CAMP PARKS, Calif.  –   Cyber education and continued professional development proved to be a defining choice for Soldiers assigned to an Army Reserve cyber detachment heading to Southwest, Asia.

Soldiers assigned to Detachment 5 Western Cyber Protection Center, Army Reserve Cyber Operations Group (ARCOG), 335th Signal Command (Theater), gathered with comrades and command leaders September 20 for recognition of being the next team of Soldiers from the ARCOG to support missions conducted by the Regional Cyber Center --  Southwest, Asia, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

The detachment was recognized by Col. Robert S. Powell, Jr., ARCOG commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Eddy, senior enlisted adviser for the ARCOG, Command Sgt. Maj. Ronnie Farmer, senior enlisted adviser for the 335th and Major Efrain J. Avila, deputy chaplain Parks Reserve Training Forces Area.

“This deployment is offering the chance to familiarize and bring awareness to Soldiers outside the ARCOG,” explained Lt. Col. Spindler, detachment commander.

Some of the Soldiers assigned to the detachment are from other units, with signal backgrounds, the deployment provides an opportunity to gain experience on a cyber mission with understanding of how the ARCOG functions as an Army Reserve cyber force, Spindler said. 

Soldiers interested in the cyber career path may see this experience as the time to explore the option more extensively, he added.

Master Sgt. Paul A. McCoy, the detachment’s lead noncommissioned officer, agreed that having an interest in cyber and the chance to be a part of this mission does afford the flexibility to look into the cyber career field further.

“The U.S. Army Central Command Signal University does make it possible for Soldiers to seek additional network certifications during the deployment,” McCoy said.

“The chance to be a part of this mission couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Capt. Courtney Compton, a signal officer who volunteered for the assignment from the 428th Transportation Company – Springfield, Missouri.

Compton, who recently completed a tour as company commander is also a third grade teacher in Springfield. 

This was the right time to choose the next career path in the Army while getting an opportunity to learn more about cyber, she said.

The diverse signal and cyber backgrounds on this detachment does offer opportunity to learn from peers, said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Amanda Hemegesberg, who joined the mission from the 206th Regional Support Group – Springfield, Illinois.

“Looking further into cyber learning opportunities will be a new journey for me”, said Hemegesberg, who works for a company as desktop engineer.

“I do plan to take the courses offered at Signal University for the additional certifications,” she said.

This deployment is a chance to gain professional development with the possibility to explore new horizons, she added.