U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent
Encyclopedia
United States Army Counterintelligence conducts 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. 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.
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.
Collectors.
; 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.
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
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
national security, as well as other intelligence activities as directed by United States Army Regulation 381-20, The Army Counterintelligence Program. 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
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
, treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
, sedition
Sedition
In law, sedition is overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority to tend toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent to lawful authority. Sedition may include any...
, subversion
Subversion
Apache Subversion is a software versioning and a revision control system distributed under a free license. Developers use Subversion to maintain current and historical versions of files such as source code, web pages, and documentation...
, foreign sabotage
Sabotage
Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
, and acts of terrorism directed by foreign intelligence operatives involving US Army personnel.
Most Army counterintelligence units and personnel operate today under the auspices of the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command
United States Army Intelligence and Security Command
The United States Army Intelligence and Security Command is a direct reporting unit that conducts intelligence, security, and information operations for U.S. Army commanders and national decision makers. INSCOM is both an organization within the United States Army and the National Security Agency,...
. Historically, this mission was performed by the Counterintelligence Corps during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
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
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
The United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service is the primary security, counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism, and law enforcement agency of the United States Department of the Navy...
for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, and Office of Special Investigations for the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, 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.
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 HUMINTHuman intelligence
Human Intelligence may refer to:* Human intelligence in the species as the property of mind that encompasses many related abilities, such as the capacities to reason, plan, problem solve, think, comprehend ideas, use languages, and learn....
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 visionColor vision
Color vision is the capacity of an organism or machine to distinguish objects based on the wavelengths of the light they reflect, emit, or transmit...
; 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
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
, except as specified in Army Regulation 614-200, chapter 1; no adverse information in military personnel, Provost Marshal
Provost Marshal
The Provost Marshal is the officer in the armed forces who is in charge of the military police .There may be a Provost Marshal serving at many levels of the hierarchy and he may also be the public safety officer of a military installation, responsible for the provision of fire, gate security, and...
, intelligence, or medical records which would prevent the granting of a security clearance under AR 380-67; no record of conviction by court-martial
Court-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
; 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
Fort Devens
Fort Devens is an active United States military installation in the towns of Ayer and Shirley, in Middlesex County and Harvard in Worcester County in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It was named after jurist and Civil War general Charles Devens. The nearby Devens Reserve Forces Training Area is...
, Massachusetts; or Fort Huachuca
Fort Huachuca
Fort Huachuca is a United States Army installation under the command of the United States Army Installation Management Command. It is located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about north of the border with Mexico. Beginning in 1913, for 20 years the fort was the base for the "Buffalo...
, 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
Military intelligence
Military intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
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
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
/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 UniformArmy Combat Uniform
The Army Combat Uniform is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army. It is the successor to the Battle Dress Uniform and Desert Camouflage Uniform worn during the 1980s and 1990s. It features a number of design changes, as well as a different camouflage pattern from its...
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
M9 Pistol
The Beretta M9, formally Pistol, Semiautomatic, 9mm, M9, is a 9×19mm Parabellum pistol of the United States military adopted in 1985. It is essentially a military specification Beretta 92F, later the 92FS....
or M11 pistol (Sig Sauer P228). For combat environments, agents are also issued the M4 carbine
M4 carbine
The M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite. It is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.It is a gas-operated,...
.
See also
- United States Army Criminal Investigation Command
- List of United States Army MOS
- Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), U.S. State DepartmentDiplomatic Security ServiceThe U.S. Diplomatic Security Service is the federal law enforcement arm of the United States Department of State. The majority of its Special Agents are members of the Foreign Service and federal law enforcement agents at the same time, making them unique...
- Historical U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps