What Military Jobs are in Counterintelligence?

Military jobs in counterintelligence usually begin with the analysis of foreign intelligence. Counterintelligence analysts process and interpret risk data and threat information from multiple sources and intelligence community partners. They provide diagnostic support and investigative reviews using sophisticated tools and analytical methodologies to contribute to military operations and activities. Here are three more potential military jobs in counterintelligence.

Counterintelligence Officer

These officers have distinct occupations that play unique roles in conventional domestic and unconventional overseas operations. Most of these officers begin their careers learning about spy tradecraft and clandestine operations through practical exercises, classroom training on-the-job training. Counterintelligence officers must successfully pass background checks, eligibility tests and multiple interviews before they start foundational training. Specialized training prepares them for handling remote risks, hazardous situations and threatening environments.

Once counterintelligence officers are established in their careers, they focus on operating programs, maintaining infrastructure, supervising staff, facilitating assignments and supporting missions. Military and government agencies expect job applicants to have experience in combat leadership positions, clandestine intelligence activities and military special operations. They may supervise staff who use classified databases, unclassified software and intelligence research tools to identify, assimilate and evaluate information to determine intent, functions, personalities, capabilities and interrelationships.

Mission Support Analyst

Mission support analysts provide strategic advice, analytic support and offensive counterintelligence data to superiors. They support ground operations, officer administration and staffing processes. They regularly interact with government agency officials to promote missions, maintain common grounds, re-evaluate agency directions and mange operational portfolios. They provide critical counterintelligence data to increase situational awareness of field staff and decision making capabilities of management.

Mission support analysts create analytic deliverables like database checks, thematic timelines, target trends, social network analysis, targeting packages, link analysis charts and foreign intelligence reviews. They may track foreign citizens, targets, extremists and government personnel for specific operations. Mission support analysts may assess broad trends across various activities, develop future operational leads and explore potential conflict venues. They may follow foreign military, science, political and technology developments to assess risk implications.

Investigation Officer

Investigation officers protect military missions, advance team objectives and conduct investigations of criminal, security and counterintelligence problems. They may be assigned to conduct internal investigations of specific military branches, such as the Army or the Marine Corp, or they may accomplish their duties by investigating joint military base activities. Investigation officers must have strong knowledge of special investigative policies and techniques regarding counterintelligence, criminal behaviors, internal fraud, security services and personnel background.

These military investigation officers must bear firearms, document activities, use surveillance equipment and interview persons of interest. They must maintain a valid state driver’s license because they must often travel between civilian, military and government locations. Investigation officers will need to have experience with conducting counterespionage investigations and providing analytic support to counterintelligence officers. Having experience with briefing senior military and civilian leaders will be helpful.

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The military jobs in counterintelligence are generally only open to U.S. citizens who can earn a bachelor’s degree, pass a background check and maintain active military status, according to Military.com.