Ground Intelligence Officer 0203

Ground Intelligence Officers serve as commanders and staff officers in the operating forces and are responsible for tactical planning and employment of ground surveillance and reconnaissance units as well as the coordination of a unit's overall intelligence effort. Ground Intelligence Officers analyze and evaluate information; estimate the tactical situation; and formulate, coordinate, execute approved intelligence actions, operations, and activities to include offensive and defensive actions, reconnaissance, and fire support. They command and/or lead ground units in tactical information gathering operations and activities in support of identified collection requirements. Additionally, they are responsible for manning, training, equipping, sustaining, and maintaining their unit. Through the intelligence officer, they support the overall intelligence effort of the command.

Are there any prerequisites to becoming a Ground Intelligence Officer

(1) Must meet SCI eligibility guidelines based on a SSBI/T5 Investigation.

(2) Intelligence MOS Marines are required to have a DLAB test score on file in their OMPF. Intelligence MOS Marines that score above 100 on the DLAB may be designated to attend formal language training. There is no minimum DLAB score required. Intelligence officers will be administered the DLAB before being assigned the 0203 PMOS.

Where do I go after TBS?

After TBS, officers must complete the 84 day Infantry Officers Course (IOC) at TBS aboard Camp Barrett, MCB Quantico, VA. The purpose of the course it to train and educate newly selected infantry and ground intelligence officers in the knowledge, skills, and leadership required to serve as infantry platoon commanders in the rifle company and to provide advanced employment and training considerations of the weapons company platoons. The course also provides the core infantry knowledge, skills, and leadership required for those officers selected to serve with reconnaissance, sniper and light armored reconnaissance units.

Following IOC, officers must complete the 45 day Tactical Intelligence Officer Course (TIOC) at MCIS aboard the NAS Oceana Dam Neck Annex, VA. TIOC is a prerequisite for the 0203, 0204, 0206, and 0207 MOSs and is designed to train Marine Officers in the combat, operational, and administrative skills required of an Intelligence Officer in the Operating Forces. The learning objectives are achieved through reading doctrinal publications, policy, and emerging concepts followed by guided discussion, informal lectures, or group practical application instructional methodologies.

Following TIOC, officers must complete the 98 day Ground Intelligence Officer Course (GIOC) at Marine Corps Intelligence Schools (MCIS) aboard the Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Dam Neck Annex, VA. Embedded in the course is three weeks of Scout Sniper Unit Leaders Course (SSULC) at the Scout Sniper Instructor School, Weapons Training Battalion aboard MCB Quantico, VA. GIOC is designed to train Marine Officers entering the 0203 MOS in the combat, operational, and administrative skills required of a Ground Intelligence Officer in the Operating Forces. Emphasis is placed on the application of Intelligence Tactics, Techniques and Procedures related to GCE-unique intelligence requirements in MAGTF operations.

What is it like being a Ground Intelligence Officer?

A typical first tour assignment for a Ground Intelligence Officer is as either the unit Intelligence Officer or the Assistant Intelligence Officer (S-2 or S-2A) within an O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel) or O-6 (Colonel) level command at either one of the battalions or regiments within either the MARDIV or the MLG as part of the GCE or LCE of the MAGTF, respectively. Ground Intelligence Officers can serve as Scout Sniper Platoon Commanders but can also be assigned to a company within an Intelligence Battalion as part of the CE of the MAGTF or to the G-2 at a MARDIV in support of a Major or Lieutenant Colonel on a General Officer staff.

Ground Intelligence Officers in their first tour are generally responsible for leading, training, and employing Marines under their charge, briefing intelligence updates to the staff and commander, and executing security management functions. They may also serve in a specialized intelligence role as a Targeting Officer or Collections Officer, or potentially serve as a Ground Sensor Platoon Commander or a Company Executive Officer. As Scout Sniper Platoon Commanders or Reconnaissance Platoon Commanders, they command, train, and employ 15-30 specialized infantry Marines to support the battalion’s collection plan in support of offensive and defensive operations across the entire spectrum of conflict.

Ground Intelligence Officer 0203

Are there any prerequisites to becoming a Ground Intelligence Officer

Where do I go after TBS?

What is it like being a Ground Intelligence Officer?

Recommended reading for Ground Intelligence Officers

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