Which combat branch, Armor and Infantry, would make me a better Intel officer after my branch detail?

2019-05-04T16:04:28-04:00

Just want to start of by thanking each person who comments. I have learned much from this community and its members and I am thankful for the input and advice.

Will be commissioning next year in Army ROTC and my branch will hopefully be MI and branch detail a combat branch as well. My goal is to enter the intel community after my stint in the military is done. My question is which combat branch between Armor and Infantry would make me a better intel officer? I understand that I will not be in MI long (because of branch detail and how it works) after my first branch unless I ADSO or re-up. Has anyone done this? How would you describe your experience and would you recommend it/what changes would you make? GPA 3.5 PT 288

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 4 at 2019 4:09 PM

2019-05-04T16:09:48-04:00

I with an Armor battalion for 24 years, wouldn't change a thing.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 4 at 2019 4:10 PM

2019-05-04T16:10:29-04:00

I was just curious...what major are you for your bachelors? Also, any associates before that? And, what grad-level stuff did you want...trust me, you're gonne have to do at least masters part time, as well as do all your PME, both Army, as well as from other services, if you can, major big time, ASAP, believe me, been there, done that (BTDT)...if you can, elaborate on hobbies, interests, reading tastes, sports, incl and esp martial arts, if any...I have an interest in such career/educ stuff, I'll try to send you some other stuff you might also find of interest, I'll try to not overwhelm, if you wanna yak, I'm here, no rush, I just found your question interestingly phrased, honest....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 4 at 2019 4:12 PM

2019-05-04T16:12:32-04:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_Institute_of_Technology

Definitely apply for this, you'll likely need to do a couple of tours, they allow senior enlisted, I've seen Army and USAF on videos allowed to do their PhDs, as well as all warrants and commissioned from all svcs can apply, not just USAF, that I know for sure, enjoy....

Air Force Institute of Technology - Wikipedia

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is a graduate school and provider of professional and continuing education for the United States Armed Forces and is part of the United States Air Force. It is located in Ohio at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton. AFIT is a component of the Air University and Air Education and Training Command.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 4 at 2019 4:13 PM

2019-05-04T16:13:47-04:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Postgraduate_School

Same with this one, I'd gotten an O-6 recommend to go, I couldn't get it, trust me, submit for this also, OK?

Naval Postgraduate School - Wikipedia

The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is a public graduate school operated by the United States Navy and located in Monterey, California. It grants master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and certificates. Established in 1909, the school also offers research fellowship opportunities at the postdoctoral level through the National Academies’ National Research Council research associateship program.[3]

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 4 at 2019 4:15 PM

2019-05-04T16:15:22-04:00

http://www.mors.org

Ops research is often overlooked as a possible STEM field, highly relevant to wargaming, tactics, strategy, and political science, their journal is quite good, honest....

Military Operations Research Society

23-25 July Innovations in Measuring and Predicting Readiness Special Meeting23-27 September Certificate in U.S. National Security Risk Analysis

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 4 at 2019 4:16 PM

2019-05-04T16:16:18-04:00

Also, I was Army ROTC for 3 yrs on scholarship for the latter two, i couldn't finish, I went USAF OTS instead, just saying that by way of explanation....

Response by COL Dana Hampton made May 4 at 2019 4:16 PM

2019-05-04T16:16:41-04:00

Actually, field Artillery branch will be a good combat arms choice. FA gives you an understanding of the close fight, depth of the battlefield and integration of joint effects. Targeting skills will provide you the opportunity to employ intell at every level as you progress through KD and developmental ranks / jobs as you enable the maneuver branches to dominate their battle space / AOR.

Really, all combat arms are great teachers, and I am a bit biased as a career cannon field artillery officer, but you can’t go wrong which ever way you go.

The key is to learn. Be an information sponge and keep current as you lead Soldiers and support your commander’s intent.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 4 at 2019 4:17 PM

2019-05-04T16:17:39-04:00

https://search.aol.com/aol/search?q=military%20rhodes%20scholar&s_it=loki-tb-sb

Look through these...with your GPA, you might possibly have a chance, I should think, for military Rhodes scholar, if you'd want it, just a thought I didn't know if you'd considered....

military%20rhodes%20scholar - AOL Search Results

The life of a military brat... meeting so many wonderful people and having to say good-bye too soon. Terri Gurrola is reunited with her daughter after serving in Iraq for 7 months. World Of Mysteries: 40 Of The Most Powerful Photographs Ever Taken.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2019 4:17 PM

2019-05-04T16:17:52-04:00

I should have added more info since COT Goodman is correct. So I am also in the reserves 94F. 6 years. My degree will be in International Studies/Affairs and I plan on pursuing a masters at some point but I don’t know how that works with the military because I prefer brick and mortar schools. Always been interested in geopolitical, defense, and economic issues. I read a lot (books on current affairs and historical figures) as well as the news. I practice Muay Thai for the cardio since it makes it enjoyable and self defense.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 4 at 2019 4:18 PM

2019-05-04T16:18:46-04:00

http://www.usni.org

Definitely get their proceedings, it should be reqd reading for all svcs, all levels, it's that good, trust me, OK?

United States Naval Institute

The U.S. Naval Institute provides an independent forum for those who seek to advance and strengthen the naval profession.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 4 at 2019 4:19 PM

2019-05-04T16:19:11-04:00

http://www.ausa.org

This you doubltess already know about, most likely....

Association of the United States Army

Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 4 at 2019 4:19 PM

2019-05-04T16:19:21-04:00

http://www.afa.org

Same for this....

Home

The Air Force Association is the premier professional military association dedicated to dominant air, space, and cyber power, and a strong national defense.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 4 at 2019 4:20 PM

2019-05-04T16:20:01-04:00

http://www.afcea.org

Very good journal, highly relevant to what you want to be doing, I assure you, same for their meetings....

www.afcea.org

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 4 at 2019 4:20 PM

2019-05-04T16:20:52-04:00

http://www.crows.org

This is lesser known, though quite on the same level, promise....

www.crows.org

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 4 at 2019 4:22 PM

2019-05-04T16:22:17-04:00

As I'd said, I don't want to overwhelm, so, look through those, if you wanna yak, I'm here, if you want more stuff, maybe assignment suggestions also, lemme know, I can suggest a whole slew of stuff, if you might be interested, stuff that might not otherwise have occurred to you, quite possible, promise, no rush, whenever you'd want, OK?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2019 5:06 PM

2019-05-04T17:06:46-04:00

It doesn’t matter. Anyone that tells you different is bias. It’s whatever you think you like best.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2019 6:36 PM

2019-05-04T18:36:06-04:00

Aviation

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 4 at 2019 6:37 PM

2019-05-04T18:37:44-04:00

Armor is very fast and mobile. Sometimes it is deliberate, sometimes it requires speed and aggressiveness. You will give directions to the driver, crew, and the platoon. What simplifies the process is they use the wingman concept the PL and the PSG will have tanks that follow without much direction.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 4 at 2019 8:03 PM

2019-05-04T20:03:07-04:00

Your wires are a little crossed. If you have a six year ADSO, you are looking at 2 years detailed to another branch before you go to MI, unless they overhauled the program significantly.

Both branches have significant potential experiences and learning for you. As COL Dana Hampton mentions, Field Artillery. I would add the targeting process to things you would better understand if you choose that route. Also a better understand of threat fires capabilities.

If you are Infantry, and you end up light (light, Airborne, Air Assault) your sense of distance and depth becomes becomes oriented to moving by foot. If you end up Mechanized, your world is more oriented on 40km approach marches mounted. Armor would also give you this perspective. Neither is wrong but you mentally have to toggle. Understanding this will help you advise the commander, especially when it relates to speed of decision making, decision Support matrices, impact of the environment during the IPB process, and CCIR.

To relate it to logistics, mech and armor is all about Class III , V, Medical, and Maintenance. Light guys, how much are they carrying on their back, food, water, and ammo and when they stop somewhere, mail. really they can last 2-3 days without encountering serious suck. Close second is when you can truck guys or extract them by helicopter.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2019 5:24 PM

2019-05-05T17:24:14-04:00

Congratulations on your coming commission, Intel for Armor or infantry would make you a better Intel officer. Both support and work with each other in the field, in reality, you'll be both units.

Response by MAJ Lou Giamo made May 5 at 2019 10:16 PM

2019-05-05T22:16:00-04:00

Okay, a totally different look at this. I started out as an Infantry officer. My first assignment was a mortar platoon leader in Korea. I learned a lot about the overall look of the battlefield because I was responsible for the company's fire support plan. I had to interface with the other company mortar platoon leaders to ensure we had across the board coverage. I also had to interface with the Bn FSO to know what artillery support was available.
I then moved to an XO position in the 82nd Airborne. that gave me a different look at tactical and strategic planning.
I went from there to Special Forces. That's where I really learned what intel was. The value of good forward intelligence to the battlefield. My advice would be that whatever you end up doing, SF will give you an entirely different look at intel. We had some really great intel officers in SF.

Response by MAJ James Woods made May 8 at 2019 10:52 AM

2019-05-08T10:52:00-04:00

Either. Doesn’t matter. Today’s wars are fought on a multi-domain battlefield. No one branch is superior to the other. The type of commanders and staff that will mentor you on MDMP and WfFs well ll influence your ability to think doctrinally and outside the box as an Intel officer.

Response by LTC Nathan Hines made May 8 at 2019 1:47 PM

2019-05-08T13:47:23-04:00

I understand why you ask the question but the answer is within you! If I read your question correctly you are limiting your choices between Infantry and Armor...cool. You will learn some of the same lessons and doctrine for those two years especially in a Mechanized/Armor brigade. However, if you really want an experience - a Cavalry (Armor) assignment!

So consider Armor as 1a...more opportunity to conduct reconnaissance (all aspects)...which is integral in your understanding of intel as you go forward to MI and beyond the Army.

Your call but all branches are filled with awesome and dedicated Americans looking to do great things!

Response by COL Gary Gresh made May 9 at 2019 8:21 AM

2019-05-09T08:21:18-04:00

All Combat Arms Branches are good leadership experience..If you have a choice or preference, then pick the one that appeals to your own personality, goals and desires. You can get branch information at your local ROTC building or from any recruiting office near where you live. review the literature and choose based on your own desires. Then once assigned a branch, work your tail off to do a good job. Job Performance means more than branch. I once had a commander who's favourite saying was : "Bloom where you are planted!" Makes sense to me! I had a complete 30 year career literally by "Accident" and I loved every minute of it. It's the people who count, not the branch.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2019 10:04 PM

2019-07-08T22:04:52-04:00

We all feel safer with military personnel just like yourself SPC Matthew Reyna. I met a many good Officers in the Army with your attitude, and I would follow them anywhere. SALUTE!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2019 4:11 PM

2019-07-31T16:11:18-04:00

Look with in, you'll always make that better officer, whether you're Infantry or Armor. You have the answer already thinking out of the box, The job doesn't make a good officer, the Solder makes the good officer.
You don't know it, but you've already gotten what makes a good officer.
"All the Way, and Then some, Airborne"

Response by MAJ James Portillo made Mar 19 at 2020 2:54 PM

2020-03-19T14:54:35-04:00

Armor

Response by SPC Robert DeVolld made Jul 1 at 2020 10:03 PM

2020-07-01T22:03:06-04:00

Go Armor and try to be assigned to some kind of cavalry unit. The primary job of cavalry is reconnaissance and the relaying of information gathered to MI. My dad was Air Force human intelligence, and through a series of events, started corresponding with my troop's XO who was Army MI, but was branch detailed to Armor. They had plenty to talk about. Going armor will give you an understanding of the capabilities of those gathering your Intel, and how they operate in the field. Good luck to you!!