Is it possible for a prior-service Marine to enlist into 35L?

2018-03-21T12:29:15-04:00

Hey there I hope you all are well. I'm a prior service Marine infantryman (2007-2011- IRR ended in 2015 I believe). I'm looking to rejoin the service in the intelligence community, being particuarily interested in 35M and 35L. I've been doing a good deal research but I'm coming across some conflicting information. I realize 35L is an application MOS, but is it possible to go through the application process and upon approval enlist directly into 35L? I contacted CI recruiter Mr. Randall Long via the CI Agent recruiting pamphlet who said he understood it as that you already needed to be in the Army with an MOS before applying. However I have read some other posts here on RP that have stated that an MOS reclass is possible if you're going 18x or 35L. I was interested if anyone could provide some clarity on this. I've read through the current Prior Service Business rules several times but it can be a bit confusing to decipher.

Additionally I contacted a recruiter in my area (Beaumont, TX) who stated that they're not recruiting/taking anyone PS below the rank of E-5 unless it was reserve. I followed that with a phone call to the Burleson, TX recruiters who enlisted my wife a few months ago. The recruiters there who I'd met with several times said they're not sure why the first recruiter said that and they should be able to get me in with no issues as my code is RE-1A. I'm curious why this type of conflict occurs? It seems some PS guys need to work with several recruiters before being able to come back in. I would appreciate any advice on this front.

My wife is currently in AIT as a 35N and I was curious to get some insight into dual service life. We've discussed my return to service for several months and decided that while she's in school would be the best time to start my own process. Though I would be enlisting into Intel, I'm concerned that we would get different duty stations. Our recruiters told us that this scenario would be highly unlikely but I'd love to hear from any dual service members about your experience. We have a strong marriage and communicate well, both of us are looking to turn our Army service into careers. One issue that I've read about is that generally one service member's career will need to take a back seat to the others.

I appreciate any information that yall may be able to provide.

UPDATE: I called the FT HOOD FO and the agent there said he needed to give the school a call as they've not encountered this scenario in a while. I'll update this post again when I get a little more information for folks following this post or in a similar situation.

Semper Fi,
Derek Goins
3rd BN 5th Marines - Dark Horse GET SOME

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Mar 21 at 2018 1:15 PM

2018-03-21T13:15:22-04:00

Wow - Interesting. You seem to have chosen some very important and interesting MOS paths for your upcoming Army career. I am sure you have considered the implications that any of the 35 class MOSs would have on your future life once you are no longer military, especially if you make 20 plus and retire. Good for you and your wife, very intelligent life strategy. I spend time in S-2 while in Korea and found my duties in the S-2 shop very interesting and eye-opening, I certainly learn a lot about life and the world in the job.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2018 2:18 PM

2018-03-21T14:18:39-04:00

With respect to Elmo (Randall Long), he is not in an Army CI Field Office (FO) and you should really contact an FO directly as they process applications often and will be apprised of the latest info. Unfortunately, if you are in Beaumont, TX I think the nearest FO to you would be Fort Hood, which I know is a bit a of drive. In any case, if you really want to go CI Special Agent (35L), there is a path provided that you can qualify for a TS/SCI (not sure of your RE-1A code without knowing more behind it though). And, this may mean you need to come in under a different MOS first and then apply once you are in (which really isn't that big of a deal). I will say this, since I am National Guard now, I can say our process is slightly different as well for recruiting new 35L's. For example, if we wanted you (after we pre-vet you), as an E4 in the Marines we would place you in one of our E5 CI slots immediately. Once your CI packet was complete, we would send it up, and once adjudicated, we would put you in for a CISAC school date (CI Special Agent Course). Upon graduation, you would be promoted to E5 (can't be an agent unless you are least an E5). Now obviously Regular Army's CI applicant process is a bit different, but not that much. I will say that if you really wanted to go CI and couldn't get in through active duty, a NG unit would be a possibility, then you could always try to transfer over to active duty. We have had a few agents do that over the years, and there are also tons of short term active duty missions as well for even reservist agents. Just a potential option.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 3:07 AM

2018-03-22T03:07:54-04:00

Cpl Goins: I was in the Army for a lot of years (strategic and tactical sides), and I can probably count on one hand the amount of times a commander asked in a meeting, pre-mission brief, mission planning, etc, “hey what does HUMINT think?” On the other hand, SIGINT is consulted just about every single time.
I can go on for days as to why SIGINT is the way to go. But there’s a reason why 35M soldiers in the MICo hate their lives but Cybercom is being elevated to its own Unified Combatant Command. It’s the future and definitely where you want to be.
To answer your question, I don’t think it’s possible for you to go directly into the Army as a 35L. To better answer, don’t go Mike, either. Follow your wife, go to Goodfellow. 35N is where it’s at, especially on the tactical side.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 3:21 AM

2018-03-22T03:21:07-04:00

CPL Goins: First off - holy crap. I grew up in Lumberton and joined the Army in 2002. Small world.

Second - as far as becoming a 35L from being a prior service Marine, MSG Private RallyPoint Member would probably be able to expound on this a bit better, but my initial assumption is that you'll still have to come into the Army and follow the normal application procedures. However, we are reopening the MOS for initial entry Soldiers to join, so you might also be able to come directly in as CI just as a prior service dude.

Again, I'm not 100% on any of this, to include on whether or not you'll also have to attend basic training.

As far as the "being married" piece of all this:

We have the Army Married Couples Program: https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Married%20Army%20Couples%20Program

Bottom line is that nothing guarantees you'll end up together for certain, but that the Army will do its best to ensure they try to get you together as much as is feasible.

I've encountered a number of married couples since I've been in who do go from station to station with one another. Granted, they are all MI, so my experience and theirs may be skewed to our career fields.

Hopefully, SFC Nuckols gets back and clarifies. He's a guru with this stuff.

Good luck!

Married%20Army%20Couples%20Program

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 2:43 PM

2018-03-22T14:43:50-04:00

You do not have to be any particular MOS to be accepted into 35L. You can be a cook and be accepted into the CI program. If they are still not taking 35L off the street then you have to go through a rigorous process. The application is about at thick with paperwork as the Webster Dictionary at the library. Interview and recommendation from a CI. It’s hard, 35M is more fun!