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CYBER LEADER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

OVERVIEW

Joint Publication 3-12 states that Cyberspace consists of many overlapping networks and can be described in three layers: the physical network, the logical network, and the cyber-persona layer. The Cyber Leader Development Program (CLDP) grew out of a need to recognize and identify junior officers with an academic background applicable to Cyberspace.

The CLDP prescribes a framework of cyber-related activities, outside the traditional classroom environment, and recognizes Cadets with the C1 Skill Identifier upon completion of the program.  This skill identifier will enable the Army to effectively identify Officers across branches who have an academic background in cyber related technologies and experiences.

GOALS

The Goal of the Cyber Leader Development Program is to create a framework for cyber enrichment and extracurricular opportunities to holistically develop, grow, and inspire emerging Army leaders to succeed in the technical domain of cyberspace. This program is not specific to the Cyber Branch, it helps the Army grow capacity in all branches and will assist with building cyber leaders for the Nation. 

Cadets who complete the program will have demonstrated their sustained interest in the Cyber domain.  Including their participation in an academic conference, a major design project, and significant coursework that ensures identified junior Officers have a better understanding of the complexities of the domain including both its strengths and its challenges.

WHAT IS A SKILL IDENTIFIER?

Skill identifiers (SI) are a component of the Army’s officer classification system.  Specifically, these two-character codes are used to identify a skill required for a specific position in requirements and authorization documents.  SIs identify specialized occupational areas that are not normally related to one particular branch, but may require significant education, training, or experience.  Successful completion of the CLDP program will award an officer with the C1 skill identify for the remainder of their career.

Full information on the Army’s skill identify system is available in DA PAM 611-21

REQUIREMENTS

Coursework

  • Cyber-related Major or Minor in the following disciplines:
    • Computer Science
    • Information Technology
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Systems Engineering
    • Math
    • Cybersecurity
  • Otherwise five or more courses in the following topics:
    • Computer Programming
    • Computer Networking
    • Cryptography
    • Discrete Mathematics
    • Cybersecurity

Citizenship

  • Be a U.S. Citizen
  • Be eligible for a Top Secret security clearance

Internship

  • Participation in a cyber-related internship lasting three weeks or more
    • The local PMS is asked to verify that a given internship is related to cyber. If the primary duties of the cadet during their internship are tied to any major aspect of cybersecurity from secure code development, to network operations, research and development then it meets this objective.

Club Participation

  • Participation in a Cybersecurity club or study group for two academic years
  • Examples
    • ACM SIGSAC
    • Local capture the flag team
    • Hacker/Makerspace group with some security elements

Conference Attendance

  • Attend a multi-day Cybersecurity training event or conference
  • Examples
    • Attend a week long industry training course (3-5 days)
    • Attend a major academic conference related to security (USENIX, IEEE, ACM, etc)
    • Attend a major industry conference related to security (CyCON, BlackHat, DEFCON, etc)

Project or Capstone

  • Participate in a significant Cybersecurity project or capstone
  • Examples
    • Senior Design project with a significant security element
    • Major Club related project with security elements
PARTICIPATION

Cadets can participate in the program in two ways:

With mentorship (recommended for underclassmen) Without mentorship
  • The cadet’s PMS should email register.cldp@westpoint.edu with the following information:
    • Name
    • Cadet School Email
    • School
    • Major
    • Expected Graduation Mon/Year
  • The PMS will then be sent an email address for themselves and the cadet to use to speak with a cohort of Cyber officers on all topics related to Cyber.
  • Intended for upperclassmen who have met program requirements prior to learning about CLDP
  • Cadets should complete all requirements as described on this page and then submit a complete packet
  • No additional registration is required
PACKET SUBMISSION

CLDP Packet Submission

Cadets who have completed the CLDP program must submit an ASI request packet to the Army Cyber Institute.  The completed packet must contain all documents noted on the Packet Checklist.  Once verified for completeness, the packet will be approved by the Director of the ACI and returned to the Cadet with a certificate indicating the award of the C1 ASI.

PACKET CHECKLIST

DA4187 Completed Endorsement Memo ASI Request Worksheet
  • Block 9 - Signed by Cadet
  • Block 13 - Signed by PMS (ROTC) / CRC (USMA)
  • Signed by PMS (ROTC) / Mentor (USMA)


  •  
  • Block 20.B - Signed by Cadet
  • Block 20.D - Signed by PMS (ROTC) / CRC (USMA)

*The Cadet progress chart is not required for packet submission.  It is intended as a tool for tracking progress throughout the program, and to support the creation of the Cadet’s endorsement memo.

Completed packets should be submitted to packet.cldp@westpoint.edu for review and approval NLT 45 days prior to graduation.

OTHER CLDP DOCUMENTS
CLDP MENTORSHIP

Mentorship is a core component of the CLDP program.

All cadets are welcome to join the MilSuite group and participate in the discussion: Milsuite (CAC Required) - https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/cyber-leadership-development-program

Due to differences in faculty availability the process is organized differently for USMA and ROTC cadets.

USMA CADETS ROTC CADETS
  • For a mentor assignment, contact the EECS CRC
  • ROTC cadets who have enrolled with the ACI (via method 1 above) will be able to reach out to a cohort of active Cyber officers through the provided mailing list. These officers are happy to answer any questions related to the branch or communicate via other means (telephone, VTC, etc) to help inform cadets about their specialty.

 

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