Posted on Dec 10, 2019
Differences in the opportunities of a 35N vs 35P in a SOF capacity?
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Good afternoon everyone,
I am researching coming into the Army as Prior Service and would like to get into the Intel Community, specifically SIGINT, with the ultimate goal of working in some sort of a SOF capacity whether it is a SOT-A with Group or the Ranger Regt equivalent. I really have no desire to hangout in an S/G-2 at this point in my life or career, if I can avoid it.
I have been doing as much research as I can on the two prominent SIGINT MOS's within the Army and would just like some input from people who have been in those MOS's to guide any further decisions.
A quick background on myself to possibly cover any questions about my prior service.
- Originally in the Marine Corps as an 0621 Radio Operator for 7.5 years, spent most of that time as a Team Communicator with the Marine Special Operations Command.
-EAS'd from the Marine Corps in 2018 and then enlisted in the Navy Reserves as a Medic with 4th Recon, thinking that staying with a Marine unit in a medical capacity would scratch any itches I had left over from my time in the Marine Corps. That has not been the case and the politics of the Navy combined with the low promotion rates has quickly turned me off.
-I am already Airborne qualified and have attended multiple other SOCOM required courses to deploy/work in that type of unit.
- Current civilian employment is with the Marine Special Operations Command as a contractor conducting predeployment training for communicators and other enabler MOS's to include Intel, so I still have my foot in the door with what is going within the SOF world.
I am very interested in getting into this line of work having seen firsthand the job opportunities in and out of the military. I'm also already familiar with the processes of getting out of one branch and in to the other so the biggest questions I have are on the MOS's themselves. I would hate to pick the wrong one, you only get so many second or third chances on a career!
Thanks for your time.
I am researching coming into the Army as Prior Service and would like to get into the Intel Community, specifically SIGINT, with the ultimate goal of working in some sort of a SOF capacity whether it is a SOT-A with Group or the Ranger Regt equivalent. I really have no desire to hangout in an S/G-2 at this point in my life or career, if I can avoid it.
I have been doing as much research as I can on the two prominent SIGINT MOS's within the Army and would just like some input from people who have been in those MOS's to guide any further decisions.
A quick background on myself to possibly cover any questions about my prior service.
- Originally in the Marine Corps as an 0621 Radio Operator for 7.5 years, spent most of that time as a Team Communicator with the Marine Special Operations Command.
-EAS'd from the Marine Corps in 2018 and then enlisted in the Navy Reserves as a Medic with 4th Recon, thinking that staying with a Marine unit in a medical capacity would scratch any itches I had left over from my time in the Marine Corps. That has not been the case and the politics of the Navy combined with the low promotion rates has quickly turned me off.
-I am already Airborne qualified and have attended multiple other SOCOM required courses to deploy/work in that type of unit.
- Current civilian employment is with the Marine Special Operations Command as a contractor conducting predeployment training for communicators and other enabler MOS's to include Intel, so I still have my foot in the door with what is going within the SOF world.
I am very interested in getting into this line of work having seen firsthand the job opportunities in and out of the military. I'm also already familiar with the processes of getting out of one branch and in to the other so the biggest questions I have are on the MOS's themselves. I would hate to pick the wrong one, you only get so many second or third chances on a career!
Thanks for your time.
Posted in these groups: 
SIGINT Sergeant
35N: Signals Intelligence Analyst
35P: Cryptologic Linguist
Special Operations
SOT-A Team Member
SIGINT Sergeant 35N: Signals Intelligence Analyst 35P: Cryptologic Linguist Special Operations SOT-A Team Member
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 5
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Typically your Novembers are going to be SOT-Bs, the analysts, and Papas are the SOT-As, the collectors. Both MOSs can do the others work, the difference between the two is that the Papas are language dependent, so getting where you want is going to take longer vs coming back as a November.
I'll pm you my email, feel free to ask any follow up questions there.
I'll pm you my email, feel free to ask any follow up questions there.
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There are available assignments for both MOSs in USASOC.
That being said, the Army doesn't actually care about your previous SOCOM courses and they aren't required to deploy with any USASOC unit. Your current employment is irrelevant as well. SF Command is just another assignment for an Intel MOS, and you will be expected to work in an S2 and Intel units as part of your career progression. Anyone who meets the requirements of a Secret Clearance, 100 GT and willing to accept an Airborne assignment can reenlist for a spot there or be placed on assignment by their branch manager.
There is no such thing as a SOF Support MOS, your conventional skill support is what makes you an asset to a SOF unit. You can go to a unit like the 75th or 160th that has its own selection and stay for several years. But eventually you have to leave. Even if you go to JSOC you will be expected to return to the regular army to develop your conventional skill set for career progression.
The other option you have is to go in as an 18X and after you become an E7 as a green Beret switch to MOS 18F which is an Intel SF Sergeant.
That being said, the Army doesn't actually care about your previous SOCOM courses and they aren't required to deploy with any USASOC unit. Your current employment is irrelevant as well. SF Command is just another assignment for an Intel MOS, and you will be expected to work in an S2 and Intel units as part of your career progression. Anyone who meets the requirements of a Secret Clearance, 100 GT and willing to accept an Airborne assignment can reenlist for a spot there or be placed on assignment by their branch manager.
There is no such thing as a SOF Support MOS, your conventional skill support is what makes you an asset to a SOF unit. You can go to a unit like the 75th or 160th that has its own selection and stay for several years. But eventually you have to leave. Even if you go to JSOC you will be expected to return to the regular army to develop your conventional skill set for career progression.
The other option you have is to go in as an 18X and after you become an E7 as a green Beret switch to MOS 18F which is an Intel SF Sergeant.
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SPC Joshua Little
Thats not true at all. SF Batallions have Combat Support Companies( which is where you will find the SOT-A Teams hes talking about. Once in your role successfully long enough you can be awarded the "S" identier. This allows you to both stay at group or get other Special Ops asdignments. There are Support guys that spend there whole careers in the same group just like the Green Berets they work with. No MEPS and recruiters wont necissarily give you said assignment but guess what SF has its own recruiters and you can talk to both those guys if you have a POC and the group itself if you dont have or cant find the POC you can do what many have done and get assigned to Bragg,Camble etc and go talk to them before getting assigned. There is another alternative as well the Army National Guard SF Groups. If you can meet requirements and especially have experience you can get into Support Company and stay there, including SOT-A. Once you get your identifier and you want to go active that Identifier will get you the assignment you seek though you have to watch the recruiters and MEPS folks they will deliberately omit stuff from your paperwork so you can be assigned anywhere. Likewise at the 75th Ranger Regiment once you get your tab and have a successful tour meeting all requirements you can also stay there as well and JSOC is so hard to get people they sure as hell arent forcing good people to leave.
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SFC (Join to see)
100% you can def spend your whole career there. Getting the "S" identifier will help cement you in, with wings, and time requirement in the unit, then you can put in the request for your "S". I spent half my career with 1/10 SFG, left for a DLI instructor assignment, and then ended up retiring. I was scheduled to end up at 3rd afterward but decided to retire.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SPC Joshua Little - Just as a note for the future, the guy you are trying to correct is a Career Counselor, an 18 seriies SF soldier and a former Army Ranger. What I'm telling you is that SFC Boyd has posted here for a long time and I think you will find that his comments are gospel.
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They are always trying to recruit us SIGINTers for special missions. SOF, SFAB and USAPAB to be specific. You will have no problems getting what you want as a 35N granted you can meet all the requirements. I recommend looking on HRC on the 35N career page. Also check the MILPER messages. Lots of opportunity specially if you can get a language.
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Nicolas Fernandez
Hello, I will be enlisting soon (once MEPS re-opens after this pandemic dies down) and am considering 35N. If I can get airborne in my contract, is it possible to get these special opportunities after AIT, then Airborne?
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