Intel Careers are Available for Veteran’s

By Barbara Adams, CPRW, CEIP, CMRC, CFRW
www.militaryresumewriters.com and www.careerproplus.com

Individuals working in Intelligence Collection have very unique careers indeed. They work with intelligence analysts to determine the vital information needed to produce finished intelligence. There are six basic intelligence sources or collection disciplines:

1. Signals Intelligence, SIGINT
2. Imagery Intelligence, IMINT
3. Measurement and Signature Intelligence MASINT
4. Human Intelligence, HUMINT
5. Open Source Intelligence, OSINT
6. Geospatial Intelligence, GEOINT

Intelligence Collection personnel use technical and human resources to obtain vital information from secure communications sources, public sector data, interpersonal connections, and more.

The important aspects of intelligence gathering are diverse and may include international terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, missile and space developments, defense-related medical and health issues, counterintelligence, and international drug trafficking, to name a few. Agencies that employ intelligence workers include the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), Treasury Department, FBI, Naval Intelligence Command, U.S. Air Force (USAF), Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Health and Human Services (HHS), and more. There are currently over 1,200 intelligence job vacancies listed on the USAJobs Web site, and of these, nearly 200 are listed under intelligence collection. These positions pay between $33K and $122K, plus benefits.

A current opening for the DIA as a HUMINT Collection Intelligence Officer shows a salary range between $62K and $115K, and lists specific requirements:

"Assignments require knowledge of a full range of concepts, principles, and practices in human intelligence (HUMINT) national level collection in a tactical/operational environment in order to securely collect and report intelligence information and skill in applying this knowledge to difficult work assignments involving multiple categories and source functions. A thorough knowledge of and skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques for developing new or modified HUMINT collection work methods, approaches, or procedures; and to identify, evaluate, and recommend solutions to issues and/or problems resulting from managing multiple source functions and categories. Ability to employ source communication techniques (personal and impersonal communications techniques as well as sensitive communications) to establish and maintain contact with multiple categories and source functions in a discreet manner. Ability to use a full suite of operations and security procedures in multiple environments and settings."

As you can see, to effectively collect intelligence information you must be able to establish and build interpersonal relationships and employ strong analytical and evaluation techniques and skills. The arts of persuasion, negotiation, interviewing, and problem solving will serve you well, especially in HUMINT. The ability to work in ambiguous and unstructured situations is critical, and you must be a team player. Language proficiency in one or more foreign languages is desired, and a bachelor’s degree is often required. Individuals within this career field come from a variety of backgrounds, such as nuclear, biological, or chemical engineering, international economics, business, or the physical sciences. Prior foreign travel, residency abroad, or military experience is a plus.

Another intelligence category is Counterintelligence (CI), referring to information gathered and activities conducted to identify, deceive, exploit, disrupt, or protect against espionage and other intelligence activities, sabotage, assassinations conducted for or on the behalf of foreign powers, organizations, persons or their agents, or other international terrorist activities. Some position announcements may seek intelligence operations specialists who may be called to work in any of the intelligence categories.

U.S. citizenship is required for these government positions, and all applicants must successfully pass an extensive background investigation. Some positions may also require medical and psychological examinations and a polygraph interview. Find out more about job vacancies and requirements at The USA-Jobs Web site.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) Program

6/01/2010 - While those with careers in the military may not make use of the GI Bill Benefits, they can convert their years of service toward their spouse or children's education. Through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, men and women who provided active duty minimums on or after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks receive tuition and fees for degree and vocational programs as well as housing and book and supply allowances. And eligible bill beneficiaries who have served, or commit to serve, 10 years or more of active duty, can pass all or part of this assistance on to their dependents, according to information on the Department of Defense Web site.

Serving as a powerful tool for veterans seeking education, this program is known as the Transfer of Education Benefits program. Although the VA manages the program and its funds, it does not determine an individual's eligibility. Eligibility is essentially a personnel matter, so the VA relies upon the Department of Defense (DoD) to set the rules and requirements.

Those who served active duty for at least 36 months receive the highest in-state public rate and can supplement that when accepted at Yellow Ribbon institutions that charge more and work with Veterans Affairs to pay the difference, Veterans Affairs notes. Some active duty service members, officers, enlisted personnel and Selected Reserves can share these benefits, including the Yellow Ribbon option, through the Transfer of Entitlement.

The transfer program is open to those who provided at least six years of service on or after Aug. 1, 2009 and agree to put in another four years; those who have served 10 years by Aug. 1, 2009 and cannot, by law or regulation, commit to four more years but can provide additional service; and those eligible, but not approved, for retirement after Aug. 1, 2009 and by July 31, 2012 who provide one to three additional years of service, Department of Defense information shows. If you were eligible for retirement as of Aug. 1, 2009 or approved for retirement after Aug. 1, 2009 and before July 1, 2010, you can make use of the program without any additional commitment, according to Department of Defense information.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows for as many as 36 months of benefits that translate to four, nine-month academic years, the agency reports. And eligible servicemen and women can transfer whatever they don't use or plan to use after active service to a dependent spouse or child, an American Forces Press Service announcement suggests. Service members can also divide unused benefits among themselves and several dependents, according to the American Forces Press Service. While spouses don't qualify for monthly housing, books and supplies allowances, they can apply tuition and fees immediately and for up to 15 years after you last separate from active duty, Veterans Affairs notes.

Your children can make use of all of the benefits in instances where they are ages 18 to 26 with high school diplomas or equivalency certificates and you have fulfilled at least 10 years of Armed Forces service, Veterans Affairs notes. Any and all dependents, in order to receive transferred benefits, must be enrolled in and qualified through what's known as a Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System, the Department of Defense notes.

If you would like to apply for TEB, first go to the DoD Transferability Application website to determine if your dependents are eligible to receive the transferred benefits. Upon approval, family members may apply to use transferred benefits with VA by completing VA Form 22-1990e. An Electronic Version of VA Form 22-1990e and a downloadable Paper Version of VA Form 22-1990e are available online.

Looking for an institution to apply your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits? Go to TAOnline.com Education Center for more information.

NSPS Transition Well Under Way, Official Tells Congress

By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2010 – The transition of Defense Department civilian employees from the National Security Personnel System is proceeding, with 75 percent of the workforce expected to be transferred into the General Schedule classification and pay system by late September.

More than 53,000 defense civilian employees who had been enrolled in the NSPS system have been shifted to the GS system, John H. James, Jr., director of the Pentagon’s NSPS Transition Office, told a subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

About 170,000 remaining NSPS employees will transition to the GS or other pay and personnel systems by Jan. 1, 2012, the congressionally mandated deadline, James reported. Congress directed a repeal of the NSPS system in the 2010 Defense Appropriations Act and set the timeline for its completion. Congress also mandated that no employee lose pay due to the transition.

Of transitions completed so far, 71 percent of the employees actually received pay increases – an average of almost $1,400, James told the committee. That’s because their NSPS pay levels put them between steps on the GS pay scale, which qualified them for the higher step, he explained. Eight percent of the employees maintained the same pay level because their NSPS salary matched a step within their new GS grade, James said.

The other 21 percent of the employees earned salaries under NSPS that exceeded the Step 10 pay level for their GS grade. They, too, retained their full pay level as they converted to the GS system, James explained. However, they will receive only one-half of any future pay raises until their pay reaches parity with the high end of their GS pay level.

The military services and Defense Department components have launched information and education campaigns to ensure their workers understand how the NSPS transition will affect them, James told the committee. In addition, the NSPS Web site is updated regularly to provide employees the most up-to-date reference materials and training modules on the GS system and performance management basics.

He assured the committee the Defense Department will make the process as open, transparent and inclusive as possible. "We have a strong desire to build an effective relationship and fully participative process with labor organizations in developing these new authorities," he said.

Best Military Golf Courses

By Ron Rutheford, TAOnline.com

Were on the verge of summer and if you're like me, you may want to spend some time on the links. But which links? Where can I find a challenging round on a Military facility? Looks like some others have asked the same question.

David Holland writes for TravelGolf.com. David is also a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel.

A few years ago, he took on this challenge and here are his top three:

1. The Air Force Academy's Eisenhower Blue Course in Colorado Springs, Colorado
2. The Fort Course at the now closed Fort Benjamin Harrison Military Reservation, Indiana
3. The Bayonet Course which used to be a part of Fort Ord, Califorina

For the complete rundown of Holland's picks, click here.