The Cyberspace Operations occupational field includes the employment of Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO) and Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO). Marines in this field maneuver in and through cyberspace in order to defend the network and create effects in support of operations. Marines in the cyberspace operations field will be required to monitor network operations, identify, respond to, and mitigate network attacks, conduct analysis of cyberspace environment to allow for follow-on actions, and operate the hardware and software required to create cyberspace effects in support of operations. Duty assignments include Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command (MARFORCYBER), Defensive Cyberspace Operations-Internal Defensive Measures (DCO-IDM) Companies, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, Radio Battalions, Intelligence Battalions, and staff sections at all levels of the MAGTF.
What is an 1702?
Cyberspace Officers command or assist in commanding a cyberspace operations unit or element. They supervise, direct, and provide guidance on all aspects of the employment of cyberspace personnel and systems. The Cyberspace Officer integrates the effects and capabilities of offensive and defensive cyberspace operations. They are employed across the MAGTF and they advise commanders on the employment, effects, and capabilities available within the cyberspace environment. They leverage, supervise, and conduct offensive and defensive cyberspace operations at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels and possess an understanding of Department of Defense Information Network (DODIN) Operations and Cybersecurity.
Are there any prerequisites to becoming a Cyberspace Officer
(1) Must be a U.S. citizen.
(2) Must meet SCI eligibility guidelines based on a SSBI/T5 Investigation.
(3) Must be willing to submit to a Counterintelligence Scope Polygraph Exam.
Where do I go after TBS?
After TBS, officers must complete the 259 day Cyber Basic Officer Leadership Course at the U.S. Army’s Cyber Center of Excellence on Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA. The purpose of the course is to provide to develop a baseline and provide advancement skills to students within Cyber. The technical phase provides specialized skills, doctrine, tactics, and techniques for Defensive Cyber Operations and Offensive Cyber Operations.
What is it like being a Cyberspace Officer?
A typical first tour assignment for a Cyberspace Officer may be within an O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel) level command at a Communications Battalion or within an O-6 (Colonel) level command at the MIG as part of the CE of the MAGTF. Within the Communications Battalion, Cyberspace Officers may serve in a DCO-IDM Company. There is one Communications Battalion subordinate to each MIG: 9th Communications Battalion aboard MCB Camp Pendleton, CA (I MIG); 8th Communications Battalion aboard MCB Camp Lejeune, NC (II MIG); and 7th Communications Battalion aboard Camp Hansen, MCB Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan (III MIG). Cyberspace Officers may also serve in a multitude of liaison and planner billets in support of Cyber Mission Force teams within U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM). For detailed information on the MARFORRES and each MEF’s subordinate units and locations, see Appendix C, D, E, and F.
Recommended reading for Cyberspace Officers
Cyber War: The Next Threat to National Security and What to do About it. Richard A. Clarke and Robert Knake (free audiobook)
[Counterstrike: The Untold Story of America’s Secret Campaign against Al Qaeda. ](The Untold Story of America’s Secret Campaign against Al Qaeda.) Eric Schmitt and Thorn Shanker (free audiobook)
Little Brother. Cory Doctorow (free audiobook)
Inside Cyber Warfare: Mapping the Cyber Underworld. Jeffrey Carr
The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations. Ori Brafman and Rod A. Beckstrom (free audiobook)
Related occupations
- 1705, Cyberspace Warfare Development Officer (LtCol to Capt) PMOS
- 1710, Offensive Cyberspace Warfare Officer (CWO5 to WO) PMOS
- 1711, Cyberspace Exploitation Operator (GySgt to SSgt) PMOS
- 1720, Defensive Cyberspace Warfare Officer (CWO5 to WO) PMOS
- 1721, Cyberspace Defensive Operator (GySgt to Pvt) PMOS
- 1799, Cyberspace Operations Chief (MGySgt to MSgt) PMOS
Sources/Credits: Please note that the information above was derived from and in most cases taken directly from the "Marine Officer MOS Assignment Handbook". The Basic School. Camp Barrett. March 3, 2019. All credit goes to the great staff at TBS for putting this together.
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