Should I enlist 35L and do G2G, do ROTC, or enlist and work my way up to warrant officer?

Quentin Boustany — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 21:13:29 -0400

Hello,
I am currently in the process of enlisting in the Army. I have 87 college credits, with a 2.5 GPA. I scored around a 130 on all my line scores on the ASVAB. I am solely focused on doing Army Intel. If I enlist I will choose 35L, counterintelligence. I certainly would rather be an intel officer, rather than lower enlisted. I have taken the LSAT and did very well. In the future I would like to apply to an intel agency with a law degree (paid for by the GI bill). Reading online about OML points, I’ve learned that GPA is extremely important in branch selection. I have already given my transcripts to my recruiter. If I transfer to a new school and enroll in ROTC will my GPA count against my OML if the university has a policy that the GPA does not transfer? If I choose the green to gold non-scholarship option and attend that university would my prior GPA count against my OML? How competitive is the intel branch for ROTC? If I graduate with above a 3.6 would I likely get it? Would enlisting and first and doing green to gold increase my likelihood of getting an intel branch? Would my prior MOS help me get intel branch? Is enlisting as e3 and just working up to warrant officer a better option? Again, I am solely focused on working in intel.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Sep 27 at 2019 9:18 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 21:18:40 -0400

If you're out of the Army go ROTC. E5 pay while a cadet and they pay for your college.

Response by SPC Henry Francis made Sep 27 at 2019 10:51 PM

SPC Henry Francis — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 22:51:34 -0400

I don’t know about the recruitment path or options but I know a little about GPAs. They generally are cumulative... or were when I was in school. I spent some of my GI-Bill at a Community college after leaving the Army (Vietnam Era -1970s (combat MOS 11B2P but no combat)). I had no clue about GPAs. When I left there I had a 0.9 GPA. I would just stop going to a class if it did not interest me... big mistake! A few years later my wife and I moved back home to Texas and I applied to what was Southwest Texas State University at that time. My tests were good enough for them to accept me but because of my GPA from SCC in NC I was put on scholastic probation and had to take a mandatory psychology class, “Effective Learning”. That was the absolute best class ever. My GPA on 44 hours of work at SWTSU was 3.93. (Turns out there is a science to learning and techniques to maximize a GPA... which are of much more importance to those of us who must study hard to learn things). Because of my success (thanks to that psych class) I was invited into the Chemistry Honors program.

My point here is that you should not be discouraged by your GPA. Identify the class where you are that teaches effective learning and take it. The science and tools WILL get you up to where you need to be. Learn that, use it and you will reach your goal.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2019 11:21 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 23:21:14 -0400

The Intel branch normally takes more than almost other branches. Part of the trade off is they need to over select sending many LTs to perform branch details with combat arms. As for transferring credits it can pay off. When I transferred my associate's to my four year school my GPA was set to zero. Now during my first year I was only able to take electives and ROTC ending the semester with a 3.92. Now I had a 3.92 with almost 100 credit behind it which worked out awesome for me. Just check with the next college you are applying to in order to see their policies.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2019 11:24 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 23:24:52 -0400

I have no idea how competitive ocs is however I’m doing ait in Fort Huachuca( home of the intel) and one squared away Sfc has been trying to go warrant for years and just now got accepted. Go officer now so you have to wait 10+ years to go warrant

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2019 12:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 00:50:03 -0400

If you are commissioning in active duty there is no guarantee whatsoever that you will branch into MI. Your prior MOS is not a significant factor in HRC's choice of your branch, the Army needs trump all.
If your goal is to be an AD Army Intel officer, the most certain route would be to access into an intel MOS that is a feeder to a warrant MOS and go that route.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:01 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:01:29 -0400

https://www.mica-national.org/

I'd just thought you might find this useful, esp if there's a chapter or group by you to try get a chance to speak with those in at all....

Military Intelligence Corps Association

The Military Intelligence Corps Association (MICA) is the premier professional association of the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence Corps, with the mission of preserving history, educating leaders, honoring professionals, sharing knowledge, and providing supporting award programs. MICA members represent the active duty, reserve component, and retired as well as defense contractors and others who support the MI mission and are dedicated to...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:02 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:02:54 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Office_of_Special_Investigations

I know your wanted Army, I'd just figured you might also care to glance at this....

United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations - Wikipedia

The U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI or OSI) is a U.S. federal law enforcement agency that reports directly to the Secretary of the Air Force. AFOSI is also a U.S. Air Force field operating agency under the administrative guidance and oversight of the Inspector General of the Air Force. By federal statute,[5][6][7] AFOSI provides independent criminal investigative, counterintelligence and protective service operations...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:03 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:03:43 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Criminal_Investigative_Service

This is the real thing, not the TV show....

Naval Criminal Investigative Service - Wikipedia

The United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is the primary law enforcement agency of the U.S. Department of the Navy. Its primary function is to investigate criminal activities involving the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, though its broad mandate includes national security, counterintelligence, counter-terrorism, cyber warfare, and the protection of U.S. naval assets worldwide. NCIS is the successor organization to the...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:04 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:04:29 -0400

https://www.bing.com/search?pc=SUWI&form=AMZNS2&q=wikipedia+uscg+intelligence

you might also wanna look at these as well....

wikipedia uscg intelligence - Bing

AdMake a difference on land, sea or in the air with the U.S. Coast Guard. Get career training, have the chance to travel, and receive great benefits.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:04 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:04:51 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_Guard_Intelligence

Esp this....

Coast Guard Intelligence - Wikipedia

Coast Guard Intelligence (CGI) is the military intelligence branch of the United States Coast Guard, and a component of the Central Security Service of the United States Department of Defense.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:05 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:05:20 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_Guard_Investigative_Service

And this....

Coast Guard Investigative Service - Wikipedia

The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) is a division of the United States Coast Guard that investigates crimes where the U.S. Coast Guard has an interest. It is composed of civilian (GS-1811), active duty, reserve enlisted, and warrant officer Special Agents.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:06 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:06:36 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Coast_Guard_Police

This also looked good....

United States Coast Guard Police - Wikipedia

The United States Coast Guard Police (CGPD) are law enforcement units stationed at certain shore facilities of the United States Coast Guard. Coast Guardsmen assigned to a CGPD receive either on-the-job training through their unit and may attend formal training through an approved police academy. CGPD officers may also attend advanced training for DUI, RADAR/LIDAR certification, active shooter situations, and other specialized skills that may...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:07 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:07:21 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_Law_Enforcement_Academy

And this....

Maritime Law Enforcement Academy - Wikipedia

The Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) is a United States Coast Guard school located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Charleston, South Carolina. It was created from the relocation and merger of the former Law Enforcement School at Yorktown, Virginia, and the former Boarding Team Member School at Petaluma, California.[1]

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:08 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:08:30 -0400

http://www.ocsfoundation.org

I'm not saying you'd wanted any of those, I merely posed them as alternate possibilities, honest...this site with the forum pages, might also be useful as well....

OCS Foundation

SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:09 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:09:32 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_Enforcement_Detachments

I saw this also....

Law Enforcement Detachments - Wikipedia

Law Enforcement Detachments or LEDETs are specialized, deployable maritime law enforcement teams of the United States Coast Guard. First established in 1982, their primary mission is to deploy aboard U.S. and allied naval vessels to conduct and support maritime law enforcement, interdiction, or security operations. LEDETs are the operational elements of the Coast Guard’s two Tactical Law Enforcement Teams (TACLETs) which were part of the Coast...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:10 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:10:52 -0400

https://www.bing.com/search?q=wikipedia+homeland+security+academy+monterey+california&FORM=AWRE

There's some stuff on here is thought you might find of interest also possibly....

wikipedia homeland security academy monterey california - Bing

AdEarn A Degree In Homeland Security To Work Towards A Safer, More Secure Tomorrow. Homeland Security Majors Specialize In Emergency Mgmt, Terrorism Studies, Or Cybersecurity

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:12 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:12:53 -0400

https://www.bing.com/search?q=wikipedia+usmc+intelligence&FORM=AWRE

Then there are also these....

wikipedia usmc intelligence - Bing

Ground Intelligence Officer is a primary military occupation code (or MOS) of a U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer.Ground intelligence officers serve as staff officers and commanders in the operating forces and are responsible for analyzing intelligence and planning, deployment and tactical employment of ground surveillance and reconnaissance units.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:13 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:13:11 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Corps_Intelligence

And this....

Marine Corps Intelligence - Wikipedia

Marine Corps Intelligence, is an element of the United States Intelligence Community. The Director of Intelligence supervises the Intelligence Department of HQMC and is responsible for policy, plans, programming, budgets, and staff supervision of Intelligence and supporting activities within the U.S. Marine Corps as well as supervising the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA). The Department supports the Commandant of the Marine Corps...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:13 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:13:55 -0400

https://www.bing.com/search?pc=SUWI&form=AMZNS2&q=wikipedia+usaf+intelligence

And these....

wikipedia usaf intelligence - Bing

The Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency was until 29 September 2014 a field operating agency of the United States Air Force headquartered at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. On that date it was redesignated Twenty-Fifth Air Force and aligned as a numbered air force of the Air Combat Command. Its primary mission was to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance …

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:14 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:14:20 -0400

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-Fifth_Air_Force

Esp.this....

Twenty-Fifth Air Force - Wikipedia

Twenty-Fifth Air Force (25 AF), also known as Air Force Intelligence, is a numbered air force (NAF) within the United States Air Force (USAF), and serves as the Air Force's premier military intelligence organization. 25 AF was established on 29 September 2014[5] by redesignating the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency (a field operating agency) under Headquarters, United States Air Force, to a numbered air force...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:15 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:15:21 -0400

I just figured it always kinda helps to know about the ithers, besides the one you'd really want first and foremost, just to be able to comoare, if nothing else, ya know?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:16 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:16:04 -0400

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/united-states-marine-corps-platoon-leaders-course-3332801

This is rather lesser known than the ROTCs, obv....

US Marine Corps Platoon Leader Course: What You Need to Know

The Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) is an alternative for NROTC or OCS for college students who wish to become commissioned officers.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:24 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:24:22 -0400

http://www.sgaus.org

I can tell you, after long reflection, has I been enlisted first, I'd have adjusted far more readily to where I'd wound up, and been far more thoroughly prepared for the role...look also at the state defense forces (SDF), which are very real militaries, they're not an exact substitute for the Federal.side, our dentist went into the NY Guard (NYG), the NY SDF, at my suggestion, then went NY ARNG, NYG released him to go, I'd wanted to do NYG, I couldn't as I'm total perm disabled, NYG insurance rules wouldn't allow it, I did try, though, you can't be deployed, though you can be sent anywhere in your state, I've gathered, I also think there are sometimes disaster relief things in other states as well, though I think you'd be asked to volunteer for those, NYG was used by us for both 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy, few tend to try them to see how they adjust to the life before Federal, has I known NYG existed, I might well have gone that way first, just to learn how to function in a mil organization for real, Army ROTC wasn't enough, nor was USAF OTS, those I'd trained with at USAF OTS who'd been prior enlisted, in all svcs, all had prior enlisted there when I was there, all generally fared and adjusted far more rapidly that I did, as I'd said, honest, just another thohght, of course....

SGAUS – State Guard Association of the United States

State Guard Association of the United States

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 28 at 2019 4:25 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 04:25:49 -0400

https://www.bing.com/search?pc=SUWI&form=AMZNS2&q=military+law+school+scholarships

Look through these....

military law school scholarships - Bing