Posted on Oct 19, 2015
Will a GIS and Geospacial Intelligence concentration help me work at the NGIA or FEMA?
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I should be going to AGBOLC next year and am looking at Alabama to get a GIS certificate at the masters level. Then I plan to attend Penn State World Campus and get a degree in Homeland Security with a Geospatial Intelligence concentration. Will this help me if I decide to do MICCC and try to go for the imagery identifier? I really want to work with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency as a Counter-Intel officer or GEOINT Analyst. Or work with FEMA as a Geospatial Intelligence Engineer. Suggestions?
Posted in these groups: 
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) AnalystNGAFEMA
GIS Professional (GISP)
Army National Guard
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) AnalystNGAFEMA GIS Professional (GISP) Army National Guard
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 12
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If you are aiming to accomplish all of these goals then I think it only makes sense to go MI instead of AG. I can tell you from experience, AG is MISERABLE! My 9 years in the Army were as a 42A. When I went back to school to get my Masters I did ROTC and commissioned MI. I absolutely love it! The IC is a completely different and having an in will be very advantageous to your aspirations. AG is just going to bog you down in boring miserable administrative paperwork. If that's your thing, then go for it. MI can be involved in a plethora of missions. From working side by side with SOF/SOCOM to sitting behind a computer screen at NASIC/NGIC/etc. Plus, numerous opportunities to support real world missions by other agencies, domestic and abroad.
Furthermore (this is going to ruffle some feathers), if you want to actually advance your career within the military get away from the Guard! If your only choices are Guard or Reserve, go Reserve. One of my best friends, a top notch NCO, has been "stuck" at SSG for several years. He is a PT stud (300's every APFT), rated highly every year, but cannot get promoted because there are no vacant slots. Granted part of that is a reflection of the state he lives in but this is also a story I have heard or witnessed multiple times throughout my career. The amount of money available for training and career advancement is better on the Reserve side.
Furthermore (this is going to ruffle some feathers), if you want to actually advance your career within the military get away from the Guard! If your only choices are Guard or Reserve, go Reserve. One of my best friends, a top notch NCO, has been "stuck" at SSG for several years. He is a PT stud (300's every APFT), rated highly every year, but cannot get promoted because there are no vacant slots. Granted part of that is a reflection of the state he lives in but this is also a story I have heard or witnessed multiple times throughout my career. The amount of money available for training and career advancement is better on the Reserve side.
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Thanks for the tips. I'm not BOLC qualified AG. Just an ECP LT. I finish my undergrad in December.
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No problem! It seems like you have a pretty good grasp on what you want to do. Do an honest self-assessment, meaning honestly ask yourself whether you would be able to get clearance, and if you can honestly answer yes to that, then I think it only makes sense to go MI over AG.
If that's not something you think you honestly, ultimately want to do, AG is a great way to get HR experience that can be translated into the civilian sector.
If that's not something you think you honestly, ultimately want to do, AG is a great way to get HR experience that can be translated into the civilian sector.
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Also, check out what the COL says below. Training availability will ABSOLUTELY be driven by slot availability and mission. It's easier to get into the slot already qualified then as a "will train".
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Getting the Imagery identifier in the ARNG is going to driven by the slot you occupy not by your desire to get the training. It is a very low density MOS, in general. Most of the officer slots are WO slots vs. traditional commissioned officer positions because of the highly specialized nature of that area. I had a GEOINT section in my last command and the best we could do was get a 35D into the familiarization course. Also, very little demand for 35E CI officers in the GEOINT realm. Can you transition to MI prior to attending BOLC? You will lose 4-5 years of MI experience if you go down the AG path first.
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I can try to find an MI slot around Alabama or somewhere in the Southeast. I'd like to if I can.
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just fyi, NGA does not use the "I" just NGA
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