What are deployments like for enlisted navy reserve Intel specialists?

Matthew Aquino — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 18:20:36 -0400

Hello everyone,
I have a BA and am a civilian at DoD. I am considering to enlist in the reserves to do Intel in the Navy. I know drill weekends are mostly paperwork, but what are deployments like? Are there any decent opportunities as rank progresses? Thank you very much.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2020 6:30 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 18:30:44 -0400

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel I am sure you know some spooks who could help him out. SCPO Morris Ramsey PO3 Bob McCord LT Brad McInnis CSM Charles Hayden SGM Steve Wettstein LTC Stephen F. SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jul 26 at 2020 7:07 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 19:07:17 -0400

Not sure what the opportunities are today. Since you already have your degree, why not try to go OCS? My best advice to you would be to talk to a Navy recruiter (don't sign anything!) but they can give you an idea. Or, depending upon where you are at, if you have an Intel Fusion Center near you, you can try to get info from someone there.
You could also go to the Navy Intel Website and chat with someone:
https://www.navy.com/careers/navy-intelligence-specialist

Also, I would look on Youtube. I have been surprised the amount/level of videos that are out about the Navy/jobs. Maybe, you can contact one of the Youtubers that talk about what you want to do. That wasn't allowed as much when I was in.

Best of luck to you!

Naval Intelligence Specialist Careers | Navy.com

As a Military Intelligence specialist, you'll collect and analyze classified data to produce useful intelligence for key decision-makers in the U.S. Navy.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2020 7:46 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 19:46:01 -0400

I was deployed as an Army Intel Analyst in a Joint environment around Navy Personnel so I think what I have to share applies some.

See, the intel community is comprised of 17 Agencies which includes the military in there. The likes of the CIA, NSA, FBI, etc..... recruit from the best universities this great nation has to offer. Then they vet candidates, and put them through their training.

When I was in my deployed environment there was an individual from an agency with a PhD doing the heavy analysis.

Then you have the military. See, the bar to become a military intel analyst is having a high school diploma, a high enough ASVAB score, and get through MEPS and basic training and intel training (which for me was 2 months basic and 4 months of intel). If you are right out of high school odds are pretty good your background investigation will be relatively clean because you didn't have time to do serious mistakes in life.

So what you need to do to be a success as a military intel analyst down range is how to make a great batch of coffee. Because the guy with a PhD from Harvard that's been doing this for more than a decade will be doing the analysis.

**************
I jest, but I do have a theory when we as military intel analysts will not be considered a joke by our three letter agency peers.

BATTLE FIELD INTELLIGENCE

If the mission is battle field intelligence and preparing intel products for the commander to go into battle then we will be able to provide much more value, as that is what we are trained to do. Otherwise, you are probably going to be there to make coffee.

You will of course learn how to use neat intel systems, and be exposed to neat things, and people with amazing experiences in life. So suck that in where you can, but no one is going to be leaning on the enlisted guy's input in a joint agency environment.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2020 7:56 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 19:56:35 -0400

First, I would look at a Direct Commision as an Intel Officer in the Reserves. The pay is better and you will advance.

Second, deployments in the Navy Reserve are less and less likly. If you want to deploy, join the Army. I was in the Navy Reserve for 26 years. 7 of them as a CWO assigned to a Crypto Unit that worked with Intel. As I retired in 2013 the opportunities to deployed were going way down. I only deployed once in 26 years and I volunteered.

I enjoyed my time in Intel and Cryptological Warfare. Go officer though, it will be a more enjoyable carrer.

CWO3 Kilcran

Response by CAPT Bill Edge made Jul 27 at 2020 9:53 AM

CAPT Bill Edge — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 09:53:48 -0400

Why enlist? Go for a Direct Commission as an officer.

Response by George Katsinis made Aug 18 at 2020 11:36 AM

George Katsinis — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 11:36:22 -0400

When SHTF everyone is an 11b.

Response by SSG Aaron McDermott made Sep 9 at 2020 11:22 AM

SSG Aaron McDermott — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 11:22:22 -0400

Get into a field intelligence job, like HUMINT or CI if you want to get out from behind the desk and actually make things happen. If analysis is your thing, a good HUMINTer analyzes what's missing to make the mission successful and then goes and finds it!