Marine Corps wants troops to switch their MOS to counterintelligence, human intelligence
The Marine Corps is soliciting service members to apply to switch roles and become counterintelligence and human intelligence specialists.
The call for applications from troops to change their primary military occupational specialty came in a MARADMIN message that was signed out Thursday and approved for release by Lt. Gen. Melvin “Jerry” Carter, deputy commandant for information.
“Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA) has identified the PMOS 0211 as a critical specialty, and the demand for qualified Marines to lateral move into this MOS will remain high for the foreseeable future,” officials wrote.
Personnel in this field work in garrison and in deployed environments and are tasked with identifying threats from foreign intelligence organizations or individuals involved in terrorism, espionage, sabotage, or “subversion.” Their activities include things like interrogation, debriefing, screening and liaison, according to the Corps.
In addition to gaining technical expertise, Marines in this MOS are expected to be smooth in their interactions with other people.
“While technical and operational skills are acquired through training, certain innate qualities are essential. CI/HUMINT Marines must have excellent communication skills, enabling them to interact with a wide range of people in any situation. Intellect, flexibility, emotional maturity, creativity, and diverse cultural experiences are invaluable. Success as an 0211 relies heavily on interpersonal skills, strong character, ethics, morality, and maturity. Therefore, Marines applying for a lateral move must have already proven themselves as high-quality Marines,” officials wrote in the solicitation.
The message noted that these experts might be called on to deploy with Marine Air-Ground Task Force units, other military services or interagency partners as part of their mission to protect personnel, property and national security information.
Examples of billets include assignment to Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, the Defense Intelligence Agency, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), combatant commands or other “unique” organizations, officials noted.
In addition to taking a variety of intelligence courses, personnel in this MOS may also participate in survival and airborne training, advanced driving and shooting courses so they’re better prepared to operate in harm’s way.
Marines in the active and reserve components are eligible to apply to move into the counterintelligence and human intelligence roles, according to the MARADMIN message.
As an inducement for troops to make the switch, the Corps is highlighting potential bonuses.
“Marines approved for lateral move into the 0211 MOS may rate a substantial selective retention bonus (SRB). For example, a qualified Active Component Sergeant who lateral moves into the 0211 MOS and agrees to serve 72-months will qualify for both a $65,000 MOS-specific bonus and the $40,000 kicker for a total of $105,000. Upon successful completion of MOS training and subsequent award of 0211 PMOS, bonus payment will be paid based upon the SRB amount authorized at the time of reenlistment,” officials wrote.
