The Department of War is opening applications for a paid, 12-month cybersecurity apprenticeship in June 2026 — and unlike most entry-level programs, AI-driven threat analysis is built into the curriculum from day one.
## AI Security Is Part of the Foundation
The Cyber Registered Apprenticeship Program (Cyber RAP), run by the DoW Office of the Chief Information Officer, explicitly includes “the application of artificial intelligence to cyber threat analysis” as a core curriculum component. This isn’t an elective or a bonus module — it sits alongside network defense, security operations, and ethical hacking as a foundational element of the training.
For anyone pursuing a career in AI security, that framing matters. Most entry-level cyber programs treat AI as a future consideration. The DoW is treating it as a present operational requirement.
## What the Program Covers
Cyber RAP trains apprentices for three specific roles under DoW’s 8140 workforce standards:
- Cyber Defense Analyst (511) — monitoring, detection, and analysis of cyber threats
- Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist (521) — maintaining and securing the underlying network infrastructure
- Cyber Defense Incident Responder (531) — responding to and managing active cyber incidents
Training combines asynchronous online coursework, immersive interactive labs, and on-the-job training under mentorship from senior DoW cyber professionals.
## Why This Program Stands Out at the Entry Level
Several aspects of Cyber RAP are genuinely unusual for an entry-level federal program:
No degree required. The program is explicitly designed for career changers and newcomers with no prior cybersecurity experience. This aligns with the broader federal push toward skills-based hiring.
Paid for the full 12 months. Apprentices receive compensation throughout the program. Exact salary and GS band will appear on individual USAJobs postings when they go live.
Security clearance sponsorship. The DoW will sponsor the clearance process — a significant benefit at this career stage. A clearance opens doors across the federal, defense, and contractor ecosystem that are otherwise inaccessible.
Industry-recognized certifications. Specific certifications have not yet been named publicly, but completion includes recognized credentials.
A direct pathway forward. Graduates are eligible for placement into full-time DoW cyber positions and can continue into the DoW Cyber Service Academy.
## The Staffing Gap Behind the Launch
The program comes in direct response to a documented personnel shortage. As of September 2025, the DoW had roughly 25,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions — approximately a 10% vacancy rate across the department. Across the broader U.S. economy, the cybersecurity workforce gap exceeds 500,000 open roles.
Marci McCarthy, Director of External Engagements for the DoW CIO, framed the stakes plainly at the program’s announcement: “The Cyber RAP provides a direct pathway for dedicated individuals to join our mission, securing the vital networks, infrastructure, and weapon systems that our Warfighters depend on every single day.”
## Who Is Eligible
- U.S. citizens who can obtain a security clearance
- Minimum age 18
- No prior cybersecurity experience required
- No degree requirement
- Must be willing to relocate
## How to Apply
Applications open in June 2026 through USAJobs.gov. To be notified when postings go live, email:
osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.cyber-rap@mail.mil
The program was announced on April 28, 2026, at the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week National Signing Day Ceremony.
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If you’re building toward a career in AI security or cyber defense and want to work inside the federal ecosystem, this program is worth watching. The combination of paid training, clearance sponsorship, and AI-integrated curriculum is uncommon at this level. Get on the notification list now so you don’t miss the application window.