If a ROTC cadet's ultimate goal is to work for a 3 letter agency, is it better to commission active duty or NG/Reserves?

2019-09-12T14:01:36-04:00

I had a conversation with a 2LT last night who said there are more NG Officers in the 3 letter agencies than prior active duty officers. Wondering if the members of this forum would agree with that comment? I haven't decided on my path yet, as I'm just getting started in college. Any insights and experience you all could offer would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Sep 12 at 2019 2:27 PM

2019-09-12T14:27:23-04:00

Would you be going into a Unit that would benifit you in entering a Three letter agency (skills?) or do you just need a job while you go through college? Anyway being Comissioned would mean that you have a degree of some sorts so why not just go apply at the agency of choice. I don't think Reserve or National Guard would matter.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Sep 12 at 2019 2:27 PM

2019-09-12T14:27:48-04:00

I was a 2ndLt once. I would guardedly take a 2ndLt’s word for career advice. Go talk to people within one of those three-letter agencies for which you’d like to work.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Sep 12 at 2019 2:34 PM

2019-09-12T14:34:39-04:00

What is important to you, being a military officer or working towards employment with a three letter agency? These things can be done at the same time however each has unique requirements you need to focus on and achieve.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 12 at 2019 4:31 PM

2019-09-12T16:31:26-04:00

I'll lend my perspective as a former Army Civilian employee and supervisor. My job brought me into contact with many of the three-letter agencies in the Washington DC area, by which I mean NSA, CIA, DIA, DISA, DHS/FEMA, DOT, DOS, and DOJ. The Washington DC metropolitan environment is unique in the US. It's very much a "company town" where almost everybody's job is dependent on the Federal Government in some way. If your goal is to work for one of these agencies, then you should look into their hiring opportunities instead of pursuing a commission. There are many types of internships and fellowships that might allow you to start with an agency soon. These opportunities can lead to entry-level jobs in the GS-12 range with later options to be promoted up to GS-14.

Reserve Component personnel do work for nearly all of the Federal Departments and Agencies. Some civilian jobs are considered Mission Essential and Critical and are closed to Reserve Component personnel; however, there aren't many of this type in any one agency. In most cases, Reserve Component personnel enjoy strong support from their Federal Government employer including military leave with pay to cover your training and active duty time. Of course, you can't be fired or discriminated against because you are a Reserve Component member. There are also quite a few former and retired military members working as civilian employees in the DoD, Services, unified commands, Defense Agencies, intelligence community, Homeland Security, and DOT. Veterans enjoy a preference in hiring that bumps them to the top of a candidate list. If you become a disabled veteran, then you will go to the top of the list (don't spend time trying to become disabled) and it's impossible to hire anybody lower on the list.

If you are committed to a commissioning pathway, I suggest you focus on that first. You might really like the Army and decide the idea of becoming a Government Civilian wasn't that big a deal. Military personnel work in almost every agency I mentioned above, so you could direct your career that way. Select your Branch and MOS with your target agency in mind. For example, if you want to work for DOJ-FBI, go after an Army career in law enforcement and security. If the intelligence community is your target, then become an Army Intel Officer. Or if you want to fly helicopters, get into Army Aviation with the idea of flying for Border Patrol after you get out of the Army. Look on USAJobs web site. Sort jobs by agency and see what the agencies you're interested in are hiring for. Compare those jobs to MOS. Think it through.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 12 at 2019 5:10 PM

2019-09-12T17:10:54-04:00

Purely out of curiosity, only as you hadn't mentioned it, what major would you want, or are you doing? And, have you done any assocs level stuff thus far, or looked at any other svcs at all? I just typically ask stuff like that whenever I see career/educ threads like yours, honest, it helps us all be able to try to give advice more coherently, I'd found, honest...also, grades? GPAs? Research interests, if any? Specific topics that interest you, so far as you might be able to elaborate at all? And I gather, as you're apparently in now, are you SMP? Green to Gold? Hobbies? Reading tastes? Sport, esp any martial arts at all? The more you give all of us, the more we can possibly suggest for you, that's my sole point, so far as you'd care to say, honest, OK?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2019 7:37 PM

2019-09-12T19:37:38-04:00

Great Question-You should seek a reserve commission (NG is too state centric) and use that to work towards the mil service experience for hiring. Officer experience preferred. Educate yourself on hiring practices for the 3LA, get high GPA in solid degree field (no social justice stuff), attend a nationally ranked and recognized University, do internships and fellowships, serve your community and national philanthropies, learn a language (or 2 or 3, get a solid Masters from another more prestigious University and make yourself marketable.

After that it’s luck, timing, demographics and of course supply and demand

Good Luck

Response by COL David Turk made Sep 12 at 2019 9:50 PM

2019-09-12T21:50:30-04:00

How about a five letter agency; USACE. Essayons!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2019 10:04 PM

2019-09-12T22:04:39-04:00

Which 3 letter agency? CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2019 9:28 AM

2019-09-13T09:28:38-04:00

Which agency are you specifically looking at? The intelligence community is bigger than people realize.

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Sep 13 at 2019 4:23 PM

2019-09-13T16:23:16-04:00

If your ultimate goal is to work for a federal agency that is not the Army, please don’t waste the Army’s time and money training you to be an officer. If you want to be an officer in the Army be an officer, don’t have a mistress that is some vague 3 letter agency.

If you choose to not be an active officer then get a degree in a field of study that interest you and be a reserve officer. Just don’t take that active slot from another young officer that wants to devote his entire career to the army.

I know I am oversimplifying the way commissioning works. I am simply saying we need officers that are dedicated to soldiering and not using the service as a stepping stone. Too many enlisted do that already.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Sep 13 at 2019 11:39 PM

2019-09-13T23:39:46-04:00

Many... If not most NG officers are prior service....NG is also a part time gig and retirement for these employees.

Response by Lt Col Jeff J. made Sep 14 at 2019 1:12 AM

2019-09-14T01:12:07-04:00

What matters more than your commissioning source or career path for obtaining a 3-letter agency job is to gain and maintain your TS/SCI clearances--which may also include a polygraph exam (CI or Full Scope). This allows for the most flexibility in hiring you for the most positions. You also have to maintain a clean criminal record in good financial standing while reporting ALL foreign contacts/travel.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 14 at 2019 3:33 PM

2019-09-14T15:33:48-04:00

It makes common sense that NG members would have more, they can serve on both fronts. AD is limited to separation. NG can apply and apply again, while AD can only apply upon separation, after that of course apply and apply. Anyway, not sure you can truly know unless you are in HR for the 3 letters. Thank you for your service.