New Intel O-1: Carrier "ships company" VS. "squadron"

[jdwilson112]

Come on they need intel underwater too well I figured I'd just ask. But seriously though if I do get attached to a combat unit I will get some form of training in order to better understand my unit right? I'm one of those guys who's very active and hands on. I figure if im giving a briefing then I'd better have some first hand experience on some aspect of the material.

 

[jdwilson112]

He wants to get his underwater intel qual. Me thinks someone has been watching too many movies. You do know that Harmon Rabb was a fictional character right?

So wait a second you mean to say that not all battleships come equipped with a Steven Seagal in the galley?? That's disappointing, I would've really liked to try his stew!

 

[Brett327]

Come on they need intel underwater too well I figured I'd just ask. But seriously though if I do get attached to a combat unit I will get some form of training in order to better understand my unit right? I'm one of those guys who's very active and hands on. I figure if im giving a briefing then I'd better have some first hand experience on some aspect of the material.

Reality check for you here, my friend. Chances are that you'll either go to a squadron or a ship for your first tour. The only training you're going to get is going to be at your basic Intel Officer course. There's no combat training. You are going to be briefing people based on the materials and research of other more senior and experienced intel professionals. You will, by and large, get this from the SIPRnet (classified web), and then using that info to make Powerpoint briefs. There's no trigger-pulling, there's no crawling around in the mud, and there's certainly no combat dive school.

There are lots of good threads filled with info about what an Intel officer actually does. I recommend you read some of them so your expectations are in line with reality.

Brett

 

[wlawr005]

Come on they need intel underwater too well I figured I'd just ask. But seriously though if I do get attached to a combat unit I will get some form of training in order to better understand my unit right? I'm one of those guys who's very active and hands on. I figure if im giving a briefing then I'd better have some first hand experience on some aspect of the material.

Even if you are one of the exceptions that gets tasked with supporting a combat unit/SOF team, you don't actually expect that YOU will be going over the wire every night do you? You'll stay home, at the FOB, and verify stuff...like how hot the coffee is and whether or not the trash is out

 

[Brett327]

Even if you are one of the exceptions that gets tasked with supporting a combat unit/SOF team, you don't actually expect that YOU will be going over the wire every night do you? You'll stay home, at the FOB, and verify stuff...like how hot the coffee is and whether or not the trash is out

Or whether the trash contains any sensitive religious materials.

Brett

 

[webmaster]

Do Intel Officers ever get flight time? If so, how?

In the P3 community, we have had a couple Intel Officer's qualify as observers over the years. More a scheduling and motivation/desire to fly while not impacting your main job.

 

[jdwilson112]

Hmm ok, we'll you can't blame me for dreaming but regardless this is the route I want to go and im still really looking forward to getting the opportunity to serve as an officer in the Navy, even if I will be analyzing the temoerature of the coffee during my first tour, I know it gets much better once I've put in my time.

 

[mitrokhin]

I was reading through this and other threads to get a realistic perspective on what it's like as a green Ensign spy, and I think I get the gist of it.

Is there anything in particular you wish your Intel person did better to support your squadron?

 

[azguy]

I was reading through this and other threads to get a realistic perspective on what it's like as a green Ensign spy, and I think I get the gist of it.

Is there anything in particular you wish your Intel person did better to support your squadron?

From the SWO perspective, the successful N2/SIO isn't afraid to get knee deep in ship's operations - as opposed to being locked in their room or SSES 24/7 because that's "not your bag." If the rest of the Wardroom and crew see that you're involved and give a shit, it lends more credibility to what you brief. It also has the added benefit that you might learn something about the ship and how 'the SWOs' do business, which will make you a better ship's spook -- and will give you a better perspective of the fleet when you're sitting on a watchfloor in your next tour.

 

[robav8r]

Is there anything in particular you wish your Intel person did better to support your squadron?

From the SWO perspective, . . . . .

Squadron does not equal ship wrt to what the AIO does - apples and oranges.

 

[azguy]

Squadron does not equal ship wrt to what the AIO does - apples and oranges.

Agreed -- just my $.02 in the event mitrokhin or another 1830 JO reading this thread gets sent haze grey!

 

[LET73]

Agreed -- just my $.02 in the event mitrokhin or another 1830 JO reading this thread gets sent haze grey!

Not to mention "know what the operators actually do as opposed to what your instructors at NMITC tell you the operators do" is generally good advice. I wasn't a squadron AI, though, so can't speak to the specifics of that job.

 

[Spekkio]

Is there anything in particular you wish your Intel person did better to support your ship?

Learn to read charts, be cognizant of where the ship is authorized to operate, and don't recommend the ship positions itself in a spot where it will potentially run aground (such as, on an island) or enter territorial waters in your briefs to the CO. That will probably get you far in the credibility department.

 

[mitrokhin]

Thank you for the advice so far. I'll discern between what I am told I will be doing and what will be required of me by those who will count on me. If I'm ever out on the fleet some day, I'll try to learn as much about the ship as possible without stepping on anybody's toes or pissing them off. If any of you think of anything else to recommend to me, then I'm all ears.

 

[Renegade One]

Squadron does not equal ship wrt to what the AIO does - apples and oranges.

Either I was uncommonly fortunate (not likely…) or the squadron/CVW environment just brings out the best in first tour AIOs. If they show up "school-trained", enthusiastic about being in the Ready Room, are willing to learn, have a sense of humor and a "fleet average" thick skin, they all seemed to fit in and became a singularly valuable part of "the team". They are "professionally mentored" by the entire CVIC/CVW Intel team, and quickly learn what's important at the time, what is "good to know" for background, and are conversant/understanding of the ROE, and know how to make the sometimes-BS "rote memorization" fun and enjoyable. Those who truly excelled spent a lot of time in the RR during briefs, debriefs and general social stuff (movies, etc.) to truly understand the pulse of the cockpit types. They were sponges…and when they got up to talk, we paid attention.