Welcome to the Intelligence AFSC discussion blog. The purpose of this blog is to foster discussion between future Air Force officers interested in Intel and current officers in the Intel career field. The views expressed in this blog are solely the opinions of the individual authors and not of the United States Air Force nor the Department of Defense.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Questions
Cadets, please post questions here as a comment on this post that you'd like to see turned into new threads for discussion.
No degree requirements to be an intel officer. I've seen intel officers with all sorts of degrees. As far as deployments go, Intel on average is probably deployed more than most AFSCs, but I don't think it's unreasonable. Certain Intel jobs deploy much more than others. For example, if you work at a Wing or Squadron, which you probably will your first assignment or two, you'll deploy with your unit. If you like deploying, you can always volunteer, as there is tons of opportunities out there. If you don't like deploying, there always seems to be other volunteers, so getting non-volunteered doesn't happen very often.
A few intel jobs out there will require you to go to SERE. These will be jobs which may involve flying on an intel-related platform. For a majority of intel jobs you will not need SERE, however, sometimes slots open up and you may get an opportunity to volunteer to attend the school. I have personally never been to SERE but know a few officers who have and I have only heard positive feedback from them. Even though it is tough, they have all said it is a great experience where you learn a lot that will aid you in your AF career and your life in general.
I am getting a minor in Arabic and would like to become fluent after graduating. Are there opportunities before or after Intel school where this could happen?
I am a mechanical engineering major, and I have heard rumors from my teachers that Intel won't accept engineers out of the Academy. Is there any validity to this rumor?
You can pretty much have any degree to do intel. I think the issue is that if you get an engineering degree out of the Academy and you don't plan to fly the Air Force wants you to use your degree in an engineering or acquisition career field to fill up those slots. Since officers with any degree can do most ops jobs they need the people with engineering degrees to actually do those jobs since they are the only ones who have the credentials to do them.
Linguist is an enlisted career field so you don't really get to use your language immediately after intel school. The opportunities to use your language come up as a senior Capt or junior Maj when you can apply for a Foreign Area Officer position or a defense attache job. You can also apply for HUMINT jobs where you can use your language.
SERE-- IntelGal98 is right. Some intel jobs require it...most don't. However, you can volunteer to go if you're interested, even if your position doesn't require it.
I didn't find Intel school too difficult...lots of cramming and studying, but you can't bring stuff home because it's classified, so that's a bonus. It's been awhile since I went through, so I'm sure some things have changed...but the better you perform at Intel School, I think that weighs into your first assignment location. Typical week is basically 7:30-4:30 going to class. School is fun...lots of new Lt's to hang out with and enjoy lovely West Texas.
Yes, you can pursue Arabic language training after graduation. It's not necessarily an Intel thing, but an AF wide program called Language and Area Studies Immersion (LASI). Basically, if your boss is willing to let you go for a month, you apply for the program and you get sent to an Arabic speaking country for a month for in-depth language training. I've done LASI and it totally helps out with your language ability. Plus, it's a blast. Other than that, language opportunities for Intel officers are limited to a bit later in your career if you decide to go the Foreign Area Officer route. It's now called an International Affairs Specialist, and you can either be a Regional Affairs officer or a Pol-Mil Affairs officer. If you go the regional affairs route, you basically get a regional studies masters degree from the Naval Post graduate school, and follow on language training at the defense language institute. FYI: Intel linguists are enlisted. send me an email at gareth.johnson@usafa.af.mil if you want more info...or stop by my office 6k114.
You are only in San Angelo for approximately 7 months before you move on to your first assignment. While having a master's is important I wouldn't recommend pursuing it while at intel school. Because most of the material is classified you can only study in the school bldgs so you will spend a lot of time after hours in those bldgs. It would be possible to start a distance learning program but it could still interfere with your intel studies. I would recommend focusing on your intel studies and do well because that will help you get a better assignment out of school. You can pursue an advanced degree during your first non-school assignment. YOu can pursue language training while at intel school via the Air University Rosetta Stone program for CGOs. It would be done on your own time though.
Intel School & Grad School at the same time: Possible, yes, but not recommended. Focus your studies while at Intel school...better you do, better chance at getting a good first assignment. Also, have fun while you're there.
Language training: two options, 1) Rosetta Stone through Air University or the INternational Affairs Program Office, or 2) maybe night school at San Angelo State (tuition assistance). Again, I'd focus on doing well at Intel school while there.
If you have some casual time before/during/after Intel school, I'd consider doing the Language and Area Studies Immersion (LASI) program. One month, in-country language training. Apply through the International Affairs Program office, with boss approval.
So how often do you get bored as an Intel Officer? I'm interested in the field but I would go crazy if it was boring. Is the day to day life (not just the cool assignments that happen every once in a while) interesting?
Bored as an Intel Officer...wow, that is a pretty special question. What did my mom tell me about being bored...oh yeah, "only a boring person gets bored." Seriously though, any job/afsc/assignment has its ups and downs. It is really what you make of it...
I've heard intel is competetive. What criteria are weighed most heavily, with regard to cadets who are applying for Intel (IE: Is it grades, major, combo?). Thanks.
I am interested in joining the Airforce as an intel officer. Do you have a number I can call where I can speak with an Airforce officer recruiter rather than an enisted recruiter?
Hi I am a prior service AF 2M0X1A and AFR 3C0X1 who worked in a SCIF with C4i. I now have a B.S. in Information Technology and Minor of Philosophy. What would you say the best way of coming back as an 14N is? I was also looking at the ANG route but may prefer to be Active Duty.
23 comments:
Are there any degree requirements to be an intel officer?
How much can you expect to be deployed?
No degree requirements to be an intel officer. I've seen intel officers with all sorts of degrees. As far as deployments go, Intel on average is probably deployed more than most AFSCs, but I don't think it's unreasonable. Certain Intel jobs deploy much more than others. For example, if you work at a Wing or Squadron, which you probably will your first assignment or two, you'll deploy with your unit. If you like deploying, you can always volunteer, as there is tons of opportunities out there. If you don't like deploying, there always seems to be other volunteers, so getting non-volunteered doesn't happen very often.
I was wondering if Intel officers have to go to SERE, as I've been given mixed responses. If they do, what is it like?
A few intel jobs out there will require you to go to SERE. These will be jobs which may involve flying on an intel-related platform. For a majority of intel jobs you will not need SERE, however, sometimes slots open up and you may get an opportunity to volunteer to attend the school. I have personally never been to SERE but know a few officers who have and I have only heard positive feedback from them. Even though it is tough, they have all said it is a great experience where you learn a lot that will aid you in your AF career and your life in general.
For intelligence training school, what would a typical week consist of?
Are there opportunities to pursue graduate school?
What are the biggest influences in getting the base/assignment of choice?
I am getting a minor in Arabic and would like to become fluent after graduating. Are there opportunities before or after Intel school where this could happen?
I am a mechanical engineering major, and I have heard rumors from my teachers that Intel won't accept engineers out of the Academy. Is there any validity to this rumor?
You can pretty much have any degree to do intel. I think the issue is that if you get an engineering degree out of the Academy and you don't plan to fly the Air Force wants you to use your degree in an engineering or acquisition career field to fill up those slots. Since officers with any degree can do most ops jobs they need the people with engineering degrees to actually do those jobs since they are the only ones who have the credentials to do them.
Linguist is an enlisted career field so you don't really get to use your language immediately after intel school. The opportunities to use your language come up as a senior Capt or junior Maj when you can apply for a Foreign Area Officer position or a defense attache job. You can also apply for HUMINT jobs where you can use your language.
SERE-- IntelGal98 is right. Some intel jobs require it...most don't. However, you can volunteer to go if you're interested, even if your position doesn't require it.
typical day in intel school:
I didn't find Intel school too difficult...lots of cramming and studying, but you can't bring stuff home because it's classified, so that's a bonus. It's been awhile since I went through, so I'm sure some things have changed...but the better you perform at Intel School, I think that weighs into your first assignment location. Typical week is basically 7:30-4:30 going to class. School is fun...lots of new Lt's to hang out with and enjoy lovely West Texas.
Snelly 44 - Language Question:
Yes, you can pursue Arabic language training after graduation. It's not necessarily an Intel thing, but an AF wide program called Language and Area Studies Immersion (LASI). Basically, if your boss is willing to let you go for a month, you apply for the program and you get sent to an Arabic speaking country for a month for in-depth language training. I've done LASI and it totally helps out with your language ability. Plus, it's a blast. Other than that, language opportunities for Intel officers are limited to a bit later in your career if you decide to go the Foreign Area Officer route. It's now called an International Affairs Specialist, and you can either be a Regional Affairs officer or a Pol-Mil Affairs officer. If you go the regional affairs route, you basically get a regional studies masters degree from the Naval Post graduate school, and follow on language training at the defense language institute. FYI: Intel linguists are enlisted. send me an email at gareth.johnson@usafa.af.mil if you want more info...or stop by my office 6k114.
at Intel school in San Angelo, is there any time to do other things such as start a masters or learn a language?
BZ Hotel Question:
You are only in San Angelo for approximately 7 months before you move on to your first assignment. While having a master's is important I wouldn't recommend pursuing it while at intel school. Because most of the material is classified you can only study in the school bldgs so you will spend a lot of time after hours in those bldgs. It would be possible to start a distance learning program but it could still interfere with your intel studies. I would recommend focusing on your intel studies and do well because that will help you get a better assignment out of school. You can pursue an advanced degree during your first non-school assignment. YOu can pursue language training while at intel school via the Air University Rosetta Stone program for CGOs. It would be done on your own time though.
xc10s84 & BZHOTEL:
Intel School & Grad School at the same time: Possible, yes, but not recommended. Focus your studies while at Intel school...better you do, better chance at getting a good first assignment. Also, have fun while you're there.
Language training: two options, 1) Rosetta Stone through Air University or the INternational Affairs Program Office, or 2) maybe night school at San Angelo State (tuition assistance). Again, I'd focus on doing well at Intel school while there.
If you have some casual time before/during/after Intel school, I'd consider doing the Language and Area Studies Immersion (LASI) program. One month, in-country language training. Apply through the International Affairs Program office, with boss approval.
So how often do you get bored as an Intel Officer? I'm interested in the field but I would go crazy if it was boring. Is the day to day life (not just the cool assignments that happen every once in a while) interesting?
Bored as an Intel Officer...wow, that is a pretty special question. What did my mom tell me about being bored...oh yeah, "only a boring person gets bored." Seriously though, any job/afsc/assignment has its ups and downs. It is really what you make of it...
When do we apply for our first assignment after intel school? is our selection based on performance during intel school?
I've heard intel is competetive. What criteria are weighed most heavily, with regard to cadets who are applying for Intel (IE: Is it grades, major, combo?). Thanks.
I am interested in joining the Airforce as an intel officer. Do you have a number I can call where I can speak with an Airforce officer recruiter rather than an enisted recruiter?
How long does it take to join the Airforce?
Hi I am a prior service AF 2M0X1A and AFR 3C0X1 who worked in a SCIF with C4i. I now have a B.S. in Information Technology and Minor of Philosophy. What would you say the best way of coming back as an 14N is? I was also looking at the ANG route but may prefer to be Active Duty.
Are you required to have normal color vision to be a 14n?
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