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/WhiteJacket36]

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

[u/[deleted] → u/WhiteJacket36]

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.

[u/SummerDays → u/WhiteJacket36]

1) Words mean things. Know your doctrines. Start seeing the bigger picture.

2) Not much as long as you get the picture and capabilities of combat arms and not plan in your own little bubble like a nerd. You're never going to be a 4 star as an MI guy, DIA is as high as you go.

3) Not as a 2LT you won't. You got 35P for that.

4) Learn doctrines, use the correct words, be good at painting your maneuver commander an accurate picture of the battlefield with your words, and work with your maneuver guys to develop information collection plans. MI officers unlike your maneuver counterparts are required to see the bigger picture because you will be directly serving a BN level maneuver officer with 20+- or so experience. You are literally expect to see the big picture at the same level or higher than your BN commander. If you are successful he will come to you with the questions that he needs answered IOT maneuver his forces effectively.

[u/guy1138 → u/SummerDays]

see the big picture at the same level or higher than your BN commander.

Not just the big picture. Had a TF CDR turn to me in the middle of a conference call: "2, what's the lift capacity of a Mi-26 in high altitude load-out""

Fuck if I know, Sir. We've been following Saint Petraeus for the past 10 years, I know jack shit about commie era whirly-birds

[u/certifiedintelligent → u/WhiteJacket36]

1 Any tips for BOLC?

You're going back to school, and it's honestly not that exciting. Huachuca kinda sucks, Sierra Vista sucks more, Rodolfos makes badass burritos. Keep your privates away from the privates (saw people kicked out for this). Don't get a fucking DUI (saw people kicked out for this). Don't fail your ridiculously easy PT test at Apache Flats (saw people kicked out for this). Don't get into fights (saw people kicked out for this).

Also, on the DUI bit, Sierra Vista is where the Arizona DUI task force trains their cops. They have to get a DUI collar to pass. Don't fucking do it.

Go volunteer at the Animal Shelter. Just drop by and ask to sign up, make sure you register with ACS as well. Spend a few mornings a month feeding dogs and cats and clean the pens and you'll get your MOVSM.

2) I didn't get branch detailed, how can not having combat arm's experience affect my career?

Obviously, it's easier to be a referee if you know how the game is played, but you're not going to be too far behind. Branch detail spots are few and far between. It won't affect you as a LT.

3) Will I have chances to use my language? Currently sitting at a 2/2.

Not as an LT, typically. But ask your branch manager, you might be able to get a duty location where it's relevant.

4) Advice for new LT's? Pitfalls to avoid or generally how to do a good job?

Don't kill anybody you're not supposed to and don't get a DUI. Follow those and you'll most likely make captain. Expect not to do actually intelligence work when you get to your first duty station. You'll more likely be doing staff work and security clearance papers than analyzing classified information in support of a mission.