As the university’s premier leadership development program, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets is home to young men and women from all walks of life. Whether they aim to enter the public, private, military or non-profit sectors after graduation, each cadet’s Corps experience is lined with opportunities that ensure their academic, professional and personal development.
For cadets who desire to enter the ever evolving cyber operations field, the Corps supplements their development through the Corps Cyber Operations Special Unit (COSU). Established in 2017, the team’s present day growth is being supported by developmental efforts from the Office of the Commandant and other outside donors. Recent investments include a dedicated “cyber-range” space for the team to meet on the Quad, which will aid COSU cadets in their preparation for the future of the industry.
“At the individual, local, state and national levels, we face an increase in cyber threats which are becoming more frequent and complex.The COSU is a unique aspect of the Corps’ leadership laboratory that directly addresses the need and demand for cyber professionals,” said Colonel Kenn Allison, Associate Director of the Corps’ Hollingsworth Center and the Staff Advisor to the Cyber Operations Unit.
Members of the team compete in several events throughout the year, culminating in the National Security Agency’s Cyber Exercise (NCX) in the spring semester. At the NCX, the COSU competes against teams from each of the other Senior Military Colleges and United States Service Academies. The team’s access to state of the art practice equipment in their cyber range area, which is currently still in a state of need, largely dictates their preparation for events such as this.
“We face a variety of technical challenges such as reverse engineering software to find vulnerabilities, creating malware and deploying it in a testing environment, and utilizing general IT skills. This is not an exhaustive list, as these competitions change often and encompass a wide variety of other topics. So, it goes without saying that problem-solving ability and the ability to think on your feet and learn quickly are paramount in these competitions,” senior cadet Jeremy Murray, 2024-2025 commanding officer of the unit, said.
Over the last seven years, the team has seen increasing levels of success. Competing alongside members of Texas A&M’s Cyber Leader Development program, the COSU’s participation in the 2024 NCX saw one team participating in person at the Maritime Conference Center in Maryland, and two others participating virtually from back in Texas.
The team’s efforts earned them fourth place out of the Senior Military Colleges (SMCs) who competed and an eighth overall finish. There were merely 7 points (of 100) that separated the COSU from the top SMC, University of North Georgia team.
“While our placement may not seem like an extreme achievement, it is when considering the academies have significant training, infrastructure and experience. These are gaps we are working hard to close,” Murray said.
Due to the quickly evolving field, the need for resources such as equipment, training, travel and certification funds continues to grow. Presently, funding for more advanced technical equipment, travel expenses and competition fees are some of the team’s most pressing needs. With the proper resources in place, members of the unit will be better prepared for the wide range of challenges they are tasked with during competitions.
“Current operating costs are based on a 30-person unit and average nearly $1,500 per cadet per year. If membership increases, I estimate the operating costs will rise proportionally. Rapid advancements in technology require constant updates to training programs, software and hardware to ensure that our team is prepared for the most relevant challenges,” Allison said.
The Corps Cyber Operations Special Unit continues to meet the Corps’ mission statement of producing well rounded leaders of character who are prepared for the leadership challenges of the future.
“The Cyber Operations Unit is a prime example of how the Corps prepares young men and women for tomorrow’s world. The cyber field is only growing, and we are proud to facilitate the professional growth of our students in this realm,” Brigadier General (U.S. Army, Ret.) Patrick Michaelis, Commandant of the Corps of Cadets, said.
If you are interested in helping the Corps Cyber Operations Special Unit prepare for the defense of tomorrow’s cyberscape, please contact Kelly Corcoran at the Texas A&M Foundation here.