Applications for the Defense Department’s long-anticipated cyber apprenticeship program are now open, providing additional details about the 12-month paid pilot designed to train the department’s next generation of cyber professionals. 

The department’s chief information officer’s office announced Monday that applications will be accepted through July 17 on USAJobs.gov. The initiative, first teased in April, has garnered nationwide interest — the Defense Department said it received more than 70,000 inquiries from prospective candidates.

“This overwhelming surge highlights a massive, untapped demand for alternative, skills-based training pathways into national security roles,” the Defense Department said in a press release.

The initial announcement of the program captured the public’s imagination in part due to relatively low barriers to entry. Unlike many government cyber roles, the program does not require prior professional cyber experience. The only qualifications are that applicants must be at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens and able to obtain a security clearance. 

Plus, the CIO office said these positions would be entry-level — DoD’s recent pay tables show that a recent college graduate just starting out in the Washington, D.C. area as a GG-7 Step 1 would make approximately $57,735 a year. The office also said that while participants would be able to complete technical training modules online from any location approved by the employing agency, on-the-job training would be conducted in person and vary by employing agency. 

But according to the USAJOBS posting, the salary is only $22,584 a year, and most vacancies are based in the Washington, D.C. area, specifically in Fort Meade, Maryland, and Alexandria, Virginia. The posting lists the apprenticeship as a GG-7 through GG-9 position. Selected applicants will be responsible for their own relocation costs. 

In addition, the apprenticeship will offer two developmental tracks — while the Technical Specialist Pathway focuses on “rapid, hands-on technical skill acquisition for general DoD civilian cyber roles” and does not require a college degree, the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) Agency Pathway requires candidates to hold an accredited degree in order to meet DMDC’s qualification standards. 

The program prepares participants for entry-level cyber jobs aligned with DoD 8140 workforce roles, including cyber defense analyst, cyber defense infrastructure support specialist and cyber defense incident responder positions. It is open to students, recent graduates and the public.

The yearlong apprenticeship includes industry certifications, assessments, mentorship and hands-on work experience. Participants who finish the program will have an opportunity to advance into cyber careers within the Defense Department, according to the job listing.

“Apprentices will practice with real cyber tools and techniques while building practical skills across security operations, network defense, ethical hacking, and the use of artificial intelligence in cyber threat analysis. The program also supports apprentices in earning industry-recognized certifications that strengthen long-term career mobility. After completing the technical training component, apprentices step into an entry-level cyber role where they gain mission-focused on-the-job experience,” a Pentagon official told Federal News Network.

“Apprentices who successfully complete the program may non-competitively convert to a permanent DoD cyber position. From there, they can then continue advancing through established career pathways and receive federal benefits such as competitive pay, paid leave, retirement options, and retention of their security clearance,” the official added.

Since no experience is required, the department said agencies will evaluate applicants based largely on soft skills, such as willingness to learn and grow, a strong work ethic, reliability and ability to commit to work within the Defense Department.

“Because prior cyber experience isn’t required, agencies will focus on attributes that signal readiness to learn and succeed in fast-paced environments. Curiosity, reliability, communication, problem-solving, and a willingness to ask questions often matter more than existing technical knowledge. We’re looking for individuals who demonstrate commitment, potential, and the mindset needed to thrive in the DoD cyber workforce. Selection criteria will be based on federal hiring standards,” the Pentagon official said.

DoD officials expect the first cohort to begin training this fall.

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