I am currently a 21B (Combat Engineer) who has decided to reclass to 96B through the BEAR program. After reading some of the forums it seems a good fit for my personality. I honestly have no problem deploying and have did things on my deployment as a combat soldier that I probably not be doing as an Intel Analyst.
One thing that I believe will help me a lot going into this MOS is the fact that I am currently finishing up two years in USAREC on recruiting duty. I have no problem talking to audiences and no problem with giving briefings and classes (no stage fright).
My question is, what can I expect to be doing in this MOS? I understand the part about briefing the battle staff and such, but as far as analyzing intelligence, can someone give me a brief overview of what this entails?
I'm very excited about getting to see the "big picture" of the operations on deployment, it seems very interesting. I will be starting AIT on September 7th of this year.
Also, I was curious about how the schoolhouse is for retrain soldiers, as far as the lodging and stuff. Is it open bay, 2 man rooms...? Any info would be a great help... thanks in advance!
-Sgt Christopher Lee
Posts: 6 | Location: Johnson City, TN | Registered: 13 July 2007
It has been a while since I went through the 96B basic course. But I was a "re-class" NCO so they stuck me with the other reclass/prior service Soldiers and NCOs at Riley Barracks. Back in 2001 it was 2 man rooms. I mean Riley Barracks was far from up date barracks but I think they have given another set of barracks to the reclass crew. Have no idea, but you should be in a 2 man room. As far as the course goes it has seen some additional changes, the focus use to be on the Korea potential battlefield but now they include the Iraq and Middle Eastern portion as well. Basic assessment skills to include basic map reading, overlays, etc. 96B is the "worker bee" for the intelligence community because all the intel is sent your way to make some kind of assessment and potential courses of actions. But the down side of a 96B is that you get the TS/SCI and then you get stuck as some PAC clerk, training NCO, or worse get stuck in a Brigae or a Battalion S3 Operations section. Units tend to stick 96Bs in every position other than intel then your S2 section will be staffed with the majority of 97Bs (counter intelligence). Depends on the unit you are assigned, if you get sent to a MI unit there is a high chance that you'll be doing something other than intelligence work. Don't mess around with the AIT Soldiers. Even if the Soldier is drinking age and you see them off post at the club or bar, walk away and don't get involved. I have worked some really cool missions on deployments and then get stuck in purgatory like state back in CONUS, so anything is possible. Enjoy 96B course, just study and keep the heavy drinking until the 4 days and weekends and you'll pass with no worries.
Posts: 213 | Location: 513th MI BDE, Fort Gordon, GA | Registered: 06 July 2006
As the previous post mentions, he mentioned 96B's are at all locations in a unit. I've never seen them anywhere but the S-2 or a MI Co. Different experiences I suppose. He did hit it on the money about reclass being at Riley barracks, 2 man rooms. The course work is so simple. If you fail a test, you can take it again. EVERYTHING is open book/open note. That was great. You will breeze through it.
Sometime within the last year, they completely changed the 96B course. So, whatever you hear about it, the only credible info will be from a private (uh oh!). I just got a new Soldier in and her course material was completely different than mine in 2004. Now they are learning the programs we are using over there.
Anyways, about 96B. First off, it is a great MOS. I wouldn't want anything else. When we were down range, I was in a BDE S-2 shop. In the S-2 shop, we tasked each section of our sector to the battalion S-2's. Each BN S-2 was responsible for knowing their section inside and out (the known insurgents in it, pattern analysis on "bombs", and any new info). As the BDE S-2, we were responsible for briefing the BDE CDR, and anyone else who needed something, the production of the Regimental Graphic Intelligence Summary, creating targeting packets on HVIs, and, but not limited too, answering RFI's from every echelon of the Army.
As for garrison? You do the same crap as everyone else.
All in all, 96B has their hands in so much. If it is intel related, a 96B is working on it in some way. Oh, and your assignment possibilities are ENDLESS. We can go places you didn't know existed.
And not to mention, the TS/SCI is worth a pretty penny when you finally decide to get out of the Army.
You can PM me if you have any more questions.
Posts: 169 | Location: Afghanistan | Registered: 24 January 2007
analyzing intelligence, can someone give me a brief overview of what this entails?
A brief overview huh? Here is an example: You are sitting at your desk checking your emails, and you see there is an RFI from Division. Division wants to know why the intersection of Diamond Road and Chrome Road had 3 "bombs" in the last 24 hours. Oh yeah, they want to know who is emplacing them too.
SO, your job would be to find that out. You will use SIPR resources you have learned about. You will also consult with the other INTs (HUMINT, IMINT, SIGINT etc). Basically, you will expend every resource you have to find the answer to questions. But once you do it enough, you will know the shortest route to get there! Sorry I can't be more helpful, but it's so hard to explain it without violating OpSec!
I hope you are good at PowerPoint
Posts: 169 | Location: Afghanistan | Registered: 24 January 2007
You would be surprised where they stick a 96B, but a lot of times you are placed either in the S3 or S2 sections. The course has changed from the prior OEF/OIF situation. New computer analysis systems and search engines to look through countless hours of incoming intelligence traffic. BLUF: It all depends on the unit you are assigned to and what is their area of responsibility and what is the unit's mission. Different intelligence subjects and focus will be placed which sector of the world that you need to be looking at. My one in all "dream intel job" would be to get a slot at NGIC with the Foreign weapons assessment teams. These guys go around the world picking up foregin weapons and captured equipment and then bring it back to Aberdeen Proving Grounds and firing tons of ammunition, then write an assessment and do a power point slide presentation. 96B is the workhouse behind the majority of intelligence gathering, collections, and assessments. Welcome to the MI section. Like any job it has good points and bad points but if you want a fast track MOS, then 96b is the right route to take. My last deployment to Iraq we didn't stay at the FOB very long because we were always on the move. Seemed more like a CIA field agent than a 96B but the experience will pay off when you go looking for a civilian job. That TS/SCI will open more doors than holding a 4 year degree or Masters.
Posts: 213 | Location: 513th MI BDE, Fort Gordon, GA | Registered: 06 July 2006
I just graduated the course as an IET soldier and the course has and probably will continue to go through a lot of changes. The emphasis was entirely on Iraq. We didn't learn anything about Korea, etc. The reclass soldiers (referred to as MOS-Ts) still live in Riley Barracks with one roommate, but they attend class with IET soldiers. They also attend training on Saturdays with them (TRADOC is on a 6 day work week) where they supervise basic soldiering training with the DSs. The class itself is fairly easy. I saw very few soldiers fail out and even then, they are recycled to the next class. I haven't actually done the job yet so I can't help you there, but from everything I've heard, it really doesn't even start until you get downrange. I hope I've helped and I'd be happy to answer any other questions.
Posts: 25 | Location: Ft. Lewis | Registered: 01 May 2007
analyzing intelligence, can someone give me a brief overview of what this entails?
A brief overview huh? Here is an example: You are sitting at your desk checking your emails, and you see there is an RFI from Division. Division wants to know why the intersection of Diamond Road and Chrome Road had 3 "bombs" in the last 24 hours. Oh yeah, they want to know who is emplacing them too.
SO, your job would be to find that out. You will use SIPR resources you have learned about. You will also consult with the other INTs (HUMINT, IMINT, SIGINT etc). Basically, you will expend every resource you have to find the answer to questions. But once you do it enough, you will know the shortest route to get there! Sorry I can't be more helpful, but it's so hard to explain it without violating OpSec!
Thanks again for the info. I am still waiting for my clearance to go through. Somehow they are making this more complicated than it is. Looking forward to joining the HUMINT side of the house. I've had enough of medical. :-)
Originally posted by 68X Lumpy: Thanks again for the info. I am still waiting for my clearance to go through. Somehow they are making this more complicated than it is. Looking forward to joining the HUMINT side of the house. I've had enough of medical. :-)
Wow... the job really seems interesting. I guess I had imagined a desk job or FOB job when being deployed to Iraq. Being in a combat MOS now, it seems I may experience being outside of the wire a lot which I am used to... so maybe I'll get my bit of excitement I believe I will miss about conducting raids and such.
Also I'm used to doing the "dumb stuff" the Army has to offer so that wont be a suprise to me. As a combat soldier, in garrison we are constantly doing post beautification details that keep us on the busy work. I really appreciate all the help everyone.
I have since learned that I will be stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany. After some research I know that 2nd BGDE there has an MI company so I really do not know where I will be placed. They are deployed right now and are set to be back in October. If any of you are there maybe we can talk in PM's and you can give me the inside scoop.
Posts: 6 | Location: Johnson City, TN | Registered: 13 July 2007
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