MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- A team of Counter Intelligence and Human Intelligence recruiters visited Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Aug. 24. The 0211 were from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.
“Counter intelligence is protecting
against terrorism, espionage, and
sabotage,” said one of the recruiters.
“Human intelligence is the collection
of intelligence from a human being. Other services generally separate the two, but with the Marine Corps, you are specialized in both.”
According to the recruiters, CI/HUMINT Marines can do multiple
jobs depending on their billets. They
could deploy ahead of Marine Expeditionary
Units to gather intelligence.
They could be on recruiting duties.
They could conduct interrogations. One of the requirements for applicants is willingness to deploy often.
“Our one goal we have in mind is to
protect other Marines,” said the recruiter. “That’s what we
want to do; save lives and
protect Marines.”
Many Marines join CI/HUMINT to both extend their horizons and to contribute in a more direct way to the mission of the
Marine Corps.
“Most Marines who
join feel like they are not providing that direct support to the mission,” said another recruiter. “They aren’t getting the satisfaction of what they really joined to do, to benefit the whole Marine Corps. By collecting information
to protect Marines around
you, getting to see your
information that you collected
used and influencing a community, that’s
where you get the satisfaction.”
“Intelligence drives
ops,” said the recruiter.
“An infantry commander
is not going to send his
Marines into a warzone
without knowing the
risks. An F-18 pilot is
not going to fly without
knowing if there is surface
to air missiles. An
osprey is not going to land
without knowing what
the landing zone looks
like. We are the people
on the ground, physically
looking at these areas before
another Marine goes
in. We are on the front
line, ahead of time, prepping
the battle field.”
Any Marine who meets
the following criteria can
join:
- GT score of 110 or higher
- Male or Female Cpl. to Sgt.
- 21 years of age
- U.S. citizenship
- Eligible for Top Secret Clearance
- Willing to deploy often
- 60 month reenlistment
- Minimal derogatory history
“You go to the Marine
Air Ground Task Force
Counter Intelligence/Human
Intelligence course.
From there you learn how
to be a counter intelligence
agent and conduct
counter intelligence activities
and human intelligence
activities. You also
learn surveillance, counter
surveillance, interrogations,
debriefing , reporting
and general military
intelligence training.”
This schooling gives
you national accreditation
at the advanced level.
The training takes approximately
five months.
Beyond military service
there are many opportunities
to put these skills
to use. There is always a
need to assess vulnerabilities
and risks to any company
or operation.
“Anyone can apply, the
easiest way is to talk to
their career planner. Also
they can go to our website
at 2dintelcirecruiting@usmc.mil to get started
with the application.”
The 0211 CI/HUMINT
military occupational specialty
is a lateral movement
only.