What is the family life of an Army MI officer?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 06:10:18 -0400

I have a wife and three children (a 2 1/2-year-old, and twins that just turned one) whom I love dearly, and they love me. I am currently pursuing an undergraduate National Security Studies degree, with a minor in foreign languages. ROTC has popped up on the list of possibilities (for many, really good reasons), but my wife and I are concerned about the toll that it will take on our family.

She grew up as an AF brat, moving all over the world, so she knows what the life can be like as far as that goes. Moving from location to location would be a fun adventure for our family, but we're wondering what the family life of an MI officer is like. Granted I know that early in my career I would likely be detailed with another branch for a while, but once I make it back to MI, what does that look like? Thanks in advance!

p.s., I suppose this should be considered my introduction as well, I don't think I've posted anything yet (although I've been stalking the pages here for a while now).

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Aug 11 at 2018 6:28 AM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 06:28:22 -0400

Jason I am not an MI Officer but my experience working with and having MI O's in my command I found them to be busy all the time. The did not deploy like the 18 series guys did but their job was to get as much information for the guys in a particular part of the world and all of their connections etc...

The cool part was not only did the MI section tell about the 5 meter targets but they were always scanning the horizon information and intelligence wise looking for another fight or situation evolving.
As I said my experience is pretty limited to combat arms but dont be afraid of the OPTEMPO embrace it, love it, make it work for your marriage and fatherhood the best way possible. Make the most of every second you have with family. It is not about buying cool stuff, I would do things as simple as pic a small flower from wherever I was put in my wallet, write a note of where I was and how much I love and miss my wife, but remember OPSEC that is not always possible.
Good luck, God bless and thanks for your future service.

Response by SFC Harry H. made Aug 11 at 2018 7:02 AM

SFC Harry H. — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 07:02:26 -0400

I think your thinking into this to hard. Typical MI. Lol! Just kidding!
I’m not MI or were I ever, but one thing I do know. Is as long as what ever your decisions may be, as long as they are in the best interest for the entire family. Even if the young ones don’t get it now. Get it out of the way early and sooner the better. You and your family will be better off and more gracious for it.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Aug 11 at 2018 7:42 AM

LTC Stephan Porter — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 07:42:28 -0400

Hopefully, and MI officer will add to this discussion. I am completing my last year of a 32 year career, the last 24 as an officer. I have worked alongside of them I officers scads of times and have a pretty good sense of their work schedule. I would echo the comments of the two before me. I, however, would bring this back to a general discussion of being a family man in the military, specifically an officer. I entered the active duty for us immediately after commissioning and later that year my first of 11 children was born. We have PC asked overseas and in conus several times and each time it has a different toll on the different kids and us based on the challenges that you experience. you will find this may be the same in the civilian world if you change jobs as most people do over your career. There are many benefits and challenges that your family will experience with your service and theirs. However, it can be done and you can thrive doing it. That being said, you can always get out at any point that you do not go anytime to things begin to not work. Any amount of service put you in a category and within this very small number of the population. I hope you choose to do it. Though I have spent almost 31 years in the US Army, I would suggest that perhaps the Air Force may provide a slightly better life for the family, but not necessarily you.

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Aug 11 at 2018 8:11 AM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 08:11:50 -0400

I'm not MI, I'm not even Army. I'm going to add the perspective of someone that held a high level clearance and worked in the IC. Which is the direction you head as MI.

Prepare to have half of your life blocked off from your family. You can't discuss it, for the most part, beyond gossip about personal stuff at work. Most of the time, the general response to "How was your day?" is "Fine. You?" Because when you deal with classified information, classified working papers, classified discussions on a regular basis, it's hard to separate the usual business from the "oh hey, I can actually talk about this stuff" business. And no matter how understanding your partner may be, that puts a strain on any relationship.

Or maybe that was just me. I mean, obviously plenty of people make it work.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2018 8:34 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 08:34:51 -0400

Wow...normally MI wouldn't miss a chance to talk about themselves. I worked in the 8th Army G2 and spent over 11 years on Battalion and Brigade staffs working with S2 bubbas. It all depends the unit you are in, such as being a battalion S2 in a 82nd infantry battalion is a lot different than working in general staff or Intel cell in like the 303rd MI doing collection or PED (analysis). Yes the life can be rewarding and I wouldn't trade the last 20 years for anything else. The downside is in a few years I will walk away with an amazing retirement and you will have a low-level 401K which really isn't worth the work we do. In the end you and your family have to make the choice if it is right for you. Finally you don't get branch detailed as you have to choose another branch to work in such as Infantry or Armor for three years.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Aug 11 at 2018 9:24 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 09:24:46 -0400

Family lifeis what you make it to be. This is something the service member actually controls outside of the military but it's different from any field.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 11 at 2018 10:04 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 10:04:18 -0400

1. Depends on what unit you are assigned to, and how far up the "tip of the spear" are they. 2. 100,000's of families survived the military, sometimes it is tough, but it can be weathered if you work on it together. . If it really is bothering you, then don't join, please.

Response by Kenneth Tran made Dec 1 at 2018 5:33 AM

Kenneth Tran — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 05:33:58 -0500

#letmyoverlordGO