Posted on Feb 2, 2021
If you already have a Bachelors but love MI, is it better to commission, or go Warrant, or become a civilian?
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After speaking to my Commander, I've been overwhelmed with career options lately so I wanted to get more opinions.
I'm 28yrs old and have been serving for roughly 2.7yrs. Just became an NCO last December.
I love military intelligence and wish to do a job where I can be rewarded for learning about culture, history, foreign politics, and military capabilities. I've been told to go intel warrant or become a civilian again.
I have a bachelor's degree from an extremely expensive and tough university (Carnegie Mellon). However, I didn't do so well because I was young and stupid. I worked a corporate job in audience analysis in Hollywood for a few years, but had no direction in life so I enlisted because I wanted to guarantee MI. Currently pursuing a master's in data analytics.
I am now an intelligence advisor in SFAB and I love it when I get to do country overviews and intel work, but I have MAJOR college debt (though great credit) so money is an important factor.
To be honest, though I'm good with academics, and I help the LTs with their homework, I'm not much of a Soldier (hate the field!) though I love military history and strategy.
What I wish to ask this community is, what career path offers a good balance of engaging intel work, good pay, and personal time?
I know you can't have it all, but looking for a decent balance.
I'm 28yrs old and have been serving for roughly 2.7yrs. Just became an NCO last December.
I love military intelligence and wish to do a job where I can be rewarded for learning about culture, history, foreign politics, and military capabilities. I've been told to go intel warrant or become a civilian again.
I have a bachelor's degree from an extremely expensive and tough university (Carnegie Mellon). However, I didn't do so well because I was young and stupid. I worked a corporate job in audience analysis in Hollywood for a few years, but had no direction in life so I enlisted because I wanted to guarantee MI. Currently pursuing a master's in data analytics.
I am now an intelligence advisor in SFAB and I love it when I get to do country overviews and intel work, but I have MAJOR college debt (though great credit) so money is an important factor.
To be honest, though I'm good with academics, and I help the LTs with their homework, I'm not much of a Soldier (hate the field!) though I love military history and strategy.
What I wish to ask this community is, what career path offers a good balance of engaging intel work, good pay, and personal time?
I know you can't have it all, but looking for a decent balance.
OCS
Warrant Officers
Civilian Career
Intelligence
Edited 4 y ago
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 19
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If you commission there is no guarantee you would end up in the MI branch. Your previous MOS doesn't affect where you are branched. If you want to stay MI you'll have to become a Warrant if you want to be an officer.
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SFC (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) people in the Army like to make conjectures about things that sound like they should make sense.
Search the RP command post articles, LTC Jason Mackay wrote an excellent article about how your branch is assigned. Short answer is needs of the Army. Longer answer is that OCS is one long competition with the best performers getting first picks on branches and again - needs of the Army
Search the RP command post articles, LTC Jason Mackay wrote an excellent article about how your branch is assigned. Short answer is needs of the Army. Longer answer is that OCS is one long competition with the best performers getting first picks on branches and again - needs of the Army
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SFC Casey O'Mally
SGT (Join to see) - In my Det, we had an 8 year MI guy go to OCS and listed MI as his 1st choice, Engineer as his second, and Signal as his third. He got MP.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you guys, this has kinda sealed that coffin. I guess Officers are ideal for those who wish to be in management and determined to make a career in the military
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Warrant Officer is a great path with lots of opportunity, especially in the DC area for CI. Check it out
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