Ask HN: Skills to Learn for Wartime?
What are some technical skills that I can pick up that will make me desirable for desk positions during wartime?
15 comments
lol I assumed you were referencing preparation for civil war, and had lots of things to say! If you know that any war will be waged by your nation state, then any male under 40 is kinda at the whims of that nation state, ultimately. That said, assuming you’re in Europe or America, it would take a massive shakeup to start drafting people into the infantry again, especially anyone with a useful degree.
Practically speaking, if you’re still seriously worried, take a look at contractor jobs for the DOD! What they need now is probably what they’ll need during the war:
- tech buzzwords: C/C++, embedded programming, static code checking, data pipelines in general
- industry buzzwords: satellite ground resource management / telemetry, tracking, and control (GRM/TTC), Command and Control (C2), signals intelligence (SIGINT), bombs
Practically speaking, if you’re still seriously worried, take a look at contractor jobs for the DOD! What they need now is probably what they’ll need during the war:
- tech buzzwords: C/C++, embedded programming, static code checking, data pipelines in general
- industry buzzwords: satellite ground resource management / telemetry, tracking, and control (GRM/TTC), Command and Control (C2), signals intelligence (SIGINT), bombs
Besides the DoD itself, the US Army and Air Force also have Civilian Service jobs and I'd assume the other branches would do something similar. Get into local, city, state government (as an employee vs public office.) Knowing GIS is always handy.
For anyone who hasn't thought of it yet... this is a fine time to explore dual citizenship options.
With recent trends, anything cybersecurity.
Drone-related stuff might also be good.
Drone-related stuff might also be good.
Anything logistics.
lotta truck drivers getting killed by drones in Ukraine.
in Iraq logistical convoys got hit so often they created a new type of combat ribbon for them.
the logistical planners are sitting at desks, but to get that job you're already a logistics officer right now
in Iraq logistical convoys got hit so often they created a new type of combat ribbon for them.
the logistical planners are sitting at desks, but to get that job you're already a logistics officer right now
I always thought that being a pentester would be handy, it seems to be a useful skill during both peace and war time.
Saying no.
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IT and general CS skills are good. Accounting, medicine, mechanical skills; the latter may not be desk jobs but they'll keep you out of the way.
Get a back back or bad knees. Work on getting really fat. Asthma helps.
Get a back back or bad knees. Work on getting really fat. Asthma helps.
The front lines prefer motivated soldiers. If you show disinterest or flat out object, there’s a big chance you will be assigned somewhere else. Also being allergic to gun oil.
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In wartimes, usually the capable are sent to the front first, so if you have an bad enough eyesight or an disablement from an past injury, then another one will be send to the front.
if you are already in a desk job for an war critical comany or organization, then they would take another person first.
if you are already in a desk job for an war critical comany or organization, then they would take another person first.