Last Updated on November 16, 2023
This guide provides helpful information for those looking to join the Navy as an Intelligence Specialist (IS) during the Fiscal Year 2024.
As an Intelligence Specialist, you gather intelligence on various aspects, such as foreign cultures, enemy activities, and weather forecasts.
This information is then used to create comprehensive intelligence briefings for top Navy officials.
Your extensive knowledge of global culture and battlespaces is crucial for mission readiness.
Getting reliable intelligence is challenging, but as an IS, you play a vital role in ensuring our preparedness and potentially saving lives.
Job Description
Intelligence Specialists (IS) are Navy enlisted Sailors who play a crucial role in various aspects of intelligence operations, including planning, collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of information to support all warfare domains. These professionals create intelligence products, collaborate with different sources, and manage files, libraries, and databases.
Intelligence Specialists perform their duties on large ships, with aircraft squadrons, and at intelligence production centers in both the U.S. and overseas.
Their work primarily involves analysis to support the Navy’s intelligence mission.
These responsibilities are typically carried out in an office or watch setting, requiring close collaboration with colleagues, but also the ability to work independently.
Opportunities in the Intelligence Specialist rating are restricted to individuals who are highly motivated and qualified.
Currently, there are approximately 2,200 individuals assigned to the IS rating.
These Sailors typically collaborate with others, performing primarily analytical tasks.
However, they must possess the ability to work independently and support the Navy’s intelligence mission on land, undersea, and in the air.
Specific Responsibilities
In the operational decision-making process, Intelligence Specialists (IS) have a crucial role. When working with potentially classified material, your responsibilities may include:
- Examining intelligence data.
- Presenting briefings and reports.
- Creating graphics and overlays.
- Devising imagery data using maps and charts.
- Organizing photographic reconnaissance missions.
- Inputting and receiving data from computerized networks ashore and afloat.
- Utilizing intelligence databases, libraries, and files.
- Collecting data for pre-strike threat analysis and post-strike battle damage assessment.
Intelligence Specialists work under the guidance of Naval Intelligence Officers, who serve as supervisors of intelligence-related activities and typically hold a four-year degree.
Different Roles
All Source Intelligence Analyst-Cyber
Source Intelligence Analysts-Cyber analyzes threat information from various sources, disciplines, and government agencies.
They interpret and contextualize intelligence information, drawing insights on potential implications.
They also conduct all-sources Joint Intelligence Preparation at the Combatant Command level and Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace at the tactical and Fleet level commands.
Additionally, these professionals respond to Requests for Information (RFI) and submit intelligence collection and production requirements to national assets to support planning, operations, and joint targeting.
Geospatial Intelligence Analyst
Geospatial Intelligence Analysts perform the Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess, and identify physical features and geographically referenced activities on the Earth.
They detect and report on observed image activities that are of military, civilian, industrial, infrastructure, and environmental importance.
They Sailors use imagery interpretation and manipulation skills to identify adversary disposition and location, as well as observe adversary Order of Battle (OOB) including Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP).
They also identify the employment of Camouflage, Concealment, and Deception (CC&D) and the identification of emerging capabilities, as well as conduct research and development.
Geospatial Intelligence Analysts play a vital role in identifying and analyzing various elements, such as Lines of Communications (LOC), strategic industries, military and civilian infrastructure, Helicopter Landing Zones (HLZ), beach studies, and terrain classification.
Their work supports Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment (JIPOE) and contributes to the Common Operational Picture (COP).
Geospatial Intelligence Analysts provide precise locations, assess the significance of activities and events observed on imagery, and produce and disseminate imagery products to provide a context for warfighters and decision-makers.
Geospatial Intelligence Analysts use various forms of Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) to create customized GEOINT products.
They also contribute to Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) or Bomb Hit Assessment (BHA), Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO).
Operational Intelligence Analyst
Operational Intelligence analysts perform various tasks to produce intelligence to support operations.
These tasks include Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) of information.
They provide Indications and Warnings (I&W), conduct operation intelligence watch standing, and collect human information. Additionally, they conduct threat assessments and generate intelligence reports, briefs, assessments, and summaries.
They also perform Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment (JIPOE) and all-source fusion analysis, as well as predictive analysis.
Analysts review data for accuracy and reliability, use and protect C5ISR systems, and maintain an all-source intelligence plot.
These professionals also serve as Independent Duty Intelligence Specialists (IDIS) and conduct counterintelligence operations.
Strike Warfare Intelligence Analyst
Strike Warfare Intelligence Analysts perform Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) of all-source tactical intelligence and conducting tactical and operational-level research and analysis.
They help manage the Joint/Afloat targeting process and parsing the Air Tasking Order (ATO), Air Combat Operations (ACO), and Carrier Air Wing (CVW).
Additionally, these professionals plan flight schedules and Special Instructions (SPINS), while also conducting analysis of threat forces disposition, capabilities, tactics, and training to support strike mission planning.
Analysts support Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) and identify adversary critical nodes and centers of gravity for maximizing force employment.
They perform target development, dynamic and deliberate targeting, precise geopositioning and mensuration, and Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), Bomb Hit Assessment (BHA), Collateral Damage Estimates (CDRs).
Analysts also create precise navigational aids and products for Precision-Guided Munitions (PGMs).
These Sailors use various tactical databases/systems, tools, and applications for producing operational area representations, Target Folders, Kneeboard Products, and tactical intelligence reports and briefings.
Training and Promotion Opportunities
After completing initial training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (commonly known as Navy Boot Camp), individuals will be required to report for specialized training, which includes:
You can attend a 19-week Class “A” Technical School in Dam Neck, VA for intelligence administration training.
The training covers fundamentals, maps and charts, operational intelligence, briefing, and basic computer software operating skills.
After training, you may be assigned to various locations, such as large ships, aircraft squadrons, staff, intelligence facilities, and Joint Commands.
About 50% of your assignments as an IS will be at sea. Incentives and promotions are available based on performance but are competitive.
Advanced Training
Advanced training as an Intelligence Specialist (IS) may be available as you progress in your career.
Officer roles may be available for individuals who choose to pursue a college degree, providing chances to receive training and assume leadership responsibilities.
Class “C” Technical School, a 5 – 13 week course in Dam Neck, VA, offers further training in areas such as large ships, aircraft squadrons, staffs, intelligence facilities, and Joint Commands both in the United States and overseas.
Post-Service Opportunities
The training and experience gained during service can lead to valuable credentials and job opportunities in related fields in the civilian sector.
Qualifications to Join
A high school diploma is necessary for enlisting as a Navy Sailor. In order to be eligible for an Intelligence Specialist (IS) role, candidates and their family members must hold U.S. citizenship and fulfill the criteria for obtaining a security clearance of Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
In compliance, it is necessary to have vision that can be corrected to 20/20 and normal color perception.
Effective verbal and written communication abilities, along with proficient record-keeping skills, are crucial. Additionally, a solid aptitude for mathematics and the capability to excel in meticulous tasks are highly valued.
Additional helpful qualities encompass being resourceful, possessing curiosity, demonstrating an inclination towards ideas and information, and exhibiting the capacity to make analytical judgments.
The specific qualifications may vary depending on your current or past service in the military.
For qualifying Sailors wishing to request forced, lateral, or PACT conversion, please forward the following items in one .pdf to askmncc@navy.mil:
- PRIMS readout
- 1306 requesting forced, lateral or PACT conversion to IS
- Three record evaluations (If the Sailor hasn’t had three, forward evaluations they currently possess)
ASVAB Requirement
Applicants must score the minimum ASVAB score below to qualify to join the Navy as an Intelligence Specialist.
ASVAB for IS:
- VE + AR + MK + GS >= 215
Note: No ASVAB waivers are allowed for this rating.
The enlistment qualification requirements above are current as of Fiscal Year 2024, per the Navy Personnel Command. This information is not readily available to the public. So, contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter for the most current requirements to join the Navy as an enlisted Sailor.
More Information
If you wish to learn more about becoming an Intelligence Specialist (IS), contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with more detailed information you’re unlikely to find online.
You may also be interested in the following related Navy Enlisted jobs:
