Cyber Warfare Operators

Cyber warfare operators assigned to the 275th Cyber Operations Squadron of the Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Cyberspace Operations Group configure a threat intelligence feed for daily watch in the Hunter's Den at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md., Dec. 2, 2017. Air Force photo by J.M. Eddins Jr.

Talent Management for Cyber

Published May 7, 2026
By HAF/A2/6

TOPIC SPONSOR: HAF/A2/6

What does a framework for effective Talent Management look like for the Cyber Enterprise?

Kaloostian, Col. Michael R., "DoD's Cyber Workforce: Strength through Retention and Volunteerism," AWC Strategic Studies Paper, 2020, 21 pgs.
Kidd, Maj. Stephen M., "The Role of Digital Transformation in Air Force Artificial Intelligence Workforce Strategy," AFGC thesis, 2025, 71 pgs.
- Kidd addresses this by developing a structured taxonomy for AI practitioners to fill current classification gaps, establishing "AI Creator" and "AI Maintainer" as distinct work role categories within the Air Force. He notes that the Air Force's current talent management systems rely heavily on commercial-off-the-shelf products and are not fully configured to support a specialized AI workforce. However, he highlights the upcoming introduction of the Data Engineering Air Force Specialty Code (1D7X4)—with specialized shred outs for Data Operations and Software Development—as a vital first step in providing a framework for managing personnel across the entire AI lifecycle.