What is it like being a Military Intelligence officer branch detailed to Infantry, Armor, or Field Artillery?

1LT Saul S. — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 14:10:54 -0400

Are your opportunities the same as your peers within the recipient branch?
How are you treated as a detailed officer?
How easy is it to stay within your recipient branch if you decide you'd rather stay than transition to MI, hypothetically?
What types of jobs, positions, assignments, etc. can you expect while in your recipient branch?

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Oct 24 at 2020 2:18 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 14:18:56 -0400

Simple, you stay on your detailed branch as a 2LT/1LT (PL Leader, XO, etc..), then go over your branch’s CPT’s Career Course. On some instances you might request to stay on your detailed branch; not always guaranteed!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 24 at 2020 6:05 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 18:05:54 -0400

You will have a steep learning curve going into combat arms branches.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2020 7:49 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 19:49:38 -0400

I was a intel analyst in an intel battalion

Then I became a QM officer in a support battalion.

I’ve always observed the MI officers outside the MI world sort of lost. They can’t hide when outside an MI battalion

I suspect this is true for all MOS and branches. You are not surrounded by peers and mentors and those around you and rating you are dependent you know your job better than them.

Also, physical fitness wise you will be compared against infantry LTs not PowerPoint Rangers

When my SPCs promoted out of my QM company to say go to a Chemical company (for example) I would always warn them to remember to step up their game because there won’t be mentors close by.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2020 8:26 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 20:26:59 -0400

Cadet Sandefur

You’re options and opportunities are great being a branch detailed officer, you will be afforded the same opportunities as your peers, it’s up to you to be ready and make it count. Once you are a senior 1LT your options will tighten, and by the time you are a 1LT(P) most will know you are detailed and the cool stuff will dissipate for you FYI.

if you want to stay with your detailed branch, before you are a 1LT() you must submit a request through your detailed branch for consideration. Biggest hurdles, were you good enough to return and will MI approve.

You will have to earn the best positions while in your detailed branch, like anyone else. You’re first PL job, maybe CO XO will be at pace with peers, after that if you Earn some scare badges and tabs and do well in your first few positions you can earn a second Platoon or maybe a specialty position-again, by time you are a 1LT(P) your options will shift to focus on your future branch and captains course.

Grow where you’re planted, do the best where you are and you signed up for the ride...wherever the Army sends you!

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Oct 25 at 2020 9:13 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 21:13:30 -0400

I cannot answer that question - the enlisted world works differently. But I can tell you that I enlisted Infantry and then re-enlisted MI. While I have no advice for what the Officer world looks like regarding internal pokitics, I can tell you PAY ATTENTION during you combat arms time. Understanding the way the grunts think, perform, and plan will pay off remarkable dividends when you transition to your MI role supporting them. When I was fathering Intel and writing reports as a HUMINTer, I had a thorough understanding of what the grunts wanted to know, what questions to ask, and what to put up front in my reports.
Most of the top tier MI Officers I served with / under were either prior service or branch detailed. While it is true that you will be behind your "MI pure" counterparts when it comes to procedure, knowledge of assets (and how to use them), and Intel-specific language, getting that grunt experience will soon set you apart for your ability to give the combatant Commander what (s)he wants and needs.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Oct 25 at 2020 11:49 PM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 23:49:55 -0400

As both majors have advised, stick to you detailed Branch until you are ready to attend the Captain's Career Course, at which time you can opt to return to your parent Branch. MI is not for the weak at heart or the mentally challenged, I believe.