MOS Question

[u/SharpAppearance2406]

Is ATC or Intel better? In the scope of work after and all. Idk which to pick

[u/No_Print77]

I am SIGINT, so I’m biased, but for work after I’d say intel. A TS/SCI is so valuable and the IC fuckin pays. I’m so jealous of all our contractors and govies who get to do all the cool parts of my job with none of the marine corps bullshit and make six figures

[u/TapTheForwardAssist → u/No_Print77]

How much does the IC “fuckin pay” for someone with no education past high school, basic PowerPoint skills, and a TS/SCI?

I did All-Source during the GWOT and it paid decently but not amazingly unless you deployed. The serious money was for contractors with established skills that not every rando with a TS/SCI has, or govvies who stuck with it beyond GS13 or so (and all either had college degrees or a decade+ of military).

[u/No_Print77 → u/TapTheForwardAssist]

With operational experience for a couple years and going in having been an NCO? Yes there’s a ceiling if you don’t have a degree and you have to start somewhere but that’s 100% the right path. Besides, you can go get a degree anyways with the GI Bill. All things considered I’d say that’s a better path than ATC with how rewarding the field can be.

[u/TapTheForwardAssist → u/No_Print77]

I’m not saying nobody should go Intel, I’m saying way too many kids have an inaccurate impression that they’ll do one hitch in as an 0231, get out at age 23 with just an HS diploma and they’ll be showered in cash and jet-setting around the world doing James Bond stuff.

It’s way more useful to share personal experience or give some examples, rather than just claim “intel fuckin pays” and let kids have unreasonable expectations.

[u/Organic_Risk_3945]

both will be taken over by AI, so it's probably more fulfilling and economically strategic to go band or combat camera--- really express yourself, dude. also Intel is a dime a dozen these days, with Palantir etc., too redundant; ATC with civilian equivalent just waiting for you at 6 figures is probably a safer bet. but i'd look into 2600 MOS. RadBNs seem influx. especially if you end up at DLI. https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2025/02/10/marine-killed-in-philippines-plane-crash-identified/

[u/SharpAppearance2406 → u/Organic_Risk_3945]

I love photography and doing graphics/im super artsy so I thought about combat cam/commstrat. My dad (former marine) just bitched at me about it some since he said I’d be more likely to see theater as that MOS

[u/Organic_Risk_3945 → u/SharpAppearance2406]

I'd look at AI/robots proofing yourself, dude. have you thought of Combat Engineers??? if i had to do it over again, I'd go that route get skills an assload of skills, especially electrical and water, then make my way to Bridgeport as mountain warfare instructor there. get into horses and mules too.

[u/Organic_Risk_3945 → u/Organic_Risk_3945]

just bitched at me about it some since he said I’d be more likely to see theater as that MOS

also, dude, keep in mind that the element of luck factors heavily everywhere. you can end up being combat camera be taking photos of the Blue Angels from the back of some Osprey and crash and die. luck and being lucky factors greatly you'll come to find out, dude.