What are the best 35 Series MOSs for a possible career in the Intelligence Field?

SPC(P) Arthur Trapp — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 20:17:02 -0400

I am currently in the IRR and I am looking to enlist into the NG or AR while I pursue my Bachelor's. I am hoping to get into the Intelligence Field and would like to pick and MOS that provide a solid foundation. I initially looked at 35F simply for the TS however I am not sure it would be most fufulling. What recommendations do you 35 Series guys have? I have considered 35M and 35L as well. My ASVAB scores are decent enough.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2020 8:28 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 20:28:15 -0400

What do you want to do in the intel field?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2020 10:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 22:09:10 -0400

F's do a little bit of everything, hence why everyone wants to be one.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2020 10:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 22:10:24 -0400

Any one of them are pretty safe for post Army life. But to be honest, take a look in Armyreenlistment.com and see what MOS's there are that you actually must apply to, such as 35L. Good luck.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 8 at 2020 10:44 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 22:44:16 -0400

At this point, any 35 series MOS requires a TS. So that really isn't a deciding factor. What do you want to do and what are you good at (or willing to get good at)? SIGINT is a lot of technical expertise and some maths, but also tends to be a bit more isolated. HUMINT is a lot of tactical expertise and some psychology, but also relies heavily on people skills. IMINT is a lot of analytical skills and interpretation, plus headaches from staring at screens. All source is a lot of analysis, some maths, some people skills, a lot of databasing and charting, plus a little bit of black magic. And even then it is slightly better than flipping a coin.

You mentioned on another reply that you were leaning toward HUMINT. Do you want to spend most of your time dealing with (and manipulating) other people? If yes, then great, HUMINT might be for you!

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 8 at 2020 11:15 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 23:15:02 -0400

35M

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 8 at 2020 11:15 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 23:15:21 -0400

How about FBI

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2020 10:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 10:14:35 -0400

Google the Army COOL (Credentialing Options Online) and it will break down each MOS and what different fields they can go into. Having been a 35M for over 14 years and a previous SIGINT guy, my money is on 35M. Fs are stuck inside a building without windows more often than not. Ls aren't actually intel. Ms get certifications a few of the alphabets are highly interested in and can get relevant experience in the states as well as deployed. If you want to be a M, you will do both tactical and strategic work if you stay in long enough as an active duty person but I don't know much about reserve/guard folks in this job. There ARE opportunities to support at least one of the alphabet agencies CONUS but sometimes those are hard to get. But, they are an option, you just have to try to get into one of their US field office as an active guy (ADOS orders for you probably) There are a lot of options available if you become a M, however, in all reality there are a lot of options any MOS you choose. It all depends on where your interests lie. If you don't like what you do, you'll be miserable the whole time so make sure you select something that is in line with your interests. If you have any other questions there are plenty of people here who can answer for you. Good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2020 2:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 14:40:08 -0400

I think 35L would be good to network out. There's a ton of broadening assignments that comes with the MOS. Best of luck

Response by MSG Charles Perkins made Apr 9 at 2020 4:02 PM

MSG Charles Perkins — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 16:02:05 -0400

I would agree with SFC O'Malley. I spent 22 years as a 35F and one of the things is you get to know the strengths and weaknesses of each INT. A 35F is a jack of all ints and maybe a master of a few. Each single source person will tell you theirs is the best, but each is strong or weak based on the tactical, operational or strategic situation and the 35F has to weigh all that to provide a fused intel product.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2020 1:20 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 13:20:07 -0400

It really depends on scar you’re looking to do long-term. When I was first doing my research, I almost went the 35P way since that’s where my interests where. Then I realized that 35F might translate better in the civilian way once I transition out so I picked that instead. Also consider how long you’re ready to be back in AIT for since most intelligence training is extensive. 35P can take up to a year which was another deterrent personally. 35G is some terre along the line of 6 months (if you don’t recycle). 35T is about 11 months. These are all things to take into consideration when making a choice.

Response by LCDR Mike Morrissey made Jun 8 at 2020 4:48 AM

LCDR Mike Morrissey — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 04:48:40 -0400

Just from the clearance issue, just make sure you are squeaky clean. As a former Nuclear Weapons security officer and PRP certifier, a basic BI is one thing, checking all the blocks for TS and subsequent levels is another ballgame. Our daughter just went through her regular periodic update in a defense industry, and things have really tightened up. Even we parents both retired Navy with former TSs were rechecked.