Posted on May 4, 2019
Which combat branch, Armor and Infantry, would make me a better Intel officer after my branch detail?
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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
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
ROTC
19A: Armor Officer
Infantry
Intelligence
Intelligence Officer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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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....
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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.
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.
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SPC (Join to see)
I have considered trying for SF sir but I do not know too much yet. I am aware of the difficulty and have looked into what is required to join the Ranger Regiment as I am aware that they are still considered to be SF.
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http://www.afcea.org
Very good journal, highly relevant to what you want to be doing, I assure you, same for their meetings....
Very good journal, highly relevant to what you want to be doing, I assure you, same for their meetings....
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The Air Force Association is the premier professional military association dedicated to dominant air, space, and cyber power, and a strong national defense.
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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.
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I with an Armor battalion for 24 years, wouldn't change a thing.
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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!!
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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"
You don't know it, but you've already gotten what makes a good officer.
"All the Way, and Then some, Airborne"
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