Army Human Intelligence Collector (MOS 35M): Career Details

Army Human Intelligence Collector (MOS 35M) is a critical component of the Joint Task Force.

This Army MOS focuses on the collection of information regarding any related details about the enemy.

The highly trained soldiers in this position are required to be comfortable gaining information through a variety of methods in both docile and hostile situations.

Related Article – Army Intelligence Analyst (MOS 35F): Career Details

Requirements, Training, and Duty Stations

The information obtained in this position can be classified and top-secret.

Because of this, recruits in this position must be able to obtain a higher security clearance than in other positions.

This can mean passing advanced background checks, polygraphs, being required to be a U.S. Citizen, and having no prior history with the Peace Corps.

To enter into this MOS, recruits must receive a score of at least 101 on the Skilled Technical (ST) portion of the ASVAB test.

In addition to taking the ASVAB test, recruits will be required to take the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) test.

The DLAB provides a measurement for the level of difficulty for language training for a native English speaker.

The results of the DLAB will determine if you have the aptitude to learn a foreign language.

Each language is rated on how difficult it is to learn for a native English speaker.

The results of the test will also determine which languages you have the aptitude to learn.

Training for the Human Intelligence Collector MOS takes place in three stages.

First, individuals will attend Basic Combat Training for 10 weeks.

Next, after successfully completing Basic Combat Training, recruits will attend language training at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center at the Presidio of Monterey in California.

This stage of training will vary based on the language that you are assigned to learn.

Finally, when all language training is completed, recruits will attend Advanced Individual Training for 20 weeks at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

Skills that are helpful in this MOS include:

Foreign language or interest in learning
Outgoing personality
Verbal and written communication skills
Ability to gather information and study the meaning
Interest in creating/reading maps and charts

Duty Stations

Those serving in the Army as an MOS 35M can expect to be potentially based at one of the following duty stations:

Inside the Continental US (CONUS)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Eglin AFB, FL
Fort Bliss, TX
Fort Campbell, KY
Fort Carson, CO
Fort Cavazos, TX
Fort Drum, NY
Fort Gordon, GA
Fort Irwin, CA
Fort Johnson, LA
Fort Leavenworth, KS
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Fort Liberty, NC
Fort Meade, MD
Fort Moore, GA
Fort Riley, KS
Fort Stewart, GA
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
Joint Base San Antonio, TX
MacDill AFB, FL
Redstone Arsenal, AL

Outside the Continental US (OCONUS)

Camp Arifjan, ASG Kuwait
Camp Zama, Japan
Fort Wainwright, AK
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK
Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, HI
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
USAG Bavaria, Germany
USAG Hawaii
USAG Humphreys, South Korea
USAG Italy, Vicenza
USAG Japan
USAG Okinawa, Japan
USAG Stuttgart, Germany
USAG Wiesbaden, Germany
USAG Yongsan-Casey, South Korea

What Does a Human Intelligence Collector Do?

Army Human Intelligence Collector during deployment. Image: army.mil

This position requires a large amount of communication.

Generally, the best people for this position are individuals who are considered extroverts with outgoing personalities.

It is also helpful to be able to think, write, and speak clearly.

The Human Intelligence collector must have competent language skills in any language they are required to learn.

This position requires individuals to use different computer programs and technology, so it is best for someone who is familiar with computer systems or someone that can learn new programs/technology easily.

The main goal of this position is to exploit the enemy’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential battle areas.

The Human Intelligence Collector searches for information regarding tactics, equipment, intentions, elements, dispositions, abilities, and personnel.

In this role, individuals will screen human intelligence sources and documents.

This job function may involve reading a long report or using critical thinking skills and knowledge to verify the validity of the source/information.

Soldiers will interrogate human intelligence sources.

Interrogation is a skill that will be learned during Advanced Individual Training.

Completing an interrogation is not just simply questioning another person.

Interrogation involves planning and using different techniques to get information as quickly and accurately as possible.

Completing an interrogation does not always go as planned.

Soldiers in this MOS will be trained on how to receive criticism, how to handle stressful situations and a non-compliant person, and how to adapt to changing scenarios.

Each conversation the soldier has is important and should be seen as an opportunity to gain knowledge.

This position will require individuals to become familiar with how to read and prepare maps, overhead imagery, and charts.

They will be trained on and be required to prepare intelligence reports.

Part of intelligence report preparation involves translation.

Related Article – Air Force Intelligence Officer: Career Details

As an expert in your assigned language, recruits will be required to translate any documents or media.

The translated information is analyzed for critical components, relevant data, and time-sensitive material, making accuracy and speed important.

Any data received, prepared, and translated will be documented and logged into intelligence databases.

The amount of writing and documentation involved in this position cannot be stressed enough.

It is a critical portion of the job and can be time-consuming.

This position will also require individuals to complete Military Source Operations.

Debriefing is an important part of this position.

The Human Intelligence Collector will debrief command on any information they have learned or course of action recommended.

They will also debrief any friendly forces or displaced people they encounter while on the battlefield.

The Army recruiting video below provides an inside look at the Human Intelligence Collector (MOS 35M) position.

Related Article –Army Interpreter (MOS 09L)

What Does a Human Intelligence Collector Get Paid?

MOS 35M is an entry-level position.

With no prior Military experience/continued education, most recruits will start out around $23,000 a year.

This will increase with your rank and time in service.

Certain careers are considered in-demand (the list changes based on current needs) and can offer a bonus of up to $40,000 to join the Army for that specific MOS.

There are also opportunities for meeting certain expedited recruiting deadlines and special pay scenarios.

The pay table below can be followed to get an idea of Army base pay, keeping in mind that the Army offers additional benefits that add to the amounts below.

Pay Grade	Rank	Abbreviation	Minimum Monthly Pay
E-1 +4 months	Private	PVT	$1,917.60
E-2	Private Second Class	PV2	$2,149.20
E-3	Private First Class	PFC	$2,259.90
E-4	Specialist	SPC	$2,503.50
E-4	Corporal	CPL	$2,503.50
E-5	Sergeant	SGT	$2,730.30
E-6	Staff Sergeant	SSG	$2,980.50
E-7	Sergeant First Class	SFC	$3,445.80
E-8	Master Sergeant	MSG	$4,957.20
E-8	First Sergeant	1SG	$4,957.20
E-9	Sergeant Major	SGM	$6,055.50
E-9	Command Sergeant Major	CSM	$6,055.50
E-9	Sergeant Major of the Army	SMA	$6,055.50

Benefits

The Army offers benefits that are very hard to find in a civilian position.

When living on base, housing and food costs are covered.

Soldiers receive an annual allowance for Military clothing or civilian clothing if their job requires it.

Army soldiers are offered free to low-cost medical and dental, life insurance, paid sick time, and paid vacation.

There are tuition assistance programs and scholarship opportunities that help advance your education for zero to very little out-of-pocket expense.

Job Reviews

Reviews for the Human Intelligence Collector position are positive.

Most people recommend the position but stress that it can be difficult.

Your success in this position is contingent on your idea of what you are getting yourself into and learning the right skills to complete your job.

Positive reviews included having different assignments and being afforded Army benefits, pay, and compensations.

Negative reviews reflect the long deployment potentials and high-stress situations.

The reviews below highlight positive and negative aspects from former Human Intelligence Collectors.

The review below gives an outlook on what tasks may be like in a day.

Civilian Career Opportunity

Communication, interrogation, documentation, and language are all skills learned in this MOS that can be applied to civilian career opportunities.

Opportunities working for government agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency are attainable after working as a Human Intelligence Collector in the Army.

Other opportunities include working as a criminal investigator, special agent, database administrator, Immigration and Customs Inspector, Interpreter, or Intelligence Analyst.

Working in the Army also allows for opportunities to gain different certificates, generally funded by the Army, that allow for promotion within the Army as well as increasing civilian career choices.

A couple of certificate examples related to this position include Certified Interpreter from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

Summary

Army Human Intelligence Collector (MOS 35M) is responsible for the collection of pertinent enemy and battle information from people.

The highly-trained individual in this role will be required to make connections, complete interrogations, and use many tactics to receive information in both docile and hostile situations.

This position requires top-security clearance.

Recruits will be required to take the DLAB test in addition to the ASVAB.

Individuals in this MOS will be paid based on their rank and time in service, plus receive additional pay opportunities and benefits.

Previous Human Intelligence Collectors in the Army discuss how difficult but exciting the job can be.

After the Army, skills learned in this MOS translate to civilian positions as a criminal investigator, translator, or working for government agencies such as the CIA.

Resources

Army MOS 35M Career Details

Army COOL MOS 35M

Author
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Rob V.

Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics.

Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.

Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.

General FAQ

What does an MOS 35M human intelligence collector do in the army?

An Army Human Intelligence Collector (MOS 35M) focuses on the collection of information regarding details about the enemy.

What does it take to be an interrogator?

An MOS 35M Army Human Intelligence collector must be a U.S. citizen and pass a background check to receive a security clearance. They must also score the required minimums on the ASVAB and take the DLAB test.

How much does an interrogator make?

Army MOS 35B pay rates are based on rank and time in service. However, if you already speak a foreign language, the Army may offer a sizeable enlistment bonus.

How long is MOS 35M AIT?

Training to become an MOS 35M includes Basic Combat Training, language training, and then 19 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT). The length of language training depends on the language assigned to you.

What jobs can an Army Human Intelligence Collector get in the civilian world?

After leaving the army, MOS 35M specialists can continue working for the government in investigation organizations like the CIA. Alternatively, foreign language skills can support careers in international business.