Hoping for some intel on intel

[fusm61403]

Hey to anyone out there, I've been a bit curious about my OccFld. It's goin to be either 0200 or 2600. I just want some info on things like where i could be stationed (probably anywhere) and generalizations of things these guys do. When I chose the intel field my recruiter told me one thing: "This $hit is top secret and you'll love. But one thing is, good luck finding things on it." I met my uncle's dad who was in the intel field but he says things have probably changed so much he wouldn't be of any help. I don't want to break any security protocols or rules by asking for info. So if I am pelease tell me. Thank You.

[fade2black]

Every infantry battalion has an S-2, Intel. So you could go to any infantry unit. I don't know too much about what they do (that I can tell you about anyway) other than collect, process, and provide intel to the unit leaders.

I took the test for the intel MOS before going into boot camp and took it again while in boot camp. I failed both times =) Good luck!

[law_student]

I spent five years as an 0231. You can be stationed pretty much anywhere. I did a few years in Okinawa. I got to go to Australia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea (4 times), Thailand, and Hong Kong.

As an 0231, you are asked to do any number of things in the intelligence field. I worked in an all-source analysis shop and spent several years briefing officers and writing briefs.

At the bn level you might find yourself creating map-overlays and plotting enemy positions on a map. There are a wide-range of job opportunities for an intel person. Drop me a line if you have any questions.

[MEU Marine]

I've been an 02 for 15 years now and have been stationed on both coasts and overseas, having just returned from my 7th deployment. However, most folks don't deploy that much and I do only because it's where I find the most job satisfaction in doing 'real world intel' vice exercises.

The basic 0231 skill sets are research, analysis, powerpoint and briefing. You'll gather info from various sources (including internet) and present them to your unit to support their operations. As an 0231 you can expect to be assigned to either a Battalion or Squadron. At Bn you will live like a grunt and provide them with info on the location of the enemy and the threat they pose (small arms, RPGs... tanks), At Sqdn you live like an air-winger and provide air crews with info on the threat to their aircraft (SAMs, RPGs, etc). Once you have done a few deployments and gotten some experience, you may go on to joint duty at one of the intel agencies in DC.

As a 2600, the skill sets are attention to detail, listening and being able to discern small differences in sounds as well as analyse the info you gather from signals. 2600s do all the decoding, signals intercepts and other 'beeps-n-squeaks' stuff. This may sound cool and sexy but is pretty tedious work and done indoors with headphones on for the most part.

Either way, you'll likely see Iraq in your near future because there is considerable intelligence work to be done there for a few years yet.

Drop me a line if you have any questions. You probably don't know enough to 'know what you don't know' at this point, but I can probably shed light on anything you are confused about. Most folks (recruiters included) don't know what we do in the 02xx field and therefore assume it's a lot more 'top secret' than it really is. Yes, you will have a TS clearance, but most of the stuff that is important to a grunt is STILL unclassified.

Semper Fi.

[scream]

hi, im going into Intel as well. i scored a 62 on the asvab an i guess you need 90's for the top secret jobs. what kind of jobs are there for the "dumb" people?

[Caesar Augustus]

62's not that bad. You're still an alpha.

[MEU Marine]

Well guys, 'dumb' is relative because each intel MOS calls for different skills sets. The guys who lack the technical smarts to become signal analysts may still possess the street smarts required to become Counterintelligence folks. Sometimes the best/brightest guys who do the technical stuff totally lose their **** when thrown in the difficult situations that HUMINTers see day-to-day.

However, in your situation I'd say if someone told you that you would be going to a 'non-TS' job, that could only be as a Topographic Specialist because that is the ONLY job in the 02xx or 26xx field that you don't need a TS for. In the old days, topo specialists (0261s) made maps. Now they operate systems that merge mapping/vector data with imagery and create 'visualization' products vice old hardcopy maps.

Drop another line once you know for sure what MOS you are headed for.

Semper Fi,

[fusm61403]

well I've been away from the page for awhile and I just saw this. So this raises another question. Is there any way I can get chosen for a Counterintelligence job??

Thank you for any help you can provide.

[MEU Marine]

Short answer is 'yes'. HOWEVER, CI/0211 is a lat-mover only MOS which means the only way to get there is to first learn the MOS you get out of Boot Camp, become so good at that MOS that you get great Pro/Cons and then, once you are an NCO and looking at your first re-enlistment, you can apply for CI. If your package (submitted up your chain of command to nearest intel section) looks promising, you will be granted an interview with a CI SNCO or WO, and if that goes well, you will be granted a screening board which consists of a minimum of 3 CI SNCO/Os. Along the line, you will learn enough about CI to realize if it's really something you want to do, and may also learn that it's not what you expected- we do not train James Bond/007s in the Marine Corps.

[fusm61403]

thanx for the info but im sorry if i have a lot of questions. this might be my last one. OK. How long are any of the schools for any jobs in 02xx/26xx fields? I'm just curious to know cuz if i do pass the intel tests and get my TS clearance I would like to know how long it will be. I like to be prepared Thanx.

[MEU Marine]

The only stupid question from a Poolee is the one that goes unanswered- curiousity and advance planning are good things for a Marine to have.

There are so many different fields and each school is different. All of them run from 3 months on the short side (0231) to roughly 24 months on the long end (Signals Analyst with language training). The most common MOSes available right up front are 0231/Intel Analyst, 0261/Topographic Specialist, 2631/Signals Analyst. However, later there are 2 more available that are lat-move only: 0241/Imagery Analyst, 0211/Counterintelligence Specialist.

For now, just do as well as you can on the tests to ensure you are qualified for as many of the 02xx/26xx MOSes as possible.

[GreenSB]

You're never really going to get any straight answers when it comes to Intel. And when you sign up for DD, you really don't have any idea what you're going to be... If you want to know particulars, send me a private message

[MEU Marine]

One of the reasons that 'straight answers' may be hard to come by is that, at the entrance level of a poolee, it's nearly impossible to see for sure from the Entry-level 'National Agency Check' if a guy will be able to get cleared for TS when the 18-24 month-long Special Background Investigation is initiated. The clearance and GT score, based against the needs of the 02xx community, are really the basic determinants of whether a guy can get in. If you have arrests or foreign-born relatives, the clearance will be what keeps you from the 02xx field. If you're clean and have all your relatives right in one geo location, the investigation will go quickly. There's a lot more to weigh than simple ht/wt/PFT/ASVAB before a guy can get placed into the right job in this field. I'll continue to answer any questions tossed my way and give you guys the best scoop I can from my level of visibility, which although I'd prefer otherwise, is currently from HQMC in the Pentagon.

[IntelPoolee04]

Hey everyone. Im glad to see someone else has as much questions about this OccFld as I do. Im a DEP'er , goin Intel with my MOS assigned somewhere within Signals Intel/Electronic Ground Warfare. What does this field really do in the Corps? What kind of jobs will be assigned in this field? MEU Marine, your really know your stuff. If you have AOL/AIM, hit me up at jwilla04 or joshywill311. If you dont have instant messanger, try my email at jwill04@yahoo.com! I really would like to talk to anyone that is interested/involved in this line of work in the Marine Corps.