Intel AND Spec Ops

[JrodBones]

Gentleman,

So I’m in a place in my military career where I need to figure some things out, and I’m torn.
I respect and appreciate all the experience and advice given on this site, so any input or help would be appreciated.

I’ve been in the Marine Corps Reserves for about 6 ½ years as a 1391 and 0916, and I am planning on staying in the reserve/guard component for at least 20 years. However, I do not know which route to go.

I have a very strong desire and passion to do more. I want to be in a direct action job; However, I recently became fascinated with the CI/HUMINT field as well. I feel that I would do really well in it and would love to get into it. At the same time, I want to do something that offers SR, DA, FID, or PR type missions.

So is there a position/MOS out there that offers the best of these two worlds? Is there an option to do something like CI/HUMINT with a special operations unit allowing me to do the CI/HUMINT job and the training the other side offers? Or, am I going to have to just pick one and be happy with it?

Again, I am currently in the Marine Corps but my dedication is to my country so I would have no problem going Army, Air Force, or Navy…

Thanks in advance for any advice and helping me get my ducks in a row….or maybe a tactical column….that seems more fitting….




Also, I verified with a mod beforehand, but this is posted in the Army and Marine forum as well because the Intel/Support forum doesn’t seem to get as much traffic as the others.

 

[Marauder06]

Gentleman,

So I’m in a place in my military career where I need to figure some things out, and I’m torn.
I respect and appreciate all the experience and advice given on this site, so any input or help would be appreciated.

I’ve been in the Marine Corps Reserves for about 6 ½ years as a 1391 and 9916, and I am planning on staying in the reserve/guard component for at least 20 years. However, I do not know which route to go.

I have a very strong desire and passion to do more. I want to be in a direct action job; However, I recently became fascinated with the CI/HUMINT field as well. I feel that I would do really well in it and would love to get into it. At the same time, I want to do something that offers SR, DA, FID, or PR type missions.

So is there a position/MOS out there that offers the best of these two worlds? Is there an option to do something like CI/HUMINT with a special operations unit allowing me to do the CI/HUMINT job and the training the other side offers? Or, am I going to have to just pick one and be happy with it?

Again, I am currently in the Marine Corps but my dedication is to my country so I would have no problem going Army, Air Force, or Navy…

Thanks in advance for any advice and helping me get my ducks in a row….or maybe a tactical column….that seems more fitting….




Also, I verified with a mod beforehand, but this is posted in the Army and Marine forum as well because the Intel/Support forum doesn’t seem to get as much traffic as the others.

Negative. You get one thread per topic, you don't spam our forum with multiple identical threads. If a mod told you something different, they are wrong and need to PM me about it.

This is an intel topic and it will be discussed- or not- in the intel forum. The other identical threads are closed.

 

[Short Round]

I recently completed the screening process for CI/HUMINT and somehow passed. Make sure if this is what you decide to do that you prepare as much as possible before attempting the board. I am infantry and have worked several times with HET in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is my understanding that some individuals are attached to the more high speed units for specific tasks however I don't want to speculate as to how they are chosen for such work. Your best bet is to talk to one of the CI/HUMINT recruiters and ask them these questions in person, as a public forum is a very good medium to violate OPSEC without realizing it. If you're aboard Camp Pendleton PM me and I can point you in the right direction to the recruiters.
Again I'm not in the 0211 field I'm still in the infantry pending my orders to make the move but I do have an intimate knowledge of what it takes to succeed in the screening process.

 

[amlove21]

I know we talked about it beforehand- and I wasn't clear. I wanted you to pick a good heading to clear up confusion and post it in a single forum. I'll take some of the blame on this one.

Mara- PM inbound.

 

[0699]

9916?

 

[JrodBones]

That was my fault. I missunderstood the advice given. Will adjust fire for future posts.

 

[Kraut783]

9916?

I guess a non MOS specific paragraph line number slot?

9916, Billet Designator :

Summary. This MOS will be used in T/O's to designate a billet to which any enlisted Marine may be assigned but will not be assigned to an individual.
Requirements/Prerequisites. None.
Duties. As assigned.

 

[JrodBones]

I recently completed the screening process for CI/HUMINT and somehow passed. Make sure if this is what you decide to do that you prepare as much as possible before attempting the board. I am infantry and have worked several times with HET in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is my understanding that some individuals are attached to the more high speed units for specific tasks however I don't want to speculate as to how they are chosen for such work. Your best bet is to talk to one of the CI/HUMINT recruiters and ask them these questions in person, as a public forum is a very good medium to violate OPSEC without realizing it. If you're aboard Camp Pendleton PM me and I can point you in the right direction to the recruiters.
Again I'm not in the 0211 field I'm still in the infantry pending my orders to make the move but I do have an intimate knowledge of what it takes to succeed in the screening process.

I have been working with my PS recruiter who has given me two names. Ive contacted both but havent heard back. My main question is, is there a balance out there in which you would do both on a consistant basis?

 

[0699]

I guess a non MOS specific paragraph line number slot?

9916, Billet Designator :

Summary. This MOS will be used in T/O's to designate a billet to which any enlisted Marine may be assigned but will not be assigned to an individual.
Requirements/Prerequisites. None.
Duties. As assigned.

That's what I'm trying to figure out; why would he list that as an MOS?

 

[JrodBones]

[quoteis

9916?

"0699, post: 271977, member: 62"]9916?[/quote]

Sorry...using a tab and a phone for posting. That was a typeo. 0916 - martial arts instructor

 

[Short Round]

Ive contacted both but havent heard back. My main question is, is there a balance out there in which you would do both on a consistant basis?

Again, I'm not in a position to give you a definitive answer on anything 0211. But using the logic of the military I would say no. There is no Jason Bourne MOS in the military, although I'm sure that somewhere in the deep dark corners of the special forces universe he does exist. Before you start thinking about direct action missions why not spend a few years in the regular infantry first.
No one turns the treadmill to full speed and then jumps on hoping to sprint.

 

[goon175]

There is stuff out there that fits your description, but their slots are filled with seasoned SOF guys. If you want to get into a gig like you described, then going through a SOF selection would be the best route to go.

 

[JrodBones]

Again, I'm not in a position to give you a definitive answer on anything 0211. But using the logic of the military I would say no. There is no Jason Bourne MOS in the military, although I'm sure that somewhere in the deep dark corners of the Special Forces universe he does exist. Before you start thinking about direct action missions why not spend a few years in the regular infantry first.
No one turns the treadmill to full speed and then jumps on hoping to sprint.

I see your point.
One of the reasons I ask is because I don’t know everything that’s out there in the other branches nor do I know how their CI/HUMINT guys operate and how they are placed throughout different units.

I’m not necessarily trying to jump on the treadmill while it’s going at full speed, but I do not think that I would like being with a traditional infantry company AS much. While they’re closely related they’re a different beast from the special operations capable units from my understanding at least. I will never rule anything out, but just not what I want to shoot for.

 

[JrodBones]

There is stuff out there that fits your description, but their slots are filled with seasoned SOF guys. If you want to get into a gig like you described, then going through a SOF selection would be the best route to go.

Goon..thank you for the advice. Can you provide information on what positions those would be without violating any OPSEC? Also, would that be a position in the Army that you're referring to?

So, in your opinion, it would be better to go through the SF pipeline and get into the field and THEN try to get into a CI or HUMINT position on a team or with a group instead of the other way around?

 

[Stork]

MARSOC is taking CI/HUMINT Marines as SOCS. None have come straight from the school-house. I think all have 0211 combat tours. To deploy with an MSOC/MSOT you would undergo their work-up. You're looking at quite a while before you'd even get here.

http://www.marsoc.marines.mil/Recruiting/SpecialOperationsCapabilitiesSpecialist.aspx

I would suggest you prioritize what you want to do (pull triggers or do intel). Then, go AD and lat move into that. But you need to be clear in your head what you're there for. If you go to your OIC/Chief as a CI/HUMINTer thinking you're there to be a door kicker, you're going to be sorely disappointed. Generally, really cool jobs go to guys who got noticed doing well at the less cool jobs first (but IMHO few 0211 jobs are uncool).

 

[JrodBones]

Then, go AD and lat move into that.

Only problem is that I am trying to stay reserves or guard. Single dad. I've received feedback from guys on here and know that with a field like that I will see more deployments and training than normal reserve or guard units, but the main issue would be the PCS that I cannot do.

But you need to be clear in your head what you're there for.

And that is what brought me here. I'm having trouble deciding between the two. I have a strong passion or am drawn to both and feel that I would do great in either one as soon as I put my mind and energy into it.

(but IMHO few 0211 jobs are uncool).

I've also heard that there aren't any "uncool" jobs in the 0211 field. When I went through the MAI course I was rooming with an intel guy that was with a sniper platoon. He went through some of the selection for 0211 and gave me a little info. After that I started looking into it more and more and really feel I would love it. I have some psychology background with civilian education as well so it's been an interest of mine for some time. I just use to view all intel jobs as "boring" because I knew nothing about them.

 

[goon175]

If you want to stay part-time, then the closest you will probably ever get is going SF NG.

 

[JrodBones]

If you want to stay part-time, then the closest you will probably ever get is going SF NG.

Goon.
Thank you for the advice.
That was what I was thinking…

I was looking at going that route and was dead set on it.
I contacted the unit in CA, was set to go to the SFRE, was training and prepping, and was dedicating myself to it.
Then found info on the CI/HUMINT field and started to become extremely interested in that field. I really like the purpose they serve, what they do, and how they are utilized. However, I was trying to see if there were any units out there that specifically have billets or positions for them.

For example, a friend/coworker of mine was an 18B and I asked him about it. He said there were only like two times that he remembers actually taking HUMINT guys with them or escorting them to where they were going.

Ignore this is OPSEC risk (or PM if possible):
So when a group goes out do they use 35M soldiers for questioning or does another 18 series guy do it?

 

[DA SWO]

You can't have the best of three worlds.

You want to be a HUMINT Guy who is also a high-speed door kicker, but only part time.

Those NG/Reserve guys/gals do more then one weekend/month.
They deploy, alot.
How would a deployment fit in with the single-dad gig?

IMHO: Dad is the most importent job you can have, find a Reserve/Guard job that fits your dad schedule and be the best Dad/Marine you can be.
Be proud of your service, and give 100%.

 

[JrodBones]

You can't have the best of three worlds.

You want to be a HUMINT Guy who is also a high-speed door kicker, but only part time.

Those NG/Reserve guys/gals do more then one weekend/month.
They deploy, alot.
How would a deployment fit in with the single-dad gig?

IMHO: Dad is the most importent job you can have, find a Reserve/Guard job that fits your dad schedule and be the best Dad/Marine you can be.
Be proud of your service, and give 100%.

SOWT,


Thank you very much for your input.

Please let me clarify, I’m not necessarily trying to be a HUMINT guy and door kicker.
I was just wondering if there were any opportunities at some of those “high speed” units that utilize 0211/35M guys.
For example, when a team takes an HVT who is doing the questioning and interrogating? Is it a 35M, another 18 series guy, or some other MOS that I don’t know about? I see a need for it in special operations units, but I just don’t know how they fulfill that need.

I know it’s difficult to have all three, but I’m just trying to see what is out there.

My primary need is being either NG or reserve for my kids. I can deploy and I can do more than the one weekend a month. With joint legal custody, I cannot PCS though, so that is why I need a “part-time” thing.