Army Int Corps vs. RAF Intelligence (IA)

[chris84]

Hello,

I'm interested in joining the intelligence branch of the armed forces and was wandering how these two units compare and if anyone has served in either or worked with the army's int corps?

I've been on arrse and found one thread comparing the two and you can imagine how that went, but I've been a lurker on here for a while and thought I might pose this question on here even though it could potentially be biased I've found the people on this forum a lot more open minded and a bit more civilian friendly

I'm currently studying at university, finishing my degree in mathematics, and have been to visit my local AFCO and have had chats with both the Army and the RAF but I haven’t been told much other than given a leaflet with a few tidbits of information on about both trades, as well as visiting their respected websites.

I'd appreciate any advice or anything you can tell me about the intelligence trade and also as I've said above if you could possibly compare the two (not who is better than who obviously!) but just how they differ.

From what I've gathered the IA's of the RAF are more focused on IMINT, and the Army is more focused on HUMINT? But other than that I can't seem to come by any other info, despite lengthy searches on google and other forums etc.

Thank you for reading
Chris

 

[amfortas]

I understand that Army Intelligence personnel get very lonely.

 

[chris84]

I've put in my application for both the RAF Intelligence Analyst trade and the Intelligence Corps now as I have been told that I can run two applications at the same time, although obviously I'll have to choose one at some point.

Hopefully by doing this I might get a better insight into the two as the application process unfolds, although I'm not certain as to when I have to close the other application, and I should point out I'm no closer to deciding which one but thought I better get the ball rolling so now I'm at least in the mix and have a timeline of sorts.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated with regards to choosing which branch!?

 

[chris84]

Anyone?

Christy

 

[silvestermk2]

Check PM's

 

[chris84]

Thanks

Anyone else an IA here??

Christy

 

[sentia]

It depends what you really want out of your career. If you want to specialise in one thing for the best part of your career then join the RAF. If you would be happier not specialising in anything in particular i.e Jack of all trades, master of none, then join the Dumb er sorry Int Corps and be ridiculed for the rest of your career.

 

[chris84]

It depends what you really want out of your career. If you want to specialise in one thing for the best part of your career then join the RAF. If you would be happier not specialising in anything in particular i.e Jack of all trades, master of none, then join the Dumb er sorry Int Corps and be ridiculed for the rest of your career.

Would that speciality be IMINT? And is that how the IA's view the Int Corps?

The Int Corps from what I've gleaned have a choice as to whether they'd like to specialise in a particular area after 2 years?

Thanks,
Christy X

 

[Vortex_Generator]

There are plenty of RAF Intelligence Analysts in SIGINT, A2 & J2 roles so it's not just about IMINT. Both services have merits and downsides.

 

[sentia]

Christy

Having worked with the Int Corps for many years, if you want to get promoted then you are expected to do most aspects of what they do. If you want to specialise in one aspect, then they tend to be looked over for promotion.
This isn't always the case though as I have known the odd one or two get promoted whilst being more 'specialised'.

But again, it comes down to what you want, Army career means that you will have to put up with a lot of BS where we tend to be a bit more free thinking in the RAF and promote empowerment.

Good luck with your choice and whichever way you go, expect lots of banter from the other side.

 

[chris84]

Thanks.

I've decided to go Int Corps, and yes I've hered the army is a bit more regimented but I've also hered the Int Corps is a bit less dogmatic than the rest of the army but even so, that's where my heart is telling me to go and HUMINT is where I'd eventually like to end up. Yes I also know other parts of the military can apply for HUMINT training but they are trained by the Int Corps, and the diversity is really appealing to me. Still its heading tri-service so we'l all be under one happy roof anyway!

Thanks for all the replies guys

Chris x