Hey guys, before I jump full board on this train, I was woundering what were some post college career options from uscga. I’m also interested in USAFa and have found an interest in intell for that branch. So I guess I’m just wondering
1. what jobs are available out of college (career paths)
2. Is there intelligence in USCG and if there is what is that like and what do you do?
thanks in advance
There are a ton of threads on this topic and many more individual posts covering this topic in other unrelated threads. Try searching the forums and you’ll find some good information.
Unless I have it wrong, CG Intelligence was "morphed" into what is now the CG Investigative Service sometime in the early 2000's. I am showing my age, but back in my time CGI was the Investigative branch of the CG. But there were NO positions for officers other than Commissioned Warrant Officers, the majority of the billets were filled by GS-1811 Criminal Investigators, not military types.
Someone with more up to date information please help if I have this wrong, but my understanding is the closest thing to "Intelligence" in the CG for AD members is the Cyber Major or Cyber School for enlisted. I do think that there is a CG Liaison at some of the major DOD Commands (Centcom, Southcom, Etc) but I do not know how they are selected or what rank they hold.
This is incorrect information. If I remember correctly, CGIS is now it’s own independent entity that reports directly to the Vice Commandant as opposed to falling under one of the CGHQ components. You are correct in that there are very few officer positions for CGIS. At one point, that changed and there were a decent amount of billets but the organization is reverting back to its original state. More information on CGIS on their CG page if you just Google “CGIS.”
The Coast Guard Intelligence (CGI) is alive and well, comprised of active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel, including officers. There are three different levels of intelligence: strategic, operational, and tactical and the construct of CGI follows that. The strategic level, such as long-term assessment and analysis, is conducted at the HQ level at the CG Intelligence Coordination Center. The HQ level also includes the CG Cryptologic Service and Counterintelligence service.
At the operational level, you have two Maritime Intelligence Fusion Centers that support Atlantic Area and Pacific Area. Then, at the tactical level, you have district and sector intelligence units - although district units straddle the the line between operational and tactical. For specific functions on all of these, you can just Google “Coast Guard intelligence” and the first result gives you a ton of information.
CG Intel officers operate at every level of the intelligence enterprise. You can enter the Intel specialty as early as your second tour if you graduate from USCGA. Mission sets differ from entity to entity but your general job is to provide intelligence support to CG operators. As Impulsive alluded to, there are opportunities to work at joint duty assignments or liaison offices at DOD and civilian intelligence entities. These are great opportunities to network and building whole of government relationships to support CG missions. Along the way, Intel officers are expected to earn their officer specialty code and various Intel competencies. One opportunity is to attend the CG-funded Intel grad school program at the National Intelligence University (NIU). There are also command opportunities at the various Intel units between O4 and O6.
CG Intel has undergone a significant growth period in the last few years, and the CG has really acquired an understanding of the value intelligence brings to the service. It used to be difficult for an officer to promote if they were solely focused on Intel in their career. Now, officers are beginning to make admiral and it is more and more common to see Intel officers at the O6 level.
I’ll just add that the CG does not have a cyber enlisted rating (yet) and that the CG Cyber program is its own independent program that operates independently of CGI. However, there is crossover between the two and you can easily go into cyber from Intel if you choose.
