At 15 years of age, I spend a considerable amount of time studying military and warfare. From strategy and tactics, to weaponry and training; I try to learn as much as possible about America’s, her allies’, and her enemy’s militaristic power. I have books about WMDs, aircraft, armored vehicles, soldier training, equipment, and small arms from just about every era.

I shared with information with multiple recruiters; they all said to become either an Intelligence Officer, or a Military Analyst. One once said to be a Field Strategist, but he wasn’t sure about the rank needed (he was retired from service for over 15 years).

I would like to ask any of you what it takes to be an Intelligence Officer or Analyst; or any fields related to the positions. I know somebody out there is an Intelligence Officer, so could you please help me?

In the USMC you don't become an intelligence officer. You become an officer. If you graduate towards the top of your class, you get to choose what you want first. Intel usually gets taken up by those in the top of the class first. Talk to a recruiter about enlisting into intelligence, but again, some of those fields are only for "second-term Marines"-- meaning you have to do something else first for four years and get some "life experience" before you go into intel. Books will only get you so far...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: patoloco,

Thank you. The Air Force said the same thing. Except that if I go ROTC or OTS then I might be able to get into Intelligence. Analyst positions are for "older" Intelligence Officers, and I have to be in service for a few years before I can get there.

Point Park in Pittsburgh has an Intelligence class that the AF and Navy said I should take if I can't get into their schools. I will look around more to see what else I can find, thanks.

hmmmm, military intelligence..... wow talk about a mis-nomer!

Have you looked into the navy rates, IS (intelligence specialist) and CTI (cryptologic technician interprative)? IS's work in the bat cave of ships and landbased tactical support centers. They gather intel for briefings, I worked with them alot when I worked in the tactical support center in keflavik, iceland. To be a CTI, you do have to learn a foreign language, or know one already. The cool thing about CTI's, you can become aircrew qualified and get attached to a VQ squadron and fly ELINT (electronic intelligence) missions. CTI's also can get submarine duty as well as being on ships. Pretty high speed stuff there.

Go the ROTC route.

It would seem that at your age you would have time to develop a career that is well aligned with your skillset(s). Getting a commission is an awesome opportunity, but you should be aware that you may not have the opportunity to select a career track that is what you want. I enlisted in the Navy & processed through MEPS with a rate in my hand, which was IS (or Intelligence Specialist). Most uniformed services will designate a rate for you based on your test scores and historical background (less any waivers that may be required). I went into MEPS with a BSEP high school diploma and with a certificate as a local Police Academy grad. Add one waiver for a moving violation that occurred years before and I was on my way into the intel community.

To be sure, if you're book smart and enjoy reading military warfare, your career choices "may" be broadened. But be aware that any person that processes you is looking at what you have demonstrated (testing, college, etc), rather than what you read or enjoy. If you were to jump into the Navy Intel community, I can say from experience that it is likely the best decision you will make. As an enlisted IS, I enjoyed career and rank enhancement that was well beyond my experience. In the end, I was equipped with the knowledge and background that I needed to transition to a great career with a major university here in Southern California. My biggest mistake was in getting out, so think about that before you join. I left the Navy as an E-6 after seven years which, by some standards is considered to be a very aggressive rate of advancement.

But, if you like looking at satellite imagery, analyzing a myriad of signals, earning in excess of 40,000 frequent flyer miles and visiting more than 60% of this planet, then I would encourage you to seriously consider the intel field. While you’re at it, keep your nose clean and think about learning a foreign language; it'll only help you in the end.

I would try to get into the civilian aspect of intellegence. Try the CIA or the NSA. What ever you do do not enlist. Go to college get some "life experence" outside of the military and once you have a beefy resume start applying. If the military is in need they will contract you, you wont get this run around about top of your class stuff (and the top of what class anyways, OTS, thats just a modified basic and tests nothing of someones intel ability). If you try to do the whole enlisted military thing you are going to be "digging ditches" and getting hazed for quite a while before you get to see anything that you are thinking you will get to see, if you get to see it at all.

pearso
Please stop talking from your ass. You have absolutely no military experience to draw from.

he needs to look at all of his options before the thought to enlist even crosses his mind.

ROTC is a good way to go because you can "test" the program for the first 2 years to see if you like it, and just because I dident serve in a world war does not mean I do not have any experence to draw from. In 2 years of ROTC and a year in the guard I got a really good idea of how the military works, I dident need to go to iraq for 2 years, that would not have provided any thing more in the way the military works it just would have sucked and taken me away from my family.

I wasn't speaking of your advice to go to college, or anything else. I was only referencing your military experience, which is nil as far as I can tell. Your one year in the Guard sounds as if it was one long, drawn-out attempt for you to quit, and they to drum you out. Of course, that's not going to be a whole bunch of fun, and no, you're not going to "see anything" while going through that process.
On the other hand, yes, ROTC was some good advice.