What does "35Fs are a jack of all trades" mean?

2019-03-18T12:06:20-04:00

I ship in 3 weeks for this MOS. I know what the job entails, such as producing intelligence products and briefings. I also know we get other duties in garrison such as PERSEC and PHYSEC. However, I often hear that "a 35f is a jack of all trades and could be doing pretty much anything." Could someone clue me in as to what that means? I understand that some answers will have to be vague due to OPSEC. I just want to know what to expect when I hit active side.
Thanks!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 12:17 PM

2019-03-18T12:17:40-04:00

In basic terms, this just means that you will end up having a large collection of skills that will be a part of your MOS, skills that aren't a part of but related to your MOS, and skills that are not related to your MOS. That's the most basic description for that "jack of all trades" statement.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 18 at 2019 2:27 PM

2019-03-18T14:27:45-04:00

You aren't really a jack of all trades - JOAT knows a bit of everything and can do a bit of everything. Instead, you are a jack who knows about all trades.

Essentially, you should be able to "speak the language" of all of the INTs, understand that Intel they are giving you, and be able to provide feedback to focus future collection. You won't actually go DO the collection (as a true JOAT would).

Once you have gathered all of the raw Intel, you create analyzed Intel and Intel products which are consumable by the combatant commander (another "language" you have to learn).

Think of it less as being skilled in lots of collection methods and more of being an Intel linguist - you speak grunt (combatant commander), SIGINT, HUMINT, CI, MASINT, GEOINT, and ELINT, fluently, can interpret between all of them, and can coordinate what they are all saying into a bigger picture.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 3:25 PM

2019-03-18T15:25:56-04:00

I’m not sure if this is what your looking for, but in my Bde, we have a ton 35fs working in the orderly room, doing paperwork and updating personel records, like paper pushers. They kind of just get stuck with any odd job that needs filling.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2019 9:16 AM

2019-03-20T09:16:54-04:00

Idk lol that might be very far fetched from what you’ll experience lol.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2019 9:48 PM

2019-03-20T21:48:56-04:00

I’ve been a paper pusher in my o-room for pretty much the almost year I’ve been in my first actual unit and while I appreciate learning how to navigate the bureaucracy that comes with dealing with the different shops to get paperwork done and such I’ve just picked up E-4 and haven’t really done enough work in my MOS to actually consider my self proficient let alone being a “specialist”

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2019 8:58 AM

2019-11-06T08:58:38-05:00

Maybe it's just my experience but I can produce maps like the geointers and can produce weather products like the SWO. I took it as I can interpret it but I also had to be able to produce as things fall through and I'm improvising on the fly. Boils down to where your at i guess. Never been a paper pusher anywhere yet.