I will be working as a 97B and don't leave for Basic until Aug 10. AIT will be at Fort Huachuca. What can you tell me about traveling in this occupation? Will there be lots or little? And what are some hot spots that I may be assigned to? Right now if it were my choice I would desire to be posted either in Europe or an Arabic speaking country like Afghan, simply because I know some Hebrew.
Do some in MI have privileges of carrying a concealed sidearm? And will I be trained in shooting a handgun?
What sort of things can I be studying in the mean time for preparation? Or should I go on a vacation now?
Is there a PAYS program for MI or more specifically for 97b?
And final question for now; How risky is this MOS as compared to other branches such as Infantry and SF?
There's a word that you will get intimately familiar with when you're trained as a 97B... and that's OPSEC--Operational Security. Alot of the questions you're asking, while normal, can seem a bit suspicous. If you want answers to your questions, ask your recruiter, an open forum like this is probably not appropriate. As a 97B you too will become very paranoid, I know this because I work alongside a couple. Military Intel in general is pretty well known for it's paranoia. People don't need to know what we do and where we go, that kind of knowlege can compromise a mission and cost lives. Again, I understand your curiosity, but you'll soon learn that a certain amount of discretion must be observed.
PS... i'm primarily referring to your questions about travel, things that you'll be doing, etc...
How are you doing. I will only be able to answer a few of your questions since information regarding our operations and operational status is either classified or sensitive.
As for your question concerning what will you be doing, there is a generic list of some tasks/duties available at the following link:
To answer your question concerning the "risk" comparison between 97B and 11 (Infantry) or 18 (SF) series specialties...none. Your job won't be to seek and engage enemies. You will be utilized to assist in the design of defense plans and tactics, preparing reports and maintaining databases.
I love that people are telling you that the MI community has a huge "paranoia pucker factor." Absolutely untrue. There are only two reasons to be paranoid...you are incompetant or you fail to remain vigilant. Don't listen to people outside of the intelligence community tell you what it is like...they have no clue. It would be like me trying to tell "EODisforme" how to conduct explosive ordnance disposal operations...I CAN'T.
As for your question reference the PaYs program, you should e-mail the following and ask for assistance from someone who can give you a straight answer...no B.S.
payshelpdesk@usarec.army.mil or paysprogrammanager@usarec.army.mil
If you really want to start preparing for your upcoming adventure, get the following books and start reading:
[i:e306452e4c]Army Basic Training[/i:e306452e4c] by Raquel D. Thiebes
[i:e306452e4c]Enlisted Soldier's Guide[/i:e306452e4c] by Robert S. Rush
Just keep in mind that the U.S. Army Intelligence School won't turn you into James Bond. BTW...the CI Program of Instruction is 700+ classroom hours of instruction at Fort Huachuca...following 9 weeks of Basic.
well, i wasn't saying that he had to be paranoid, just that alot of the MI soldiers I've met--97B & Es especially--seem to be very paranoid. Not so much that they think that everyone's a terrorist, but they have certain tendencies that exhibit that sort of behavior. I think it's kinda funny actually.
Good luck in being a 97B, truely a jack of all trades and master of none. What you do depends on where you go, and what rank you are. There are strategic assignments and tactical assignments. My first assignment was in a SBCT. I basically became a scout (19D) and I do seek and engage the enemy. Everything I learned in AIT was useless. I got a chance to go to two schools I really liked, so that was cool. Most 97's like to go to Ft Mead. I have been stuck in this one unit and will definitely reclass or ets. I have come to hate 97B. If you get stationed in a good place or get some cool schools or your an E-6 or warrant; then it's a great mos.
[quote:e8c09a8b9b="ccoaotl"]Good luck in being a 97B, truely a jack of all trades and master of none. What you do depends on where you go, and what rank you are. There are strategic assignments and tactical assignments. My first assignment was in a SBCT. I basically became a scout (19D) and I do seek and engage the enemy. Everything I learned in AIT was useless. I got a chance to go to two schools I really liked, so that was cool. Most 97's like to go to Ft Mead. I have been stuck in this one unit and will definitely reclass or ets. I have come to hate 97B. If you get stationed in a good place or get some cool schools or your an E-6 or warrant; then it's a great mos.[/quote:e8c09a8b9b]
A Cav Scout? WTF? I have just been selected for a SBCT. I am 74B (Information Systems Operator/Analyst). What are they going to make me...a Stryker driver? Jesus H. Christ!
Posts: 201 | Location: CONUS | Registered: 19 January 2004
Paranoid? Well we are COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AGENTS... freakin spies... We're not paranoid, its an acute sense of our surroundings and an inquisitive mindset. It is our job to prevent and investigate espionage after all...
Just kidding. If you have any more questions about 97B, let me know and I'll do what I can to answer them.
Its been a great job for me so far. I've learned more than most in the Army because of my assignments. I've served in S2s, ACEs, Resident Offices, and MI detachments.
I would say ccoatol has a minority view of our MOS and while I can say I've been there too, I wouldn't change anything.
As far as the RISTA platoons, thats good stuff. Nothing like getting dirty once and a while, reminds you of WHY we collect and WHO we collect for. We dont do this for ourselves you know. If you think MI collects for the sake of just saying we do something, its high time you configure your head and rewire that thought process of yours.
Yeah, you dont have to worry about that wolf. By the way, I think I'm reclassing to signal; havn't made up my mind yet though.
[quote:de05d12ca4]Its been a great job for me so far. I've learned more than most in the Army because of my assignments. I've served in S2s, ACEs, Resident Offices, and MI detachments. [/quote:de05d12ca4] Must be nice being able to have different assignments. I've been locked in the same one for 4 years. [quote:de05d12ca4]I would say ccoatol has a minority view of our MOS and while I can say I've been there too, I wouldn't change anything.[/quote:de05d12ca4] Minority veiw for all 97bs maybe, but not for us in the SBCT. With more SBCTs on the way certainly not the minority view for long. You've been where too?An SBCT? If so you must have been lucky to get out or a very close personal friend of MSG Dean. [quote:de05d12ca4]As far as the RISTA platoons, thats good stuff. Nothing like getting dirty once and a while, reminds you of WHY we collect and WHO we collect for. We dont do this for ourselves you know. If you think MI collects for the sake of just saying we do something, its high time you configure your head and rewire that thought process of yours.
We don't collect to make ourselves look good...[/quote:de05d12ca4] Are you actually talking to me? Step out of your cozy little office and wipe the gunk out of your eyes. Be careful not to get your boots scuffed.
Man! Calm down guys... All of us post on this site, so we must spend some time around a computer. This leads me to believe that not very many of us are doing "Good Training" or being "Hooah" or whatever you want to call it. If you are out on the ground, be proud of what you do and dont let anyone get you down. You are the guys that are in danger. If you sit behind a desk and process leave forms or collect intel or fix the computers the Big Wigs use, Be proud, because you are supporting those guys on the ground. You make them able to win the fight. You keep them connected to home. They apreciate you, no matter how much crap they give you. One team, One Fight.
Have a problem with it all you want. But its true... get over yourself
This is my FIRST strategic assignment and one I didn't ask for. I wont give you an autobiography but I've run the gauntlet of CI assignments with my time in.
And buckwheat, don't even talk to me about assignments. You've been there for 4 years? Boohoo. Move on, get out, get orders, volunteer for something. By no means am I a friend with branch, I just came down on orders and moved within my Brigade.
Was everything you learned at AIT useless? I used to think that in my last assignment, but I realized quickly that it was relevant, even though I was peforming a duty I wasn't fully qualified for. We have 97Bs out there who are nothing more than some CSM's driver (straight from the schoolhouse) in these stratical units, so you want to come over here? Hop to it.
SBCTs were briefed on in Huachuca, what I did wasn't. So we'll talk about MOS misutilization some other time. You said that you would rather be a 19D in Iraq in another post and yet you complain about being in an SBCT... make up your mind bucky.
My boots are covered in mud right now actually, so why dont you try again. And that statement's not BS, if you think we just run around in battlespace and and collect to make our FRN thump with pride, then you need another dose of reality.
Our job (along with the 97Es) is to create actionable intelligence... remember that phrase? We don't collect to make ourselves look good...
ArmyStudyGuide Community 
