- Active Dute
- Cybersecurity
- Credentialing Assistance & Funding
- Air Force
Airman uses certification to reinforce study habits, develop cybersecurity skillset
Staff Sergeant William Johnson
When William Johnson found out he was being assigned to a cybersecurity specialty, he knew it was an opportunity to get in at the ground level of the fast-moving and increasingly important field. He used cybersecurity certifications to increase his access, enhance his skillset, and refine his study habits.
Please share a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in McKinney, Texas, just north of Dallas. I’m currently stationed at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio. My AFSC is 1N4X1A, which is cyber threat intelligence and I’ve been doing that for about four years. I’ve been at two units for two different jobs within my specialization, mostly on the defensive side as an intel analyst and a network analyst. I’m currently retraining for a new classification as a 1B4, which is cyber warfare. I’ve worked alongside them for the past couple of years in more of a support role and I just want to get more hands-on with it.
Staff Sergeant William Johnson, United States Air Force
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I like the challenge we face when we’re looking into something because it’s kind of like putting together a puzzle, and I find it very interesting. This career field is ever-changing; you’re always working on something new or learning something new.
What certifications do you have and when did you earn them?
GNFA was my first certification. I did that back in 2021 and I did GSEC and GCTI in 2022 and I also did CompTIA Security+ in 2022. In early 2024 I earned CASP+ as well.
How did your military experience prepare you for your certifications?
Getting certified in the same field that I’ve been trained in gives me a bit of a head start as there were some things that I didn’t have to study as much. The biggest benefit was an intense Navy course I took for six months. It taught me good study habits, because admittedly I didn’t have very good study habits coming out of school.
How did you ensure that you found time to study and learn the exam content while also performing your required military duties?
It’s time management because you have your normal day-to-day job that you’re going to, but then you also have to balance the admin side of the house, and get PT in, because that’s part of the job too. Prior to my first certification, I didn’t set a hard date, and I kept pushing it off further and further. It took me 9 or 10 months to get around to the test. Now, I put a timer and alarm on my phone so that once it goes off, I know it’s study time.
Staff Sergeant William Johnson, United States Air Force
—William Johnson
A certification is a measured display of competency. You know that you can trust this person working on your stuff.
What impact did your Air Force benefits have on your desire and ability to earn the certification?
For the SANS courses that are offered for the GIAC certifications, the Air Force paid 100% of the cost and sent me to the courses, which was fantastic.If the Air Force had not been generous enough to pay for the courses, I would not have been able to attend. Every single certification I’ve had has been funded by the Air Force. They paid for my study materials and the exams themselves. They’re very accommodating, and it’s encouraged me to go for more certifications whenever I can. Now I’ve been working on a certification most of the time for the past couple of years.
Have you noticed any impact that certifications have had on your career?
The Air Force really values higher education so for performance reports and recognition, it does help you stand out quite a bit and get an edge when you’re the only one pursuing this kind of thing. A certification is a measured display of competency. You know that you can trust this person working on your stuff rather than just putting them out there and hoping for the best.
—William Johnson
Get started today because the best time to start furthering your education is yesterday.
What recommendations do you have for people who are just starting their certification process?
You don’t have to jump in all the way and start studying every single night, but read a technical article. Watch a video explaining something you know; study up on something. You can start slowly and just get your toes in the water, but get started today because the best time to start furthering your education is yesterday.
What should test-takers consider as they prepare for the exam?
You’ve got to be confident in your skills. If you go in thinking you’re going to fail this exam, then you could influence the outcome. You put the work in to get to that point. You scheduled the exam so you’re confident enough to say, “all right, it’s time to give it a shot,” so have faith in your work.