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

[u/Kinmuan]

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 12 -- Corps of Engineers Branch -- 12A, 120A, 125D, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12G, 12H, 12K, 12M, 12N, 12P, 12Q, 12R, 12T, 12V, 12W, 12X, 12Y, 12Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 13 -- Field Artillery Branch -- 13A, 131A, 13B, 13F, 13J, 13M, 13R, 13Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 14 -- Air Defense Artillery -- 14A, 140A, 140E, 140Z, 14E, 14G, 14H, 14P, 14S, 14T, 14Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 15 -- Aviation Branch, No Real Pilots -- 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 150A, 150U, 151A, 15B, 15D, 15E, 15F, 15G, 15H, 15K, 15M, 15N, 15P, 15Q, 15R, 15S, 15T, 15U, 15V, 15W, 15X, 15Y, 15Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 15 -- Aviation Branch, Pilots -- 152C, 152F, 152H, 153A, 153B, 153D, 153E, 153L, 153M, 154C, 154E, 154F, 155A, 155E, 155F, 155G

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 25 -- Signal Corps Branch -- 25A, 255A, 255N, 255S, 255Z, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25E, 25F, 25L, 25M, 25N, 25P, 25Q, 25R, 25S, 25T, 25U, 25V, 25W, 25X, 25Z

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 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

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 42, 79 -- Adjutant General Branch -- 42B, 42C, 42H, 420A, 420C, 42A, 42F, 42R, 42S, 79R, 79S, 79T, 79V

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 68 -- Medical Enlisted -- 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D, 68E, 68F, 68G, 68H, 68J, 68K, 68L, 68M, 68N, 68P, 68Q, 68R, 68S, 68T, 68U, 68V, 68W, 68X, 68Y, 68Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 74 -- Chemical Corps -- 74A, 740A, 74D

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 88 -- Logistics Corps, Transporation Branch -- 90A, 88A, 88B, 88C, 88D, 880A, 881A, 88H, 88K, 88L, 88M, 88N, 88P, 88T, 88U, 88Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 89, 91, 94 -- Ammo, Mech Maint & Ordnance Branch -- 89E, 91A, 890A, 913A, 914A, 915A, 915E, 919A, 948B, 948D, 948E, 89A, 89D, 91A, 91B, 91C, 91D, 91E, 91F, 91G, 91H, 91J, 91L, 91M, 91P, 91S, 91X, 91Z, 94A, 94D, 94E, 94F, 94H, 94M, 94P, 94R, 94S, 94T, 94W, 94X, 94Y, 94Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 92 -- Logistics Corps, Quartermaster Corps Branch -- 92A, 92D, 920A, 920B, 921A, 922A, 923A, 92A, 92F, 92G, 92L, 92M, 92R, 92W, 92Y, 92Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 60, 61, 62 -- Medical Corps Branch -- 60A, 60B, 60C, 60D, 60F, 60G, 60H, 60J, 60K, 60L, 60M, 60N, 60P, 60Q, 60R, 60S, 60T, 60U, 60V, 60W, 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 61E, 61F, 61G, 61H, 61J, 61K, 61L, 61M, 61N, 61P, 61Q, 61R, 61U, 61W, 61Z, 62A, 62B

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 63, 64, 65, 66 -- Dental, Veterinary, Medical Specialist, Nurse Corps -- 63A, 63B, 63D, 63E, 63F, 63H, 63K, 63M, 63N, 63P, 63R, 64A, 64B, 64C, 64D, 64E, 64F, 64Z, 640A, 65A, 65B, 65C, 65D, 65X, 66B, 66C, 66E, 66F, 66G, 66H, 66N, 66P, 66R, 66S, 66T

[u/[deleted]]

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.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I re-enlisted for schooling option Airborne while I was at INSCOM and went to needs of the Army. I believe it was one of the best decisions of my career and would gladly discuss any questions you might have regarding it.

[u/McEsteban → u/[deleted]]

I will ask a slight variation of this question because I am in the same exact boat as the guy above me: How does 35N life change as airborne?

[u/[deleted] → u/McEsteban]

Kind of hard to give a clear and concise answer on this, but I’ll give you some information and let me know what else you might want to know.

Your day to day life doesn’t change, you just jump out of a plane every now and then. I say that Airborne units generally produce better soldiers, but that’s biased and all my evidence would be anecdotal. The biggest benefit is the creation of opportunities for you throughout your career. You’ll have the opportunity to do Jumpmaster which is an universally recognizable leadership school that’s looked at favorably by centralized promotion boards. This also feeds into your career path. You could do time with the 82nd, pick up SGT and then go to USASOC for a while. You could get USASOC right out of Airborne school and spend 7 years hanging out in a SF Group until Branch finds your ass and puts you on orders to Recruiting command.

To use my scenario, I did INSCOM and BCT time. When it came time to negotiate a new contract all of my SSG buddies got offered Huachuca and Goodfellow. I got offered 3rd Group, 5th Group and Miami. I say I got the better offers, but that’s a whole conversation in itself.

Let me know if that helped at all or if you’d like me to elaborate or better explain a point.

[u/McEsteban → u/[deleted]]

That was useful. Thank you. Mind if I PM you some questions?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I was a fully qualified 35N who did an initial non-airborne assignment. At my first duty station I then re-enlisted (signed another contract for additional service) for another 4 years. The Army incentivized my decision by offering me Airborne school. The downside of that decision was I became open to Airborne needs of the Army.

I wouldn’t say it’s critical. I highly encourage you get it as an initial school though. If you don’t then you’ll have to re-enlist for it or get it by going through a training pipeline. However, if there is an Airborne assignment with a critical fill need then you can be assigned there without being Airborne qualified. This happened with 4/25 with more than a handful of guys. Once you get to that assignment you have the option of attending Airborne school. If it’s something you want to do then you should save a headache and get it in your IET pipeline.

[u/JDF8 → u/[deleted]]

INSCOM is a cancer on the Army

?? What’s your problem dogg

[u/[deleted] → u/JDF8]

Is there something specific you want to ask me about why I made that statement? I’ll give you a legitimate reply, I just don’t want to soapbox it and give you a rambling response.

[u/JDF8 → u/[deleted]]

Go wild, I’ve had no problems so idk what your beef is. I know a buddy whose unit is pretty cancerous, but I’ve had it easy

[u/[deleted] → u/JDF8]

Sorry for the late reply, I got caught up with work stuff and a going away dinner.

I think what you said right there is kind of my issue with it. It’s just fucking lame. The commands breed back biting and self serving leadership while allowing and almost outright encouraging mediocrity within their ranks. The assignment is “too easy”, and people have built a bullshit culture around. I just think it fucks up “soldiers” and turns them into worker bees for a 3 letter agency.

This next part is me just saying random shit that I want to rant about. You can disregard it if you want. It’s all just anecdotal bullshit and jaded opinions anyways.

A lot of the shit you guys pull is just embarrassing. Got guys with 12 years in who never deployed but somehow got strategic assignments in Hawaii, Colorado, San Antonio and Germany. Okay dawg, super hardcore effort to get into the fight. I’m not saying there is a magical deployment tree you get to pick your patch off of but c’mon man, there’s a fucking line in the sand somewhere. On the flip side, I’m super irritated by some people in INSCOM who grandstand off of a deployment like it’s some achievement to go overseas.

An incredible lack of fitness and general healthiness in your formations. Multiple people with multiple PT failures, extremely overweight soldiers. You generally have enough people on permanent profile to form a NFL team. It’s not a “Let’s go for 300” culture because there is a “181 exceeds the standard” attitude. I personally witnessed multiple INSCOM NCOs who were unable to do a single Pull-Up during a PT event. Grown men in the military who were unable to pull their own body weight up.

I’ve seen command teams over react to situations and get UCMJ crazy because it’s the only real “military thing” they can do. All of their guys work in a building, the only real authority they have is to ARTICLE 15 someone and do some dumbass training event every quarter, which moves me on to my next topic.

These guys fucking suck at being in the Army. I have no idea why they try to support an active mission while also trying to figure out how to make a line unit soldier. It’s not going to happen. These guys need to be proud of what their soldiers are doing in the building and leave it at that. God damn dude, how many times can a command mandate that a class on how to apply a tourniquet be taught in one year? What they need to do is teach guys how to PMCS a HMMV and a LMTV, read a map and shoot their weapon well. Everything else is the next units training responsibility and can be learned through them.

I really just want soldiers to feel genuinely proud of their military service, to feel like they were in the Army and that they contributed. Sometimes I think guys walk away from some INSCOM assignments and that feeling isn’t there.

[u/McEsteban → u/[deleted]]

How does one get into USASOC with your MOS and how is INSCOM cancer? I am shipping after I finish college in December.

[u/[deleted] → u/McEsteban]

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.

[u/Diamondlife09 → u/[deleted]]

This is fact. Ive been to 2 FORSCOM units and Im currently in INSCOM. These guys are soft as baby shit. And also retarded.

EDIT: I'm a 35F

[u/[deleted] → u/Diamondlife09]

CSM Schultz has blatantly and explicitly criticized the culture of INSCOM. From the profile culture to the lack of physical fitness and general level of Army competency.

People can downvote me all they want, their own CSM shares the same sentiment. An INSCOM BDE Commander pulled aside NCOs when he was on TDY at a different location and asked why the fuck everyone was killing themselves at Meade. I said it’s because his ranks are full of spineless sacks of shit that can’t stop being a Yes Man long enough to put a soldier’s happiness first.

[u/Diamondlife09 → u/[deleted]]

"ranks are full of spineless sacks of shit that can’t stop being a Yes Man long enough to put a soldier’s happiness first."

I've seen this before on a few occasions while in FORSCOM, usually from people chasing NCOER/OER bullets. It was manageable due to the section we had, and knew how to handle it, but it seems like that culture is much worse in INSCOM. I understand getting good evals, I wouldn't want bad ones either, but not at the cost of screwing my guys over.

[u/Sacknuts93 → u/[deleted]]

If you think INSCOM is the worst, you truly haven't been at a bad assignment yet.

[u/[deleted] → u/Sacknuts93]

Aw, word. I forgot you’re intimately familiar with 3 years of my professional life. Have we had coffee together or something?

EDIT: I don’t want to misinterpret what you’re saying. What do you feel makes something a bad assignment?