What roles exist for 35Fs in Civil Affairs battalions?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 17:55:41 -0500

Are there typically 35F slots in CA BNs? Can any intel analysts chime in? I'm looking at reserve CA BNs specifically (but if you have an experience from active duty please share). I spoke to an officer from a local CA BN and he seemed more interested in having me reclass to 38B if I joined the unit (I don't want to reclass). Do roles for 35Fs in Civil Affairs Battalions exist?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2019 6:09 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 18:09:15 -0500

We have an E-7, E-5 and an E-4 billet in CA tactical battalions for 35F.
Typically, we don't deploy with them, but when we do they do analysis of our civil information to develop usable intelligence from it. It is a pretty sweet gig, deployed. The kind of stuff they sold you at the recruiting office.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 5:22 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 05:22:01 -0500

Second what 1SG Private RallyPoint Member stated for when deployed you would assist with analysis and intel etc. For stateside, whats the other half of our job? Personnel/Physical Security. Would likely be in the S-2 shop doing clearances, inspections, etc. (same thing for when i was at Psyops, however they had a spot within the company for a 35F body to provide additional support.)

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 2:03 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 14:03:45 -0500

Active duty CA BNs have a few E6 Intel NCOs and one deploys forward to the Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC) to provide intel capabilities at the Company level. The Teams are further forward in their nations of operation and the intel NCO at the TSOC helps by reading their reports, creating BOLOs, and other intel analyst activities to support the Civil Affairs Teams (CATs), since CA themselves have no intel/collection authorities.
You mentioned you talked to a local officer, know that CA BNs in the Reserves and CA BNs Active Duty are different. They each bring different things to the fight and conduct different missions, sometimes have different authorities, and have different training and qualifications.