Facing escalating cyber threats, the Air Force requires agile and innovative solutions for building a robust cyber workforce. This presentation details the grassroots development of the 412th Communications Squadron’s RDT&E Enterprise Defensive Cyber Ops Cell (REDCORE), a unique wing-tasked cyber team, offering a replicable model for other units. Instead of relying solely on top-down directives, REDCORE was built from the ground up, fostering a culture of innovation and mission ownership amongst its members. This presentation will showcase how we leveraged existing resources, including proven internship programs like Palace Acquire and the Premier College Intern Program, to identify and cultivate fresh talent within the cyber domain. We will share our experience training multi-capable Airmen for the dynamic role of countering real-world cyber threats. Crucially, we will discuss how to build a supportive and inclusive environment to retain these highly skilled individuals. The impact of these initiatives will be highlighted through real-world mission accomplishment examples. By sharing the successes and lessons learned throughout the development of REDCORE, this presentation offers a practical roadmap for other units to emulate, demonstrating how a grassroots approach can significantly enhance cyber readiness, lethality, and operational efficiency across the Air Force.