How hard is getting AD MI Officer?

Gabriel

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2016
Messages
36
Noncontracted MSI here. Currently floating around AD jobs and MI is really the most appealing to my interests at this time. How competitive is this branch, and what should I be shooting for GPA and PT wise to branch it?

Thanks
 
4.0 and 300+ PT score would be good. Your an MS1. Do the best you can, take advantage of summer training opportunities like CULP and Army internships and you will have more control of your fate. Sit back and just do the minimums and you might get your branch of choice.
 
4.0 and 300+ PT score would be good. Your an MS1. Do the best you can, take advantage of summer training opportunities like CULP and Army internships and you will have more control of your fate. Sit back and just do the minimums and you might get your branch of choice.

Short, Sweet, pithy.

@clarksonarmy , you really need to post more often.
 
Keep in mind also that most that branch MI are sent to Infantry first, from what I understand most do not go directly to MI to start with. So don't assume that you won't be around combat arms by branching MI.
 
4.0 and 300+ PT score would be good. Your an MS1. Do the best you can, take advantage of summer training opportunities like CULP and Army internships and you will have more control of your fate. Sit back and just do the minimums and you might get your branch of choice.

Thanks for the advice.

Being from the DC area, internships are quite plentiful. However, I haven't really heard much about Army internships. I have heard of CULP however. Could you perhaps slightly elaborate on Army internships since I'm not really aware of them?

Best
 
you could adso for it if you want

ADSO is what? I'm sorry.

Active Duty Service Obligation, essentially trading more years in the Army for a better shot at your branch choice.

Here is more about ADSO:
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/arotc-branch-of-choice-adso.35884/

Check our handy acronym list on the menu bar. It may be useful to you.

https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/the-acronym-list.11568/
 
Your Cadre are going to have to help you apply for the Army internships, and they change from year to year, so instead of me explaining the program I recommend you ask your Cadre about them. We are sending 8 Cadets this year. 6 will be working with the Corps of Engineers and one to MIT Lincoln labs. Last year 4 sent to National Ground Intelligence Center.
 
Hey again,

So i called my cadere, and was told over the phone that forbAD, a 3.2 gpa would suffice, and for MI, to shoot for a 3.4. However, word from fellow cadets is that MI is highly competitive, and may only have 40 slots for AD. Can anyone confirm?

Thanks
 
However, word from fellow cadets is that MI is highly competitive, and may only have 40 slots for AD. Can anyone confirm?

That information would be wrong., While MI can be competitive, the number of slots given out each year is significantly higher then 40. As others have said, many that branch MI are branch detailed into other branches such as Infantry and Armor where they will spend their first 3 years before heading to MI.

Also, remember even with the advise from the cadre, nothing is guaranteed when it comes to branching unless you are in the top 10% of the Active Duty OML.
 
Did you ask your cadre about ADSO?
I did. Was told it can help me get my branch if I tack on 3 extra years, but not whether or not I get AD. Either way, most said going guard or reserve for MI and then submitting a packet for AD was a far more likely scenario then just getting MI straightup.

Also, I forgot to ask. Say I adso'd but didnt get MI, but another branch instead. Does the ADSO still carry over to the new branch? Can ask again if nobody knows.
 
Last edited:
most said going guard or reserve for MI and then submitting a packet for AD was a far more likely scenario then just getting MI straightup.

Switching from Guard/Reserve to AD is not an easy thing to do and won't happen right away if it ever does. If you look at this option just be sure that you are prepared to spend your entire service obligation in the Guard/Reserves.

Also, I forgot to ask. Say I adso'd but didnt get MI, but another branch instead. Does the ADSO still carry over to the new branch? Can ask again if nobody knows.

The ADSO would only be used for the branches you requested it for, if you ADSO for MI but get AG you would not be charged the ADSO. Also, if you ADSO for MI but are able to get the branch before they start taking ADSO's then you would not be charged the ADSO.
 
Thanks again folks. As previously mentioned, my ideal goal would be Active Duty Military Intelligence. Since shooting for the top 10% may be ambitious, does anyone here feel it would be worth going NG or Reserves to raise the chances of getting MI? Ideally, I'd like to work full time for the army, but I'd also like to pursue the government sector/three letter agencies after I get out. Other then that, thanks tremendously for the tips and pointers so far. It helps a lot to have a forum like this that offers a sense of direction for curious cadets like myself.
 
As an MS-I, it may be premature to be so completely set on your branch and component.

In 2015, my DS went in "fangs dripping with blood" like so many others (infantry or bust).

Now as an MS-III, he has learned so much about himself as well as more about the active duty opportunities in the Army. He has completely reshuffled his priorities as a result of the last 2 and a half years of experience.

Be patient and learn from the journey.
 
@Gabriel ,

While on that journey take every opportunity to ask AD Junior officers in branches that may hold your interest; Just what the heck do they do all day? Where is their duty station? What duty stations are available to their branch? What is a good duty station? What isn't?

My DS chose his branch based on the Captains he met in various branches and what were the available duty stations. A major determining factor was what would be his ability to control his destiny and to manoeuvre himself within the system. And it is a system. His goals were to have job satisfaction during the mandatory years and to create the best possible chance of a long military career if he so chose or marketability if he chose to not to have military career. Also it may not be his choice.

Follow AROTC-dad's advice and Best of luck!
 
Back
Top