2
2
0
I am slotted to take a key developmental (KD) position in May. An opportunity to attend MIlitary Intelligence Captain's Career Course in July just opened up for 2011 YG LTs. I can attend MICCC ahead of most peers, or knock out a year of KD where I am. Advice please?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
5
5
0
I am not MI but my buddy is and he chose to go to MICCC ahead of his peers. I will ask his permission to link you up with him, so he can share his experience with you and give you some point of view. I will contact you through private message once he gives me the go signal.
(5)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
Sounds great, thank you very much. Anyone that has "been there" would be a huge help.
(0)
(0)
4
4
0
Ok, so 2LT Farnsworth is essentially correct, but so what? The MICCC is really designed for prep for an S2 position so the logical progression is MICCC, S2 time, then a broadening assignment. What is the eagerness to put the cart before the horse?
The MICCC will always be in the way of something and CPT time is very long. My two cents is if you are not totally in love with the KD position, go to the MICCC. Another KD position will be staring you right in the face when you graduate and you won't have the MICCC hanging over your head.
For those in the Guard/Reserves, this goes triple. I still haven't gone (but I have been SIGINT PL, BN S2, BDE AS2, Corps G2 Assistant Planner and now DIV ISR Ops Officer) and I have no idea how I will fit it in and I am running out of pavement fast. If you can get a slot and it fits with your work life, jump on it!
(4)
(0)
CPT Christopher F.
Ma'am, I think some people view it as a way to manage their CPT time. If you're starting your KD time before you even pin, it frees up some CPT time to do other things.
I am personally going to try to get my S-2 knocked out before the MICCC. But that is because I would like to be to go for dual command if the opportunity presents itself, and I won't have to turn it down because I haven't served as a BN S-2 yet.
(1)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
Maneuver commanders often do not value the advice of their S2s. In general, they find that they know less about MI than they do. In all of the other CCC courses and ILE, they teach IPB, threat assessment, and and other MI essentials. Typically, their S2 becomes only valuable for their JPAS login because he/she has little to offer beyond their BOLC training and time running an MFT. They fail to be able to even discuss the BDE level ISR mission sets with any competence. CPT time is long and getting longer. The days of it being just 4 years to MAJ will be over long before you get that first look. It is not that what you are saying is wrong, it's just not setting yourself up well for a long MI career. Lots of MI officers tell me they want to avoid staff time. My advice: re-branch. MI is largely a staff role. There are not that many company commands (and will be fewer when the BfSB concept dies) and it goes down from there. Life is hard for an MI MAJ with only company and platoon time. Look at the positions for MAJs to see what I mean. Again, not impossible, but in my opinion you would be at a distinct disadvantage. The goal shouldn't be to check the block.
(3)
(0)
CPT Aaron Kletzing
CPT W, yes -- I agree on the point you made on the way Maneuver Cdrs perceive their S-2s. I def saw a lot of this down range...too much of it (note: I was not MI).
(0)
(0)
If I was in your position, I would absolutely attend CCC early. No question in my mind. I was YG 2006 and several of my friends who attended CCC early did really well for themselves -- though I should note that they were excellent performers anyway. Go to CCC ahead of your peers, get that significant block taken care of, and move on to your next duty station and network your way into an exciting, challenging KD position. If I can be helpful in any way, feel free to email me at: [login to see] -- perhaps I can reach out to some of my YG 2006 friends who may have thoughts on this. Good luck!
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
LT,
I don't know how MI works but when I went through the SCCC the broading "take a knee" jobs where only given to those KD qualified. If it is a good job and will get you qualified I would lean towards it. Work with personnel in your unit who know more about your situation that can help give advice.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
From what I've heard, there are more options for KD qualified Captains coming out of the career course. When you have your assignment meeting at the MICCC the CPTs who don't have S-2 time won't be able to get the atypical assignment s that KD qualified graduates would.
But again, that's just what I've heard.
(1)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
I feel like attending MICCC early opens me up to everything during my time as CPT. Yes, I still have to knock out 3 years at a station, ideally at least 2 of those are in KD roles. After that I don't see any reason why I can't get one of the opportunities offered to any other CPT post KD. Perhaps I'm naïve on this point? With the goals that I have for my career, doing well should get me where I'm aiming. Passing the classes once I get there would probably be the harder part.
(1)
(0)
CPT Aaron Kletzing
1LT S, go to CCC ahead of your MI peer group. Please please please. There is no question in my mind.
(1)
(0)
CPT Aaron Kletzing
...I am not implying that 2LT Farnsworth's point is wrong at all. It makes intuitive sense to me. But with the circumstances you have, you should go to CCC ahead of your peers.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
I would talk to your assignment manager. In my experience no KD time counts until you are (P) or pin CPT. I agree with CPT Wolfer. I would go to CCC first then look for either a KD or broadening assignment. If you get too "Far ahead" like 2LT Farnsworth is saying your senior Rater may not consider you for a future key job, or they may say that what you did as an 1LT/P didn't count. Again, get the institutional training first, then get the jobs.
(0)
(0)
CPT Aaron Kletzing
Yes, CPT Weber makes a great point here. Getting 'too far ahead' can make you look strange and unspectacular to Branch. I would still go to CCC early, but it is good to try to talk with Branch about it.
(0)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
Sir, I've actually been trying to reach the LT Branch Assignment Officer. I have reached his voice mail a couple times and recently wrote an e-mail in hopes of a response. I'm sure he has meetings and such, but I don't want to lose the window on this opportunity due to lack of information. I am scheduled to speak with my battalion commander tomorrow after lunch. It would just be great if I had some solid information to back my desire to attend CCC early.
(0)
(0)
MAJ Samuel Weber
Your BC should back you and should encourage your attendance of CCC. Most senior leaders understand that the Army is changing and that we must prioritize institutional training prior to experiential learning. CCC will give you the tools you need to learn the job. It won't have all the answers, but it will get you to ask the right ones. Just my thoughts.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google