MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- The Marine Corps is currently seeking out intelligent, motivated, and ambitious first-term corporals and sergeants for lateral moves into the 0211 field, counterintelligence/human intelligence (CI/HUMINT) specialist military occupational specialty.
“We are currently looking for motivated Marines that have initiative, can think on their feet and work with limited supervision on their own,” said Staff Sgt. Caleb D. King, CI/HUMINT specialist.
CI/HUMINT specialist is a new MOS in the intelligence field which combines counterintelligence specialist and interrogator-translator.
The two fields were first combined in 1998 and the resulting 0211 MOS has been in high demand ever since.
“To fill our numbers has always been a challenge for us,” said King. “We’re in real high demand [in Iraq] and everywhere else.”
There are two primary missions that CI/HUMINT Marines conduct for the Marine Corps.
“First, we are responsible for detecting, locating and neutralizing threats to coalition forces from terrorism, espionage, sabotage, and subversion (TESS),” said Staff Sgt. Lucas A. Helms, CI/HUMINT specialist. “Second, every CI/HUMINT Marine is responsible for collecting information from human sources in order to provide timely information regarding the battle space to their supported command.”
According to the 1st CI/HUMINT Company, 1st Intelligence Battalion Web site, CI/HUMINT Marines accomplish this mission by collecting tactical information, analyzing intelligence, translating documents, conducting interrogations and strategic briefings, as well as producing finished intelligence products on TESS.
To earn the title of CI/HUMINT Marine applicants must first attend the Marine Air Ground Task Force Counter- intelligence Specialist Course, Navy Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center in Dam Neck, Va.
King said the 90-day course is broken down into several phases of formal training in such subjects as basic intelligence, surveillance, report writing, briefing and tactical communications.
“The first several weeks will focus on how the intelligence community functions, and how Marine Corps CI/HUMINT fits into the big picture,” said Helms. “The following weeks will focus on developing the skills necessary to be successful in the CI/HUMINT field.”
King also said the course’s practical applications and continuous evaluations will allow CI/HUMINT candidates to develop the confidence and knowledge necessary to conduct CI/HUMINT operations.
“The school culminates with a lengthy final exercise, which will test the Marines on all aspects of the course’s curriculum,” said Helms.
King said in addition to basic training, CI/HUMINT Marines can expect to take part in additional specialized training.
Examples of additional training include foreign language training at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center, United States Army Garrison, Presidio of Monterey, Calif., U.S. Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Ga., and Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape training at either Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine., or at Navy Remote Training Site, Warner Springs, Calif.
“A Marine assigned to support an infantry battalion will probably spend more time in courses designed to further develop their tactical skills, for example shooting packages, tactical driving courses, etc.,” said Helms.
Helms also said Marines not looking forward to deployments should not consider the CI/HUMINT MOS.
“Currently, CI/HUMINT Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton with 1st CI/HUMINT Company spend approximately eight to nine months out of the year either deployed, or in a [temporarily assigned duty] status,” said Helms.
Despite what many Marines may think, lateral moves into the CI/HUMINT MOS are not intended for grunts only.
“We want Marines with combat deployments, but we have Marines from every MOS,” said King.
While Marines for all MOS fields are encouraged to apply, applicants should be proficient in infantry knowledge.
“If not already tactically proficient in combat arms-related skills, applicants are expected to learn basic squad tactics as they will be required to operate proficiently while integrated with the infantry as a member of a HUMINT Exploitation Team (HET),” said Helms.
There are no formal physical criteria for CI/HUMINT applicants. However, candidates are expected to be in excellent physical condition.
“Marines should run at minimum a 1st class [physical fitness test],” said Helms. “When attached to an infantry unit, CI/HUMINT Marines will be expected to carry their own load, and keep up with the rest of the unit throughout their operations.”
Those Marines considering a lateral moving in the CI/HUMINT MOS can look forward to an exciting new career in the Marine Corps, and becoming more marketable to civilian employers.
“CI/HUMINT Marines become extremely proficient in interviewing, report writing, briefing, and develop confident, outgoing personalities,” said Helms.
In addition to learning job skills, CI/HUMINT Marines work with intelligence assets from many different government agencies as well civilian contractors.
“Either way you want to go, it’s a good career path,” said King.
Marines interested in lat moving to the CI/HUMINT MOS should contact 1st Intelligence Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Bldg. 1441 at (760) 725-6227 / 6872 / 6278.
After a mandatory phone interview, possible applicants will have their information passed onto the Combat Center’s CI/HUMINT recruiter.
Once contacted by the CI/HUMINT recruiter Marines can fill out all remaining paper work at the Combat Center, and will only travel to Camp Pendleton for the necessary boards.
For more information about the CI/HUMINT field visit http://www.i-mef .usmc.mil/mhg/intelbn/ci.asp
To become a CI/HUMINT Marine, you must meet the following criteria:
Be a Cpl. or Sgt. (Lance Cpls. And Staff Sgts. on a case-by-case basis).Possess a GCT of 110 or aboveBe a U.S. citizenHave a good performance recordBe eligible for a Top Secret/SCI clearanceBe willing to take the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (BLAB) and Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) if you already have foreign language skill Must re-enlist or extend to have three years obligated service upon completion of the 14 week MAGTF CI/HUMINT Basic CourseBe male and at least 21 years old upon attendance at the CI/HUMINT Basic Course
Additionally, each applicant must undergo a screening board composed of active duty CI/HUMINT Marines. The purpose of the board is to evaluate the applicants suitability for the 0211 MOS (the board is require by MCO 3850.1H). Upon recommendation by the screening board, further coordination for re-enlistment and lateral move is conducted with the applicant’s career retention specia