The Air Force is relaunching the noncommissioned officer corps to strengthen cyber and IT capabilities

Airman Tyler Shipley, a cyber systems specialist with the 121st Air Refueling Wing, works on a computer April 7, 2024, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. (Ivy Thomas/US Air National Guard)

The Air Force is rebuilding its long-dormant noncommissioned officer corps and looking for pilots who can specialize in information technology and cyberspace as the U.S. confronts China’s rising military power.

The service announced Thursday that it is accepting applications through May 31 from pilots interested in becoming noncommissioned officers in IT and cyber careers.

Up to 60 candidates will be selected this summer, the Air Force said in a news release Thursday.

“These NCOs will be responsible for orchestrating, managing and integrating technical capabilities in cyberspace, and providing critical technical recommendations across various military and inter-agency platforms,” the press release said.

According to the release, they will integrate cyberspace capabilities into the Air Force’s combat functions.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall announced plans to reintroduce commissioned officers into the service in February at the Air and Space Forces Association’s 2024 Warfare Symposium in Colorado.

The symposium’s theme, “Preparing for Great Power Conflict,” reflected the Pentagon’s shift in strategy toward a possible military confrontation with China as the size and ambitions of the Chinese military continue to grow.

“We need operating units with all the capabilities they need to deter and compete with our pace challenges, and that are ready to enter a conflict at short notice or without notice,” Kendall said at the symposium.

“In those units we need the right mix of skills necessary for high-quality combat and to ensure technological superiority, especially in the areas of information technology and cyber,” he said.

The Air Force disbanded its noncommissioned officer corps in 1958 after creating the ranks of senior master sergeant and chief master sergeant, the news release said. They assumed the specific technical duties of non-commissioned officers, but were never completely relieved of other duty requirements.

The reintroduction of warrant officers represents “a strategic shift toward strengthening technical proficiency and operational effectiveness,” the news release said.

Applications are open to active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve service members who hold the rank of at least staff sergeant and have one year of active federal service.

Applicants must meet specific experience and skill requirements for each specialty.

Two special codes have been created for the IT and cyber roles.

The first, 17W – Warfighter Communications & IT Systems Operations, designates expertise in “planning, implementation, employment and security of enterprise and warfighter communications systems,” according to the press release.

The second is 17Y – Cyber ​​Effects & Warfare Operations and designates Airmen who are subject matter experts in “offensive and defensive cyber operations assets and personnel,” according to the press release.

A jury will identify the best candidates at the end of June, and the selected pilots will be notified at the end of July. Training will begin late this year or early 2025 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

“These are highly sought-after and extremely perishable skills in today’s rapidly evolving landscape,” said David Flosi, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, the press release said.

“As we navigate the complexities of great power competition, our ability to adapt and innovate depends on the expertise of our pilots,” he said.