Expert: John L - 4/24/2011

Question
Hello,

I just recently joined the PA Army National Guard under the OCS-enlistment option and I am currently waiting to start OCS. I am hoping for a position in Military Intelligence. I always wanted a career in DC doing defense or security work, however, intel positions, especially for officers, are few and far between. Some people on this post suggest taking the enlisted route through intelligence to guarantee the job, while others tell me that I should take any officer position and then try to branch into intelligence later.

Anyway, my question is threefold. 1) To pursue a national security or intel career, what would would be the best course of action for me to take currently (enlisted or officer)? 2) What other officer branches, if any, could help prepare me for a national security or intel career? 3) Are there any other actions that I could take in the civilian world or the Guard that would help me become more marketable for an intel spot (Volunteering for a deployment, language courses, etc.)?

Thank you again for taking the time to review my question.

Sincerely,

SPC John C.

Answer
1.  have a degree in international relations, speak russin, farsi or other forms of Arabic.  Other than that, it is hard to get, as positions are few and far between in the MI in the Guard.

2.  Infantry or Cav scout as they are boots on the ground and deal directly with collecting intelligence when they go into an area and turn it over to the spooks for deciphering.

3.  languages I have learned are the key to intelligence fields, that will set you apart from the rest.