What does an intelligence officer in the U.S. military do?

Answer 1

Intelligence consists of three basic steps, also know as "the intelligence cycle":

Collection
Analysis
Dissemination
Intelligence officers in the military primarily, collect data requested by operators, collate it, and brief it. That's pretty much the job, in a nutshell.
There are signals intelligence (SIGINT), Human Intelligence (HUMINT), and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT)-which also can include satellite imagery. Intelligence officer analysts specialize in these areas.
For me as a planner, the intel guy (or girl) was my subject-matter-expert into that world (CIA, DIA, NSA, RIO, Service intel) to get me the stuff I need.
The above applies to tactical/operations intel-which is where 99% of military intelligence officers operate. STRATEGIC intelligence, which is what the less educated responses above refer to, is a whole 'nother animal.
The biggest limiting factor there is not collection, but ANALYSIS. Intelligence at this level is extremely political, and can be skewed to the requester if one is not careful.

Answer 2

The term intelligence does not mean brains in the military, it means SPYING on, and gathering info on individuals, or nations to find out what they are up to.

Answer 3

His specialty is to gather as much information about a given situation as he can. After gathering the information, his job is to evaluate it to determining just how much of a threat it can be, and make recommendations concerning how to counter or neutralize that threat. Not all situations require a call to arms.

Answer 4

Isn't the term Military Intelligence in itself an oxymoron?

Answer 5

They counter intelligence.

Answer 6

Obtains and/or interprets intelligence.

Answer 7

provide intelligence.

Answer 8

Makes sure that none gets in.

Answer 9

They make up stupid lies to justify going to war.