ANGEL VARGAS
Killeen,TX
Summary
Results-driven Senior Signal Leader with 21 years of U.S. Army experience in information technology and communications. Expert in designing and securing tactical mission command networks and satellite communications. Acted as a technical advisor to executive leadership, managing multi-million-dollar portfolios and ensuring RMF and COMSEC compliance. Skilled in leading cross-functional IT teams to achieve 100% network availability in high-pressure environments.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Brigade S6 Senior Signal Support NCO
8th Army
Camp Humphreys, South Korea
10.2020 - 06.2025
- Network Engineering: Directed the integration, configuration, and interoperability of complex, multi-vendor tactical communications architectures, including satellite terminals (VSAT/STT), tactical routers, switches, and Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANET).
- Infrastructure Management: Engineered and managed enterprise-grade local and wide area networks (LAN/WAN) supporting 800+ personnel, sustaining a 99.9% mission-network uptime rate across distributed operational environments.
- Systems Interoperability: Masterminded the systems integration between tactical radio networks (HF/VHF/UHF) and digital Command and Control (C2) / Battlefield Automated Systems (BAS), enabling seamless voice and data transmissions.
- Executive Technical Advisory: Served as the principal technical advisor to executive staff and senior commanders, providing critical communications risk assessments, technical capacity updates, and operational network roadmaps.
- Field Exercise Operations: Orchestrated the technical setup, network verification, and field support for large-scale enterprise training exercises, coordinating cross-organizational communications infrastructure across multi-site installations.
Signal Platoon Sergeant Battalion S6
3-7 CAB
Fort Bliss, Texas
05.2016 - 09.2020
- Expeditionary IT Operations: Directed battalion-level IT and tactical communications during a forward deployment to Kuwait (2017-2018) in support of Operation Spartan Shield, ensuring continuous secure network connectivity and data transmission for deployed forces.
- Cybersecurity Compliance: Enforced strict Cybersecurity, Information Assurance (IA), and Risk Management Framework (RMF) policies across all assigned networks, resulting in a 100% compliance rating on external inspections.
- Cryptographic Asset Management: Managed end-to-end accountability, key distribution, and cryptographic re-keying protocols for a high-priority Communications Security (COMSEC) program, eliminating security incidents over a 4 year period.
- STIG Implementation: Directed the application of Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) across network routers, switches, and operating systems to mitigate vulnerabilities and harden the network posture.
- Personnel Leadership: Led, trained, and evaluated cross-functional technical team of up to 20 IT specialists, systems administrators, and communication engineers to ensure operational readiness.
- Logistics & Asset Management: Maintained 100% accountability and lifecycle tracking for technology and communications asset infrastructure portfolio valued at over $5M, achieving zero losses.
- Technical Training: Developed and executed validation training programs for hundreds of operators on specialized signal platforms, ensuring technical readiness prior to major operational deployments.
Signal Support Systems NCOIC / Section Sergeant
6-9 CAV
Fort Hood, Texas
02.2012 - 02.2016
- Operational Support: Directed the daily operations of a signal support section, providing uninterrupted IT, helpdesk, and communication services for over 400 personnel during high-tempo operations and field training events.
- Combat Deployment IT Support: Served as the primary IT specialist during a combat deployment to South Camp, Sinai (09/2013 – 05/2014) in support of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) peacekeeping mission, ensuring reliable network and communications infrastructure for deployed forces.
- Equipment Maintenance: Oversaw the preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) for a $3M tactical communications portfolio, maintaining an equipment readiness rate consistently above 95%.
- COMSEC Handling: Safeguarded, issued, serialized, and destroyed classified COMSEC materials and cryptographic keys in strict accordance with NSA and Department of the Army regulations.
- User Training & Validation: Conducted comprehensive training blocks for non-technical end-users on the operation of Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2), JBC-P, and tactical radio systems to ensure battlefield digital dominance.
Signal Support Systems Specialist (25U)
54th Engineers
Bamberg , Germany
05.2008 - 02.2012
- Combat Deployments: Provided critical IT and tactical communication support during two combat deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (01/2009 – 09/2009 and 10/2010 – 12/2011), ensuring continuous network availability for forward-deployed forces.
- Network Installation: Installed, operated, and maintained tactical local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN), ensuring secure and rapid data routing in highly austere field environments.
- Helpdesk Administration: Functioned as the primary point of contact for tier-1 and tier-2 IT helpdesk troubleshooting, resolving hardware, software, and network connectivity issues for command staff.
- Radio Communications: Configured, operated, and maintained Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS) and automated multiplexing equipment to support vital command and control missions.
- Security Implementation: Executed foundational Information Assurance (IA) protocols, applying routine security patches, maintaining antivirus definitions, and monitoring terminals for unauthorized network access.
Signal Support Systems Specialist (25U)
1-9 CAV
Fort Bliss, Texas
01.2006 - 05.2008
- Combat Deployments: Provided critical IT and tactical communication support during a combat deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (10/2006 – 12/2007), ensuring continuous network availability for forward-deployed forces.
- Tactical Deployments: Deployed, installed, and operated single-channel radio, satellite transport, and local area network (LAN) equipment to sustain mission-critical communication pipelines during continuous operations.
- Hardware Maintenance: Maintained 100% accountability and executed routine diagnostics and repairs for over 150 pieces of communication equipment and cryptographic devices, preventing operational delays.
- System Troubleshooting: Functioned as a frontline technician for tactical network platforms, aggressively identifying and resolving hardware, software, and radio frequency (RF) outages.
- Operator Instruction: Instructed cross-functional team members and command staff on the proper operational procedures, basic troubleshooting, and security protocols for tactical radios and digital communication terminals.
Skills
- BLC (Basic Leaders Course) Instructor
- JBC-P (Joint Battle Command-Platform)
- Tactical LAN/WAN Administration
- Network engineering
- Infrastructure management
- Cybersecurity compliance
- RMF (Risk Management Framework)
- COMSEC Accountability
- STIG Compliance
- Inline Network Encryptors (INE)
- Tactical SATCOM (VSAT, STT)
- HF/VHF/UHF Radio Networks (SINCGARS, ASIP, Harris Falcon III series)
- Systems interoperability
- Project management
- Field support coordination
- Logistics management
- Technical training development
- Fiber Optics Cable Management
- Joint Field Exercises/Operational Testing
- Cryptographic asset management
Certification
- Clearance: Active Secret
- CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
- Security +
- Network +
- CASP (Cisco Certified Network Associate) Training Started 2026
- A+
Timeline
Brigade S6 Senior Signal Support NCO
8th Army
10.2020 - 06.2025
Signal Platoon Sergeant Battalion S6
3-7 CAB
05.2016 - 09.2020
Signal Support Systems NCOIC / Section Sergeant
6-9 CAV
02.2012 - 02.2016
Signal Support Systems Specialist (25U)
54th Engineers
05.2008 - 02.2012
Signal Support Systems Specialist (25U)
1-9 CAV
01.2006 - 05.2008