Naval Intelligence

[scutrules]

I am really interested in Naval Intelligence, and that is where I want to spend my military career. I recently talked to a Reserve Commander in the Navy and he said that it is possible to do intelligence through NROTC, I just have to take a slightly different path... Does anyone know what that "path" is, or at least what I can do to increase my chances of being involved in intelligence both in NROTC and later on in my career?

 

[dunninla]

We asked the same question. I have arrived at two slightly different answers:

1) from speaking with two NROTC Unit XOs, the Intelligence path is not possible directly out of NROTC, but is doable after 2-3 years as Surface Warfare Officer via normal career progression application/petition.

2) From the NSTC Bulletin 1500 dated 17Aug10, page 5 Chart, http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/nstc...es/NSTCNOTE 1500- FY11 Officer Accessions.pdf there are exactly 2 unrestriced line SWO-Intelligence (Designation 1160i) slots reserved for NROTC-commissioned officers. There is also a target of 3 Restricted Line (Designation 1630) Intelligence Billets for NROTC (non-STA-21) commissionees. This, along with other Restricted Line billets, *appears* (somebody please correct) to be a petitionable fallback position for NROTC officers in training who ultimately fail the physical fitness (or medical) standards prior to commissioning into Unrestriced Line.

The "other path" the CMDR might have been referring to is the CyberWarfare program (Designation 1970/1990). Officer candidates in this program appear to be recruited through some sort of Hacking competitions. Here is a 03Mar10 link describing it. It is a very small program. http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/nstc...es/NSTCNOTE 1500- FY11 Officer Accessions.pdf Sometime between this 03Mar10 announcement and the 17Aug10 Bulletin, the number of Cyber Warfare scholarships was increased from 5 to 15, so somebody with budget approval is apparently excited about the program.

 

[gojack]

2 Apr 10
NSTC INSTRUCTION 1533.7
From: Commander, Naval Service Training Command
Subj: CYBER OPTION SCHOLARSHIP RESERVATIONS Link

 

[scutrules]

I read online that NROTC (as well as USNA) graduates are generally required to become Unrestricted Line Officers (ie Surface, Sub, Aviation, Special Ops, or SEALS). Navy OCS grads have the option to become Unrestricted or Restricted Officers (ie Naval Intelligence and Information Warfare).

How can I become one of the few exceptions at NROTC (whether I get the scholarship or not, I want to do NROTC so I want to try to get the Intelligence ball rolling ASAP) that gets to do Naval Intelligence? I plan on having a career in the Navy so I don't mind spending a few years as a SWO first, but I want a "guarantee" that it can happen and I don't want to wait until my third year as a SWO before even getting the option to apply. I will, however, if that is my best bet at Intelligence.

Thanks