Posted on Oct 10, 2017
Which MOS is the better route to take for a Reservist, 35M or 35L?
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Hello, I am enlisting in the army as a reservist soon, and I have a couple of questions about the 35M and 35L mos.
First, it might be best if I give you an insight on my goals:
I am a college freshman majoring in International Studies with a Security and Intelligence specialty, with a required language minor (I'm minoring in Persian), and would like to go into the intelligence career field, ( its something I have wanted to do for a long time, and I am very involved with researching and studying this outside of school.) I am enlisting in reserves because I am a college student, but would like to serve in the military (preferably MI) and the Army is something I have also wanted and feel very committed to join.
My question for you all is, (keeping in mind I will be a reservist) which mos is the better route to take? 35M or 35L? I have done research on both, and most the research pertains to active duty, and would just like to know which one is the better route for a reservist. Any additional information on either mos is will be very helpful! *EDIT* since 35L is not entry level how would i transition if i choose to go that route?
thank you,
Alexis
First, it might be best if I give you an insight on my goals:
I am a college freshman majoring in International Studies with a Security and Intelligence specialty, with a required language minor (I'm minoring in Persian), and would like to go into the intelligence career field, ( its something I have wanted to do for a long time, and I am very involved with researching and studying this outside of school.) I am enlisting in reserves because I am a college student, but would like to serve in the military (preferably MI) and the Army is something I have also wanted and feel very committed to join.
My question for you all is, (keeping in mind I will be a reservist) which mos is the better route to take? 35M or 35L? I have done research on both, and most the research pertains to active duty, and would just like to know which one is the better route for a reservist. Any additional information on either mos is will be very helpful! *EDIT* since 35L is not entry level how would i transition if i choose to go that route?
thank you,
Alexis
Posted in these groups: 
35M: Human Intelligence Collector
35L: Counterintelligence (CI) Agent
Reserves
35M: Human Intelligence Collector 35L: Counterintelligence (CI) Agent Reserves
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
I've been a CI agent/tech for 32 years now. Go 35M first - that is the primary feeder for 35L and it will give you an opportunity to go to DLI (Defense Language Institute) or another language school. All new 35M's need to speak a foreign language now (as of a few months back), 35L's do not but there are slots in some units that may have language slots. You also get paid more once you become basically proficient and there is a lot of money available for language maintenance training. Both MOS's are very heavy on writing reports and talking to people - "interviewing." If you want to go airborne your choices of units get much smaller.
Once you become eligible for E5/SGT you can decide if you want to stay 35M or switch - much will depend on vacancies and MOS strengths. If you go 35L you will go back to school at Ft Huachuca for the CI agent course (18 wks I believe). Since about 1990, the VAST majority of what I have done has been 35M related - that's because we used to be so short of what is now 35M's (they used to be interrogators, 97E). CI has a LOT of neat stuff to get involved with but most of it will require going to a school for a couple months - same for HUMINT. You'll have to start as a 35M (preferably) so you'll get a better idea once you get in and get more knowledgeable. Both are great MOS's - you'll have to decide which is best for you.
As for NG or Reserves all I can tell you is we get a few of folks from the NG and they say they like the Reserves better. Personally, I think it comes down to the commander, however, in the NG you can be called up for the state in an emergency.
Once you become eligible for E5/SGT you can decide if you want to stay 35M or switch - much will depend on vacancies and MOS strengths. If you go 35L you will go back to school at Ft Huachuca for the CI agent course (18 wks I believe). Since about 1990, the VAST majority of what I have done has been 35M related - that's because we used to be so short of what is now 35M's (they used to be interrogators, 97E). CI has a LOT of neat stuff to get involved with but most of it will require going to a school for a couple months - same for HUMINT. You'll have to start as a 35M (preferably) so you'll get a better idea once you get in and get more knowledgeable. Both are great MOS's - you'll have to decide which is best for you.
As for NG or Reserves all I can tell you is we get a few of folks from the NG and they say they like the Reserves better. Personally, I think it comes down to the commander, however, in the NG you can be called up for the state in an emergency.
CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
Update: The Army has changed the rules and apparently we're going back to skill level 10 CI agents - privates thru specialist starting this year (2018). This was a disaster the last time we did it but in the long term maybe it will be good. We've returned to this plan because there is a severe shortage of E-5 agents. You can now enlist for 35L CI Agent. You will not be a badge and credentialed agent until you are 21 and an E-5 - until then, you will be a CI assistant agent or something along those lines.
SPC (Join to see)
32 years damn!
As a reservist, you are limited by how far you want to drive to drill every month. Can I ask where you will be living approximately? Depending on where that is, it might be more beneficial for you to go National Guard (same as reserves, only we have a dual state mission as well). Beyond that, going 35L can be pretty easy if you are an E4 with a clean background (especially if you are already in an MI MOS like 35M, which is a common MOS for becoming a 35L).
Well first what units with those MOS's are within a reasonable driving distance from your location. Then if you find a unit which MOS has the best chance for advancement. Example I was an engineer but the only slot for my MOS went away about a year after I joined my unit. The closest unit with my MOS was over 300 miles so I had to reclass. Just saying look at the unit and what slots it has but also what is the potential for promotion without driving half a day to get there.
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