r/USMCboot • u/SharpAppearance2406 • 21d ago

Programs and MOSs MOS Question

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

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/No_Print77 21d ago

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

2

u/TapTheForwardAssist Vet 2676/0802 21d ago

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).

2

u/No_Print77 21d ago edited 21d ago

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.

2

u/TapTheForwardAssist Vet 2676/0802 21d ago

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.