Want to Fight Cybercrime? Join the US Marine Corps Today

Wars are no longer fought with guns or WMDs, but with keyboard, mice, and plenty of coffee. At least that’s what we’re led to believe after the US Marine Corps’ April drafting notice.

In a bid to protect the country from cybernetic aggressions, General Robert Neller, the former Commandant of the US Marine Corps, has ordered the creation of a special civilian task force.

The applicants should possess an advanced degree in cybersecurity and must undergo a thorough background check before they can join the Corps. This was Neller’s last order, before passing down the torch to Lieutenant General David Berger.

Why do the Marines need civilian ‘tech’ staff?

Earlier this week, a US Marine Corps-appointed spokesperson declared that the military needs to “keep the pace with constantly-evolving cyber challenges.” Even though the Marine Corps touts one of the most efficient cybersecurity units in the country, it still requires the aid of outside specialists.

Per the order, the draftees are required to be US citizens and to possess an advanced degree in either cybersecurity or computer sciences.

Furthermore, as this is a special task force, the candidates will need to obtain the necessary clearances before they are granted access to the facility and research tools. Clearance will be granted as soon as an Army-appointed commissions review the applicants’ files and conduct a thorough background check.

Coincidence or not, it would appear that the drafting order came shortly after President Trump signed the executive order, effectively banning foreign agents from buying or using US telecom technology. The document did indeed lead to Google revoking Huawei’s Android license, but as it seems, the implications are far-reaching.

In fact, in between the lines, Trump fears that a devastating cybernetic attack may be imminent.

Not only that, but it could come from any direction considering that counterintelligence has reasons to believe that Russia was behind the NotPetya and WannaCry ransomware aggression.

And now, with the trade ban in place, the country may be subjected to Chinese cyber attacks. Again, these are all mere speculation, but the impromptu announcement may have shed some much-needed line on the topic.

How to apply for the position

If you’re interested in the job, you should submit a cover letter and an up-to-date CV to the US Marine Corps’ Cyber Auxiliary division. The email address, as well as additional details,  can be found on the Corps’ official website.

Wrap-up

Is a cybernetic attack around the corner? Perhaps, but that doesn’t mean that it’s funded by a superpower. Bear in mind that most aggressions are the work of random groups that are bent of wreaking as much havoc as possible before sinking below the radar.

Furthermore, if you recall, a great number of these attacks were conducted via Ransomware, which is not quite what you might consider a pertinent MO for superpowers.

What can we do to safeguard against these threats? Unfortunately, nothing; they can occur anywhere on the globe and at any time. The most daunting aspect is that the aggressors can’t be traced back and arrested.

What’s your take on the Marine Corps’ Cybersecurity division? Head to the comments section and let us know your thoughts.

About Daniel Sadler

Old-school PC gamer, poetry buff, cat lover, tech wiz. His writing career began almost two decades ago when he modestly acknowledged that hindsight or, lack thereof, can compromise security. He enjoys spending quality time with his friends and family. Most of his friends refer to Daniel as a "man of a few words, but, man, what words!" His interests include cybersecurity, IT, blogging, and, of course, everything related to technology.

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