To be an work in Military Intelligence, how hard would you say it is to get in?

Question

I am not sure about exactly what branch, something that isnt behind a desk just typing reports, something where you are out with the troops and at least get some good weapons training. Anyone who has been know how hard it is to get in, and once your in how hard the schooling is, how long and what it teaches etc? I know only one language but am willing to elarn arabic if necessary.

What happens if you aren't able to pick up the other language, where do they put you?

Please be more elaborate than "hard". I mean what asvab scores etc. Also is there a lot of math involved?

Also, about the "spotless" background> Ive never had anything criminal happen to me no arrests or anything, did some stuff in high school but ive heard if you tell them upfront and dont lie about it it could be ok, is this true? I also have perfect credit and only 3 speeding tickets.

What does counterintelligence entail?

@ Coyote

"
From the way things are going, there doesn't seem to be any intelligence left in the military, officer-wise. Sounds like you want to be a "James Bondo" type. Consider the CIA."

You foolish liberal, you dont even know what Mil Intel is about dont throw your wacky politics into this. "James Bond Type", if I wanted to bea double 0 agent I would join spec. forces and go delta forces etc. James bond was not an intelliegence anylyst. Also, working Mil Intel is how you get into 3 letter agencies like the CIA.

Answer 1

Military intelligence is dull boring work.

New soldiers will often be assigned to battalion level intelligence offices (S-2) where they maintain the battalion's intel and cipher systems. Battalion level intel consists of providing maps to the troops of known enemy locations and strengths, etc.

Biggest problem is that you have no ability to control what kind of battalion you will end up in...they all have S-2 shops. You might be in an Infantry unit, or an Aviation unit, or you might be in a logistics unit (trucks beans and bullet movers.) But the work will generally be about the same.

Once you progress in your tenure and rank, you might find some more interesting postings. You might also get into signal intel which means listening to a radio and transcribing whatever is said and passing it on to a more qualified analyst...my sis went to the Defense Language Institute in Montery, CA and learned Mandrin Chinese and never got anywhere close to China...she spent her time at Ft Bragg, NC and Ft Lewis, WA. When she was at Bragg she ended up being the Battalion Cmdr's driver and went to the action in Grenada...

If you fail out of the language school they threaten Infantry, but generally they will just put you in a less demanding Intel position.

Also, if you want to be an Intelligence gather, look into becoming a combat scout, 14D I think...but realize that it is very close to being Infantry and not a whole lot of fun.

Answer 2

I would suggest you select an MOS that will send you to language school. Currently that's 35P, 35W, and IF you get it in your contract 35M. Reason being, having a degree, a security clearance and military experience is a plus, but the civilian intelligence communities are insanely competitive. You'd have much better chances if you had fluency in a hard target language, and those languages are what they teach at the Defense Language Institute. You also get 45 college credits from the Defense Language Institute. Take your core courses like English, math, history, and science (or test out of them) and they will award you a completed Associate's Degree at course graduation, or later on if you choose. Have I mentioned that DLI is on the beach, in California? Honestly, the water is way too cold to swim in most of the year, but it's still awesome.

Answer 3

I am an intel analyst (96B) in the army. It is not all that bad. In regards to how much time you spend "typing reports", it mostly depends on where your stationed and at what echelon that your assigned. I am in Iraq right now and spend about 80% of my time in an "office". In that 20% outside the wire, "enjoying the suck", I've already gotten my CAB and had a great deal of fun. In my MOS it is important to get assigned to a battalion or squadron, no higher than that or you will be in an office all the time.

If you want even more time outside the wire I suggest enlisting for a 97 series MOS.

As far as another language goes, I believe only one intel MOS requires you to go to DLI to learn a language (I'm not 100% certain about that).

Regarding your speeding tickets you probably will need waivers for them. They shouldn't be a problem if you don't have any other legal or financial issues.

The training isn't easy for everyone, but they will make sure you succeed, so don't worry to much about that.

Answer 4

You don't have to do just languages. Try counterintelligence in the Army. they are dying for people, and you don't need a language. You have to pass a hardcore security clearance screening, but as long as you didn't get arrested ever, dui's or anything like that you should be good. I got my clearance no problem, and then learned to speak Korean. be careful though, at the end of a year of learning to speak fluent Korean at The Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterrey Cali, they decided that Korea wasn't a threat and since it was a time of war we all were reclassified to either infantry or medics. i was a medic after that. They won't change you if you are Counterintel, so i suggest that route.

Answer 5

The MI branch wouldn't be something you'd be interested in. They do mostly gather intelligence from SF and Delta who are on the ground, and analyze maps. You're best bet would be to sign up for Special Forces, go through the 2 year training, after that, you stand a good chance bumping into Some Delta boys. Talk to them about a letter of recommendation......they'll hardly look at your packet without it. Once you past that, and get into Delta, that's where all the high-speed stuff is......but the training requirements are difficult to say the least! And keep your credit up......they look at that for the TS clearance you'll need

Answer 6

If you're studious, it's easy. If you're not, then it's hard. You need a top secret clearance, and in order to do that, your credit has to be good, and you cannot have a police record. Trust me, they interview ALL your immediate family along with your friends who know you well. It's a long process, but well worth the trouble financially. A TS clearance costs about $10,000 if you foot the bill yourself, so get it for free -- join the Army or National Guard!

Best wishes!

Answer 7

there's no real easy answer. each Branch concentrates on different things, and each branch has different needs.

But yes, expect a lot of math.. you will be working with computer equipment, to include sattelites.

the DLAB is the test they give you to find out your aptitude for learning another language. if you pass it, and are sent to DLI in Monterey CA( ALL branches send their linguists here) what language you get will depend on your DLAB scoire and the needs of the military the day you arrive. you are given ample opportunbity to pass, but if you should flunk out, they have the option to send you where they want you, and you will have no choice in the matter. This includes discharging you completely.

Most Intell work is anaylizing.. you won't be doing a whole lotta kicking down doors.

Answer 8

The military has a Language aptitude test they give. Passing it will give you an in to attend Defense Language Institute. That's pretty good duty at Monterrey Ca.
If you get into some electronic warfare MOSs you could spend years just getting trained.

Answer 9

Start out with ROTC.
Graduate top of the class at West Point.
Prove that you have the aptitude to endure working in extreme stressful conditions with other peoples lives at stake.
Any wrong decision you make could result in a Cort Marshal and send you to Leavenworth Prison.
Constant stress for your Wife and Family.
But you would get to work in the Pentagon.
Wow! What a deal!

Answer 10

It isn't very hard. I don't know what the ASVAB score would have to be, but it is similar to getting any other rate or MOS. However, since you are talking about a job with a high security clearance, you will not be in the field. The government doesn't want to risk you getting captured and tortured for classified info.