History
The Department of Defense established Army Cyber Command in October 2010 and cyberspace operators at that time were primarily attached to the Military Intelligence and Signal Branches. In February 2013, at the Association of the U.S. Army Symposium, General Robert Cone, Commanding General, Army Training and Doctrine Command, called for the formal creation of a cyber school and career field and the 38th Army Chief of Staff, General Raymond Odierno, approved a consolidated Army Cyber School at Fort Gordon, Georgia. The Army announced in January 2014, the Signal Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon would thereafter be known as the Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE) with both the Signal and Cyber Schools operating under this new two-star command. During this period, the Army also directed the Cyber School to oversee Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) training.
On Aug. 4, 2014, the U.S. Army Cyber School headquarters was unveiled by CCOE commander Major General LaWarren Patterson and Colonel Jennifer Buckner, the first Cyber School Commandant. The Army officially established the Cyber Branch on Sept. 1, 2014, pursuant to the authority of Section 3063(a)(13), Title 10, U.S. Code.
The Army began accepting applicants to the new 17-series career fields for officers (17A), warrant officers (170A), and enlisted Soldiers (17C). After a year of hard work mapping the courses and building the branch, the first U.S. Army Cyber Basic Officer Leader Course began on Aug. 6, 2015. The first training courses for Cyber Captains and warrant officers began in 2016, and the first Cyber Advanced Individual Training (AIT) Soldiers arrived in 2017. Two more milestones occurred in 2018 when the Army accepted its first direct commissioned Cyber officers and the EW force officially became members of the Cyber Branch. Nearly a year after this realignment, the first ever EW AIT course began at Fort Gordon in August 2019. This ushered in a new era at Fort Gordon for EW officers (17B), warrant officers (170B), and enlisted Soldiers (17E) as the Cyber School moved all EW training away from Fort Sill, Okla. over the course of 2020 and early 2021.
The establishment of the 17D Cyber Capabilities Development Officer and 170D Cyber Capabilities Developer Technician military occupational specialties on Oct. 1 2021, and their requisite training courses, became the most recent Cyber School and Branch milestone. The closely aligned Cyber Training Battalion consists of Headquarters and Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie companies tasked with providing the Army with ready, highly skilled, agile, and innovative Cyber and Electromagnetic Warfare Officers, Technicians, and Specialists for the future force.
Heraldry
Distinctive Unit Insignia, U.S. Army Cyber School
Symbolism: Black signifies the hidden nature of cyberspace operations and the importance of privacy and security. Silver (Gray) embodies the technological emphasis and the balance between offensive and defensive capabilities. Gold is symbolic of success and emphasizes domination in the cyber domain. The lightning bolts indicate the swift nature of electromagnetic warfare. The sword represents offensive missions, while the shield is indicative of defense. The keyhole alludes to exploitation missions and is in the center of the shield to represent every defense having a weakness.
Background: The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 19 November 2015.
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, U.S. Army Cyber School
Symbolism: The black and white colors on the shield reflect the importance of digital data communications to the cyber mission. The crossed lightning bolts represent the convergence of the Electromagnetic Warfare and Cyber Schools under one torch. The torch represents the Cyber Training Battalion's primary mission as an educational institution.
Background: The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 19 November 2015.