🛰️ Intelligence & language
Collecting and making sense of information — imagery, signals, and human intelligence — plus the linguists who translate it.
What they do
Intelligence turns raw information into decisions. All-source analysts fuse reporting into assessments; signals-intelligence and cyber roles collect and analyze electronic data; geospatial analysts work imagery and maps; human-intelligence collectors interview and gather information; and cryptologic linguists learn a language at DLI and translate/analyze foreign communications.
Most roles require a Top Secret clearance — one of the most valuable things you carry into civilian life.
Jobs & codes by branch
Representative jobs in this field and their military occupation codes — not a complete list; each branch has many more and codes change. Use the official job finders below for the full, current list.
Army
35F All-Source Intelligence Analyst · 35N Signals Intelligence Analyst · 35S Signals Collector/Analyst · 35M Human Intelligence Collector · 35L Counterintelligence Agent · 35G Geospatial Intelligence Imagery Analyst · 35P Cryptologic Linguist · 35T Military Intelligence Systems Maintainer/Integrator · 35Q Cryptologic Network Warfare Specialist · 35V Signals Intelligence Senior Sergeant
Navy
IS Intelligence Specialist · CTI Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive/linguist) · CTR (Collection) · CTT (Technical) · CTN (Networks) · CTM (Maintenance)
Air Force
1N0X1 All-Source Intelligence · 1N1X1 Geospatial Intelligence · 1N2X1 Signals Intelligence Analysis · 1N3X1 Cryptologic Language Analyst · 1N4X1 Fusion Analyst · 1N8X1 Targeting Analyst · 1A8X1 Airborne Cryptologic Language Analyst · 1A8X2 Airborne ISR Operator
Marine Corps
0231 Intelligence Specialist · 0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist · 0211 Counterintelligence/HUMINT Specialist · 0241 Imagery Analysis Specialist · 2621 SIGINT Analyst · 2631 EW/Ground Electronic Warfare · 2691 Intelligence Chief
Space Force
Intelligence (Guardians) — AFSC-style codes, evolving.
Coast Guard
IS Intelligence Specialist
ASVAB areas that matter
Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Math Knowledge (MK), and the verbal subtests (WK, PC). Linguists also take the separate DLAB language-aptitude test. Your AFQT score decides whether you can enlist; individual subtests combine into “line scores” that set which jobs you qualify for. Prepare with our free ASVAB practice tests.
How it transfers to civilian work
Analysts move into intelligence and cybersecurity threat-intel roles with government agencies and cleared contractors; geospatial analysts into GIS and mapping; linguists into translation, interpretation, and analysis. A TS/SCI clearance plus experience is highly marketable to the FBI, CIA, NSA, DIA, and defense industry. Credentials: GIS certifications, language proficiency (DLPT), data-analysis certs.
See every job & the exact requirements
Codes, availability, and ASVAB minimums vary by branch and change often — confirm on each branch's official job finder: Army ↗ · Navy ↗ · Air Force ↗ · Marine Corps ↗ · Space Force ↗ · Coast Guard ↗.