Intelligence Careers

Military intelligence is necessary to plan for our national defense. Knowledge of the number, location and tactics of enemy forces and potential battle areas is needed to develop military plans. Enlisted intelligence personnel use aerial photographs, electronic monitoring using radar and sensitive radios, and human observation to gather information. Their findings are used to design defense plans and tactics.

Possible Responsibilities

• Study aerial photographs of foreign ships, bases and missile sites
• Study foreign troop movements
• Operate sensitive radios to intercept foreign military communications
• Study land and sea areas that could become battlegrounds in time of war
• Store and retrieve intelligence data using computers
• Study foreign military codes
• Prepare intelligence reports, maps and charts
• Collect human intelligence (HUMINT) through interviews and interrogation
• Translate foreign languages

Helpful Attributes

Useful fields of study include algebra, geometry, trigonometry, geography and foreign languages. Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to organize information
• Ability to think and write clearly
• Interest in gathering information and studying its meaning
• Interest in reading maps and charts

Training Provided

Job training consists of classroom instruction. Sample courses include:

• Planning Aerial and Satellite Observations
• Preparing Intelligence Reports, Maps and Charts
• Analyzing Aerial Photographs
• Using Computer Systems