Hi, im trying to decided on wether to go under the mos mp or Intel. I was hard set on mp; but, saw that my asvap (77) score aloud me to explore other fields. I was wondering if anyone that is in the mos of Intel, could tell me what really all goes with the job and daily activities.

Thanks

From a Mustang Lt on the leatherneck forums.

"0231 training takes place at Damneck, Virginia in Virginia Beach. The training is 13 weeks long and was some of the best times of my life. Damneck is a great little Navy base. If you are lucky enough to go in the spring or summer - then Virginia Beach is a bang-up place to be.

The classes are small - 20-30 students. Usually, there is at least one corporal in the class that becomes the class leader. The training is wide-ranging. The 0231 is a jack-of-all trades and an expert in nothing. You start off learning about basic intelligence concepts - like the intelligence cycle, the structure of Marine Corps intelligence, intelligence theories, and a little bit of intelligence history.

Then, you receive some map-reading classes and navigation classes. These classes will go beyond the basic map-reading skills you get at boot camp. You will also learn about plotting enemy units on different types of maps and what the various symbols are.

You will get an introduction to research and briefing. You will have a security clearance and they will teach you how to use the Sensitive Information Protocol Network - SIPRnet in conducting classified research. You will probably have at least two briefs. You will have to do a country brief and a weapons brief. These are great briefing skills that I still use in the court-room and as 3rd year law student today.

You will learn about tactical intelligence. You will probably do a battle-field study at Yorktown. You will learn how to do a beach survey - like the recon teams do. Its tons of fun. You learn about different types of waves, currents, and depths. You may make a trip over to the Amphibious Warfare Center to see a mock amphibious landing display in a theater with huge models.

You will learn about Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield. You'll learn about the Intelligence Analyst's System (IAS), which is electronic map-plotting that we use today. I know many 0231's that have civilian employment that pays well and relates to the IAS.

IPB could be a course in itself. I'll just provide you this link: http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...98-8_chap1.htm

Many students struggle with the IPB sections - but, its the essence of what 0231's do. IPB can be tedious, but its exciting to see how commanders shape the battlefield.

The course will culminate in a several day exercise in which you employ your new intel skills.

You can receive all sorts of follow-on training on active duty like SERE school, DIA Indications and Warnings Course, DIA Joint Intelligence Analyst's Course, Jump School, Dive School, Foreign Weapons Recognition School, Journeyman's Course, Counter-Intelligence lateral move, or possibly language courses.

Your duties vary dramatically depending on the unit you are with. You can go from a grunt unit or scout/snipers all the way to an air wing or MEF. Basic duties will include research, briefing Marines on a variety of topics from in-country threats on deployments to political situations. At the air wing, you will learn alot about radar systems and missiles.

At a grunt unit, your focus will be on small-arms weapons, IED's, militia units, terrorist units, and infantry tactics. You could find yourself de-briefing recon teams coming out of the field. Preferrably, you might get to go into the field with the teams and the grunts.

Your day can vary wildly depending on what is going on in the unit. At most units, you go to work at 0830, after PT, and then work on whatever they have going. If you like computers you could even work on that kind of stuff. Of course, you'll have to maintain all of your skills as a basic Marine also.

Enlisted 0231's have alot of responsibility in a command operations center. When a high ranking officer wants to know what's going on, he goes over to the lance corporal at the map that has actually been reading all of the messages and plotting stuff on the map. A young 0231 could easily find themself briefing a senior officer during their first enlistment.

The 0231 field is wide-open for whatever you want to do or wherever you want to be. If you want to be with the grunts you can go to the grunts. Or, you can go to a Joint high level unit.

The travel / deployment opportunities are vast - especially if you can get on a MEU. Promotions are typically faster than other MOS's, but its all timing. When I first enlisted, the MOS was flooded and it took me a while to pick up corporal. How fast the promotions are depends on many factors. You should be able to pick up sergeant in 4 years.

Intel isn't rocket science. The training is not hard, but you have to be diligent. A good intel analyst needs to have a wide range in interests and education. You should be a voracious reader that enjoys learning. You need to be a student of military tactics and weapons systems. You should understand geo-politics and culture. You should also pay attention to current events. Grunts will only respect you if you're tactically proficient and committed to providing them whatever information they need to accomplish the mission.

There are opportunities in the civilian world - but that's primarily because of the top secret clearance. I won't go into those opportunities here - because we should focus on Marine Corps intelligence.

Initiative is the key to success as an 0231. If you don't take any self-initiative, then you are worthless to an intel section. Intel NCO's will expect you to take the initiative in getting work done and coming up with better ways to do things. You will be expected to know what is going on and to be current on world events, strategy, and history. Your opinions will count.

Intel will only being boring if you let it be boring. You can have a negative attitude and envision yourself sitting in front of a computer going blind - or you can appreciate the unique opportunities to serve in the field supporting infantry units and supporting the decision-makers with timely intelligence. Your information will help shape how the general's / officers make their decisions to conduct the battle.

That's all I've got time for right now, so I hope that helps. LT C
https://www.npdc.navy.mil/cennavintel/nmitc/ "

thanks evil_smile88 , That was very very helpful into makin my decision and i belive it has persuade me to go intel.

thanks for takin time.

Was no work for me. Just copy and paste. Good luck with your decision.

I am in Navy intel and have seen the USMC side of things at Dam Neck, since we attend the same school. If the Corps. would take me back, I'd go in a heartbeat, just for the more hands-on stuff, the ground intel ops, etc. I think you're making the right decision if you want to do soemthing interesting, challenging, and that will still open up a lot of possibilities for you in the future if you decide to get out, especially in gov't.

Good luck!

What about the officer side of Marine intel? I'm hoping to get into that field (hoping) in the future. I've been reading up a lot on it, and specifically, the HUMINT officer MOS is what interests me the most.

I appreciate any info I can get. Thanks!

Just a heads up...there's a couple of MOS's that fall under the DD contract (intel contract). For instance, SIGINT (2600s), HUMINT (0231's), etc..When I signed my contract I was convinced I was gonna be an 0231. Instead I ended up being a 2621. So don't get your hopes set on one particular MOS, cuz the Intel contract encompasses a VERY wide range of mission goals/execution.

As far as a general day. It really just depends on where your duty station is. For me, it's 0530 PT, 0745 at work, 1130-1300 is lunch, usually get off at 1630. As far as what we do...That's a touchy subject. I kinda gotta respect OPSEC in this situation.

wow that was very helpful information!