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Hi all,
I'm a 35N (SIGINT analyst). Just picked up SPC a few months back and am on the fast track to being an NCO once I go through a board and complete BLC (sometime this year). I love my job and am very proficient in it, and have worked in support of numerous missions against GWOT. That being said I am currently working on a degree from Penn State in Political Science and hope to eventually become an 1811 for the FBI. I am actually reenlisting within the next month or two hopefully for another four years. I love my country and love the Army, and I feel like being a Federal investigator for the Army would be a great fit.
I understand that the job is not neccessarily glamorous, but I enjoy working with people, am passionate about the security of our country and I am proficient in writting, as it is a major requirement for my current MOS as well as my degree. I was wondering for those who made the transition into 35L, how long/difficult is the process, and what is the best route to take in regards to getting in touch with someone that can point me to such a path?
Any further pertinent information about the job would also be extremely helpful. Thanks!
I'm a 35N (SIGINT analyst). Just picked up SPC a few months back and am on the fast track to being an NCO once I go through a board and complete BLC (sometime this year). I love my job and am very proficient in it, and have worked in support of numerous missions against GWOT. That being said I am currently working on a degree from Penn State in Political Science and hope to eventually become an 1811 for the FBI. I am actually reenlisting within the next month or two hopefully for another four years. I love my country and love the Army, and I feel like being a Federal investigator for the Army would be a great fit.
I understand that the job is not neccessarily glamorous, but I enjoy working with people, am passionate about the security of our country and I am proficient in writting, as it is a major requirement for my current MOS as well as my degree. I was wondering for those who made the transition into 35L, how long/difficult is the process, and what is the best route to take in regards to getting in touch with someone that can point me to such a path?
Any further pertinent information about the job would also be extremely helpful. Thanks!
Posted in these groups: 
35L: Counterintelligence (CI) Agent
Military Intelligence
35L: Counterintelligence (CI) Agent Military Intelligence
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 5
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Like SFC Giovanni Bennett said; you should conduct a fair amount of research into the MOS before hand to ensure it's a good fit for your personality. We have this issue quite often, people want to be "investigators" but that's not the sole function of Counterintelligence; you have to be personable and adaptable to any situation because you're not always going to be assigned to an investigative position.
Additionally, you're career counselor would be a decent start; however, they are not the "end all, be all" as with most MOS changes. Counterintelligence is an application only MOS and as such we essentially choose the people we want to work with in the future. Everything you need to know about submitting an application can be found on the Intelligence Knowledge Network https://ikn.army.mil/ search for: Army Counterintelligence Recruiting Program. This page will provide you with everything you're looking for, from the basic recruiting briefing, CI duties and responsibilities, waiver requests, and a step by step checklist for how to complete your application packet (to include examples of all the required forms).
When you're ready to take the next step, contact your local Counterintelligence Office or a Counterintelligence Agent who might be assigned to your unit; they will take over from there. A quick word to the wise, do the leg work and ensure your application is strait; no one should care about your application more than you. Show up prepared and present yourself as being serious and passionate about the profession. If you bring your application to me and you're lacking the proper motivation or the application itself is "jacked up" don't expect a raving recommendation. I want to work with the best individuals the Army has to offer; individuals who are motivated to protect or national security, if someone is just looking for a career change or a way out of their lackluster MOS, Counterintelligence is not the way to do it.
You're more than welcome to reach out with any additional questions or concerns you might have and I will do my best to get you an answer.
Additionally, you're career counselor would be a decent start; however, they are not the "end all, be all" as with most MOS changes. Counterintelligence is an application only MOS and as such we essentially choose the people we want to work with in the future. Everything you need to know about submitting an application can be found on the Intelligence Knowledge Network https://ikn.army.mil/ search for: Army Counterintelligence Recruiting Program. This page will provide you with everything you're looking for, from the basic recruiting briefing, CI duties and responsibilities, waiver requests, and a step by step checklist for how to complete your application packet (to include examples of all the required forms).
When you're ready to take the next step, contact your local Counterintelligence Office or a Counterintelligence Agent who might be assigned to your unit; they will take over from there. A quick word to the wise, do the leg work and ensure your application is strait; no one should care about your application more than you. Show up prepared and present yourself as being serious and passionate about the profession. If you bring your application to me and you're lacking the proper motivation or the application itself is "jacked up" don't expect a raving recommendation. I want to work with the best individuals the Army has to offer; individuals who are motivated to protect or national security, if someone is just looking for a career change or a way out of their lackluster MOS, Counterintelligence is not the way to do it.
You're more than welcome to reach out with any additional questions or concerns you might have and I will do my best to get you an answer.
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SPC (Join to see)
First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and expertise! It is greatly appreciated. I have recently looked into all of the resources I could find pertaining to the MOS, and the website provided. One of the SGTs in my unit is looking to drop a packet as well, so he said that he will help put me in contact with one of our local 35L's when I am ready. My secondary opens up next month, and my primary open in October. That being said I am going to a board next month, and will hopefully be able to secure a slot for BLC soon
so that I can begin to initiate the packet and interview phase.
Counterintel for me isn't a way to boost my career or get out of my MOS. Personally, I dearly love my organization and my country and want to do my part to help ensure its safety.
so that I can begin to initiate the packet and interview phase.
Counterintel for me isn't a way to boost my career or get out of my MOS. Personally, I dearly love my organization and my country and want to do my part to help ensure its safety.
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First of all. Proof read. I know I'm piggy backing here, but... "I understand that the job is not neccessarily glamorous, but I enjoy working with people, am passionate about the security of our country and I am proficient in writting, as it is a major requirement for my current MOS as well as my degree." There are two misspelled words and it's an incorrect sentence for military writing. You should know this due to your current MOS.
That being said, research, research, research! It is paramount that you actually know and understand Counterintelligence prior to working on your packet. Simply saying that you want to be one, or that your goal is to go 1811 for the FBI when you get out will likely get your packet denied by the senior Lima's. Once you've done the research, seek out your local Counterintelligence field office. They will put you on the correct path to acquiring your 35L reclassification packet. They will also be the persons who will conduct your interview and send off your packet so long as you don't PCS while you're completing it. Allocate a period of 27 days to complete your packet. The entire packet must be completed altogether within 30 days. 27 days of your leg work, and three days for the agents and special agent in charge to conduct your interview, review and send off your packet.
Ask plenty of questions when working with the agents. Their job is to work with you and answer your questions. They are not required, nor are they encouraged to assist you in completing your packet except for their final piece in it. So do not expect them to hold your hand throughout the process. This is a self driven process. The first step is a test to weed out those who do not have the drive to get the job done without oversight.
Anything else you may want or need to know can be learned by looking up the information on the the Go Army website, by the 35L recruitment site and power point presentation. Additionally, read, Traitors Among us, by COL (RET) Stuart A. Herrington. But don't get a new copy. The guy the wrote it should be finishing his prison sentence had he actually been arrested. We don't like throwing money in his pocket if we can help it. Used copies should be available still. That is a massive view into the investigative and some operational aspects about the 35L/97B MOS. This may assist you in better understanding the job prior to working on your packet.
Good luck.
That being said, research, research, research! It is paramount that you actually know and understand Counterintelligence prior to working on your packet. Simply saying that you want to be one, or that your goal is to go 1811 for the FBI when you get out will likely get your packet denied by the senior Lima's. Once you've done the research, seek out your local Counterintelligence field office. They will put you on the correct path to acquiring your 35L reclassification packet. They will also be the persons who will conduct your interview and send off your packet so long as you don't PCS while you're completing it. Allocate a period of 27 days to complete your packet. The entire packet must be completed altogether within 30 days. 27 days of your leg work, and three days for the agents and special agent in charge to conduct your interview, review and send off your packet.
Ask plenty of questions when working with the agents. Their job is to work with you and answer your questions. They are not required, nor are they encouraged to assist you in completing your packet except for their final piece in it. So do not expect them to hold your hand throughout the process. This is a self driven process. The first step is a test to weed out those who do not have the drive to get the job done without oversight.
Anything else you may want or need to know can be learned by looking up the information on the the Go Army website, by the 35L recruitment site and power point presentation. Additionally, read, Traitors Among us, by COL (RET) Stuart A. Herrington. But don't get a new copy. The guy the wrote it should be finishing his prison sentence had he actually been arrested. We don't like throwing money in his pocket if we can help it. Used copies should be available still. That is a massive view into the investigative and some operational aspects about the 35L/97B MOS. This may assist you in better understanding the job prior to working on your packet.
Good luck.
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SGT Ben Miller
Glass houses are dangerous... "The guy the wrote it should be finishing his prison sentence had he actually been arrested."
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SSG (Join to see)
Facts are facts. That book shouldn't have been released as it was. Probably why it had been pulled from the shelves as quickly as it had after publication.
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SFC Giovanni Bennett
Great information for him. Definitely having knowledge of US Army Counterintelligence Operations will definitely help you. When I conducted interviews of candidates the first question I always asked was, "Why do you want to become a Counterintelligence Agent?" The second was, "What can you tell me about US Army Counterintelligence without reciting the Army definition. In Your Own Words, What does a Counterintelligence Agent do?"
After serving four years in the Infantry and then reclassing to 97B(MOS at the time)/35L I found it extremely nice that we basically get to pick who we wanted to serve with. In the Army we don't always have that luxury. Good Luck Brother. Or if you were accepted, decided not to reclass or bombed your packet let me know how it turned out. Send me a message. Take care and God Bless.
After serving four years in the Infantry and then reclassing to 97B(MOS at the time)/35L I found it extremely nice that we basically get to pick who we wanted to serve with. In the Army we don't always have that luxury. Good Luck Brother. Or if you were accepted, decided not to reclass or bombed your packet let me know how it turned out. Send me a message. Take care and God Bless.
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Proofreading. It's importand. Check what you write before submitting. This isn't amateur hour.
'hopefully ofr another four years'. You may work with federal if you are credentialed but that doesn't make you a federal investigator for the Army. Apply, you can't attain it if you don't apply.
'hopefully ofr another four years'. You may work with federal if you are credentialed but that doesn't make you a federal investigator for the Army. Apply, you can't attain it if you don't apply.
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LTJG (Join to see)
I was about to say the same thing about his proofreading but you beat me to it lolol
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SPC (Join to see)
SGT Robert Tate- I completely agree, proof reading is definitely importand. Fixed the mistake, thanks for the help.
SSG Carp, Jr. -Really appreciate this insight, this definitely helps me get a better mindset and I will be sure to seek out our Career Counselor.
SSG Carp, Jr. -Really appreciate this insight, this definitely helps me get a better mindset and I will be sure to seek out our Career Counselor.
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SFC James Schroeder
SPC Watson,
As you're still a fairly young SPC, understand that you won't be eligible for reclassification into 35L for a few more months yet. Your career counselor can certainly help as far as your options.
As to completing your packet, however, the career counselor will *not* be able to assist much there. Approach your local CI office or one of the more experienced CI personnel in your command (513th has several platoons with organic CI), and they will be able to both advise you on the packet process and suggest other ways to prepare for the school.
I noticed you listed a goal of becoming an 1811 with the FBI; while being Army CI will certainly help with the clearance requirements, it will not help much with the 1811 side of things. Consider approaching the local CID office as well - they are the direct 1811 equivalent and, should you choose that path, will be able to not only set you up for success as an 1811 but also will better qualify you should you exit the Army a bit later (there are some requirements for meeting the 20-year mark as a Law Enforcement Officer that CI may or may not be able to help you waive).
Good luck, God Speed, and keep your head on swivel!
-James W. Schroeder
SFC, USA (Transitioning)
CI Special Agent
As you're still a fairly young SPC, understand that you won't be eligible for reclassification into 35L for a few more months yet. Your career counselor can certainly help as far as your options.
As to completing your packet, however, the career counselor will *not* be able to assist much there. Approach your local CI office or one of the more experienced CI personnel in your command (513th has several platoons with organic CI), and they will be able to both advise you on the packet process and suggest other ways to prepare for the school.
I noticed you listed a goal of becoming an 1811 with the FBI; while being Army CI will certainly help with the clearance requirements, it will not help much with the 1811 side of things. Consider approaching the local CID office as well - they are the direct 1811 equivalent and, should you choose that path, will be able to not only set you up for success as an 1811 but also will better qualify you should you exit the Army a bit later (there are some requirements for meeting the 20-year mark as a Law Enforcement Officer that CI may or may not be able to help you waive).
Good luck, God Speed, and keep your head on swivel!
-James W. Schroeder
SFC, USA (Transitioning)
CI Special Agent
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