Loading AI tools
A U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, also known by its Military Occupational Specialty code 35L (formerly 97B - CI Agent), is a specialty in the United States Army. It is one of the U.S. Army's two "golden badge" agents (the other being CID Special Agents - see: United States Army Criminal Investigation Command for more information). CID Special Agents (31D) are specifically law enforcement, whilst Counterintelligence Special Agents (35L) investigate only national security crimes (espionage, treason, sedition, subversion, etc.). In other branches of the military, these two types of federal agencies are combined (NCIS for the Navy/Marine Corps, and OSI for the Air Force). However, given the large size of the U.S. Army—as well as—other logistical concerns, the Army opted to keep these two separate, even though joint CID/CI investigations do happen periodically. In addition, CI Special Agents often work closely with Human Intelligence Collectors (HUMINT, MOS 35M) to accomplish their missions. Field CI Agents are typically of the rank of E5/SGT, E6/SSG, E7/SFC, warrant officers, and civilian special agents (through the MICECP program).
This is not an entry level U.S. Army job. To apply for the program, you must receive a command level recommendation, be a minimum rank of an E4/Specialist promotable (will not be a fully credentialed agent until attaining the rank of E5/Sergeant), have a flawless background, and be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance with SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information). It also helps (but is not required) to have some related experience in either another military intelligence MOS, civilian intelligence, or law enforcement. Below are some more qualifications and other information about U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agents.
Department of the Army Pamphlet 611-21 requires that 97B/35L applicants must possess the following qualifications:
- A physical demands rating of medium.
- A physical profile (PULHES) of 222111 or better.
- Normal color vision.
- A minimum score of 105 in aptitude area ST in Armed Services Vocational aptitude Battery ASVAB tests administered prior to 2 January 2002. A minimum score of 102 in aptitude area ST on ASVAB tests administered on and after 2 January 2002 and prior to 1 July 2004. A minimum score of 101 in aptitude area ST on ASVAB tests administered on and after 1 July 2004.
- The soldier must meet TOP SECRET Security Clearance and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
- A high school graduate or equivalent.
- Possess good voice quality and be able to speak English without an objectionable accent or impediment.
- Never been a member of the U.S. Peace Corps, except as specified in Army Regulation 614-200, chapter 1.
- No information in military personnel, Provost Marshal, intelligence, or medical records which would prevent the granting of a security clearance under AR 380-67.
- No record of conviction by court-martial.
- No record of conviction by a civilian court for any offense other than minor traffic violations.
- Be interviewed per DA Pam 600-8, procedure 3-33, as applicable.
- Soldier and immediate family must be U.S. citizens.
- Soldier and spouse must not have immediate family members who reside in a country within whose boundaries physical or mental coercion is known to be common practice, either against-
- (a) Persons accused of or acting in the interest of the U.S. or
- (b) The relatives of such persons to whom they may reasonably be considered to be bound by ties of affection, kinship, or obligation. Near relatives will also include uncles, aunts, grandparents, father-in-law, mother-in-law, and relationships corresponding to any of the above persons in loco parentis (AR 630-5, para 6-2b).
- Have neither commercial nor vested interest in a country within whose boundaries physical or mental coercion is known to be a common practice against persons acting in the interest of the U.S. This requirement applies to the soldier’s spouse as well.
- A minimum age of 19 years, 6 months for award of MOS 97B/35L20 and a minimum age of 21 for accreditation as CI Special Agent.
- Meet selection criteria and classification and assignment restrictions contained in AR 601-210 and AR 614-200.
- Meet career management and development criteria contained in AR 614-200.
- Be advised that due to the nature of training and assignments, temporary restrictions may be placed on foreign travel both during and after the term of service.
The CI Agent is primarily responsible for supervising and conducting counterintelligence activities to detect, identify, assess, counter, exploit and/or neutralize adversarial, foreign intelligence and terrorist threats to U.S. national security. Some duties as a CI Agent may include:
- Assist investigations of national security crimes, such as treason, spying, espionage and subversion
- Conduct long term surveillance and intelligence gathering missions
- Process evidence
- Prepare and distribute CI reports to all relevant parties
- Conduct CI Force Protection Source Operations
- Perform CI support to anti-terrorism operations
- Conduct liaison operations
- Maintain CI files and databases
The advanced level CI Agent provides guidance, supervises and trains other soldiers within the same discipline. Advanced level CI Agents may also:
- Conduct liaison and operational coordination with foreign and U.S. law enforcement, security, and intelligence agencies
- Plan and conduct CI activities related to national security
- Apply fundamentals of military and civil law
- Detect, identify, counter, exploit and/or neutralize threats to Army and DoD missions, organizations and personnel
- Conduct CI collection activities and source operations to include overt collection, surveillance and non-technical operations
- Provide support for CI analytical products, to include preparing CI reports, estimates and vulnerability assessments
- CI Agents with additional technical training may conduct technical surveillance countermeasures, credibility assessment examinations, or exploit cyber threats
In addition, seasoned C.I. Agents are often assigned to U.S. Army Special Forces groups to assist with source operations and intelligence investigations that may be required. All Special Forces units have C.I. Agents attached to them for this purpose.
Skill Levels
- There is no basic entry level (e.g. 35L1O)
- 2 is a 35L with the rank of Sergeant (E-5)
- 3 is a 35L with the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6)
- 4 is a 35L with the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7)
- 5 is a 35L with the rank of Master Sergeant/First Sergeant or Sergeant Major/Command Sergeant Major (E-8 or E-9)
From 2006-2008, the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent Course (CISAC) at Fort Huachuca, Fort Devens, and Camp Williams underwent major restructuring, and now more closely resembles requirements/training of CID Agents. Some of the new training includes: more emphasis on national security criminal investigations, additional evidence collection/chain of custody procedures, advanced surveillance operations, and the integration of the source operations course.
Along with the above changes, on 1 October 2007, the 97B (CI Agent) designation was renamed to 35L (CI Special Agent) in order to group all Military Intelligence MOSs in the same 35 series. In addition, the rank requirements were changed to match that of other Special Agents throughout the military, and it is now required to be the rank of Sergeant/E5 to get credentialed as a Counterintelligence Special Agent (E4P in order to attend CISAC).
Since MOS 35L is not available for entry-level Soldiers, Basic Combat Training will have already been accomplished during enlistment into previous MOSs. Becoming a credentialed Counterintelligence Agent requires training via the Counterintelligence Special Agent Course (CISAC) at either: Camp Williams, Utah (accelerated course - 13 weeks); Fort Devens, Massachusetts (accelerated course - 13 weeks); or Fort Huachuca, Arizona (standard course - 19 weeks). Training includes both classroom and field time. Some of the skills taught include:
- Interviewing techniques
- Preparing maps and charts
- Evidence collection
- Surveillance
- Source operations
- Preparing counterintelligence reports
- Using computer systems
- Multi-discipline counterintelligence techniques
Additional training and on-the-job instruction, including practice in counterintelligence investigations, operations and analysis is also necessary.
On official missions within the United States, CI Agents usually dress in professional suits; either in business or business casual attire (depending on the location). Overseas, much of the work CI Agents do is often while undercover. Their assignments will dictate what clothing is appropriate, which can include civilian attire local to the area. CI Agents on mission may also be exempt from the grooming standards of AR 670-1 (such as growing beards), as the mission requires. Often when deployed to specific combat environments, it is appropriate for CI Agents to still wear the Army Combat Uniforms (mainly for security reasons); however, they will often replace the Velcro rank insignia with the subdued "U.S." insignia instead. Off mission active duty, and Reserve/National Guard CI Agents on weekend drill status still wear the appropriate Army uniform as their commander dictates (except for other training purposes). In addition, Reserve/National Guard CI Agents are not issued their badge & credentials (B&C) until on assignment, or activated for federal service (i.e. combat deployments). The reason for this is because there is no "reserve" B&C in counterintelligence. When activated, CI reserve agents are of the same military status as their active duty counterparts. Both reserve and active duty CI Agents can apply for a "retirement badge" or plaque through the CI Agent Trophy Program once honorably discharged or retired.
Although CI Agents have been known to be issued other weapons on special assignments, they are typically issued a standard M9 9mm pistol (Beretta 92FS civilian) or the M11 9mm pistol (Sig Sauer P228 civilian). For combat environments, agents are also issued the M4 carbine.
- GoArmy.com > Careers & Jobs > Counterintelligence Agent (35L)
- 97B at usmilitary.about.com
- MOS Change
- MOSs on the move
- MI Welcome Letter
- UTAH 640TH RTI
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
