What's the daily life like for a 35L or 35M?

2025-11-09T14:04:51-05:00

Good afternoon, happy Sunday. I'm reclassing soon and I was wondering if anybody could give me insight on the "90%" of the role of a 35L and a 35M. For context, I'm a 13B Cannon Crewmember and the 90% of our job is howitzer maintenance and education about various arty topics while only 10% of it is actually firing rounds.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Nov 9 at 2025 3:38 PM

2025-11-09T15:38:31-05:00

If you spend 10% of your time firing rounds, you're doing a lot better than a lot of grunts.

Response by 1SG(P) Dean Mcbride (MPER) (SPHR) made Nov 9 at 2025 9:03 PM

2025-11-09T21:03:35-05:00

35L requires gaining and maintaining a Top Secret/SCI security clearance, which requires a comprehensive background check and is only granted to those aged 21 and over. It also requires completing the Counterintelligence Agent Course (CISAC), a 19-week training course that involves advanced training in areas like counterintelligence investigations, operations, and analysis.
A 35M Human Intelligence Collector AIT is approximately 20 weeks, but the total training time can be much longer, often between 9–15 months or more, depending on language training requirements. The full timeline includes initial Basic Combat Training, followed by the AIT at Fort Huachuca, and then a foreign language school component at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) if required.
Both MOS's are a far cry from being a Cannon Cocker!

Response by CW3 Richard Doty made Nov 10 at 2025 10:44 AM

2025-11-10T10:44:12-05:00

The 35M was not a thing when I was in, but I was in the CI business for 15+ years. The answer to your questions is, it depends. It depends on the type of CI unit that you're in (strategic or tactical), the location (CONUS, OCONUS), and your level of experience. Without knowing where you are or the unit, there's no way to give you a concrete answer. I did note that you are "reclassifying soon," but the application process for counterintelligence can be lengthy. I already had a TS/SCI when I applied, and it was rerun. The process can take a while. Unless you have enough time remaining on your enlistment to make it through the application process and the school, you may have to reenlist to get there. And as 1SG McBride noted, you will have to have a TS/SCI. If your personal history includes things like even minor drug use, you may have some problems.

Response by 1SG John Millan made Nov 12 at 2025 8:03 PM

2025-11-12T20:03:43-05:00

It’s a military law enforcement job, with badge, creeds, firearm and apprehension authority. It’s rarely playing cop though, mostly analysis and investigative. If you do a career or last 10 or more years, you generally qualify for LEOSA retired federal law enforcement credentials. I worked in the field as an MP augmentee as I had done so in the USMC and I was a state credentialed criminal investigator. It was interesting and required work and brains, but very little excitement.