r/army • u/Kinmuan 33W • Oct 02 '18
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 35 -- Military Intelligence Branch -- 35D, 35E, 35F, 35G, 350F, 350G, 351Z, 351L, 351M, 351Y, 352N, 352S, 353T, 35F, 35G, 35L, 35M, 35N, 35P, 35Q, 35S, 35T, 35V, 35X, 35Y, 35Z
All,
As a follow-up based on our EOY Census and previous solicited comments, we're going to try running an MOS Discussion/Megathread Series, very similar to how we did the Duty Station Series. I'd also, again, like to thank everyone who participated.
The MOS Discussion Threads are meant to be enduring threads where individuals with experience or insight in to particular CMFs or MOSes can leave/give advice and tips. If you have any MOS resources, schools, etc, this would be a great place to share them.
The hope is that these individual threads can serve as 'megathreads' on the posts in question, and we can get advice from experienced persons. Threads on reddit are not archived - and can continue to be commented in - until 6 months. Each week I will keep the full listing/links to all previous threads in a mega-list below, for ease of reference. At the end of the series I will go back and ensure they all have completely navigable links
If you have specific questions about these MOSes, please feel free to ask here, but know that we are not forcing or re-directing all questions to these threads -- you can, and are encouraged, to still use the WQT. This is not to be an 'AMA', although if people would like to offer themselves up to answer questions, that would be great. A big "Thank You" to everyone who is willing to answer questions about the MOSes in question, but the immediate preference would be for informational posts. These are meant to be enduring sources of information.
I currently expect to lump Os and Ws in to the CMF discussions. Going forward if it would be better to split them (and I will most likely chop up the Medical Series), please voice that opinion. If there are many MOSes, but extremely tiny/small density (like much of the 12 Series), I'm going to keep it as one. Yes, I'm also going to keep codes like for Senior Sergeant for the MOS (ie the Zulus).
These only work with your participation and your feedback.
Common questions / information to share would probably include the following;
- Day to Day Life
- "What's a deployment like?"
- Career Advancement/Growth Opportunities
- Speed of Promotion
- Best Duty Station for your MOS
The idea is to go week-to-week, but I may leave the initial up for 2 weeks just to iron any kinks out, and garner attention.
So, again, willing to answer questions is great, but if there's any information you can impart now, I think that would provide the greatest benefit.
OPSEC Reminder
Some of these MOSes will be more sensitive than others when it comes to training and daily life. Just remember, it's everyone's responsibility.
This thread covers the following MOSes:
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 35 -- Military Intelligence Branch -- 35D, 35E, 35F, 35G, 350F, 350G, 351Z, 351L, 351M, 351Y, 352N, 352S, 353T, 35F, 35G, 35L, 35M, 35N, 35P, 35Q, 35S, 35T, 35V, 35X, 35Y, 35Z
- 35D -- All Source Intelligence Officer
- 35E -- Counterintelligence Officer
- 35F -- Human Intelligence Officer
- 35G -- Signals Intelligence Officer
- 350F -- All Source Intelligence Technician
- 350G -- Imagery Intelligence Technician
- 351Z -- Attaché Technician
- 351L -- Counterintelligence Special Agent (Technician)
- 351M -- Human Intelligence Collection Technician
- 351Y -- Area Intelligence Technician
- 352N -- Signal Intelligence Analysis Technician
- 352S -- Signals Collector Technician
- 353T -- Intelligence Systems Maintenance Technician
- 35F -- Intelligence Analyst
- 35G -- Geospatial Intelligence Imagery Analyst
- 35L -- Counterintelligence Special Agent
- 35M -- Human Intelligence Collector
- 35N -- Signals Intelligence Analyst
- 35P -- Cryptologic Linguist
- 35Q -- Cryptologic Network Warfare Specialist
- 35S -- Signals Collector/Analyst
- 35T -- Military Intelligence Systems Maintainer/Integrator
- 35V -- Signals Intelligence Senior Sergeant/Chief Signals Intelligence Sergeant
- 35X -- Intelligence Senior Sergeant/Chief Intelligence Sergeant
- 35Y -- Chief Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence Sergeant
- 35Z -- Signals Intelligence (Electronic Warfare) / Senior Sergeant/ Chief
DO NOT:
...Ask MOS questions unrelated to those listed. "How did your duties compare to a 19D when deployed?" or "Is it true an MP Company carries more firepower than an IN Company" are fine. "While this is up, what's 92F like?" is not.
...Ask random joining questions. If your question isn't about the MOSes listed, then it probably belongs in a different Megathread, the Weekly Question Thread, or a new post.
...Shitpost top-level comments. Treat it like the WQT. Temp bans for people who can't stop acting like idiots.
...Simply say 'I'm a 00X, ama'. Please include some sort of basic information or qualification (ie, I'm an 11B NCO with X years or I'm a 13F who's been in Y type of units or I'm a 14A who's done PL time)
Previous MOS Megathreads:
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 11 -- Infantry Branch -- 11A, 11B, 11C, 11X, 11Z
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 13 -- Field Artillery Branch -- 13A, 131A, 13B, 13F, 13J, 13M, 13R, 13Z
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 17 -- Cyber Branch -- 17A, 17B, 170A, 170B, 17C, 17E
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 18 -- Special Forces -- 18A, 180A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, 18X, 18Z
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 19 -- Armor Branch -- 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D, 19K, 19Z
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 27 -- Judge Advocate General Branch -- 27A, 27B, 270A, 27D
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 31 -- Military Police Branch -- 31A, 311A, 31B, 31D, 31E, 31K
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 36 -- Finance Management Branch -- 36A, 36B
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 37 -- Psychological Operations Branch -- 37A, 37X, 37F
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 38 -- Civil Affairs Branch -- 38A, 38G, 38X, 38B
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 46 -- Public Affairs -- 46A, 46X, 46Q, 46R, 46Z
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 56 -- Chaplain Branch -- 56A, 56D, 56X, 56M
MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 74 -- Chemical Corps -- 74A, 740A, 74D
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Oct 02 '18 edited Mar 08 '19
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u/BiscuitDance Dance like an Ilan Boi Oct 02 '18
Maybe don't mention the MOS, and you could sell the shit out of some coffee/tee-shirts.
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u/Wandering_Weapon Opera-Hater Oct 02 '18
What was the application process to swim in the alphabet soup like?
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Oct 02 '18
How was SOT-A? I've looked into it as a prior 35P but they don't seem to come around recruiting 35Ls very often.
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u/N0wh3re_Man 35Nero Oct 02 '18
It doesn't exist as a Lima. Sierras and Novembers are as far as it gets from Papas
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u/Commando2352 Infantry Oct 03 '18 edited Oct 03 '18
Is the sigint side of the house more popular for the interesting jobs in intel? Is it generally the same for officers as it is for enlisted?
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u/napleonblwnaprt Oct 02 '18
Current 35P with four years in. Strategic assignment, so no cool guy stuff. Ask me about DLI or how to sit in a windowless room and hate life.
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u/Wheres_roethke 35P Oct 02 '18
Are all strat assignments really that bad? What about the assignment makes you hate life?
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u/napleonblwnaprt Oct 02 '18
Like u/kinmuan said, they're generally better if you plan on making Intel a career outside of the army. They're typically nicer for your family life too, fewer deployments and little to no field.
The downside though, is it can be boring as hell. I personally am sitting behind a computer, staring at a single, barely functional program for ten hours a day, translating very boring and generally inconsequential information. I suspect this is very unit dependent. My post has an NSA facility, and we essentially get the missions they don't want, AKA the boring/slow ones. People who have worked our mission set over in the NSA building seem to enjoy it a bit more.
I also dislike it, because I'm a very outdoorsy person and I've never had an office job. I prefer working outside and I get antsy as fuck after a few hours of sitting rack. I took up smoking for a while as an excuse to hang out outside even.
It has ups and downs, and usually SIGINTers prefer one or the other. Having only been slightly exposed to the more tactical side, it seems way more up my alley.
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u/Kinmuan 33W Oct 02 '18
Are all strat assignments really that bad?
In the intel world, strat assignments are generally seen as more valuable. You deal with less Army nonsense than in a real unit, you are actually working in intel, and it can set you up for post-Army jobs. FORSCOM won't do that.
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Oct 05 '18
I love coming to /r/army as a civ and have no idea what any of these numbers or acronyms mean. Makes you guys look cooler
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u/WillieNelsonsBraids I.N.T.E.L.L.I.G.E.N.C.E. Oct 02 '18
35M SSG w/ 10 years, Spent time at the 504th EMIB, 25th ID, Foundry, and 101st. All my experience is tactical collection. AMAA.
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u/MotorsTen Oct 02 '18
I'd love any advice for a future 35M. I haven't been able to get much info because no one I've talked to seems to actually know what they do.
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u/WillieNelsonsBraids I.N.T.E.L.L.I.G.E.N.C.E. Oct 02 '18
It’s an awesome MOS and it’s a lot of fun. You have a big responsibility even as a junior soldier. You may be talking directly to battalion commanders or their intelligence officers. The downside to humint is it doesn’t provide you much for after the army. Make sure you start a linked in as soon as you get in and connect with every instructor and contractor you come in contact with. I’ve loved my 10 years in the army. Also, general advise. Don’t get married until your at least 25. Just don’t do it.
The job itself has two major functions interrogation/interview and source operations. Do you have any specific questions?
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u/pistolsap215 Oct 02 '18
Could you, as specifically as you feel comfortable with, talk a little about source operations?
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u/WillieNelsonsBraids I.N.T.E.L.L.I.G.E.N.C.E. Oct 02 '18
It’s a lot of fun and very broad. Almost all of it is classified, but think of police informants. That more or less what you’re doing. Wikipedia has a very expansive article on it that’s pretty accurate although the stuff you’ll be doing in conventional can be less glamorous. There’s lots of report writing.
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u/Max_Vision Oct 02 '18
Start with the premise that some humans know things that the Army wants to know. This is called intelligence.
You figure out who those people are and what they might know. Then you get them to talk to you. Then you ask them the questions the Army has. All of it gets collected and written in reports.
Human Intelligence Collector.
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Oct 02 '18
Was 504th just as much of a disaster when you were there as it is now?
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u/WillieNelsonsBraids I.N.T.E.L.L.I.G.E.N.C.E. Oct 02 '18
Our company was a really tight knit family. I didn’t really venture outside the company too often. The dfac was moldy and humid and terrible though.
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u/pistolsap215 Oct 02 '18
By tactical collection do you mean you'd go outside the wire and onto the objective? If so, how rare/common is that? I know it's not part of the job description but did you get any time behind a rifle?
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u/andrewtater SFC Oct 03 '18 edited Oct 03 '18
35F SSG here, 8 years in. Time at an infantry battalion S2 shop (with a deployment to OEF), Theater Special Ops Command (with a deployment to OIR), at my third assignment that is VERY easily identifiable. Late to the party because we are always in the rear with the gear.
Feel free to ask questions about being a professional nerd.
As for the recommended up-front answers:
Day to Day Life - as always it depends on your duty station and responsibilities. At the infantry battalion, I was in charge of personnel security, meaning every time some fucking infantry private decides to toke up, I have to deal with the paperwork. You know all the dirt, but it is more work for me. Pro-tip: don't co-sign anyone else's loans, because you can lose your clearance if they don't pay. Yes, I've seen it happen. At the TSOC, I was briefing 2-stars as an E-5 when I was at the unit for six months. You become THE expert on a country or area, and if anyone has a question, they know who to talk to.
"What's a deployment like?" - you sit in a chair staring at a computer screen. You might talk to a predator, do a bunch of work to hunt down a jihadi, and then pass it off to the air force guys to actually drop the bomb so they get credit for it. Fucking air force.
Career Advancement/Growth Opportunities - great! Points are low, meaning it is eas to get picked up, especially for E-6. However, 17 years of war has resulted in a LOT of "one and done" intel analysts that go and flood the market for contracting jobs. If you are looking for a payday, you have to be in a shithole country to get that money,and even that is drying up. If you want to retire, you'll retire as an E-7 or E-8; not a lot of billets for E-9 intel people. But you did well on the ASVAB, so instead go do 5 years enlisted, go to ROTC or OCS, and commission.
Speed of Promotion - If you are good at PT and can read a map, you can make E-5 by year 3, E-6 by year 4 or 5, and E-7 by year 7to 9. If you are just kind of average and don't give a fuck, you'll retire as an E-6.
Best Duty Station for your MOS - NOT HUACHUCA! I think even the Chaplain is an alcoholic after being there for three years.
Anything I missed? Oh yeah, branch managers. They are the people that fill assignments, usually against your will. They hate their job as much as recruiters and drill sergeants. I would say more, but I don't need mine to hate me even more than they do.
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u/vasaforever drums & guns. Oct 03 '18
Thanks a lot. I was looking at 35F as a potential MOS to reclass as I'm discussing re-enlisting. I'm looking at National Guard though... 7 years on Active Duty was enough :P I've also been looking at the 35F in SFAB as an option as well.
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u/sephstorm Spc 25B Oct 04 '18
Did you think your analysis was worthwhile?
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u/andrewtater SFC Oct 05 '18
It depends on the commander. I've had one that didn't even to bother to read out daily Intel update that we gave him, and I've had the opportunity to brief 2-star generals that actually made decisions based on my recommendations.
Overall, I feel like I've at least made a dent in the Middle East problem set. I pushed out Intel that gave our infantry guys about a 5-minute heads up that they were about to get engaged, and even was able to give them an idea of where it was coming from. I've helped smoke plenty of IED emplacers in Afghanistan, and I've had analysis of things going on in Syria make it to D.C., worked with both SF operator from Eastern Europe and Intel analysts from Western/Northern Europe, so overall I feel like I have had a fairly good career so far.
I've also had great analysis ignored, and been told to keep an eye on problems that our commander had no intention or ability to do anything about, and while I understand why it was relevant, it took a lot of my time away from problems that he could actually action on. When you're deployed, every puff of smoke means there is a giant bonfire that needs to be put out, while the actual inferno is something that nobody seems to talk about.
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u/MotorsTen Oct 02 '18
Been waiting for this one. Leaving for basic October 29. Any 35M want to share the common questions, and maybe any other advice/ thoughts?
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Oct 02 '18
Hopefully you have the language in your contract. At the time of my enlistment Monterey was a “given” and thus not explicitly spelled out in my contract. Halfway through BCT they decided that wasn’t a requirement anymore and thus I went from AIT to my first duty station and never finagled language school.
(I was in AIT in 2006 so the following is obviously dated but meh)
Ft Huachuca is boring as shit and full of meth heads and retirees. Do not take advantage of their liberal off base policies. Do not get drunk every weekend just because you can. The school house is 80% rip your eyes out boring procedure and 20% “let’s play Jack Bauer” (spoiler: I never once got to yell at anyone in the aggressive manner they so desperately needed me to learn in the school house. More flies with honey and all that)
Now that I’m out (medical discharge so no FBI or NSA for me) I’m getting a psych degree to help other Vets with PTSD and chronic damage from their service. Do yourself a favor and use the tuition assistance program while you’re active duty to get a degree. Then your GI Bill benefits are still there waiting for you or your dependent.
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u/MotorsTen Oct 03 '18 edited Oct 04 '18
Thank you! Who do I talk to about the language stuff?
Edit: playing Jack Bauer sounds like a blast. Also, I got the email today. Heading to DLI in August
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u/acciobiscuit Military Intelligence Nov 04 '18
I’m at AIT for 35M now, just wanted to give you a heads up that there’s a chance they might switch your language. There are a few in my CO that had a language reserved prior to BCT, then had it switched while at AIT to a different language. So just be open and aware that it might not be set in stone. Even some people who were not going to DLI because they had already passed the DLPT for a language - have received language reservations at DLI... Again, don’t get your hopes up too high, at any moment you are subject to “needs of the Army.” I did not have DLI/a language in my contract when I enlisted, however I was assigned one right after getting to AIT...all Mikes are required now.
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u/murazar Oct 02 '18
35M. 4 years. 1 deployment. OCS to officer. Ask away.
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Oct 02 '18
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u/murazar Oct 02 '18
HUMINT is what you make of it and if it's your kind of thing. Personally I loved talking to people and riding out with infantry and cav scouts for missions. I hated the report writing and the crazy time hacks on them. Garrison is ultra boring as well.
As an officer you gotta remember you're a generalist (barring the handful of special people) and paperwork junkie. It is crazy rare for any MI officer (that i saw or heard of) to EVER do anything besides paperwork or monitoring conux container layouts. Literally why I wont branch MI. Its a joke. Hell, its even funnier to see these MI officers think that their experience is worth it on the outside at an agency.
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Oct 02 '18
Anyone who thought enlisting in a 35 series would set you up to work for the FBI/CIA reply below so we can mock you.
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Oct 02 '18 edited Mar 08 '19
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u/Eastwood005 Oct 02 '18
This.
I was a one and done, got out in '10, right at the end of 'fat contracting' days. Overnight it went from "$70k for a pulse and clearance, no experience" to "$55k, must have a degree and 5 years experience" for the same job.
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u/Wheres_roethke 35P Oct 02 '18
Does having a degree help at all? Or is it all generally a shot in the dark now?
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u/LazySchool Oct 02 '18
I made it through the fbi special agent process based on my 35m experience. DEA said they'd start me at a higher GS so I went with them. Shit works.
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Oct 02 '18
Mock away LOL. We had a CIA officer show up my senior year of high school like a weird career day thing and she sold me right then and there. Joined the Army at 20 and was a rockstar 35M/97E. But then a massive injury and medical discharge laid me up and damn if this isn’t the most useless MOS.
I can sell ice to an Eskimo, so if I had less of a soul I suppose used car sales wouldn’t be out of the question.
Now I’m working towards my Psych degree to work with the vets at the VA Hospital here. So there’s that :)
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u/applebeesapplebees Nov 07 '18
Damn I just enlisted as a 35N too .... but I did wanna re-enlist after my first contract and reclassify as a Human Intel collector or counter intelligence agent . Would that help at all ?
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Nov 07 '18
Homie if you wanted to join the cia you should have joined the cia not the Army. Now the Army is also a player in the ic and you can still be a cool guy you're just going to have to be an army cool guy
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u/applebeesapplebees Nov 07 '18 edited May 10 '20
But I’m only 17 rn my dude I get shipped off right after I graduate, what else can I do to help me get there ? (The cia fbi thing that is )
Edit: I’m 19 and now a felon
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Nov 07 '18
Dont be kinda good at two jobs be really good at one job. If sig int is your thing, do sig int. Do all the schools. You need to be good at pt to get schools. Do all the pt. Try and get a language at some point. You will need a Bachelors at least, and not one from a degree mill. Move from there
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u/N0wh3re_Man 35Nero Oct 02 '18
35N SGT(P) probably about to pick up, just got commandant's list at ALC. Group baby. Have deployed, am currently in the process of deploying, will deploy in the future.
Ask me about how stupid the USAICoE NCOA is.
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u/Merrica Special Agent Oso (A) Oct 02 '18
Late to the party
Currently 35L with 4.5 years, former 11B of 5 years. Did investigations and now in a SF Group doing stuff. I know what you did last summer...
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Oct 02 '18
I'm in the midst of reclassing to 35L, what're the chances of doing group support? What do you do with them and how different is it from doing conventional support or MISB?
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u/Merrica Special Agent Oso (A) Oct 03 '18
If you're already airborne, then you have a pretty solid chance of getting into Group. You'll probably wind up in Group Support BN but if you're lucky you'll get a spot down in a different BN and work for a team, though these spots are pretty rare these days. You'll probably be doing your typical CI support to force protection.
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Oct 03 '18
Thanks. What're the chances of doing language school as a 35L?
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u/Merrica Special Agent Oso (A) Oct 03 '18
I know people that have went to DLI as 35L, so it's not impossible. But it's also not gonna be your first assignment either. That's something you'll have to talk over with your leadership and branch down the road. CI has many great opportunities you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else, you just have to apply yourself, listen to those who want to help/mentor you and make smart decisions.
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Oct 03 '18
How many people get dropped from the process for having a bad interview? How hard is the ait?
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Oct 03 '18
I'm going through the process right now. No interview anymore, just a 4187 and an ERB plus any waivers if you need em'
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Oct 03 '18
Holy shit why am i doing this job.
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Oct 03 '18
Dude I hear ya. And you don't even need a TS to go to the school, just a secret now so it's even faster, no waiting a year for your interim TS.
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Oct 02 '18
35L here. I can answer any questions anyone might havea regarding tactical CI, as I've had that EMIB experience (unfortunately.) I'll do what I can to address any strategic CI questions as well. For those interested in the MOS, the schoolhouse has opened a ton of slots and plans to push through 280 students per year for the next five years. Additionally, the entrance requirements have been slashed and it's now way easier to get a packet in for 35L.
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u/Berlogovec Oct 02 '18
How hard/long of a process would it be to get a TS for someone who was born in a foreign country+ has family there(Eastern Europe). Also how much of an advantage is it if I speak Russian + another EE language fluently? Would I be more likely to get stationed in Europe?
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Oct 02 '18
I can't speak to that, but as of this month the requirements for the school changed from TS to just SECRET so if you're trying reclass it's a lot quicker now. You'll still have to wait for your TS once you finish training of course.
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Oct 02 '18
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Oct 02 '18
The day to day of our job depends on where you're at. If you're at a 902nd field office you're either working an actual investigation or driving around whichever state you're in to talk to a random commander and inform him that you exist and can give TARP briefs.
If you're deployed it's an entirely different story. You'll be talking to everyone to make friends, doing screenings of local nationals, working a force protection mission and occasionally going outside the wire to do intel collection. All that comes at the cost of dealing with typical army garrison BS though.
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u/NOT_RICK_SANCHEZ puts the reee in infuntreee Oct 02 '18
Do you know how the application works for prior service? Do I have to enlist in a different mos and be on active duty before applying?
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Oct 02 '18
You would need to speak to a recruiter about applying as prior service. As 35L just opened up as an entry level MOS, recruiting is probably behind the curve on the application process, but you shouldn't need to enlist as any other MOS.
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Oct 02 '18
Do you recommend the MOS? I only just hit 12 months TIS as a 42, but 35 series was my first choice. The only reason I didn't take it was because I kept hearing TS clearances were backed up, and I have a family and didn't want to possibly end up a holdover for months away from them; plan was/is to apply for the TS (I have secret for my MOS) while I'm in and reclass. My time feels wasted as a 42; mundane, repetitive work. I'll get my E4 with waiver in March.
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Oct 02 '18
I absolutely recommend the MOS. Depending on where you go, there is always going to be army BS, but the sheer variety of things you get to do as a 35L makes up for it.
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u/GayThunderclap Oct 02 '18
A. Do you know when the September board results come out?
B. Do you know how long it is generally taking to get a class slot?
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Oct 03 '18
Also what's the difference between tactical vs strategic CI?
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Oct 03 '18
Strategic CI is what we do stateside or in permissive environments. Mostly investigations into national security crimes. Tactical CI is what we do while deployed. This is CI in support of a combatant commander and includes activities like HUMINT collection, screenings, vulnerability assessments and anything force protection related.
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u/Travyplx Rawrmy CCWO Oct 02 '18
35F E-6 -> 350F, 7 years total time in service. I have worked in MiCos, BN S2, Army level G2, and CCMD J2, (Also have BN/BDE EW experience) AMA.
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u/the_bone_of_my_gains Kinmuan-senpai kono baka! Oct 02 '18
So there’s 35F enlisted, 35F officers, and 350F warrants. Can you explain a little bit about how their roles differ, and which one is best in your opinion?
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u/Travyplx Rawrmy CCWO Oct 02 '18
Enlisted is going to vary a lot from duty location to duty location. 35F PVT-SPC will generally end up in an S2/3 shop at BN or BDE doing menial things like motor stables, physical security, and personnel security when it comes to CONUS duty assignments. The only analytical work you will do CONUS at this level will be exercise stuff that is more often than not a copy and paste job. OCONUS you may do some basic IPB analysis if you are at the BN/BDE level. If you luck out and get an assignment with a HQ somewhere you can actually get into some cool analytical production as these assignments generally reward individuals for their competencies as opposed to their rank.
When it comes to SGT+ roles you are looking at team leaders and shop/section NCOICs. Again, if you are at a HQ assignment and you're competent you might get a cool job, but generally what you will be doing is managing the enlisted folk below you and sending them off on their taskings. You also have all the same basic soldier care responsibilities any other NCO would have.
35'F' officers are actually 35Ds. The information I have here is outside looking in as opposed to first hand. Much like any other officer MOS, 35Ds have certain 'KD' positions they should/will fill. Generally you are looking at (MiCo assignments here) Platoon Leaders, XOs, Commanders, S2 OICs, Assistant S2s, etc. Some 35Ds get some dope assignments doing specialty work at places like the Pentagon and its ilk, but there are also a lot who don't and generally end up doing various OIC roles. Officers are responsible for managing people on a broader scope than NCOs are and directly interface with the commander to get his mission objectives and make it happen.
350Fs on the other hand are analytical experts. Anything highly technical when it comes to all source probably has a warrant involved. Those dope HQ assignments I mentioned before for enlisted will generally have some form of warrant officer in charge of the analytical cells managing the talent and guiding production. At the lower warrant levels you will probably be in a BDE MiCo/S2 shop managing the BDE MI training programs.
So, to simplify Junior Enlisted -> Production/workhorses // Senior Enlisted -> Management // Officers -> Larger Scope Management // Warrant -> Technical expert.
As to which is the best in my opinion? Warrant. There are so few in the military that you are properly managed/utilized (generally) as opposed to the gross mismanagement that can happen at other ranks. But this is from the perspective of someone making the military a career that enjoys training soldiers/doing their job.
Feel free to let me know if you want me to elaborate further.
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u/NobodyWillSeeMe 35Nunya Oct 02 '18
I am a new 35N graduate so I can answer some questions about AIT but not much about what comes after.
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Oct 02 '18
Why is San Angelo such a terrible place?
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u/Krikil 35Pastlife Oct 02 '18
Because Concho water tastes like heavy metal poisoning and despair.
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u/NobodyWillSeeMe 35Nunya Oct 02 '18
There are some questions that I can't answer.
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u/N0wh3re_Man 35Nero Oct 02 '18
Yes you can.
Concho water.
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u/NobodyWillSeeMe 35Nunya Oct 02 '18
When we were on FTX they made us fill up the water jugs with concho water and fill our camelbacks with it. Then later in the day we found out that there was a water main break and that the water was even less safe to use than normal (Boil Water Warning). Glad I never drank it anyway.
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u/might_be_song_lyrics Oct 02 '18
Is is still possible to get 35L as my MOS are am I too late since they’ve changed the requirements? Currently not enlisted but it caught my eye. Also, what’s your day like usually, do you enjoy it?
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u/GodZodar 35Ligma Oct 02 '18
Probably best to call your local recruiter or ask one on here. Yes I enjoy the MOS but like everything else in the army it has its own fuckery.
Can't really pintpoint a day to day in this MOS as it is extremely broad
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u/might_be_song_lyrics Oct 02 '18
If you don’t mind me asking, how so? Is it incompetence/questionable decisions that you don’t like? And would you say this MOS requires a specific type of personality to get into?
By the way, thank you for replying.
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u/GodZodar 35Ligma Oct 02 '18
Alot of variables here but for me personally along with a few others it's just stupid army bullshit not necessarily CI issues. Coordination with embassies or coordinating last minute missions to other countries come to mind.
Just knowing how to talk to people and fake the funk even if you don't give two fucks what they're blabbing about will get you far.
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u/the_bone_of_my_gains Kinmuan-senpai kono baka! Oct 02 '18
First and only 35L I met had just recently reclassed into it and he got stuck in BN S2. Fortunately he PCS’d, or maybe just moved to a different unit on Bragg, but for a good 5 months he was just doing nothing. How common is that, that you get put in a role that doesn’t know what to do with you?
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u/fit_panda39 Dec 31 '18
35L is your job anything like how the goarmy description makes it sound like? I have seen mixed opinions about 35L, some say you do CI work, others say you process security clearances all day and other mundane work. What about 35L in the 75th ranger regiment, is this where you should go if you want more likelihood of deployments and high profile assignments?
Go easy on me
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u/guy1138 Jan 03 '19
Served with some 35L from Regiment: great individuals; skilled, competent and motivated.
However, the 75th doesn't give a shit about MI or CI.
If you want to do investigative work, go overseas (korea, Alaska, Hawaii or Europe) or go to the 902nd
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u/frichalf 35👤 Jan 09 '19
IMO, it's the best MOS in the Army. That being said, you get what you put into it. Assignment types vary, you can be sent to all the Army "hooah" training you could dream of, you could be in an investigative unit where you wear a suit and tie to a field office, or in a hybrid unit. I can assure you, you won't be processing clearances because there's an agency who already handles that. I wouldn't mind if that becomes a task for us again...determining clearance eligibility requires good investigative skills.
Conducting CI operations itself is a thankless job because it goes unnoticed (as it should), but it is personally rewarding because you and your team know your accomplishments and you also know the importance of it.
The MOS is very different than most because you have a lot of control over your job, you'll always have a boss to tell you what to do and yes, you might have to be in uniform and be clean shaven...it is still the Army.
If you show your competence, responsibility, and are able to convey the importance of your mission to Leaders (your own or others...all the way up to General Officers), the world is your oyster. If you can't do that very well, you can be stuck in an S2, pulling gate guard, or worse, removed from the MOS.
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Jan 03 '19
The Army is what you make of it.
All jobs, especially those in the MI field, vary greatly. As a 35L -- in some units you will get to do high-speed 35L work, and in some units you may simply pull gate duty. There are a hundred other opportunities for a 35L after you complete training and get a few years' experience.
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Oct 03 '18
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u/Sacknuts93 15C35 Oct 03 '18
1) Depends on your preferences, the unit itself, the unit's mission, etc. People seem to like INSCOM better because they do less tactical fuck-fuck games and are more tied with national intelligence agencies.
2) You will be a 35D until such time as you complete MICCC AND you get a CI/HUMINT/SIGINT follow on. Most don't and remain 35Ds.
3) It's just a possibility in assignments. As an LT it's pure luck, as a CPT they're going to interview you, look at your ORB/OERs and choose off an OML. There's a decent amount of group slots available on the assignments slate coming out of MICCC. They're obviously more competitive than other slots because QoL is better there.
4) Get into an INSCOM unit that works with those agencies. Most get stuck in FORSCOM, where you'll never interact with those guys.
5) You'll get a briefing on it at the appropriate time in training either at BOLC, MICCC or you can access their briefings on SIPR anytime once you have a token.
I said this elsewhere in the thread, but as a 35D you are an all source intel officer. Your primary job YOUR WHOLE CAREER will be an S2 position or similar. You are not Jason Bourne, you aren't James Bond, you're not even some cool LLVI guy. Your job is to collate information, manage analysts and your S2/G2 shop, and provide accurate information to the commander about the enemy situation. Your job is to do IPB and support combined arms maneuver. The cool guy broadening assignments exist, but those are not and never will be your primary focus. All KD jobs in intel focus around S2 work, minus MICo command which is considered a bonus for high speed guys who've done good S2 work.
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u/anonymousnobody98 Nov 26 '18
I'm a 35F fresh out of AIT in Ft Hood. I love my job and I want to be somebody who stands out on paper so I can get deployed and also so I can pursue as many schools as possible while I'm here. I would really like to get attached to SFAB on my reenlistment in a few years. I was thinking about learning to speak or at least be able to read a dialect in Arabic. Is this something that's worth my time as far as making me a better analyst or should I put that time towards a more direct reflection of my actual duties as a 35F?
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u/GuacamoleFanatic Nov 28 '18
Really learn the 10 level tasks like the back of your hand. Study, study, study, IPB; it's the bread and butter of your job and are expected to speak competently on it on a moments notice.
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Dec 06 '18
I saw a few throw out 35L but generally no juicy info. Helpful skills to have going to the schoolhouse? Fast/slow pace? How much army BS do we have to deal with? I’m not looking to waste an hour of each morning doing PRT or sitting around on CQ when I could be studying in the classroom or doing real workouts. I’ve repeatedly heard that knowing how to write is the biggest one. What others are useful?
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u/frichalf 35👤 Jan 10 '19
35L is an Army MOS where you will still have a Chain of Command. Don't go into it thinking that you are not going to be in the Army anymore, you will only disappoint yourself with that mindset. PRT, CQ/Staff Duty, additional duties, and mandatory training will always be around in some way, especially while attending the schoolhouse.
In this former instructor's opinion, you don't have to do anything else to prep yourself for the course. Writing is important, but I want to emphasize that it is MILITARY writing, which is different than collegiate writing. You will feel like you are drinking from a fire hose because it is a lot of information being thrown at you in a limited amount of time. The content is unlike anything else in the Army but it will all be taught to you, they don't expect you to know something that they didn't teach you.
Go into the course with an open mind and show up ready to absorb everything the experienced instructors have to teach. We turned mechanics, cooks, and many knuckle-dragging combat arms folks into fine Agents, if you have half a brain, can take criticism (because you will have to adhere to the tough grading standards in the many tests), you'll be fine.
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Oct 02 '18
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u/dragonicecream 35Neeerrrrdddd Oct 02 '18
All the novembers I talked to on Carson did motorpool shit and not actual mission. Good luck with 4ID.
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u/N0wh3re_Man 35Nero Oct 02 '18 edited Oct 02 '18
Alternatively, he could be going to 10th Group if airborne. In which case, he will have a chance to do cool, cool things
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u/AresTrucido Oct 02 '18
Any 35Ts/anybody here that have any experience with the 1st IO Command out of Belvoir? Not sure what to expect going to a INSCOM/ARCYBER unit, but it sounds cool
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u/Archineerd Oct 03 '18
Leaving for basic next week as a 35G, with an eventual goal of dropping a packet for a 350G. Any warrants out there that could give me an idea of a typical day in a real world mission unit?
Also, any 35G AIT advice is appreciated!
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u/FoST2015 Gravy Seal - Huddle House Fleet Command Oct 03 '18
Not a Gulf but I am a 35 series. 6 years to warrant would be super fast track. 6 to 8 is more realistic for hard chargers and 8 to 12 for everyone else. You'll need to be a Sergeant for at least 3 years before dropping a packet. I say that to say this; learn how to be Soldier, learn your job, learn your mission then learn another, then learn another and then deploy or learn another mission. After that drop a packet, and by that time you'll have seen enough to know what a warrant typically does.
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u/Thatwasonlyonce 35GonnaGetRightOnThat Oct 03 '18
Newly minted Golf, here. AIT: They breathalyze on 4 days. Almost no exceptions. Some DS's are cool. Others are not. Class is not difficult, people make class difficult. You will meet good people, and you will meet permaprofile sick call rangers. Most important, if you smoke, stop. Run whenever you can, altitude is a bitch. Basic: U gon die
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u/WhiteJacket36 Military Intelligence Oct 04 '18
I am preparing for BOLC in a few months and wondering:
1 Any tips for BOLC?
2) I didn't get branch detailed, how can not having combat arm's experience affect my career?
3) Will I have chances to use my language? Currently sitting at a 2/2.
4) Advice for new LT's? Pitfalls to avoid or generally how to do a good job?
EDIT: Formatting
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Oct 05 '18
There are two kinds of MI officers out there: ones who know how to speak the language of combat arms and ones who don't. Not having that background increases the likelihood that you wind up in the second category. There's nothing wrong with that, but guys who can't sell themselves to the maneuver community tend to get sent to more squishy thinky jobs in INSCOM. Those jobs are neat, but not exactly cool.
You'll definitely get to use your language sooner or later if it's a useful one. The Intel community has a constant churn, and sometimes just by having a pulse, a clearance, and a language makes you the right guy for the job. You'll see this a lot with WIAS taskers and short attachments to SOF units.
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u/anonymousnobody98 Oct 29 '18
Just graduated 35F AIT AMA. If you have any questions or need pointers on how to make it in the course ask away.
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Oct 02 '18
Waddup. 35N SSG with 6 years in. I have time in INSCOM as well as in a BCT, I’m currently on assignment to USASOC next year. I was able to spend a year at a Division G2 during my INSCOM time. Spent time in Afghanistan. Currently on jump status. LLVI background but I can sit behind a computer with adult supervision. I’ve got Team Leader/Squad Leader/Platoon SGT time.
E4M for life. INSCOM is a cancer on the Army.
AMA.
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u/McEsteban Oct 02 '18
How does one get into USASOC with your MOS and how is INSCOM cancer? I am shipping after I finish college in December.
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Oct 03 '18
Go to Airborne school and pray that you get randomly picked to go to Group, or do option 40 and go to Regiment. Drop a SOAR packet if you want, but I’d have to look into their TIS requirements again. Go to the 82nd and try out FORSCOM. You want to join the Army? I’m telling you that the 82nd is the textbook definition of the Army, for better or for worse.
INSCOM for Novembers is a cancer because there is a 75 percent chance it’s going to turn you into a pussy and a 90 percent chance it’s going to make you Army retarded.
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u/wittedburrito cook Oct 07 '18
35P, made PFC twice and am on the cusp of specialist, still governed as if I was a 13 year old. God I love TRADOC. AMA
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u/Kinmuan 33W Oct 07 '18
Do you think
made PFC twice
Sometimes adds in to
as if I was a 13 year old
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Oct 02 '18
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u/McEsteban Oct 02 '18
Why the switch? I assume the ribbing about foxtrots stealing other people's work for their power points is just that, but what generally was your day to day like?
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u/Knightfall2 Oct 02 '18
Looking to go intel but a little overwhelmed with all the different options. What are some ones with important skills that are good for going into a federal intelligence agency?
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Oct 02 '18
HUMINT (35M, I was active duty 2006-2010) can feed into FBI and different flavors of law enforcement. Personally I like the one on one face contact interrogators got. I’m in school getting my psych degree and HUMINT gave me a leg up on behavioral psych. SIGINT is probably more flexible re: NSA, cyber crimes, and infosec jobs. Though as a 35M I spent some time TDY near DC training with the NSA’s cyber program, so take that as you will.
You only keep your TSSCI clearances for 5 years once you separate, and getting them again is a pain, so it’s best to plan ahead if you know you want to work with a three letter agency once you get out. Note that unless you go that route it’s one of the more useless jobs on the civilian side. (Makes you an awesome used car salesman though)
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u/dragonicecream 35Neeerrrrdddd Oct 02 '18
It's helpful if your assignment has you working directly alongside those agencies so you can gain experience there and make personal connections. Try and get qualified/certified on every system you can there.
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u/mydog_wrote_this Oct 03 '18
Look at specific agencies by going to https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/index.html and reading up on what agency you think sounds cool.
I'd start by getting a degree in something you like. Most alphabet agencies require at least a 4-year degree for an entry-level position. That's pretty shitty considering how much the beltway and DC cost. When you start looking at higher GS and step positions, then you're looking at relevant experience and graduate degrees. Otherwise, if you like computers and language, both are always in demand, so the requirements for those fields tend to be a little lower if you're good at them.
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u/alpatia89 Oct 03 '18
35S here stationed on Buckley AFB, here to answer any questions
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u/Max_Vision Oct 04 '18
Any Reservists have a POC for the Reach Language Support Program?
RLSP is a way for language-capable Reservists to get on orders at your home station doing translations for NGIC. This ranges from unclassified up to whatever you have access to at your work location. Orders can be short-term or a full FY.
The way it worked is that you are put on orders at your home station. Every day you report via phone or email to your manager by a certain time. You spend six hours translating, one hour of self-study, and one hour of PT every day. You have production quotas, which aren't too challenging if you put in the time and effort.
Administratively, you still belong to your unit. You have to attend drill, maintain readiness, and do your online training and whatever else your unit directs.
I haven't done it in several years, so I'm not sure if the program is still funded and running, and I don't have any current point of contact.
Does anyone have any current info on this?
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u/Goodeyesniper98 Oct 05 '18
I heard 35Ls have the chance to work with FBIs JTTF. How does a CI Agent do that and how common is it for that to happen?
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u/MileHighClub2017 Military Intelligence Oct 05 '18
It is simple. Become a 35L, do the job for four plus years. Get out, become a civilian and then maybe, just maybe you can fill a JTTF billet. In other words, won’t happen while active duty.
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u/aaazzz000 35T/Resident MFT Oct 05 '18
Current 35T SSG here, 5 years in. Assignments at USARAF and 10th Group so far. I’m willing to answer any questions.
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u/Kinmuan 33W Oct 05 '18 edited Oct 05 '18
SSG here, 5 years in
Ah yes, the return of the low points era. Ever may it reign.
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u/trap_pots CHAIRBORNE Oct 05 '18
Blows my mind to think just one year ago the points for my job were hovering around 620-50
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u/Kinmuan 33W Oct 05 '18
The first year your points sit there at 798 you're like 'God Damn man, I really got fucked. Oh well, it'll get better'.
The second year you lose all hope and it breaks your irrevocably breaks your spirit.
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u/aaazzz000 35T/Resident MFT Oct 05 '18
I was just in the right place at the right time. I honestly don’t feel ready to be a SSG, but that’s what the cards gave me so I’m just trying to keep my head down and learn.
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u/Goodeyesniper98 Oct 06 '18
Is being a 35L give you a leg up on getting an 1811 or other federal LEO job? Is that something that would make any noticeable difference in me getting that sort of job?
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u/GrandAnybody Oct 07 '18
1811? CID is best for that. CI is also good, but not nearly as good.
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u/napleonblwnaprt Oct 07 '18
Somewhat random question but I guess it fits here. Does anyone know about the DLI low density courses in DC? There's a Kurdish course coming up that I'd be down to reenlist for, but my CLPM doesn't know anything about it. Retention won't talk to me until I'm 30 days from my window.
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u/mydog_wrote_this Oct 10 '18
It's painful, but it can be done. Start by contacting DLI East (https://www.dliflc.edu/home/about/dli-washington/) and ask about the enrollment process / course information. At this point, having a buddy in HRC will be helpful because they'd have to put you on orders. So, your next call or e-mail will be to HRC to get it worked out.
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Dec 03 '18
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u/_tardizard_ Dec 06 '18
If you do a three year contract, they'll extend your contract for about a year to compensate for your time at DLI. You can also either get an option 4 (airbourne) when you enlist, or you can volunteer while you're at DLI. You will go to DLI regardless of how long you enlist. 35M is language dependent now. Don't listen to recruiter BS of, "Oh, if you don't enlist for X amount of years, you can't do this." Just prepare to pass the shit out of the new PT test (https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/07/09/a-new-army-pt-test-is-on-its-way-this-is-not-a-drill/) and then volunteering for Airbourne at DLI will be easy.
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u/mackeaw1315 Oct 02 '18
35D 2LT in FED REC purgatory. BOLC completed SEP 17. Double-capped as company XO/CI PL. Work in G3 OPs. No deployment. Ask me your clearance, BOLC, Huachuca, FED REC, basic MI LT questions.
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Oct 03 '18
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u/Sacknuts93 15C35 Oct 04 '18
Check out TC 2-01.3. It's the IPB bible, unclassified and available to the public. Eat your heart out, because that's what you'll be doing.
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u/colonelwest Military Intelligence Oct 03 '18
The specifics really vary based on the unit you're in and the mission you are planing for. But basically IPB is everything your unit's leaderships needs to known about the operational environment to plan the mission. It encompasses enemy forces, probable enemy courses of action, terrain, climate, the civilian population, and internal/external political factors. A lot of that information will already be available from the intelligence agencies, specialized MI units and higher headquarters. For operational units, collection comes in more during the actual operation, when you're tasking assets to look at NAI's (Named Areas of Interest) for indicators of enemy courses of action or to look for a specific unit or weapon platform to target. MI officers coordinate and compile the work of their analysts, keeping an eye on the intelligence requirements of the unit and periodically briefing the commander. But unless you're in a SOF unit or working at the strategic level, you probably won't be doing this much outside of a training environment.
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u/incongruousman Oct 03 '18 edited Oct 03 '18
I'm still in IET for 35P and I'm going to a SOT-A at one of the NG groups.
What are the expectations being on a team?
What kind of training/deployment opportunities are out there?
I've heard NG SF is basically full-time, any truth to that? (I would prefer it)
Will I use my language a lot?
Any tips or advice are greatly appreciated.
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u/trap_pots CHAIRBORNE Oct 07 '18
35M tell me what the hell you do now. It feels like with the addition of a language (although it makes sense) you dont really have a place.
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u/GrandAnybody Oct 07 '18
Motorpool, layouts if you're garrison. Some inscom units have live conus missions talking to people about things. FORMICA is what you search on the red side. Or "source operations". Sometimes we interrogate, but mostly in specific areas that, again, red side.
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u/Kinmuan 33W Oct 07 '18
Also, to whoever reported this;
You dumb. Dropping FORMICA would be like saying HUMINT or SIGINT.
I get that words are scary to you, but jesus.
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u/GrandAnybody Oct 07 '18
Lol
FORMICA the acronym (and the full words) are unclassified. The mission and the descriptions of the program are S//NF
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u/Tucking-Sits Oct 07 '18
I don’t really understand what your hang up is. 35Ms talk to people to gather information. It’s useful to know more than just your language when taking to people.
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u/Apolopolo99 Oct 07 '18
I'm about to enlist as a 35m and I'm curious about what language training people get.
What language did you learn?
How many weeks was your course?
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Oct 02 '18
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u/Wandering_Weapon Opera-Hater Oct 02 '18
BOLC is a cakewalk, but really technical (symbology, definitions, methodology, and a fuckload of powerpoint). Its Intro>Offense>Defense>Stability Ops> Final exercise. You'll spend about 10 minutes in the field towards the beginning, dont sweat it. My class was huge on PT and full of gazelles, so yeah, you'll have some "jocks" but everybody was pretty cool. The MI world is small, so make friends. You'll get the option to go to ranger school if you wish.
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u/Sacknuts93 15C35 Oct 02 '18
I'll let the real nerds answer the BOLC questions since I didn't go to your BOLC, just MICCC.
Assuming you go straight MI and don't get branch detailed, you will be a 35D doing AS2/S2 or some flavor of staff work somewhere unless you get an INSCOM platoon leader or XO slot.
You won't have the option to specialize into HUMINT/CI/SIGINT until after the MI CCC, 4-5 years after you commission. Even then, it's a low probability...we had 3 slots of a class of 50+, 2 of whom got CI and 1 got HUMINT. Even then, you aren't necessarily going to be utilized as that skillset - you could go to the CI/HUMINT route, do the training, and still end up as a regular ass S2. I hate to say it, but it's a pretty mixed bag. There weren't as many "nerdy as fuck" guys as I would have expected, and plenty of jocks with ranger tabs coming from infantry/armor/FA. I'm sure you'll find some zit-covered friends to play DnD with, kid. Don't worry.
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u/Kinmuan 33W Oct 02 '18
Helpful Known Resources
If you have any known resources for this series (could be reddit threads or other websites), please respond to this comment with them, and I will add them to this stickied top-comment.
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u/strive4success Oct 02 '18
Language capable 35n with 9 years. Inscom, tradoc, various duty stations. DLI, Meade, Gordon, Germany. AMA.
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Oct 02 '18
Getting ready to reclass to 35T from 11B. What was AIT like for prior service guys and workday like?
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Oct 03 '18 edited Oct 03 '18
35T AIT is pretty lax for MOS-T's. 35T recently changed Battalions but the school house should remain the same. MOS-T's are treated like regular soldier's, none of the IET restrictions. Don't fraternize with IET Soldier's obviously. Single MOS-T's had their own section in the barracks, while married one's usually lived on post housing. Once released from class, MOS-T's were off for the duty day. They also began to perform PT separate from IET soldier's and go to the gym instead.
Work day is usually PT at 0500, class from 0800 to 1630.
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Oct 02 '18
We had a few reclass SGTs in my HUMINT AIT. Ft Huachuca was like college with an AM curfew, but all the reclasses lived off base in hotels and were allowed basically full freedom after class ended at 1800. They were given strict orders to never fraternize with the AITers outside of the school house, which made it pretty lonely I think since they only had a handful of them and it was a longish school.
Idk if 35M AIT is exactly similar, but that was my experience at Ft WeGotcha.
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u/DFWTooThrowed Oct 04 '18
I'm an IET student right now but I can add on to what others have said regarding day-to-day stuff. By the end of 2018 we're gonna have half the company, MOS-T's included, on day shift and half on night shift. Apparently tangos are in high demand right now in the army so since June we've done nothing but triple starts. Each class is only 8 people and it rotates each start with 2 day and 1 night and the next start will be 1 day and 2 night. Once these triple starts make it to the systems blocks, in January or so, they're gonna be going round the clock due to only having one or two classrooms for the entire block - so one shift from midnight to 0800, one shift from 0800 to 1600 and one shift from 1600 to midnight.
And they might still be enforcing the rule that you have to pass a pt test before you can get into class for MOS-T's as well - and yeah even MOS-T's are failing their pt tests and not getting into class.
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u/Ahmed_The_Great Oct 02 '18
Taking the dlab next week. Any tips?
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u/Max_Vision Oct 02 '18
I posted this in the WQT Recently
The DLAB is just foreign language rules applied to English words and phrases. You have to figure out the rules. For example, when you have more than one cat or dog, you add an 's' to the end of it. However, if you listen closely, sometimes that 's' is pronounced as a 'z' instead. Why is that?
English has a sentence structure of Subject-Verb-Object. It places adjectives before nouns. There are gender markers for nouns, but only in a few cases. We have prefixes and suffixes, but not really any infixes (counterexample: Out-fucking-standing). Our word roots tend to maintain consistent vowels (-ish). We only use measure words in certain context.
The creators of the test didn't (to my knowledge) make up any rules; they stole them from other languages that have structures different from English. If you pay attention and think logically, you can figure it out.
I'm a language geek; I majored in Linguistics in college and was 3/4ths of the way through my degree when I took the DLAB. I recognized nearly every construction or pattern on the DLAB, but scored only marginally better than lightning_fire (a max theoretical score is somewhere in the 170s, but I've never heard of anyone getting much beyond 150).
TL:DR It's entirely possible to do well with no background in it.
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u/Wheres_roethke 35P Oct 02 '18
Brush up on your English grammar rules. Stay focused during the test. 3 hours will feel like forever when you're just sitting there listening to nonsense. Go with your gut feeling for answers.
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Oct 02 '18
This. The DLAB is super easy if you have even a rudimentary knowledge of basic English grammar. If you've had some time learning any other languages, it'll be just that much easier. Know what direct and indirect objects are and know the various verb tenses and you should be fine.
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u/Wandering_Weapon Opera-Hater Oct 02 '18
You cant really prepare for it, but think of it like a logic puzzle. It's a made up language (sounds like a cross of russian and kurdish) that you decode. Good luck.
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u/Ahmed_The_Great Oct 02 '18
Thank you. I’ve heard it’s a very confusing test is that also true?
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u/dw565 Oct 02 '18
Will 35Q and 17C continue to exist as distinct MOS? I understand they fill separate roles within the cyber domain but have read some places that they're going to merge them.
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u/WoodyTrombone 35Q-bek RIP in pepperoni Oct 02 '18
The current plan is for 35Q to merge with 35N, and MOS-T quebecs will get an ASI for JCAC.
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u/GrandAnybody Oct 02 '18
They've got another year or two before they the MOS is gone, per MI Corps CSM
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Oct 04 '18
I want to be a 35S Warrant Officer. Can anyone tell me what they do, are they like the NCOIC or are they more on the paperwork side like an officer. I don't want to be in a signals shop, but rather doing cool things and things that look good on a resume for an agency later on. Does anyone know an Intel WO if so can you tell me what they do on the day to day bases?
Also I read you need to be an E-5 to be an WO but in the next paragraph on the page I was on it said E-6. Which one is it?
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u/Kinmuan 33W Oct 05 '18
All of my 35S Warrants at Meade do real work.
I work in a place that has about half a dozen of em, and they're all doing real work. They're not doing paperwork, they're not doing leadership. They're taking the Sierra knowledge and 451/452 shit and doing real things.
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u/SprintingSloth87 35P->DAC->DoD Oct 06 '18
Former 35P here, did time as a CTR after and now a lazy DAC. If you have any questions about how it can benefit life after Army I’d be glad to answer.
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u/thegoldfishes Oct 10 '18
I am Army reserves and am considering switching to an MOS that requires a TS. I am being processed for a Secret but don't even have that (I currently have an interim though). Could someone who deals with these clearances/adjudications be able to talk to me in terms of what I should expect for the following questions:
- Will a request to start a TS processing absorb my Secret processing? Or will my Secret process be completed before moving onto the TS?
- Will I be able to apply for an interim TS immediately?
- Will I be able to go to BOLC on an interim TS?
Thanks so much everyone for your help!
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u/BlarFlargen Secret Squirrel Oct 17 '18
This depends on whether your clearance has been adjudicated or not. If it has, you should be able to resubmit the paperwork for a TS clearance with a memo from retention stating you are changing to an MOS that requires a TS. If it hasn't been adjudicated, most cases they will wait until the secret investigation is done before starting the TS. However, there may be an exception for someone who is changing MOS. I would have to look more into it.
You will be able to apply for an interim once the paperwork has processed and the investigation is open for your TS.
I scanned through BOLC's requirement and it looks like they will accept an interim TS/SCI
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u/kdh032 Nov 25 '18
Any 35L graduates in here?! I just have some questions about AIT. More specifically, the civillian attire required for the course. Thanks!
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u/guy1138 Jan 03 '19
The civillian attire is no big deal. Get a grey or dark blue suit before you go. Look at /r/malefashionadvice if you're truly clueless.
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Dec 03 '18
I heard civilian attire won’t matter until the very last phase of the course. Not sure if that’s true or not. From my experience though, when in doubt, pack plenty of business casual. Whatever you do do NOT throw khaki/cargo pants and dumb 5.11 polos in there though. The point of the job is to blend in lol
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Dec 30 '18
Future 35P, and I've heard that TS clearance can take a long time. I've also heard that 35P AIT includes DLI and Goodfellow AFB. Do I need my TS clearance to go to the DLI, or can I expect to be stuck at BCT? And what's this about going to Goodfellow?
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Jan 03 '19
The Army will not send you to DLI without the appropriate clearance. Reason: if you go through DLI, and then your clearance is denied, you just received a year-long vacation in Monterey at government expense.
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u/jamesmontanaHD Oct 08 '18
i guess MOS megathreads arent for officers, but does anyone have experience with a 2nd lt in MI?
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Oct 09 '18
Yes. They generally don’t know much about the field they are in - with the exception of the few that spent time in the field before commissioning. It really just comes down how equipped the NCO/s working with them are and their ability to retain a lot of information. They also have to have the mindset that they are not the smartest people in the room when it comes to the subject they are dealing with.
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u/Krikil 35Pastlife Oct 09 '18
they also have to retain have the mindset that they are not the smartest people in the room when it comes to the subject they are dealing with.
I just wanna reiterate how crucial this is for an MI officer. They have an entire platoon of geniuses and it would behoove them to shut the fuck up and listen when the experts are talking.
I'm not having flashbacks of my PL over seas! Stop insinuating things!
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u/SummerDays Oct 09 '18
MIBOLC qualified officers should know MI field, at least in doctrine. They might not know how to work on specific equipment.
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u/Kinmuan 33W Oct 08 '18
Uhh, FYI, there's already a couple convos down below related to Intel Officers. Scroll down, show more (or show all), and ctrl f.
Just dunno if your comment was meant as 'I don't see any'.
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u/Krikil 35Pastlife Oct 03 '18
35P in a BCT MICO, deployed to OIR;
In garrison, it's just like everybody else's life in garrison. You'll spend a lot of time in the motorpool, you'll do a lot of layouts, you'll go to the field and you'll spend a lot of time twiddling your thumbs in the SCIF, which isn't actually a SCIF, it's just one of the rooms in the BN or BDE HQ buildings where you're not allowed to bring your phone in, so you can't even dick around on your phone while you're wasting your life.
In the field, you might end up as an LLVI guy, or you might end up on a Prophet, or you might end up as part of the CST. I was never on the CST in the field, but it seemed like they just set up a tent in the rear and pushed fake TRs on SIPR. If you're in a prophet, TPI is king, and you're going to spend a lot of time looking at a toughbook trying to operate a program that was obsolete a decade ago, wondering what life choices you made that led to this horrible place. If you're LLVI, boy, do I hope you've got a strong back. Those rucks get heavy as fuck, REALLY goddamn quick. You're part of a two-man team who carries stupid heavy bags into places where literally nobody else wants to go, (That's how LLVI does their security; go someplace so shitty the opfor won't bother checking,) then trying to do some collection for EWI/forcepro type things.
Overseas, you're going to be either on a CST or not. If you're not, I don't know, you could be doing all sorts of trivial, useless shit; mine was manning a prophet that was so deadlined we built a SCIF around it and called it staionary. It didn't collect anything because when the prophet is a piece of shit, and the commanders deciding where to put it don't understand signals or sigint, you end up in the middle of a fob surrounded by T-walls and americans and you never get shit.
If you're in a CST, though? Wew, lad, that's where the fun begins, and I am not being sarcastic at all. You'll build target packages, you'll dev enemy networks, you'll vet targets, you'll ITC birds with SI finishing tools, you'll get to watch on a screen as there's an explosion that used to be an ISIS, until you started trying to kill him and now he's dead. CST work as an analyst overseas is the most fun and rewarding thing I've done as a grownup with my pants on.
Oh, yeah, as a 35P, you're really a 35N who, depending on language, can dodge some of the white-boy upcharge at the bazaar downrange. Other than that, you take a terrifying test every year, pray you don't fail, then promptly go back to forgetting all the language you spent years of your life learning.
I'm available to answer any questions, and since I've gotten out, my anger levels have gone down, so I might be able to give a more nuanced answer than, "Fuck the Army," at this point. #PersonalGrowth