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hey Nauticus
ive read books on a variety of topics that deal with intelligence gathering
the topics range from the USA's keyhole satellite program(Deep Black by William Burrows, and America's Secret Eyes in Space by Jeffrey Richelson) to terrorism (Al- Qaeda by Jason Burke) as well as cyberwarfare (Cyberwar by Richard Clarke)
I just started reading Silent Warfare by Abram Shulsky and Gary Schmitt
by no means am i trying to say i am an 'expert' or well read within the topics, it is just something that fascinates me greatly and i would love to be involved in
ive read books on a variety of topics that deal with intelligence gathering
the topics range from the USA's keyhole satellite program(Deep Black by William Burrows, and America's Secret Eyes in Space by Jeffrey Richelson) to terrorism (Al- Qaeda by Jason Burke) as well as cyberwarfare (Cyberwar by Richard Clarke)
I just started reading Silent Warfare by Abram Shulsky and Gary Schmitt
by no means am i trying to say i am an 'expert' or well read within the topics, it is just something that fascinates me greatly and i would love to be involved in
medicineman
Army.ca Legend
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A suggestion - Int O's give a lot of briefings, often with Power Point, as well as presenting written briefs and reports. Therefore, they have to be able to present things with good grammar, spelling and punctuation. Want to make yourself more credible? Start doing it here and get in the habit, lest you have those briefings and reports fired back at you. It'll likely help you in university as well.
MM
MM
;D
- Reaction score
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m.k said:
From what I have been informed, it is possible - but highly unlikely (read, you'd usually expect to see a qualified applicant speaking numerous languages, top notch marks, a masters degree, etc). I actually started off applying as an INT O, and was informed of this during my process. Not to say that I wouldn't have been a good INT O, but the more likely route is through transfer later on. They tend to take so few from direct entry as to make it very unlikely.
Again, this is what I have been told from recruiters. It is also not currently open (as in, at all - no spots whatsoever)
Thank you for all your help!
I now have a clearer interpretation of the applicant process in becoming an intelligence officer and my current situation. As a proud Canadian planning on joining the reserves I will give you all my word that I will work my hardest to better Canada as a country. My word may not be much, but I am planning on demonstrating it at every level and situation. Lastly, more than ever now am I determined in becoming an intelligence officer knowing it is a matter of my will and determination in overcoming an obstacle.
Once again thank you all for your help and hopefully one day I will be in your shoes helping someone out.
PS. If I could I would take you all out for beers.
I now have a clearer interpretation of the applicant process in becoming an intelligence officer and my current situation. As a proud Canadian planning on joining the reserves I will give you all my word that I will work my hardest to better Canada as a country. My word may not be much, but I am planning on demonstrating it at every level and situation. Lastly, more than ever now am I determined in becoming an intelligence officer knowing it is a matter of my will and determination in overcoming an obstacle.
Once again thank you all for your help and hopefully one day I will be in your shoes helping someone out.
PS. If I could I would take you all out for beers.
- Reaction score
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- Points
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Ayrsayle said:
Take it with a grain of salt. Of all the persons who pass the tests for getting into the Int trade (officer and NCO) only a very small percentage are a template for a Tom Clancy character like you described above...
- Reaction score
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Greymatters said:
Fair enough and a very good point - I assume the process (and requirements) to get into INT as an Officer or NCM is entirely varied depending on entry plan. I know of a few ROTP candidates who do not seem to meet those requirements (grins). In contrast then all I can accurately portray is my own experience - I applied and did well on my Cfat as an applicant for INT O (at least, I was told I qualified for it up to that point), graduated with honors with a degree in History (one of the "suggested" degrees). I did not have a second language nor a masters degree.
I assume that previous experience in a similar field might also weigh in favourably - again, outside of my experience. Either way, the Trade was not open while I was applying for it - which made any of my attempts to get in rather moot. Perhaps it is not always so - I did not sit on the list waiting to find out, as being an Infantry Officer appealed to me equally. Always a (potential) option later, if the Infantry isn't everything I hope it will be.
- Reaction score
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Hi,
I'm seriously considering joining as an intelligence specialist. It's currently closed, but according to my recruiter, it's highly likely that there's going to be a couple positions openings in late February/early March. I did my homework (read the forces.gc.ca description, spoke with the recruiter, etc) and all that basic information and that's appealing to me.
That being said, even though the recruiter told me that direct entry is possible, reading posts on this very forum are making me believe that it's not as easy as he made it sound like.
I'm 19, have completed 2 years (out of 4) in mechanical engineering (DEC, in Quebec... not university) but pretty much lost all motivation as I've been idealizing it since I was 10, and being actually in the program made me realize that it wasn't really the kid's dream I had.
Considering that even if in theory (based on the recruiting website), there's no specific requirements for INT besides speaking english, I understand I probably won't get in with what I currently have so my intention is joining in "Social Studies, Global Issues" (Sciences humaines, Enjeux internationaux being the original program name) for next semester.
Thoughts? Tips for the INT field?
(Meanwhile, I'm reading other threads about this carrier field)
I'm seriously considering joining as an intelligence specialist. It's currently closed, but according to my recruiter, it's highly likely that there's going to be a couple positions openings in late February/early March. I did my homework (read the forces.gc.ca description, spoke with the recruiter, etc) and all that basic information and that's appealing to me.
That being said, even though the recruiter told me that direct entry is possible, reading posts on this very forum are making me believe that it's not as easy as he made it sound like.
I'm 19, have completed 2 years (out of 4) in mechanical engineering (DEC, in Quebec... not university) but pretty much lost all motivation as I've been idealizing it since I was 10, and being actually in the program made me realize that it wasn't really the kid's dream I had.
Considering that even if in theory (based on the recruiting website), there's no specific requirements for INT besides speaking english, I understand I probably won't get in with what I currently have so my intention is joining in "Social Studies, Global Issues" (Sciences humaines, Enjeux internationaux being the original program name) for next semester.
Thoughts? Tips for the INT field?
(Meanwhile, I'm reading other threads about this carrier field)
Retired AF Guy
Army.ca Veteran
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Unless things have changed in the last few years you cannot join the Int Branch as a basic Pte. You have to join some other trade, spend a few years in that trade, be promoted to Cpl and then request transfer into the Int Branch. On the officer side, when I retired ('05) there was talk of officers coming in direct from RMC into the trade, not sure if it actually happened.
- Reaction score
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FLY3 - Loads of information here:
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/92756.0.html
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/43142.0.html
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/31120.0.html
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/12858.0.html
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/101102.0.html
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/19140.0.html
Loads of thoughts and tips here for your chosen "career" field.
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/92756.0.html
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/43142.0.html
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/31120.0.html
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/12858.0.html
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/101102.0.html
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/19140.0.html
Loads of thoughts and tips here for your chosen "career" field.
- Reaction score
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Given the number of enquiries regarding joining the Int Branch while in the recruiting process, I've pulled together related threads into one mega-thread to have all the info in as few threads as possible.
Milnet.ca Staff
Milnet.ca Staff
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Looks good, any new persons should be able to learn just about all they need to know in this thread...
Arctic Acorn
Full Member
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This is a bit of a bump, but just to get this out there to Reserve folks, if you really want to be successful as an Int Op/Int O in the CF, do yourself (and the Branch) a favour and get a few years in another trade first. The combat arms is preferable, but anything is better than nothing...just pick something and do it. Although the Reg Force has toyed with the idea of bringing folks from off the street as Int Ops (and Int Os, which I believe has been more of a long-standing practice, mainly through RMC), this has been more of a Reserve thing.
I'm saying this as someone who joined off the street into the Branch at a reserve training unit almost thirteen years ago, and spent most of that as an NCM before commissioning. After two deployments and more exercises supporting other units than I can count, I can honestly say that I regret not spending time in another trade first. I learned a lot of very hard lessons, and I fell flat on face a lot just not knowing the culture of the combat arms. You can learn it (and I had to), but being tossed into a Battle Group for a deployment when you don't understand the first thing about how an Infantry Battalion/Armoured Squadron, etc works helps no one, least of all yourself.
More than anything, this job is based around credibility. Having a previous background (obviously some trades have more direct utility than others for the Branch), can be tremendously useful. What you know, and how you present it, means everything. How you learned it, and having those creditentials (especially if you are in the combat arms first) will make your life a hell of a lot easier. Using a 'worst-case scenario', trying to build a rapport with a group of Type-A personalities with zero time for someone who doesn't have a clue of what they do and what their capabilities are does the Branch no favours.
To be blunt, if you 'really want to join the Branch', bring something to the table. It will make life easier for you, and allows you to better support those you're dedicating yourself to (from Pte Bloggings about to head outside the wire for a patrol to the commander and their staff).
Just my :2c:, but I earned both of those pennies the hard way.
I'm saying this as someone who joined off the street into the Branch at a reserve training unit almost thirteen years ago, and spent most of that as an NCM before commissioning. After two deployments and more exercises supporting other units than I can count, I can honestly say that I regret not spending time in another trade first. I learned a lot of very hard lessons, and I fell flat on face a lot just not knowing the culture of the combat arms. You can learn it (and I had to), but being tossed into a Battle Group for a deployment when you don't understand the first thing about how an Infantry Battalion/Armoured Squadron, etc works helps no one, least of all yourself.
More than anything, this job is based around credibility. Having a previous background (obviously some trades have more direct utility than others for the Branch), can be tremendously useful. What you know, and how you present it, means everything. How you learned it, and having those creditentials (especially if you are in the combat arms first) will make your life a hell of a lot easier. Using a 'worst-case scenario', trying to build a rapport with a group of Type-A personalities with zero time for someone who doesn't have a clue of what they do and what their capabilities are does the Branch no favours.
To be blunt, if you 'really want to join the Branch', bring something to the table. It will make life easier for you, and allows you to better support those you're dedicating yourself to (from Pte Bloggings about to head outside the wire for a patrol to the commander and their staff).
Just my :2c:, but I earned both of those pennies the hard way.
