Candelaria Montague

20121212/West Los Angeles College

Client Systems

Candelaria Montague

Professor R. Kowaney

CS901

December 12,2012

The Air Force has established the 3D- Cyberspace Support career field, effective on

November 1, 2009. The field was created by converting AFSCs (jobs) from the 2E, 3A, and 3C

career fields. The AFSCs included in the 3D- Cyberspace Support career field are: 3D0X1

Knowledge Operations Management, 3D0X2 Cyber Systems Operations, 3D0X3 Cyber Surety,

3D0X4 Computer Systems Programming, 3D1X1Client Systems, 3D1X2 Cyber Transport,

3D1X3 RF Transmission Systems, 3D1X4 Spectrum Operations, 3D1X5 Radar, 3D1X6 Airfield

Systems and 3D1X7 Cable and Antenna Systems. I currently am in the 3D1X1—Client

Systems.The reason why I choose this career path is because I have always been interested in

computers and technology and I figured if I was going to get something out of the military—it

would be the experience and training that I could carry with me when I become civilian again.

The job’s working conditions vary, like with most military jobs. When you are deployed,

you usually set up communications in severe conditions and usually in a dangerous area. When

you are home base, you usually spend a lot of time behind a computer or in a server farm

upgrading and maintaining. You are also there to help any military personnel who need access

to computers, any resources allocated to them, create trouble tickets, run comm wire all while

maintaining a professional work ethic.

Client Systems personnel are the Air Force computer networking specialist—commonly

referred to as “Network Nazis”. Client Systems personnel deploy, sustain, troubleshoot, and

repair standard voice, data, video network, and cryptographic client devices in fixed and

deployed environments. They sustain and operate systems through effective troubleshooting,

repair, and system performance analysis. They also manage client user accounts and

organizational client device accounts.

My job also requires me to manage hardware and software that different squadrons or

groups might need. For example, when finance needs to run pay, there is a specific java code

that needs to be run as well as DOS software that interfaces with DoDEA. I also perform

configurations, management, and troubleshooting to any and all equipment that deals with the

comm section—radios, telephones, computers, laptops and cellular devices. I am so required to

remove and replace components and peripherals to restore system operation whether I need to

upgrade and downgrade according to the specific users needs. One major thing I tend to do a lot

is installing and configures software operating systems and applications. If I the specific user’s

software that is needed to complete the mission interferes with another program running, I need

to remedy and figure out what I needs to be done.People in my career field also provide service

to end-users for operation, restoration, and configuration of information systems. Security is a

big thing in the military so I also report security incidents and execute corrective security

procedures—whether it is to kick that person off the network or disable them from ever using

military installation equipment again.

Once you advance to a higher skill level, I perform configuration, management to include

adds, moves, changes, and troubleshooting to all systems on the AF Network.

The job also requires that one manages hardware, software, and Controlled

Cryptographic Items (CCI). A lot of times, CCI’s are specifically used to top secret information,

or high and critical information. I plan, schedule, and implement installation and maintenance

functions associated with PWCS, remove and replace components and peripherals to restore

system operation.

A Client Systems operator also establishes work standards, methods, and controls for

preventative, scheduled, and unscheduled maintenance actions. I also determine extent and

economy of repair of malfunctioning equipment. If it is a high priority issue, it gets resolved

right away. Client Systems personnel ensure compliance with technical data, instructions and

work standards. Because I am in the military it is not surprise that I also develop and enforce

safety standards, interpret malfunctions and prescribe corrective action.

There are a few things a person must do in order to get not only into the military but to get

into my career field. Upon completing basic training (boot camp), you would need to attend AF

Technical Training School, Course # E3ABR3D131 01AA, Client Systems Specialist Course at

Keesler AFB, MSfor four months and graduate. This was not an easy task because there was a

lot of competition and in a male dominated career field; I had to prove myself over and over

again. In order to be considered for this job, your ASVAB score needs to be a 70 or better. To

put it in a better perspective, a cop only needs to score a 30 and a cook or gym specialist, a 25.

Client Systems is similar to: network administrator, database systems administrator,

computer database administrator, and an IT analyst. Depending on job skill and advancement,

you can usually start off with $60,000 and go from there. It is a very promising career and the

pros definitely outweigh the cons.

Because my career field does not require a lot of human interaction, a lot of times, our social

skills are at an all-time low. We usually deal with computer systems and not so much end

users—or military personnel. A lot of times, technology puts things into tiers—which are levels.

I am not a tier one level. If you come to see me in my office, it’s because you have seen at least

five different people who all couldn’t solve the issue right away. Though it is not a necessity

that you talk to people, as you move up in rank, you have to learn how to be sociable because

you start managing people and delegating to others how to do their jobs.

WORK CITED

Powers, Rod. "Air Force Enlisted Jobs." About.com US Military.N.p., 2012. Web. 11

Dec. 2012.

Guys, Comm. "CommGuys.net • Information."CommGuys.net • Information.USAF,

2009.Web. 11 Dec. 2012.

"Careers."CLIENT SYSTEMS.USAF, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.

"Air Force Pay Charts, Basic Pay - Air Force Times." Air Force Pay Charts, Basic Pay -

Air Force Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.