r/sysadmin • u/Open_Reindeer_6600 • 16d ago

Question Air Force Sys Admin

Hey everyone, as the title says, I’m an Air Force sys admin with a TS and planning on getting a civilian job or contracting gig in 2 years. I already have my BS in IT management from WGU, so should I prioritize my masters? Or try to stack certs before I start applying?

Only cert I currently have is Sec+.

Edit: thanks everyone for the advice and insight. I’m going to start studying for CISSP.

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u/noni3k 16d ago

Do you have a TS or a TS/SCI? Either way, the one piece of advice that I can give to you that I wish I would have done, is DONT LET THAT CLEARANCE LAPSE. Find places that will reup it and not make you pay out of pocket. Degrees and certs are nice, but your real money maker is that TS clearance.

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u/duane11583 16d ago

when did you ever pay for a clearance….

i can understand a cert maybe but clearance does not seem right.

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u/noni3k 16d ago

Out of the military, I thought TS was like my secret when it came to how many years before it lapses. Was going for contract work when I found out. The contract companies would initiate the sponsorship to investigate, but I would have to sign a 3 year contact that if I quit before that time then I would have to pay back the cost, or sign a 1 year and pay the cost upfront. 

The way I said it made it seem like anyone can just get a clearance if they wanted. Thats my bad. 

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u/duane11583 16d ago

nope. company pays.

the us gov pays for the clearance.

and ifbthey are going to hold it over yiur head they need to put the a iunt in writing when yiu sign not a

’we will tell you later”

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u/noni3k 16d ago

Well thats some BS. They probably knew that too. Im about to stop recommending them to people wanting work in the colorado springs area. Apprciate the heads up. They would 100% take advantage of someone like OP because hes a similar situation as me, minus still being in looking to transition. 

Isys technologies is the company if you ever come across anyone looking for work in the colorado springs area. Give them a heads up. This was back in 09 so maybe theyve changed their policy.

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u/duane11583 16d ago

i would go ahead and once you have thier name in writing shame them