Will a GIS and Geospacial Intelligence concentration help me work at the NGIA or FEMA?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 03:42:57 -0400

I should be going to AGBOLC next year and am looking at Alabama to get a GIS certificate at the masters level. Then I plan to attend Penn State World Campus and get a degree in Homeland Security with a Geospatial Intelligence concentration. Will this help me if I decide to do MICCC and try to go for the imagery identifier? I really want to work with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency as a Counter-Intel officer or GEOINT Analyst. Or work with FEMA as a Geospatial Intelligence Engineer. Suggestions?

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 19 at 2015 8:08 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 08:08:39 -0400

Good luck...

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 10:57 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:57:01 -0400

Just think of what you are going to do ... while you are in different government department. That should answer what you want.

wonder why FEMA needs "intelligence" engineer ....

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 19 at 2015 1:39 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 13:39:01 -0400

Try to get a spot at 1-67 TSC in Birmingham. They support the DHLS mission.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 2:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 14:24:58 -0400

NGIC and NRO are very nice orgs to work with. Also look at the FA40 career if you decide you like dabbling with the equipment management too after a few years.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 2:47 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 02:47:55 -0400

Isn't that an Oxymoron? Seriously though, sounds you've got some cool career options I think this thing that you have to decide is what you like to do the best I will talk to people at all of the agencies and educational institutions that you're looking at for education or potential employment and just discuss their work with them. Good luck on your career it sounds like you got a lot going for you!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 11:47 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:47:58 -0400

Getting the Imagery identifier in the ARNG is going to driven by the slot you occupy not by your desire to get the training. It is a very low density MOS, in general. Most of the officer slots are WO slots vs. traditional commissioned officer positions because of the highly specialized nature of that area. I had a GEOINT section in my last command and the best we could do was get a 35D into the familiarization course. Also, very little demand for 35E CI officers in the GEOINT realm. Can you transition to MI prior to attending BOLC? You will lose 4-5 years of MI experience if you go down the AG path first.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 12:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 12:08:08 -0400

I've been considering Penn State World as well for a certificate in Project Management.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 3:58 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:58:59 -0400

Always tell the truth

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 2:26 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:26:00 -0400

If you are aiming to accomplish all of these goals then I think it only makes sense to go MI instead of AG. I can tell you from experience, AG is MISERABLE! My 9 years in the Army were as a 42A. When I went back to school to get my Masters I did ROTC and commissioned MI. I absolutely love it! The IC is a completely different and having an in will be very advantageous to your aspirations. AG is just going to bog you down in boring miserable administrative paperwork. If that's your thing, then go for it. MI can be involved in a plethora of missions. From working side by side with SOF/SOCOM to sitting behind a computer screen at NASIC/NGIC/etc. Plus, numerous opportunities to support real world missions by other agencies, domestic and abroad.

Furthermore (this is going to ruffle some feathers), if you want to actually advance your career within the military get away from the Guard! If your only choices are Guard or Reserve, go Reserve. One of my best friends, a top notch NCO, has been "stuck" at SSG for several years. He is a PT stud (300's every APFT), rated highly every year, but cannot get promoted because there are no vacant slots. Granted part of that is a reflection of the state he lives in but this is also a story I have heard or witnessed multiple times throughout my career. The amount of money available for training and career advancement is better on the Reserve side.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 12:09 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 00:09:34 -0400

First off, take a look at FMS Web to see whether a position exists with that ASI.

Second, I would get an idea whether you would even get to go to a specialty school that offers the ASI. Some states have MToEs in which the ASI is recorded but there is no funding to go to the school.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 7:07 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 07:07:34 -0400

I was a MI officer in the Guard. Switching branches is extremely difficult in the Guard. If MI is your passion, stick with it. You can later switch to the Reserves and once you make CPT, as long as slots are available you can go GEO. The Reserves has A LOT more funding than the Guard.

Response by COL Jeffrey Carra made Jun 17 at 2017 12:43 PM

COL Jeffrey Carra — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 12:43:43 -0400

just fyi, NGA does not use the "I" just NGA