Defending the Data Frontier: A Special Unit Prepares Cadets for Roles in Cybersecurity

For cadets in the Cyber Operations Special Unit, these events are about more than earning trophies and bragging rights. They’re a chance to hone skills, both in leadership and technology, and prepare for the threats of the data frontier. 

Competitions like the annual National Security Agency’s Cyber Exercise and the Army Central Command’s Best Cyber Warrior are difficult and often frustrating, but also fun. “It feels like doing a big puzzle with your friends,” said London Glenn ’24, who commanded the unit the last two years. “When you study computer science in the classroom, you get all the theory and technical skills, but the cyber unit is all about practical application.” The main skill he’s learned? Persistence. 

“Competitions force you to think creatively. It’s an opportunity to take everything you’ve learned and connect the dots in new ways.”  

It’s a serious pursuit for Glenn, who plans to apply for jobs in the government sector when he graduates this spring. “I intend to serve our country in this capacity,” he said.  

The Making of a Cyber Warrior 

The Cyber Operations Special Unit started in 2017 at the request of cadets who wanted more experience and advanced training in this new type of warfare.
 

Allison emphasized that as the advisor, his primary role is to provide mentorship to support cadets' leadership development while also guiding them toward resources and ensuring they follow protocols. However, the special unit is fully cadet-led. Cadets design the curriculum, set the practice times, run the sessions, organize speakers and recruit. In this way, they’re learning to lead cyber teams and serve as cyber professionals. 

Jeremy Murray ’25 is the unit’s current commanding officer, a natural fit for the self-described “massive computer nerd” who will commission into the U.S. Navy upon graduation. He works with the Texas A&M University Cybersecurity Center, which offers a Cyber Leader Development Program as well as a cyber club for non-Corps members, to access resources for the unit. He most enjoys the Capture the Flag competitions—gamified hacking tournaments hosted by technology companies or government agencies—that are a regular part of the unit’s preparation. “No two are the same,” he said. “It’s interesting to learn how to break these complex systems.” In addition to technical challenges, Murray appreciates the camaraderie of learning and working as a team.
 

Ready for Battle 

Training for competitions and traveling to compete is expensive, but former students have stepped in to help the unit so cadets can focus on developing skills rather than raising funds. The unit is about to take a substantial step forward with the addition of a cyber range, a designated space on the Quad with specialized equipment for cybersecurity training, thanks to a gift from Gayla and Mark Davis ’68. Davis holds degrees in accounting and computer science and had a long career, having served in the military and the private sector. 

“The threats to our nation are increasing exponentially,” he said. “We need highly skilled and trained people in cyber on our side of the battle. This unit is working to help train and develop those new warriors, whether in uniform or not, to detect and stop these threats to our country.” 

Former Rudder’s Ranger Roy Parsons ’89 agrees with Davis. “There are a lot of bad actors out there,” said Parsons, who had a long career with Compaq and Dell. Parsons provided the first endowed scholarship for cadets in the unit, which he sees as an essential investment in future security. “In the Wild West, we had marshals who took care of the criminals. We’re going to have the same thing with cyber professionals in the future, protecting our data frontier.”