This is simply not accurate. It's like saying Navy aerospace maintenance officers (restricted line) aren't as well respected as Navy pilots (unrestricted line). Try telling that to either of those communities. Having served in a squadron, I can tell you that Navy pilots and NFOs have the UTMOST respect for the folks responsible for the maintenance of their aircraft.
Intel is a Restricted Line community (as is aviation maintenance). Restricted line literally means you aren't qualified for command at sea; restricted line officers can and do command ashore. As a practical matter, it means you're a speciality officer. Other restricted line communities include cryptology, engineering duty officers, public affairs officers, etc. The USN also has staff corps officers, such as doctors, dentists, supply corps.
Each of these communities serves very valuable roles and the military couldn't function w/o them -- try going to war without supplies or medical support or an idea of the capabilities of the enemy you will be facing (which Intel provides). Line officers realize this just as restricted line/staff corps officers understand their role is to support the unrestricted line. It's a symbiotic relationship. To say one is not "well respected" is not only wrong, but does a huge disservice to the men and women in the restricted line and staff who are critical to mission success.
Hear, hear usna1985.
Inside the Navy-Marine family, the entire military family, there is a lot of joshing and nicknames for various services, communities, branches, roles. It does not equate to lack of respect in the Fleet or Corps. The Intel officers I know worked long hours, crazy shifts, in buildings with no windows, and could never talk about what they did, saw or heard. Their clearances were a real PITA to maintain. Their product informs and shapes strategic and tactical operations at every level.
Sure, I called them "Intel weenies" or "secret squirrels," along with the weather-guessers, pork chops, rotor heads, jet jocks, tooth fairies, legal beagles, bubbleheads, chapsters - we were/are all weenies of some kind or another.
I respect all the Services and communities/branches for the mutually supportive roles they play. There might be individuals I didn't/don't respect because of their performance or attitude, but not their community. The goal of unrestricted line warfare communities is command. Restricted line and staff communities also have the opportunity for command, in their own professional areas, but that is not the driver for those communities - the delivery of specialized top-quality expertise and professional advice is.
And, those Intel officers, when they choose to leave their service, have DOD contractors, HLS and other agencies beating down their doors with job offers. Those clearances are expensive, and their skills immensely valued in today's world. There are events called "cleared job fairs" just for those in the greater Intel/crypto/cyber community.
Just had to pile on. If comparing service Intel communities, look at missions, jobs, pipeline, culture. See what fits with in the Service that appeals most. If the opinion about lack of respect is formed on water cooler chitchat, hear any community-bashing for what it probably is - family fun - if it is used by those who know whereof they speak.