advice from counter-intel specialists?

[dkorea918]

Hello everyone. I am having my screening board interview this weekend for the counter-intelligence field and was wondering if I could get any advice from fellow 0211s. I was told that I needed to know current events, chain of command, basic marine history, etc. I was given two big study guides that had various questions ranging from mcmap to the weight of the light machine gun... I was also told that the screening board has a 80% fail rate. Any advice would be much appreciated... Thank you.

[Artemis]

FILL OUT YOUR PROFILE

Then you may resume asking questions and making posts.

[dkorea918]

Done.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Knowledge of the basics, is good. Self confidence and being able to think on your feet, is better.

For instance, a question asking you to describe the difference between Shia and Sunni, and how this could be used to your advantage, would be relevant.

If you can't answer it, you might be able to 'wing' it, but the usual answer of 'I don't know but will find out' isn't going to cut it. You better be able to work 'off the cuff', and think on your feet. Even if you have not the faintest clue. That being said, getting caught in a lie will doom you, but being able to give an answer without it being 'an answer' will work in your favor.

[dkorea918]

Thanks for the advice and info sergeant. I had my board yesterday and I passed. That board tore me apart for 4 hours straight. I have never been this stressed for an interview in my life. They told me that I was inexperienced and young, but saw a lot of potential in me. I am the first lance corporal in marine corps history to ever pass the CI board and come this far. So I am extremely excited for this opportunity.

[yellowwing]

Fours hours sounds good. They probably figured out in 5 minutes if you were worth their time. Congratulations!

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Well done!

Now, don't go gettin all big headed. LOL. Good luck.

Back in the ancient days of spear and shield, the CI Warrant officer interviewed you, based on your 'reputation' and a reccommendation from the local CI SNCO(s). And, you also were assigned a country and got to write a country brief on it, to be presented.

(I had to turn CI down, was married and the optempo was just too much to expect my wife and kids to, in all fairness, endure...but it would have been a blast I'm sure.)

[dkorea918]

Thanks! I have one question to ask you if you don't mind. After I graduate college, my goal is to work for a federal agency (DEA, ATF, US Marshals, etc). Would the 0211 CI field and experience put me at a competitive edge and advantage over the other thousands of applicants? I am also doing the CI field as a reservist.

[testforecho2112]

Counter Intel is more along the lines of the CIA, FBI, NSA, etc...the agencies you listed are more hands on in the field types. I worked in federal law enforcment for a while, and all the intel types I knew didnt do a lot of field work, but alot of analysis. Depending on what type of EXACT experience you end up bring to the table will really determine who you should apply with and what exactly they will want you to do...

[dkorea918]

Yes but a lot of the CI marines I talked to went out in the field and worked with infantry and force recon units. They went on raids with them, but at the same time utilized their CI skills by interrogating, collecting data, etc. Most of the CI marines on my team have at least 4 stacks of ribbons/medals.

[egbutler1]

Yeah we had a nice team of CI guys and a HET team with us, they always went on patrol with us. Good times, i loved going to local towns and watching them mind-screw the local sheikh great times.

[dkorea918]

Hahahah

Yeah we had a nice team of CI guys and a HET team with us, they always went on patrol with us. Good times, i loved going to local towns and watching them mind-screw the local sheikh great times.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Once you get 'in' there and get credentialled, you'll be able to understand more of what they do and, what you'll be ABLE to do. At this point, concentrate on that first. Nothing wrong with that long term goal, but you have bigger fish to fry at this point.

[SSgt Drew]

Alright, no dig on the others who have posted a message to you, but they are not CI guys so they can't possibly answer your questions accurately. To answer your question as to whether CI training will help you get hired with a federal agency, the answer is yes. Now, how much it helps will depend on what agency you are thinking about applying for and what position you are looking to fill within that agency. As far as you being a reservist coming into this MOS, you MUST get operational experience. You have no real idea how to do this job until you deploy. As a reservist myself, don't be like some of the guys I have seen who dodge deployments and come up with any excuse they can think of why they can't deploy. Our AD brethren are doing back to back deployments and the least you can do is deploy at least once. The sooner you can deploy after graduating from school the better. Hope this helps.

[testforecho2112]

SSgt Drew...you are assuming some of us arent CI types...you know those who are, would never post it here!