Cryptologic Analyst (USSF)

What does the Cryptologic Analyst (USSF) career field do?

Acquires, processes, identifies, analyzes, and reports on electromagnetic emissions. Operates electronic equipment and computer systems to exploit signals intelligence production efforts. Related DOD Occupational Subgroup: 123100.

Duties and responsibilities

• The Cryptologic Analyst will manage, collect, analyze, evaluate, and disseminate intelligence across Cyber Network Operations (CNO) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) which includes SIGINT sub-disciplines. SIGINT sub-disciplines include Communication Intelligence (COMINT), Electronic Signals Intelligence (ELINT), Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence (FISINT), and PROFORMA, cryptologic support to cyberspace operations, and computer network operations. Processes, exploits, and disseminates SIGINT and Cyber products and conducts analysis concerning threat countries or targets of interest via written and/or verbal means. These products provide specificity and knowledge to commanders and national leaders to impact tactical, operational, and strategic decision-making processes. Delivers information in compliance with legal, policy, formatting, and timeliness requirements.
• SIGINT. Conducts SIGINT activities and operations. Performs operator and analyst duties to exploit non-communication and communication intelligence production activities. Utilizes a wide range of complex analysis hardware and software to process signals, including receivers, demodulators, spectrum analyzers, and other associated computer equipment. Uses advanced computer software programs to manipulate and extract intelligence data from electromagnetic spectrum emissions. Produces technical products to include target assessments, adversary studies of the EMS operational environment, situation reports, and other intelligence products as required. Operates computer terminals for data entry, query, data restructuring, and signals development. Interprets and renders preliminary analysis. Uses analytical aids and related reference material to help identify signals and detect abnormalities. Generates reports, incorporating analytical findings with intelligence information. Develops, manages, reviews, and evaluates SIGINT intelligence production processes. Conducts SIGINT activities in support of service, combatant command, allied, and coalition requirements and satisfies tasked objectives. Supports Intelligence Community agencies including the National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, and National Reconnaissance Office, and the National Space Intelligence Center. Maintains databases of various types and activities using computer and hard copy products. Satisfies SIGINT tasking by managing resources. Notifies appropriate personnel and work centers of unusual activities or critical situations.
• Cryptologic Support to Cyberspace Operations. Provides cryptologic planning and support to cyberspace operations and computer network operations. Generates reports, incorporating analytical findings with intelligence information. From various Space Force and joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. Collates, analyzes, evaluates, and disseminates intelligence information supporting cyberspace operations. Produces technical products to include target assessments, adversary studies of the cyberspace operational environment, situation reports, and other intelligence products as required. Utilizes all-source intelligence information to produce and present topical high-interest technical and operational intelligence briefings to all levels of command. Creates and maintains technical and operational databases using diverse computer hardware and software applications. Provides key intelligence enabling offensive and defensive cyberspace operations. Conducts analysis of metadata, target analysis, and target research. Identifies target communications within global networks and conducts target technology trends research. Performs global network analysis and mapping, to include technology, activities, and communications, to determine target traffic behavior patterns. Analyzes exploitation opportunities for information systems and infrastructure. Utilizes methods and applications of tools used for exploitation and analysis of computer systems and network vulnerabilities. Provides intelligence planning and operations support for target delivery, development, and reporting for cyber space operations. Guardians employ intelligence-driven cyber operations to defend the global networks that are critical to space operations. Guardians also maintain awareness of cyber threats and operations to derive intelligence relevant to military space operations in all domains and environments.
• Computer Network Operations. Conducts global critical cryptologic and cyberspace operations missions. Exploits emerging target technologies and gains access to adversary communications. Exploits and maintains access to adversary network communications. Utilizes digital network analysis to conduct computer network operations that directly enable computer network defense of critical U.S. interests, systems, and infrastructure.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: intelligence and cryptologic support operations provided to commanders, service cryptologic elements, and national agencies; joint service relationships and operational concepts; tasking strategies; communications networks, radio wave propagation; modulation theory and techniques; radio communications procedures; operation of electronic equipment; functions and operations of electronic equipment; reporting formats and procedures; basic computer operations; directives for handling, distributing, and protecting defense information; and electronic principles applicable to signals collection and analysis; missions and functions of COMINT, ELINT, FISINT, PROFORMA, IO, and EW related to SIGINT operations.

• For Guardians selected to attend the Digital Network Intelligence Analysis Apprentice course and Joint Cyber Analysis Course (JCAC). Knowledge is mandatory: basic imagery interpretation principles, techniques, and procedures for imagery exploitation, Space Force, DoD, and collection and reporting systems, techniques of identifying, collating, evaluating, and analyzing information, current military capabilities and employment tactics of potential enemy offensive and defensive weapon systems, basic electromagnetic theory, targeting methods and techniques, use of national geospatial data, information and intelligence data systems and the maps, charts, grid systems. Graphic, oral, and written intelligence presentation. Fundamental mensuration techniques, requirements for, and sources and uses of target and geospatial intelligence data, production of target materials, and security controls, classifications, markings, and handling restrictions.

Education.

• For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in electronics, physics, algebra, trigonometry, and computers is desirable.

Training.

• For award of 5I2X1, Guardian’s shall complete Apprentice Signals Analysis Course or Career Field Manager approval are required.

Specialty Experience Identifiers (SEIs).

• SEIs are available to guardians who demonstrate the required pro�iciency in the a ssociated portion of the 5I2 Specialty T3.r4a.i2n. inFgo Sr taawnadradr do f( SthTeS 5),I 2oXr 1w whoit hh aavne 8 c9o8m SpElIe,t ceodm thpele rtieoqnu oirfe tdh ec oDuigrsiteasl aNse otwuotlrikn eIndt einll itgheen DceA AFEnaClDys. iTs hAep SpEreIsn tfioclel ocwou ars sek ailnl db aJosiendt mCyobdeerl A wniathly esiasc Ch osuprescei a(JlCtyA pCo)s soer sCsianrege ar bFaieslidc ,M inatneargmeer daipaptreo, vaadlv aarnec reedq,u airnedd .e xpert-level.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• Successfully complete and pass a Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph test.
• Guardians unable to access mission, systems and/or facilities after 12 months of investigation/security screening will be considered for reclassification or separation, unless waived by the Career Field Manager
• Maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.
• Specialty requires routine access to Tier 5 (T5) information, systems or similar classified environment.
• Completion and favorable adjudication of a current T5 Investigation IAW DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405, Air Force Personnel Security Program, is mandatory.
• See attachment 4 for additional requirements.
• For award and retention of 5I2X1 with an 898 SEI, the following are mandatory:
• Maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.
• Initial attendance in 5I2X1 specialty awarding course without a completed T5 clearance is authorized provided an interim T5 clearance eligibility has been granted IAW Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 704. Guardians who cannot obtain at least an Interim T5 clearance for programmed class-start are not eligible for entry into the specialty.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $43,570–$151,150 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Broadcast Technicians: $43,570
• Computer and Information Systems Managers: $151,150
• Database Administrators: $98,860
• Digital Forensics Analysts: $92,870
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians: $67,550
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment:$ 62,010
• Intelligence Analysts: $86,940
• Operations Research Analysts: $86,200
• Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists: $107,210
• Remote Sensing Technicians: $52,460
• Sound Engineering Technicians: $53,520