What's life like as a Naval Reservist Intelligence Specialist? Officer vs. Enlisted?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 20:59:14 -0400

I was contacted today by a naval recruiter being I just got out of the National Guard a few months ago. The recruiter wanted to discuss Intelligence positions in the Navy Reserves due to my master's degree, and told me there are both Officer, and Enlisted positions available curious to hear what life is like in this rate.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Aug 20 at 2020 9:15 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 21:15:32 -0400

One of my classmates is a Navy Reserve Intel Officer... most of her time she was an anchor on one of the cable news networks. That doesn't help you though...

I worked with a lot of intel folks at CENTCOM. They stood watch just like the rest of people in the Joint Ops Center, and did their intel products. Some did the super secret squirrel stuff, too.

My guess is that the schooling is good, and there will never be a decrease in demand for Intel folks.

Best of luck!

Response by LTC John Mohor made Aug 20 at 2020 11:32 PM

LTC John Mohor — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 23:32:00 -0400

I’d be sure to inquire about the Navy’s Direct Commissioning Program. Remember regardless of branch officers pay for their own uniforms and the Navy has plenty. The nice thing as a Nav Intelligence type you don’t necessarily have to go to sea to perform you job. I believe there’s regional ways and places to do it. I’d try to get as much information as you can from the recruiter. Good luck!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2020 7:04 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 07:04:20 -0400

One weekend a month , the dc program will break up your training if you go thr commission route. You can't really do much til you're trained in the intel designator. Enlisted is cool because you can get specialities and do more "field work" as opposed to flying a desk... go enlisted and if you hate it, you can ALWAYS drop an O Package... what's your undergrad and masters in?