Cleared Security & Communications Professional

Building a Career in Cybersecurity

Im Joshua Barros, a DoD-cleared security and communications professional currently serving as a federal Supervisory Security Guard with the Department of the Army and as a Radio Operator in the Marine Corps Reserve. My work spans physical security, secure communications, and network infrastructure in controlled environments, and Im building toward a career in cybersecurity through my degree at WGU, industry certifications, and hands-on lab work. Take a look at my experience and projects below.

What I’m working on

Homelab(s)

Psst... hey you! For your ultimate safety, whatever you do; DO NOT click the headline titled Homelab(s). And absolutely, positively, under NO circumstances should you even think about clicking this suspiciously tempting text: HomeLab(s).exe You’ve been warned. 😏
Company: Radio Operator

Projects

Security+ (2025)

Verified & Certified!

Experience

Radio Operator

USMC, Radio Operator 0621
Fort Devens, MA | August, 2022 - Present

1/25 Marines insignia

Operate, maintain, and secure L3Harris tactical communications systems supporting RF and IP-based voice and data across HF, VHF, UHF, and SATCOM networks in field and garrison environments.

Full responsibilities ▾

Operate and maintain multiband tactical radio systems (AN/PRC-163, AN/PRC-117G, AN/PRC-160) across HF, VHF, UHF, and satellite bands to provide secure voice and data communications.
Plan and build tactical radio networks using communications planning software: design network topologies, assign call signs and waveforms, configure encryption suites, and load mission plans to multiple radios.
Execute Type-1 COMSEC procedures in compliance with DoD and NSA standards, including receipt, safeguarding, and accountability of cryptographic key material and key loading via the Simple Key Loader (SKL) and other fill devices.
Configure IP networking on tactical radios, including address, subnet mask, and default gateway assignment, to integrate radios with end user devices and enable secure data and chat traffic over mobile ad hoc networks (MANET).
Establish and sustain line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) links, including SATCOM terminal operation; monitor connection status and troubleshoot outages traced to antenna alignment, key loading, or service configuration.
Install and tune antenna systems, including standard military and field-expedient designs, calculating antenna length from operating frequency to optimize signal quality.
Conduct spectrum management and frequency planning: deconflict frequencies, synchronize network timing, and mitigate interference in congested RF environments.
Transmit and receive standard military reports over tactical networks, including medical evacuation (9-Line), enemy activity (SALUTE), and situation, position, personnel, and logistics reports, using correct radio procedure and transmission security.
Perform preventive maintenance and fault isolation on radio systems, power equipment, and cabling, applying systematic diagnostics to resolve connector, antenna, crypto, timing, and frequency configuration failures.
Hold the section maintenance and accountability billet for assigned communications vehicles, a duty normally held by a more senior Marine: conduct monthly inspections and full component inventories, document findings, and report deficiencies to leadership.
Train and mentor junior Marines on radio operation, COMSEC handling, waveform configuration, and radio discipline during exercises and field operations.

Projects Related

Homelab(s)

Super Systems Inc

Super Systems Inc., Cable Technician / Cable Escort
Hanscom AFB, MA | June, 2025 - February, 2026

Super Systems Inc. logo

Served as a Secret-cleared escort and cable technician on telecommunications and network infrastructure projects at Hanscom AFB, supervising uncleared personnel in controlled areas while installing and verifying secure fiber-optic and structured cabling systems.

Full responsibilities ▾

Served as a Secret-cleared escort for uncleared third-party technicians requiring access to communications closets and data centers; conducted pre-entry security briefings covering access restrictions and prohibited activities before entry into controlled areas.
Maintained accountability logs for all escorted personnel entering the data center, signing off on each individual and ensuring continuous supervision throughout their presence in restricted spaces in compliance with NISPOM requirements.
Operated independently and as part of an escort team depending on job scope; coordinated escort coverage across concurrent work sites so uncleared personnel were never left unsupervised within sensitive areas.
Enforced physical separation requirements between NIPR and SIPR infrastructure, maintaining minimum distance standards between classification levels throughout installations.
Performed fiber-optic fusion splicing, joining strands with a fusion splicer and securing connections with heat-shrink protection sleeves; verified splice integrity and signal loss using an Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR).
Reviewed and quality-verified over 500 third-party fiber audit documents against DoD loss thresholds (not to exceed 1 dB), identified non-conforming results, and consolidated findings into a summary spreadsheet submitted to the communications manager for disposition.
Conducted physical fiber audits across MDF and IDF closets and the data center, verifying installed runs, patch connections, and splice points to confirm infrastructure documentation was accurate and complete.
Pulled and routed copper and fiber cabling through conduit, drop ceilings, and walls; terminated and patched at MDF and IDF closets, repaired data outlets in cubicle environments, and supported new VoIP phone lane installations.
Supported a full network infrastructure upgrade, assisting with rack setup, mounting and positioning new Cisco switches, patching structured cabling to new equipment, and installing new equipment cabinets during the facility refresh.

MTS Services

MTS Services, Cable Technician
Framingham, MA | May, 2026 - August, 2026

MTS Services logo

Installed and tested structured cabling infrastructure on new-construction sites across New England, building out distribution frames and pathway systems supporting network, security, and access control equipment.

Full responsibilities ▾

Installed, terminated, and tested voice and data cabling in new-construction environments, including twisted pair, coaxial, and Cat 5e/Cat 6 copper; handled pulling, placement, termination, testing, and labeling to meet client specifications and deadlines.
Tested single-mode and multi-mode fiber-optic cabling with a Fluke tester, verifying signal integrity and documenting results to confirm compliance with project standards.
Built out Main and Intermediate Distribution Frames (MDF/IDF), terminating and organizing structured cabling to support telecom, TCP/IP network, CCTV security, and access control systems.
Installed wireless access points (WAPs) and supporting cable infrastructure, including J-hooks, D-rings, and cable tray, to establish standardized and code-compliant pathway routing.
Read and interpreted blueprints and schematics to plan cable routing and equipment placement, working under minimal supervision across multiple job sites.
Worked from ladders to install cabling and access points in elevated and hard-to-reach areas, maintaining a consistent safety and quality-control standard throughout.

USAG Natick

USAG Natick, SUPERVISORY SECURITY GUARD
Natick, MA | August, 2026 - Present

U.S. Army Garrison Natick emblem

Serve as Shift Supervisor for the security guard force at U.S. Army Garrison Natick, leading a shift responsible for installation access control, physical security enforcement, and emergency response.

Full responsibilities ▾

Serve as Shift Supervisor for the installation security guard force, exercising direct supervision over subordinate security guards and lead security guards assigned to the shift.
Plan and coordinate shift activities to maintain physical security standards and enforce federal, state, and local laws, official orders, and installation regulations.
Protect federal property, employees, and visitors through access control operations and regulation of pedestrian and vehicle traffic at installation entry points.
Develop shift training plans based on approved courses and regulatory requirements, and supervise guard force training in weapons proficiency and protection against espionage, sabotage, and related threats.
Inspect on-duty personnel for appearance, readiness, and knowledge of assigned duties; report work deficiencies to higher-level supervisors.
Perform supervisory and administrative duties for the guard force, including scheduling, post assignments, and personnel oversight.
Serve as a member of the installation emergency response force, responding outside normal duty hours during actual and simulated incidents.

Certifications

Comptia Security Plus SY0-701 Certificate

Java Certificate

Badges & Skills

Security+ OnDemand

Malware Marauder

Resiliency Raider

Comptia Security+

Education

Western Governors University (In Progress)

Western Governors University, Millcreek, UT June, 2026 - Present

wgu

BS Cybersecurity and Information Assurance– In Progress Western Governors University, Millcreek, UT GPA: 3.76 / 4.0 Summer 2026 – Present .

Massasoit Community College (Completed)

Massasoit Community College, Middleboro, MA June, 2023 - December, 2025

Massasoit Community College logo

Completed General Education (GEN ED) Block through the MassTransfer program at Massasoit Community College. Achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.76 while fulfilling non-major transfer requirements in preparation for a BS Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at Western Governors University.

Self-Study | Independent Learning Path

Home February, 2025 - Present

Self-study in cybersecurity and IT

Beyond formal coursework I pursue self-directed study in software development, cybersecurity, and systems engineering—reinforcing theory with hands-on labs.

Key self-study projects ▾

Set up home labs for networking, system administration, and ethical hacking.
Building proficiency with RustDesk, Docker, Visual Studio Code, and WSL.
Deploying Ubuntu & Kali Linux and experimenting with Kali KeX GUI for penetration testing.
Exploring secure deployment on local servers and cloud platforms such as Linode.
Coding in Java and creating automation scripts for cybersecurity tasks.

This self-driven approach solidifies classroom knowledge with real-world experience and keeps me progressing toward certification readiness.