Which MOS is better for a career, both while in the Army and after, 37F or 35F? What is the day-to-day life like in each MOS?

2020-10-29T20:43:39-04:00

I am a 37F Reservist seeking to reenlist into the Active Duty component.

I have 3 main questions:

1) Which career is better while in the Army, 37F or 35F, and why? (my definition of better, is not being stuck in an office)

2) What is day-to-day life of both MOS?

3) Which MOS will prepare me for government work following my service?

Notes: I have an Associate's and Bachelor's Degree in Intelligence Studies with a minor in Counterterrorism, I learned Arabic MSA and Russian, and I love cultures, communicating in different languages, and being out in the environment and am very analytical. I need additional information on both MOSs to come to a conclusion. My ETS is DEC 20.

I realize it is ultimately my decision, but I'd love input from experienced individuals.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Oct 29 at 2020 9:05 PM

2020-10-29T21:05:03-04:00

You have a better chance of finding employment with intel than Psyops. Intel is a wider market and the skills are more applicable in a wider array of jobs.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Oct 29 at 2020 9:14 PM

2020-10-29T21:14:24-04:00

PSYOP guy here, and former instructor at SWC.

Go 35F if you can. I love my branch, but for you coming from the USACAPOC is a gamble you don’t want to take.

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Oct 29 at 2020 9:20 PM

2020-10-29T21:20:46-04:00

From an old guy, so take it for what it’s worth - there isn’t a whole lot of demand in the civilian world for a person with 37F experience. Someone with 35F experience, on the other hand, can find work virtually anywhere, in non-profits, charities, even for-profit orgs that work with local, state or federal agencies that deal with the public in education, healthcare, law enforcement, infrastructure construction, etc. I had assignments as a 9305 Psyops Officer at Bn, Grp & Div levels but that experience wasn’t germain to my civilian career in AF Intelligence (I worked in that field both before and after my Army service). So if you’re looking to acquire experience that will enhance your job prospects after you leave the Army, I recommend assignments and schooling in Civil Affairs over Psyops. I wish you the best and offer my salute for your service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2020 9:54 PM

2020-10-29T21:54:12-04:00

35F here, if you go to a forscom unit, you will go to the field A LOT!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2020 10:11 PM

2020-10-29T22:11:17-04:00

Never enlist into an MOS that requires a selection, if you fail you're needs of the Army.
Enlist into an MOS you like and then apply for the 37F selection. If you pass, you go to 37F Q course. If you fail, you go back to your MOS. and try again

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2020 10:16 PM

2020-10-29T22:16:18-04:00

Active 37F is grossly marketable in the civilian world, IDK what the other people are assuming a 37F does by saying it can't hold water next to Intel once you leave the service.
But def enter the Army as something else, then go to Selection for 37F (or 38B) and you will be prized for the language skills and degrees you have.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2020 10:51 PM

2020-10-29T22:51:55-04:00

Former 35F here. Intel depends on who you are supporting. I never saw it as an "out and about" MOS. All your work is done in a SCIF, the entirety of your MOS training is done in a SCIF. It is the only Intel MOS that is not a collector of Intelligence (I guess GEO isn't either, but they are looking at raw intel before it is processed). Every single piece of intel material you touch has already been processed by someone else and classified. A 35F just makes heads or tails of various intel reports.

Now, I did "go out and about" with those I was supporting, but not in the daily context of my mission focus. It was more or less a reward of being associated with that mission to see some neat things, but none of it was job critical for my products.

One could also get stuck doing some majorly boring things. Imagine being the analyst tasked with the weather forecasts and the impacts of weather on operations. Of course there was the analyst team that found Saddam Hussein, and there was a weather guy in the same SCIF doing far less cool things.

If you want out and about action you probably want 35M or 35S.

You just never know, because four from my reserve unit got sent to support a mission down range, and I was the one that got attached to an Alpha Team and grew a beard out and wore civilians. The others got stuck at the flag poll, and one of them got stuck processing the classified visitor badges as his primary duty.

Then I served state side missions for nearly two years, and only saw the light of day at lunch time.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2020 11:05 PM

2020-10-29T23:05:09-04:00

I’m a 35F and honestly I have SO much career satisfaction I can truly say I love my job and the unit I work with AND the people are the cherry on top. There will be days that aren’t all sunshine’s and roses but that is to be expected with any job. I highly recommend it but you will do a lot of paperwork as well as walking around and writing memos. If that doesn’t bother you then this will be a cake walk the rest of the job, you’ll learn at the school house.

Response by SGT Hunter Mcgaughey made Nov 19 at 2020 3:45 AM

2020-11-19T03:45:27-05:00

Skip the Army altogether and head to the CIA Special Activities Division.