How common are former combat arms personnel, both officer and enlisted, serving in Military Intellegence MOSs?

2016-03-13T08:54:15-04:00

This question is directed at those that have served or are serving in the MI branch in some capacity.

I'm currently MI branch detailed to Armor. I noticed a good number of MI branch details in my class alone. IBOLC seems to be the same. I'm just curious how common it is for both officers and enlisted to cross over into MI from a combat arms MOS/CMF.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2016 8:57 AM

2016-03-13T08:57:09-04:00

Many get branch detailed to gain experience in Combat Arms, as I am sure you are aware. Also, many of the combat arms enlisted who go Green to Gold desire to work in MI because they have already served on the ground. MI is a highly desired branch for people who have been on the ground because they understand how many benefits and doors open in the intel field. I know a lot of soldiers from all over special operations and combat arms that have crossed into the Officer world, just to go MI.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2016 10:03 AM

2016-03-13T10:03:19-04:00

This may be wrong, as it's been decades and memory fades, but I thought one of the reason MI LTs were detailed to combat arms branches was that compared to most branches, MI has a relatively small number of LT positions in relation to how many CPT positions they have. So they need to grow LTs into CPTs, but dont really have enough LT positions to do that, so they put some in the combat arms, which have a large number of LT positions. I suspect it's true, because I doubt MI branch would let MI LT positions go vacant while MI LTs were getting assigned to IN and AR units.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Mar 13 at 2016 3:39 PM

2016-03-13T15:39:11-04:00

Never enough, but, they do stand out. I found it always good to let my supported unit know my former life as a Marine Infantryman and SSgt of Marines. It helped to develop rapport with the leaders of combat arms units. It is easier to also assess real needs vice nice to have recommendations. I was a CI guy in both the Marines and then 14 years Army. Later, I retired as the civilian G2 at US Army CECOM. Varied experience will never hurt.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 8:25 AM

2016-03-15T08:25:10-04:00

As LTC Private RallyPoint Member pointed out, there aren't many LT slots in the Army for MI. In fact, I remember seeing a fact sheet that pointed out that, circa 2005, the Active component had a small # of 1LT slots, but no 2LT slots at all; The Reserve was even more lopsided, in having not a single slot before CPT period. So yes, the majority reason for Branch Detail is to allow branches that utilize more LTs to have them, and be able to plus up the MI CPT spots once they get that far.

There's a second argument about branch details being broadening experiences, but the blunt truth is that unless as a CPT you're a Tactical S2 in a unit of a similar kind to your detail, it will add very little to the mix, and once you hit MAJ it's even less likely to be relevant. If the "broadening experiences" argument really held water, they wouldn't bother having any direct-branched MI personnel at all as they'd want everyone to have that breadth of experiences. The straight talk is that branch detail means you weren't *quite* high enough on the OML to get first choice of branch, but you were clearly high enough to be recognized as possessing the kind of skills MI would need in the long run. Remember, though that the OML is an approximate measure that's only as good as its inputs (which basically means your ratings from your commissioning source, which rarely assess all that much of your actual potential) so being passed over for first choice isn't viewed as a negative by anyone.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2016 8:21 PM

2016-03-28T20:21:43-04:00

I taught at the MICCC until 2013, many of the officers coming through were branch transfers and many were not happy about it. I would say that those that are not happy about the move will check blocks that they have to check, but won't really be happy about the experience. Those that go into it with an open mind about the paths they can branch out into will be more successful.

Response by MAJ Juan Valles made Jan 12 at 2018 4:08 PM

2018-01-12T16:08:05-05:00

LT, it is very common and an integral part of early officer development for the MI Corps. Those experiences in Combat Arms MOS as a LT will be critical for your years as a CPT and Field Grade officer. A full understanding of maneuver doctrine enables MI officers to effectively execute intelligence operations. Once you become a CPT you will go through a transition course to learn what you will need to be an effective MI officer in FORSCOM assignments. Best of luck to you!

Response by LTC Mike Kozak made Apr 19 at 2021 2:00 PM

2021-04-19T14:00:17-04:00

It was very common during my time that’s as the army (NG) reduced its combat arms assets, officers and senior enlisted transitioned to MI from CA branches. When I transitioned to MI from FA, more than half of the company officers were former combat arms. Personally I believe this improved the tactical readiness of the unit as these officers and enlisted personnel came to the table with some hugely proficient and unique crafts and skills.