What is the life of a 35F in a CoIST or MICO?

SPC Ted Ronayne — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 02:26:28 -0400

I'm currently in 35F AIT and I'm trying to get a better picture of the life of a fox in various units. While I have a good knowledge of a fox's responsibilities in an S-2 shop, I'm trying to find out more about other units and levels a fox can find oneself working in.

Specifically, I'm wondering about the life of a 35F in a company/troop Intelligence support team or military intelligence company.

Do these positions offer more tactical opportunities? (away from a desk/out in the field) Do these positions differ between different maneuver units? (Infantry vs Cav?) What tasks would I be expected to carry out?

I'm trying to put together a more complete picture of those units so (if I ever get to have any control over my assignments) I can try for a unit with more tactical opportunities or positions that broaden my skillsets.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 5 at 2019 5:39 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 05:39:40 -0400

If they put you on a CoIST, they have wasted you. CoISTs are supposed to be made up of guys from the unit, not intel guys. Maneuver folks with a bit of intel training.

Honestly, take whatever assignment you get and learn to do it well. 35F is such a broad MOS that the possibilities are too many to name. There are three basic realms for a Fox. Tactical, strategic, and TRADOC. Try to rotate back and forth between tactical and strategic or TRADOC. - tac/strat/tac/TRADOC/tac kind of thing. Once you have done a couple years at your first assignment, ask one of the more senior NCOs around you what you should be looking for next. There aee advantages and disadvantages to starting at a strat assignment. There are advantages and disadvantages to starting at a tactical assignment. Neither is really better, balance is the key.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 5 at 2019 12:05 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 12:05:57 -0400

I don't understand any of the acronyms.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2019 9:58 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 21:58:37 -0400

I dont think CoIST is even a thing anymore. The CoIST program was for maneuver units to take some smart people and give them a program (Tigernet) that allowed them to post sigact to conduct their own analysis. I dont think it is being used anymore.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2019 10:21 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 10:21:29 -0400

When I was in the reserve, I worked for a PSYOP unit on the company level as part of a TAAT which is a blend of 37, 35 and 25 series soldiers.

It was pretty nice to work on that lower level and spend a lot of time doing the same thing as everyone else (lots of ranges, lots of field tasks and exercises) and also to feel like your role has some gravity for the unit. Didn't do my 35F job a lot, though. Overall, I'd say it's fun but I probably forgot a lot of what I really needed.

I've also been in big, slow, units where I did my job. It's a ride, man, bear down and try to see a little of everything before you get out.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2019 1:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 13:23:56 -0400

This is a broad answer to cover your bases:

35F’s are supposed to be moved around as to help broaden your “skill sets” so that work is done for you. You can go ANYWHERE because of your S2 operability. 35F careers differ the most out of Army MOSs because of the job variety.
In a BCT a Fox could be transferred up to 3 times in 3 years if not more.

Yes infantry/CAV/Arty/Engineer all differ in job responsibility for fox’s.

Your job is to handle arbitrary tasks in garrison and then war game at the TOC during operations (for S2).

MICO is much different, lots of TDY training, lots of fielding, motor pool cleaning for garrison and field training and BISE operations at high echelon TOC down range. If your in COIST your useless, they put your in another S2 shop with other fox’s that are supposed to already be doing what you are.

Therefore:
As a fox be ready and willing to move often. Your responsibility is to know everything about anything that is the enemy in order to provide the best possible intelligence to commanders and customers.