networks, Cisco)
DODIN (Department of Defense Information Network)Enterprise-level network infrastructure (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)
Integrated Cyber Environment (ICE)Cyber threat intelligence platforms (e.g., Recorded Future, CrowdStrike Falcon X)
National Security Agency (NSA) Tools and DatabasesProprietary Threat Intelligence Platforms and Big Data Analytics tools
Cyber Common Operating Picture (Cyber COP)Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems (e.g., Splunk, IBM QRadar)
Global Command and Control System - Joint (GCCS-J)Geospatial intelligence platforms (e.g. ESRI ArcGIS, Google Earth Engine)
Tactical SIGINT Equipment (e.g., manpack systems)Software Defined Radios (SDRs) and spectrum analyzers

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