Intelligence?

BurbPunk said:

Is there such a thing as a Marine Intel. Officer (and if so, what exactly do they do)?

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0203 - Ground Intelligence

1. Introduction

If you are attracted to the infantry occupational field and the intelligence field, the ground intelligence MOS may offer the best of both worlds. Created in 1994 to improve intelligence at the tactical level in the Marine Corps, this field provides intelligence officers with an opportunity to command at the onset of their careers.

2. What is this MOS like?

Initially, the ground intelligence officer will serve as a scout sniper platoon commander in the infantry battalion. In this respect, this MOS is much like the infantry for the first 12 to 18 months. Upon successful completion of this first billet, you will probably serve as an intelligence officer on a battalion, regiment or division staff. If you particularly enjoyed commanding a scout sniper platoon, you may volunteer to command a reconnaissance platoon. If selected, following a rigorous screening process, you will command a reconnaissance platoon for approximately 24 months. You must be eligible for top secret clearance with access to special compartmentalized information (TS/SCI) based on a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).


3. What will I do after TBS before I get to my first billet?

Before leaving Quantico, you will attend IOC for ten weeks along with your infantry contemporaries. Upon graduation from IOC, the ground intelligence officers will attend the SSPC (Scout Sniper Platoon Commander Course) at the Scout Sniper Instructor School at Weapons Training Battalion for two weeks. Following SSPC, you will attend the six-week Ground Intelligence Officer Course (GIOC) at the Navy/Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center in Dam Neck, Virginia. Here you will learn the requisite skills to perform as an intelligence officer on a battalion, regiment or division staff.

4. What will my first tour be like?

All ground intelligence officers will be assigned to one of the three divisions within the Marine Corps. Those assigned to First Marine Division and Second Marine Division may serve temporarily on the division intelligence officer’s staff until they can be permanently assigned to one of the infantry battalions
as a scout sniper platoon commander. The officers assigned to Third Marine Division in Okinawa may serve on the division staff for a longer period of time. In some cases, these officers may be selected to serve as reconnaissance platoon commanders and may receive some of their requisite training prior to departing for Okinawa.

Commanding a scout sniper platoon is a physically and mentally challenging job. Scout sniper platoons consist of 8 two-man teams and a small headquarters section. The mission of these teams is to support combat operations by providing precision direct fire on selected targets, controlling supporting arms, and collecting and reporting information. You are responsible for training the teams and will work closely with the battalion intelligence officer and battalion operations officer in their employment.

Your deployment opportunities are dependent on the battalion to which you are assigned. Like the infantry officers in your IOC class, you can be assigned to a battalion conducting a six or seven month deployment to Okinawa as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP), or to a battalion conducting a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) deployment.

5. Where might I go after my first tour?

Upon augmentation and three or more years of intelligence experience, all Marine Corps intelligence officers from the four specialty intelligence MOSs (MOS 0203, 0204, 0206, and 0207) are redesignated as a MAGTF Intelligence Officer, MOS 0202. This MOS is granted upon completion of the MAGTF
Intelligence Officer Course (MIOC) at NMITC in Dam Neck, Virginia. MIOC develops officers who can apply intelligence tactics, techniques, and procedures to support the commander across a multi-disciplined spectrum in a MAGTF and joint environment. After qualification for the 0202 MOS, the officer can be assigned to any level of the Marine Corps, external billets (mostly US Navy billets), joint intelligence tours, and national intelligence agencies. There are several opportunities to command intelligence organizations and other units within the Marine Corps. These opportunities range from command of Marine students in other service intelligence schools, through multiple command billets in the three intelligence battalions, to command of a SIGINT company or battalion.

6. Where else can I look for information on this MOS?

• Infantry Officer Course Homepage:
Navy/Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center Homepage: http://www.cnet.navy.mil/nmitc/

• Ground Intel Officer Course Homepage:
http://www.cnet.navy.mil/nmitc/dgit/marine_active/mactive_frame.html

7. Conclusion

The 0203 MOS is a challenging profession. You will work with some of the most talented and dedicated Marines in the Corps. Regardless of your MOS assignment, you will find that this is the most rewarding aspect of the Marine Corps. Additionally, your 0203 experience will open up command possibilities in the future.

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0204 - Human Intelligence/Counterintelligence

1. Introduction

As a human intelligence (HUMINT)/counterintelligence (CI) officer, MOS 0204, you will be expected to conduct limited human intelligence collection, and counterintelligence operations for the MAGTF. Prior to 1994 this field was reserved for limited duty officers (LDO) and warrant officers with over a decade of experience in HUMINT/CI.

2. What is the MOS like?

HUMINT is intelligence derived from human sources, such as prisoner interrogation and clandestine sources. Counterintelligence comprises activities that prevent non-friendly organizations or persons from obtaining information about our activities. As a 0204, you will conduct counterintelligence and human intelligence operations in support of the MAGTF. You will lead interrogator-translator Marines (MOS 0251) and counterintelligence Marines (MOS 0211). Unlike many MOSs, the 0204 is responsible for many legal and liaison issues with national and theater-level organizations.

Beyond the top secret/sensitive compartmentalized information (TS/SCI) security clearance requirement, the most important attribute for a CI/HUMINT officer is “people-skills.” Your ability to make and maintain contacts is your “bread and butter.” You and your subordinates can expect to conduct operations like recruiting agents (people who give us information for money or other reasons), conduct liaison with other military and government agencies to provide force protection information, conduct terrorism threat
analysis and anti-terrorism awareness classes, and interrogate prisoners-of-war.

3. What will I do after TBS before I get to my first billet?

You will attend the MAGTF Counterintelligence Course in Dam Neck, Virginia. This intense 17 1/2 week entry-level course is designed to train officers and enlisted Marines entering CI, occupational fields 0204 and 0211. Emphasis is placed on CI/HUMINT related roles, functions, and operations performed while serving as a member of a CI team in support of a MAGTF.

4. What will my first tour be like?

Initially, you will be assigned to one of the CI/HUMINT companies resident in each Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) as either a platoon commander or a staff officer in the company headquarters. During this time, you will have additional opportunities to train your team during the many exercises the MEF will assign CI/HUMINT units to complete. Every Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployment has a CI/HUMINT officer leading a HUMINT Exploitation Team (HET) consisting of a counterintelligence sub-team and two interrogator-translators. As there are a limited number of MEU 0204 billets, this opportunity will likely only be offered to those 0204s who have demonstrated their abilities in the intelligence battalion and CI/HUMINT company commanders. There are other opportunities to deploy from the CI/HUMINT company.

5. Where might I go after my first tour?

Upon augmentation and three or more years of intelligence experience, all Marine Corps intelligence officers from the four specialty intelligence MOSs (MOS 0203, 0204, 0206, and 0207) are redesignated as a MAGTF Intelligence Officer, MOS 0202. The MOS is granted upon completing the MAGTF
Intelligence Officer Course (MIOC) at NMITC in Dam Neck, Virginia. MIOC fosters the development of officers who can apply intelligence tactics, techniques, and procedures to support the commander across a
multi-disciplined spectrum in a MAGTF and joint environment. After qualification for the 0202 MOS, the officer can be assigned to any level of the Marine Corps, external billets (mostly US Navy billets), joint intelligence tours, and national intelligence agencies. There are several opportunities to command intelligence organizations and units within the Marine Corps. These opportunities range from command of Marine students in other service intelligence schools, multiple command billets in the three intelligence battalions, to command of a SIGINT company or battalion.

6. Where else can I look for information on this MOS?

• Marine Corps Intelligence Association http://mcia-inc.org/
• Marine Corps Counterintelligence Association http://mccia.org/
• Defenselink http://www.defenselink.mil/

7. Conclusion

As an 0204 you will work with some of the smartest Marines in the Corps to accomplish an exciting and necessary mission. You will develop people skills that will make you successful whether you choose the Marine Corps as a career, or whether you choose to transition after your first tour.

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0206 - Signals Intelligence

1. Introduction

Signals Intelligence (SigInt) provides the best of both worlds. This field requires traditional Marine Corps field skills and high-end technical knowledge. If you want a job that challenges you both physically and mentally and provides opportunities for independent command early in your career, consider the 0206 occupational field.

2. What is this MOS like?

This MOS is best suited for officers who want to lead very bright Marines. The minimum GCT for Signals Intelligence Marines is one of the highest in the Corps. Though working with people at this intellectual level can make for some unique leadership challenges, being their leader is one of the most rewarding opportunities imaginable.

Although your entry-level training does not require a 4.00 GPA in engineering or applied mathematics, this is a technical field; a basic understanding of college physics and computers will help you immensely. Technical skills, such as basic communications theory and LAN/WAN fundamentals, will be taught at your first duty station, since most of the technical aspects of the MOS are no longer taught at the officers’ school.

You are required to maintain the highest security clearance, top secret with access to sensitive compartmentalized information (TS/SCI). Some assignments require a polygraph, but if you aren’t a foreign spy, don’t worry.

SigInt Marines support forward-deployed Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU) and other MAGTFs. If you are averse to living in the field, eating MREs, and performing physical work, you will not excel. Likewise, if you are averse to augmenting MEF-level staff sections or if you stutter when talking to colonels, you will be ineffective.

3. What will I do after TBS before I get to my first billet?

After TBS you will attend school in Pensacola, Florida for three months. School is extremely demanding, and not necessarily fun. There is no time in the field and the focus is on learning United States SigInt Directives (USSIDs). Learning USSIDs and how the Marine Corps contributes to the United States SigInt System (USSS) is important, because collecting others’ communications is serious business. Mistakes can have strategic implications as well as resulting in criminal charges against you. Therefore, learn the basics for three months, so you can have fun later. It is a small price to pay in the big picture, and Pensacola is a great town.

4. What will my first tour be like?

Your first tour will be at one of the two radio battalions. First Radio Battalion is located in Kaneohe, Hawaii, and supports Marine Forces Pacific (MarForPac), First Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF), and III MEF. Second Radio Battalion is in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and supports Marine Forces Atlantic and II MEF. You can expect to be a platoon commander with any of the following collection assets: Radio Reconnaissance Platoon, for deep battle collection; SIGINT Support Platoon, for direct support to the ground or air combat commander; or Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System (MEWSS) Platoon, for early warning and electronic attack operations with Light Armored Reconnaissance. After proving yourself as a platoon commander, you will lead independent detachments, which comprise teams
from any or all of the three types of platoons listed above. Overall, you can expect to be deployed about 35 percent of your time at your first duty station. The most sought after billet is SIGINT Support Platoon
Commander for a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), which usually happens at the end of your Radio Battalion tour.

5. Where might I go after my first tour?

You will probably be sent to the Navy/Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center (NMITC) in Dam Neck, Virginia, for transition training to the 0202 MOS, MAGTF Intelligence Officer. You could also be assigned to Marine Support Battalion at the National Security Agency, any of the divisions or wings, or to Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC).

6. Where else can I look for information on this MOS?

• Marine Corps Intelligence Association http://mcia-inc.org/
• Marine Corps Counterintelligence Association http://mccia.org/
• Defenselink http://www.defenselink.mil/

7. Conclusion

As an 0206 you will work with some of the smartest Marines in the Corps to accomplish an exciting and necessary mission. You will develop people skills and technical skills that will make you successful whether you choose the Marine Corps as a career, or whether you choose to transition after your first tour.

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0207 - Air Intelligence

1. Introduction

If you are attracted to the intelligence occupational field, but want to be associated with Marine aviation, the air intelligence field is probably the job for you.

2. What is this MOS like?

As an 0207, you will enjoy the Aviation side of the Marine Air Ground Task Force as a member of the Aviation Combat Element (ACE). As the ACE intelligence officer, you are a primary staff officer and serve as the principal advisor to the ACE Commanding Officer on all matters pertaining to the enemy. You will focus much of your time researching and briefing on various topics from weather forecasts to enemy integrated air defenses. Like all of the intelligence occupational fields, you will develop an analytical mind
and “people skills”.

3. What will I do after TBS before I get to my first billet?

Marine Second Lieutenants assigned the Air Intelligence Officer (0207) MOS will attend the Naval Intelligence Officer Basic Course (NIOBC), located at the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center at Dam Neck, VA. This intense twenty-two week course provides the basic training required to perform the duties and functions associated with operational intelligence assignments. The prerequisite for this course is a top secret clearance. A Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) must be initiated prior to reporting.

4. What will my first tour be like?

Upon completion of NIOBC you can expect an initial assignment to any echelon of the Marine Air Wing, from VMAQ (Prowler) squadron, to Marine Air Group, to MAW G-2. Duties will vary with billet assignment, but will likely involve targeting, collections and dissemination. You may also be assigned to the MEF’s Intelligence Battalion. Marines who excel in this MOS have strong analytical and public speaking skills. A solid base in computer skills is also helpful, as this MOS is heavily reliant upon technology.

5. Where might I go after my first tour?

Upon augmentation and three or more years of intelligence experience, all Marine Corps Intelligence Officers from the four specialty intelligence MOSs (MOS 0203, 0204, 0206, and 0207) are redesignated as a MAGTF Intelligence Officer, MOS 0202. The MOS is granted upon attending the MAGTF Intelligence Officer Course (MIOC) at NMITC in Dam Neck, Virginia. MIOC fosters the development of officers who can apply intelligence tactics, techniques, and procedures to support the commander across a multi-disciplined spectrum in a MAGTF and joint environment. After qualification for the 0202 MOS, the officer can be assigned to any level of the Marine Corps, external billets (mostly US Navy billets), joint intelligence tours, and national intelligence agencies. There are several opportunities to command intelligence organizations and units within the Marine Corps. These opportunities range from command of Marine students in other service intelligence schools, multiple command billets in the three intelligence
battalions, to command of a SIGINT company or battalion.

6. Where else can I look for information on this MOS?

• Navy/Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center Homepage: http://www.cnet.navy.mil/nmitc/

7. Conclusion

The 0207 MOS will prove rewarding and challenging. You will mesh the intricacies of intelligence, analysis and targeting to maximize the awesome firepower of the Aviation Combat Element.

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squeeze said:

The Marine Corps doesn't distinguish between restriced or unrestricted line. All officers are trained as provisional rifle platoon commanders before they are trained in their MOS. Thus, if everyone else dies and the intel-o/log-o/fac/whoever is alive, they are atleast learned in the fundamentals of troop leadership.

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