Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/my current MOS selection

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Expert: - 12/29/2008


Question
Dear Mr. Grabill,

    I am currently in the DEP and enlisted as an Intel specialist. I was wondering what kind of work you did as an Intel analyst and what kind of experiences you had as one. My cousin is a Cpl. and he is in charge of a supply warehouse, he is 3043, supply administration. One of the things he told my from his last tour in Felusia (not sure how to spell it) was that the Intel marines weren't getting to do much except for read maps and stuff like that and that most of them regretted joining Intel. The point is, I don't want to regret joining Intel and my cousin has it pretty good as a supply marine so he's been trying to persuade me to go supply. I just need some clarity on what kind of things an Intel marine does.

Thanks for your time Mr. Grabill.

Answer
Matt:

 If you haven't already done so, sign up to www.leatherneck.com/forums , fill out a profile, and search a couple fo the threads there, there are active duty Intel folks who come on there regularly, plus there are lots of tips for poolees.

 I personally wouldn't take much of what a supply guy has to say as gospel, since he had no clue what Intel really does behind closed doors.  Supply hands out gear and that's about it.  Pretty boring.

 You won't regret joining Intel but unless you want to be a stock clerk or something when you get out, stay out of supply LOL.

 BTW, as a Cpl it's unlikely he's 'in charge' of a supply warehouse.  He's probably counting canteens and ponchos and such.

 I loved Intel and had a blast.  If you want to think and actually get into the good stuff, it's the MOS to go to.

Jason

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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