Posted on Apr 18, 2014
Pursuing a career in Strategic Intelligence: How can I achieve success?
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I am interested in pursuing a career in Strategic Intelligence (FA34). I know many individuals have different experiences prior to attending NIU for their masters. I would like recommendations and advice on good career moves that would put me in a position to attend NIU and thrive as a Strategic Intelligence Officer.
So far I have only been in a tactical unit. I've been an Assistant S2 and an ISR Platoon Leader. My next duty will be as an S2 OIC for a BSB. My current understanding is that I should make an effort to get joint assignments and strategic assignments to become more familiar with the world and how the US creates policies. Any corrections or further guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Posted in these groups: 
Intelligence
Intelligence
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 4
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Christopher, while I wasn't a FA34, I spent most of my time at strategic assignments. Once you reach CPT and complete company command, then you can broaden your assignment search. Ask your branch manager about jobs in the national Intelligence Community (IC) or at combatant commands, where you'll be exposed to looking at strategic perspectives regarding our nation's defense.
I served as a GEOINT officer and worked in a couple of those types of assignments giving me a great perspective on strategic intelligence.
Let me know if I can help out.
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Christopher, just to reiterate what LTC Strickland said, before you look at a functional area you need to knock out your Key Development time (BN S2, Company Command etc) as a CPT. There are changes coming soon to DA PAM 600-3, and jobs that were KD will not be in the future, but you can't go wrong with command or BN S2 time, just make sure you're in those positions as at least a 1LT(P) or that time will not count toward KD.
Additionally take a look at the MILPER Messages and see when those FAs have in calls. For YG 11, you likely won't be eligible for a few more years.
It's good that you're looking ahead to you your future, the way things are right now you have to pay close attention to your career map and do well in those KD jobs to ensure you're a competitive candidate for an FA. Best of luck.
Additionally take a look at the MILPER Messages and see when those FAs have in calls. For YG 11, you likely won't be eligible for a few more years.
It's good that you're looking ahead to you your future, the way things are right now you have to pay close attention to your career map and do well in those KD jobs to ensure you're a competitive candidate for an FA. Best of luck.
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Give yourself 5 years and you are marketable. Strive to get 2-3 years minimal at the G2/J2/SOTF/JTF level and you get two things: experience and marketability.
One of the things that employers want, on both the Gov and private side is some gut reaction to go with your experience. Data can point the way but gut reaction often tempers what we think the data is telling us. You only get that from being in the middle of the data with hands-on for 2-3 years.
One of the things that employers want, on both the Gov and private side is some gut reaction to go with your experience. Data can point the way but gut reaction often tempers what we think the data is telling us. You only get that from being in the middle of the data with hands-on for 2-3 years.
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