Intelligence Officers

Background

Information about the size, strength, location, and capabilities of enemy forces is essential to military operations and national defense. To gather information, the services rely on aerial photographs, human observation, and electronic monitoring using radar and super-sensitive radios. Intelligence officers gather technical intelligence needed for military planning.

What They Do

Intelligence officers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Brief commanders on intelligence findings
• Direct sea, ground, and aerial surveillance
• Direct the analysis of aerial photos and other intelligence data
• Gather and analyze technical intelligence
• Help plan military missions
• Oversee the writing of intelligence reports
• Prepare plans to intercept foreign communications transmissions

Physical Demands

Normal color vision is required to work with map overlays and color photos.

Special Requirements

A four-year college degree is normally required to enter this career.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to organize and manage activities
• Ability to work with abstract problems
• Interest in collecting and analyzing data
• Interest in solving problems

Helpful School Subjects

No information available.

Helpful Fields of Study

Helpful fields of study include:

• Computer science
• Cryptology
• Engineering
• Math

Work Environment

Intelligence officers work in offices on land and aboard ships. They may work in the field on maneuvers and military exercises.

Services offering this career:

• Air Force
• Army
• Coast Guard
• Marine Corps
• Navy

Hiring Practices

To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

This position is for officers.

Wages

The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.

Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay. 

Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.

There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.

Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.

Training Provided

Job training consists of 23 to 26 weeks of classroom instruction. 

Course content typically includes:

• Air, ground, and sea intelligence operations
• Photograph interpretation
• Reconnaissance equipment and weapons systems
• Use of surveillance equipment

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian intelligence officers generally work in federal agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). They perform duties similar to those performed by military intelligence officers.

Related Civilian Careers

• General and Operations Managers

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 10,000 intelligence officers. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new intelligence officers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, intelligence officers are assigned to intelligence units, military operations sections, or command posts. With experience, they may become commanders of intelligence units or directors of information gathering sections.