United States Army Counterintelligence

United States Army Counterintelligence
U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command Seal
Military Intelligence Regimental Crest
Former Counterintelligence Special Agent badge (new badge version has not been publicly released)
Agency overview
Formed	July 1, 1962
Legal personality	Governmental: Government agency
Jurisdictional structure
General nature	Law enforcement Civilian agency
Operational structure
Headquarters	Fort Belvoir, Virginia & Fort Huachuca, Arizona (Training HQ)
Website
http://www.inscom.army.mil

United States Army Counterintelligence Special Agents conduct counterintelligence activities to detect, identify, assess, counter, exploit and/or neutralize adversarial, foreign intelligence and terrorist threats to United States national security, as well as other intelligence activities as directed by United States Army Regulation 381-20, The Army Counterintelligence Program. Most Army counterintelligence units and personnel operate today under the auspices of the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command. Historically, this mission was performed by the Counterintelligence Corps during World War II and later by the now defunct U.S. Army Intelligence Agency. In other branches of the military, the counterintelligence mission is performed by Naval Criminal Investigative Service for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and Office of Special Investigations for the United States Air Force, which also conduct criminal investigations for their respective services; within the Army, routine criminal investigations are conducted by the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command.

US Army personnel trained and appointed to conduct counterintelligence activities are credentialed and titled as Counterintelligence Special Agents and carry badge and credentials identifying their federal agent status, similar to federal law enforcement officers. Additionally, US Army Counterintelligence exercises exclusive jurisdiction in the investigation of national security crimes such as espionage, treason, sedition, subversion, foreign sabotage, and acts of terrorism directed by foreign intelligence operatives involving US Army personnel.

Personnel

Counterintelligence Special Agents conduct activities to detect, identify, assess, counter, exploit and/or neutralize adversarial, foreign intelligence, and terrorist threats to U.S. national security. Duties may include the investigation of national security crimes utilizing special investigative procedures; conducting long term surveillance and intelligence gathering missions; processing intelligence evidence; preparing and distributing reports; conducting Counterintelligence Force Protection Source Operations (CFSO); and supporting anti-terrorism operations. Senior CI personnel provide guidance to junior agents and supervise their training, as well as conducting liaison and operational coordination with foreign and U.S. law enforcement, security, and intelligence agencies; planning and conducting CI activities related to national security; conducting CI collection activities and source operations including overt collection, surveillance and non-technical operations; providing support for CI analytical products, to include preparing CI reports, estimates and vulnerability assessments; and with additional training, may potentially conduct technical surveillance countermeasures, credibility assessment examinations, or exploit cyber threats. Seasoned CI personnel may also be assigned to U.S. Army Special Forces groups to assist with source operations and intelligence investigations as required; or work closely with HUMINT Collectors.

Qualifications

If military, Counterintelligence Special Agents may be trained as occupational specialty 35L (formerly 97B), 351L, or area of concentration 35E (for counterintelligence officers); if civilian, Counterintelligence Special Agents fall under the GS 132 series. The position of Special Agent is not an entry level Army job, and applicants are usually drawn from the existing ranks. Counterintelligence Special Agent applicants must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (Sensitive Compartmented Information) to be qualified for their duties. Department of the Army Pamphlet 611-21 also requires the following qualifications: a physical demands rating of medium; a physical profile (PULHES) of 222111 or better; normal color vision; a minimum score of 105 in aptitude area ST on ASVAB tests administered on or after 1 July 2004; a high school graduate or equivalent; possess good voice quality and be able to speak English without an objectionable accent or impediment; never been a member of the U.S. Peace Corps, except as specified in Army Regulation 614-200, chapter 1; no adverse information in military personnel, Provost Marshal, intelligence, or medical records which would prevent the granting of a security clearance under AR 380-67; no record of conviction by court-martial; no record of conviction by a civilian court for any offense other than minor traffic violations; be interviewed per DA Pam 600-8, procedure 3-33, as applicable; must be a U.S. citizen; must not have immediate family members or immediate family members of the soldier's spouse who reside in a country within whose boundaries physical or mental coercion is known to be common practice; have neither commercial nor vested interest in a country within whose boundaries physical or mental coercion is known to be a common practice against persons acting in the interest of the U.S.; have a minimum age of 21 for accreditation as an agent; must meet selection criteria and classification and assignment restrictions contained in AR 601-210 and AR 614-200; must meet career management and development criteria contained in AR 614-200; and are advised that due to the nature of training and assignments, temporary restrictions may be placed on foreign travel both during and after the term of service. Becoming a credentialed Counterintelligence Agent requires attending the Counterintelligence Special Agent Course (CISAC) at either Camp Williams, Utah; Fort Devens, Massachusetts; or Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

On 1 October 2007, the 97B (CI Agent) enlisted designation was renamed to 35L (CI Special Agent) in order to group all Military Intelligence MOSs in the same 35 series. In addition, the rank requirements were changed to match that of other Special Agents throughout the military, and it is now required to be the rank of Sergeant/E-5 to get credentialed as a Counterintelligence Special Agent.

Uniform and firearms

Counterintelligence Special Agents on assignment within the United States usually dress in professional business attire. Assignment type will dictate what clothing is appropriate, which can include civilian attire local to the area. When deployed to combat environments, Agents may still wear the Army Combat Uniform for security purposes, but with rank insignia replaced with "U.S." insignia. Although Counterintelligence Special Agents may be issued other weapons on special assignments, they are typically issued a standard M9 pistol or M11 pistol (Sig Sauer P228). For combat environments, agents are also issued the M4 carbine.

See also

• United States Army Criminal Investigation Command
• List of United States Army MOS
• Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), U.S. State Department
• Historical U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps

External links

• GoArmy.com > Careers & Jobs > Counterintelligence Agent (35L)
• 97B at usmilitary.about.com
• MOS Change
• MOSs on the move
• MI Welcome Letter
• UTAH 640TH RTI

This military article is regarding a United States Army Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) designation. All articles in this category can be viewed at Category:United States Army Military Occupational Specialty