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Human Intelligence Specialists

Intelligence, Combat and Readiness

Service Branches

  • Army logo
  • Marines logo
  • navy logo
  • Air Force logo

Work Environment

Human intelligence specialists work in offices on land and aboard ships and in tents when in the field.

  • Military Status

    Enlisted

  • Median Military Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

    $82,757

    Military Salary Range Salary varies based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location.

    $26,872 - $263,514

Overview

Human intelligence specialists identify adversarial elements, strengths, dispositions, tactics, equipment, personnel, and capabilities through collecting information from people. HUMINT specialists screen documents and other materials to identify potential source leads. They conduct and oversee interviews, interrogations, screenings and debriefings in English, and work with translators when necessary. They also exploit information found in a variety of media.

Military Training

All enlisted service members complete basic military training which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field and covers tactical and survival skills physical training military life and customs and weapons training. Human intelligence specialists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:

  • Planning imagery and geospatial data from satellite and airborne systems
  • Preparing intelligence reports maps and charts
  • Analyzing aerial satellite and radar imagery
  • Using computer systems
  • Foreign language training
  • Target identification and operational patterns
  • Analyzing communications information using technical references
  • Screenings debriefings and interrogations
  • Human intelligence analysis

Helpful Attributes

  • Ability to organize information
  • Ability to think and write clearly
  • Interest in gathering information and studying its meaning
  • Interest in foreign cultures

Related Civilian Careers

  • Interpreters and Translators
  • Public Relations Specialists