If a ROTC cadet's ultimate goal is to work for a 3 letter agency, is it better to commission active duty or NG/Reserves?

I was a 2ndLt once. I would guardedly take a 2ndLt’s word for career advice. Go talk to people within one of those three-letter agencies for which you’d like to work.

I'll lend my perspective as a former Army Civilian employee and supervisor. My job brought me into contact with many of the three-letter agencies in the Washington DC area, by which I mean NSA, CIA, DIA, DISA, DHS/FEMA, DOT, DOS, and DOJ. The Washington DC metropolitan environment is unique in the US. It's very much a "company town" where almost everybody's job is dependent on the Federal Government in some way. If your goal is to work for one of these agencies, then you should look into their hiring opportunities instead of pursuing a commission. There are many types of internships and fellowships that might allow you to start with an agency soon. These opportunities can lead to entry-level jobs in the GS-12 range with later options to be promoted up to GS-14.

Reserve Component personnel do work for nearly all of the Federal Departments and Agencies. Some civilian jobs are considered Mission Essential and Critical and are closed to Reserve Component personnel; however, there aren't many of this type in any one agency. In most cases, Reserve Component personnel enjoy strong support from their Federal Government employer including military leave with pay to cover your training and active duty time. Of course, you can't be fired or discriminated against because you are a Reserve Component member. There are also quite a few former and retired military members working as civilian employees in the DoD, Services, unified commands, Defense Agencies, intelligence community, Homeland Security, and DOT. Veterans enjoy a preference in hiring that bumps them to the top of a candidate list. If you become a disabled veteran, then you will go to the top of the list (don't spend time trying to become disabled) and it's impossible to hire anybody lower on the list.

If you are committed to a commissioning pathway, I suggest you focus on that first. You might really like the Army and decide the idea of becoming a Government Civilian wasn't that big a deal. Military personnel work in almost every agency I mentioned above, so you could direct your career that way. Select your Branch and MOS with your target agency in mind. For example, if you want to work for DOJ-FBI, go after an Army career in law enforcement and security. If the intelligence community is your target, then become an Army Intel Officer. Or if you want to fly helicopters, get into Army Aviation with the idea of flying for Border Patrol after you get out of the Army. Look on USAJobs web site. Sort jobs by agency and see what the agencies you're interested in are hiring for. Compare those jobs to MOS. Think it through.

What is important to you, being a military officer or working towards employment with a three letter agency? These things can be done at the same time however each has unique requirements you need to focus on and achieve.

Which 3 letter agency? CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS?

Would you be going into a Unit that would benifit you in entering a Three letter agency (skills?) or do you just need a job while you go through college? Anyway being Comissioned would mean that you have a degree of some sorts so why not just go apply at the agency of choice. I don't think Reserve or National Guard would matter.

What matters more than your commissioning source or career path for obtaining a 3-letter agency job is to gain and maintain your TS/SCI clearances--which may also include a polygraph exam (CI or Full Scope). This allows for the most flexibility in hiring you for the most positions. You also have to maintain a clean criminal record in good financial standing while reporting ALL foreign contacts/travel.

Many... If not most NG officers are prior service....NG is also a part time gig and retirement for these employees.

Which agency are you specifically looking at? The intelligence community is bigger than people realize.

How about a five letter agency; USACE. Essayons!

Great Question-You should seek a reserve commission (NG is too state centric) and use that to work towards the mil service experience for hiring. Officer experience preferred. Educate yourself on hiring practices for the 3LA, get high GPA in solid degree field (no social justice stuff), attend a nationally ranked and recognized University, do internships and fellowships, serve your community and national philanthropies, learn a language (or 2 or 3, get a solid Masters from another more prestigious University and make yourself marketable.

After that it’s luck, timing, demographics and of course supply and demand

Good Luck