How can I get IT job certifications through the military?

I'm a high school junior interested in IT. I'm considering the military as a path to gain IT certifications. Can anyone share how the process works and what certifications are available through military training programs?

The military can indeed be a path to gain valuable IT certifications. These certifications often come as part of specific job training in a relevant MOS (Military Occupational Specialty). The process typically involves several steps:

1. Enlistment: After you graduate from high school, you'll need to enlist in the branch of the military you're interested in. During the enlistment process, you'll work with your recruiter to choose an MOS that can lead to IT certifications.

2. Basic Training: Every enlisted service member attends basic training, often referred to as boot camp, regardless of their chosen occupation.

3. Advanced Individual Training (AIT): Here's where things become occupation-specific. Depending on your chosen MOS, you'll go to AIT, where you will learn the skills needed for your job and may have the opportunity to earn relevant certifications.

For instance, if you join the Army with an MOS as an Information Technology Specialist (25B), your AIT will involve obtaining necessary skills and knowledge in IT related areas. This includes network administration and system administration and troubleshooting, and it often leads to the opportunity to gain industry-specific certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, and possibly others like Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

Similarly, if you enlist in the Air Force as a Cyber Systems Operations specialist, you'll learn skills that can lead to certifications like Security+ and the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

Keep in mind that it's a good idea to research the opportunities in different branches of the military, as they do differ.

Also, note that after leaving the military, you may be eligible for GI Bill benefits, which you can use to cover the cost of additional certification exams. Lastly, the certifications you get will undoubtedly serve as a strong foundation for a career in IT beyond the military, should you choose to transition to the civilian sector at some point.