Human Intelligence Collector
The civilian and federal jobs that hire Army Human Intelligence Collectors — with real salaries and the resume that gets callbacks.
Every 35M has more options than a Google search will tell you. Below: career paths, BLS salary data, federal GS series, certifications by target career, and how to translate your experience without losing what made you valuable to the Army in the first place.
Free to start · Tailored resume in under 5 minutes
After the Navy I got hired into 6 federal career fields and tech sales, and sat on federal hiring panels along the way. I spent the last 2 years rebuilding everything I learned into BMR, tuned for how AI actually screens resumes today. This is the system I wish I'd had on day one.
Get a free 35M Human Intelligence Collector sample resume
One page, built in our template, with your military experience translated into civilian terms hiring managers and ATS systems read. Use it as a reference for your own. Drop your email and we'll send you the download link.
Free. We'll also send occasional job-search tips. Unsubscribe anytime.
Military Role Overview
Army 35M Human Intelligence Collectors are trained to gather intelligence through direct interaction with people — debriefing sources, conducting screenings, performing tactical questioning, and running source operations. This is not desk-based analysis work; 35Ms operate in the field, often in austere or hostile environments, building rapport with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds to extract actionable intelligence.
The training pipeline at Fort Huachuca covers the full HUMINT cycle: planning and preparation, approach techniques, questioning methodologies, source handling, and intelligence report writing. Some 35Ms attend the Defense Language Institute for foreign language training, adding a high-value credential to an already specialized skill set. Assignments range from conventional Army units to special operations support and joint intelligence task forces.
What makes 35Ms valuable in the civilian workforce goes beyond the intelligence training itself. The combination of a Top Secret/SCI clearance, demonstrated ability to assess human behavior, formal report writing discipline, and experience operating independently in high-pressure situations creates a profile that intelligence agencies, defense contractors, law enforcement, and corporate security organizations actively seek.
35Ms have one of the more difficult civilian transitions in the intel community because the work is so specialized. From hiring resumes I've reviewed, the path forward is reframing source operations and elicitation as cleared analytical and investigative experience — the 0132 series at FBI and DoD takes 35Ms regularly when the resume actually does that translation work. — Brad Tachi, Navy Diver veteran & BMR founder
Pay Reality Check
The number that matters when you're deciding what's next: how does civilian pay compare to what you make now?
Military comp is approximate (varies by location/dependents). Civilian is BLS median. Federal includes locality pay. Your real number depends on duty station, family status, GS step, and overtime.
Private Sector Career Paths
The private sector intelligence and security market has grown significantly, driven by defense contracting, corporate risk management, and global security consulting. Former 35Ms bring a skill set that is difficult to replicate through civilian training alone — the ability to elicit information, assess credibility, write structured intelligence reports, and operate across cultures under pressure.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), intelligence analysts earn a median annual wage of $99,710 (O*NET 33-3021.06). Private investigators and investigators earn a median of $59,750 (O*NET 33-9021.00), though those in corporate or defense settings typically earn above this median. Information security analysts, a growth field where HUMINT backgrounds add value for social engineering defense, earn a median of $120,360 (O*NET 15-1212.00).
Defense contractors remain the most direct landing zone. Companies like Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI International, and L3Harris maintain large HUMINT support contracts requiring active TS/SCI clearances. These roles often mirror military HUMINT work — source operations support, intelligence collection management, and analytical production — with significantly higher compensation.
Beyond defense, corporate investigation firms and Fortune 500 security departments hire former HUMINT collectors for due diligence, competitive intelligence, fraud investigation, and insider threat programs. The elicitation and rapport-building techniques taught at Fort Huachuca are directly applicable to corporate interview and investigation methodologies.
Civilian Job Title Translations
| Civilian Job Title | Industry | BLS Median Salary | Outlook | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Intelligence Analyst O*NET: 33-3021.06 | Intelligence & National Security | $99,710 | — | strong |
Private Detective / Investigator O*NET: 33-9021.00 | Investigation & Security | $59,750 | — | strong |
Information Security Analyst O*NET: 15-1212.00 | Cybersecurity | $120,360 | — | moderate |
Compliance Officer O*NET: 13-1041.00 | Corporate Compliance | $75,670 | — | moderate |
Market Research Analyst O*NET: 13-1161.00 | Business Intelligence | $74,680 | — | moderate |
Management Analyst O*NET: 13-1111.00 | Consulting | $99,410 | — | moderate |
Claims Adjuster / Investigator O*NET: 13-1031.00 | Insurance | $75,080 | — | moderate |
Training & Development Specialist O*NET: 13-1151.00 | Corporate Training | $64,340 | — | moderate |
Companies That Hire This Background
See a salary you want? Build a resume targeting it.
BMR rewrites your 35M experience for any of the civilian roles above — keywords, achievements, and language hiring managers actually scan for.
Free to start · 2 tailored resumes included
“I am still getting compliments on my resume. Still getting interviews left and right, and now I have to say no. Very grateful to have so many options suddenly.”
Federal Career Paths
Federal agencies are among the largest employers of former 35Ms, and for good reason — the HUMINT skill set maps directly to several mission-critical federal roles. The GS-0132 Intelligence series is the most direct match, with positions at DIA, CIA, NSA, and combatant command J2 staffs. Entry grades typically start at GS-9 or GS-11 for experienced 35Ms, with journeyman positions at GS-12 and GS-13.
The GS-1811 Criminal Investigator series is another strong path, particularly with agencies like NCIS, Army CID, FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security. 35Ms who conducted tactical questioning and screening operations have direct experience with interview and interrogation techniques that these agencies value. Note: 1811 positions often require a four-year degree, but some agencies accept equivalent military experience.
Beyond the obvious intelligence and law enforcement paths, 35Ms should consider GS-0301 (Miscellaneous Administration and Program) positions in intelligence community staff roles, GS-0340 (Program Management) for those who managed collection operations, and GS-1810 (General Investigating) for roles that leverage the analytical and investigative skill set without requiring full 1811 credentials.
Veterans' Preference gives former 35Ms an edge in federal hiring, and the TS/SCI clearance saves agencies significant time and money on onboarding. Key agencies beyond the intelligence community: Department of State (Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Diplomatic Security), Department of Energy (Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence), and Department of the Treasury (Office of Intelligence and Analysis).
GS Series & Position Matches
| GS Series | Federal Job Title | Typical Grades | Match | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-0132 | Intelligence | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12, GS-13 | View Details → | |
| GS-1810 | General Investigating | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-1811 | Criminal Investigator | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-13 | View Details → | |
| GS-0343 | Management and Program Analyst | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | View Details → | |
| GS-1801 | General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-1816 | Immigration Inspection | GS-5, GS-7 | View Details → | |
| GS-0301 | Miscellaneous Administration and Program | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | View Details → | |
| GS-0340 | Program Management | GS-11, GS-12, GS-13 | View Details → | |
| GS-0080 | Security Administration | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | View Details → | |
| GS-0201 | Human Resources Management | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → | |
| GS-1712 | Training Instruction | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | View Details → |
Federal resumes follow different rules. We know them.
Federal hiring uses keyword-matching and structured experience. BMR builds federal-format resumes (USAJobs-ready) with the right keywords, hours/week, and supervisor info — for any GS series above.
Free to start · Federal + civilian resume formats included
Want to Change Careers Entirely?
Not everyone wants to stay in a related field. These career paths leverage your transferable skills — leadership, risk management, logistics, project planning — in completely different industries.
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor
35Ms get guarded people to open up by building rapport and understanding motivation, not by pressure. That is the exact skill behind addiction and behavioral counseling, where motivational interviewing and trust are the whole method.
News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist
A HUMINT collector develops sources, interviews them, weighs credibility, and writes it up clearly. Investigative and beat journalism runs on those same skills: getting people to talk and turning it into a reliable story.
Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator
35Ms read people, defuse hostility, and surface what someone actually wants without taking a side. Mediation is built on that exact ability to keep both parties talking and uncover the real interests behind a dispute.
Fundraiser
Collectors cultivate relationships and read what motivates someone before ever making an ask. Major-gift fundraising is the same craft: building trust over time and understanding a donor enough to connect them to a cause.
Insurance Sales Agent
Elicitation is, at its core, getting a stranger to share what they need and trust you with it. Insurance sales rewards that exact skill: rapid rapport, discovery questioning, and reading what a client is not saying.
Human Resources Specialist
35Ms run structured interviews and read whether someone is being straight with them. HR recruiting and employee relations depend on that same interviewing and credibility-assessment ability across hiring and investigations.
Pivoting industries? You don't need to start from scratch.
The skills that made you a good Marine, Sailor, Airman, or Soldier transfer further than you think. BMR rewrites your bullets for any of the pivot careers above — without making you sound like you've never done the work.
Free to start · Try as many career angles as you want
Skills Translation Guide
If you are applying to intelligence agencies, defense contractors, or law enforcement — your HUMINT terminology translates directly. Recruiters in those industries know what source operations, tactical questioning, and HUMINT collection management mean.
This section is for 35Ms targeting careers outside of intelligence and security — corporate roles, consulting, project management, or any position where the hiring manager has never heard of a SALUTE report. The translations below reframe your HUMINT experience into business language that resonates with non-intelligence employers.
Resume Bullet Examples
Get bullets like these auto-generated for your resume.
BMR turns your 35M duties and accomplishments into civilian bullets that match the job you're applying for — no manual translation, no rewriting.
Free to start · Tailored to each job posting
Certifications by Career Path
Which certifications you need depends on where you're headed. Find your target career path below.
Compliance & Regulatory
Cybersecurity
GIS & Geospatial
Human Resources
Investigations
Project Management
Security Management
Got a cert? Don't bury it. List it the right way.
The wrong placement can sink an otherwise strong application. BMR knows where each cert ranks, what to call it, and how to frame it for ATS keyword matching and hiring manager attention.
Free to start · Built around your real certs and clearance
Transition Resources
For Staying in Intelligence & Security
SkillBridge Programs: Several defense contractors participate in DOD SkillBridge, allowing 35Ms to work civilian intelligence roles during their last 180 days of service. Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI, and Leidos have historically offered SkillBridge positions for intelligence professionals. Search the SkillBridge database for current openings.
Intelligence Community Careers: The IC posts positions through IntelligenceCareers.gov, which aggregates openings across CIA, DIA, NSA, NGA, and NRO. Create a profile and set alerts before you separate — hiring timelines in the IC are notoriously slow.
Clearance Maintenance: Your TS/SCI clearance remains active for up to 24 months after separation if not renewed. This is your most valuable asset. Use ClearanceJobs.com to find positions that require active clearances while yours is still current.
Professional Associations: The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) and AFCEA host networking events where defense and intelligence hiring happens. Attend before you separate.
For Careers Outside of Intelligence
Project Management: The PMP certification (PMI) opens doors in nearly every industry. 35Ms who planned and managed collection operations likely have enough documented project hours to qualify. Cost: ~$555 (PMI member) for the exam. GI Bill covers some prep courses.
Corporate Investigation & Compliance: The ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners) offers the CFE credential — valued in corporate security, compliance, and internal audit. Your interview and elicitation skills are directly applicable to fraud investigation.
Federal Employment (USAJobs): Create your USAJobs profile immediately. Key agencies beyond the IC: Department of State, Treasury, Energy, and DHS. Federal resumes are 2 pages max — not the 4-6 page myth you will see online. Build yours here.
Veteran Networking: American Corporate Partners (ACP) provides free mentorship from corporate executives. You will get paired with someone in your target industry. ACP is legitimate and completely free for veterans.
Education Benefits: Use your GI Bill strategically. For intelligence careers, an M.A. in Intelligence Studies, International Relations, or Security Studies from a recognized program adds credibility. For career pivots, certifications often provide faster ROI than a degree. Check the GI Bill Comparison Tool before enrolling.
BMR Career Resources
Army Resume Guide: MOS Translation | Complete Military Resume Guide | Army ETS Checklist | Build Your Resume Free
Your 30 / 60 / 90-Day Transition Plan
Most people do this backwards. They wait until terminal leave to start, then panic. Here's the sequence that works. Already out? Same plan, start at day one today.
Set the foundation
- Pull your DD-214 (request from Milconnect if separated)
- List your top 3 civilian roles AND top 3 GS series
- Build your tailored 35M resume — BMR does it free
- Write 1 strong LinkedIn headline (not "veteran seeking opportunities")
- Pull together your evals/performance reports for accomplishments
Apply with intent
- Apply to 5–10 jobs/week — quality over quantity
- Tailor every resume to the job description (BMR auto-tailors)
- Connect with 5 people/week on LinkedIn (not a spray)
- Set up a USAJobs profile and a saved-search alert for your GS series
- Practice translating your military bullets out loud — explain to a civilian friend
Close the offer
- Track every application — date, status, contact, notes
- Follow up 7–10 days after each application
- Prep for behavioral interviews using the STAR method
- Negotiate salary — don't take the first offer (BLS median is your floor)
- Stay applying even after one offer — leverage = options
Print this. Tape it to your monitor. Veterans who treat the job search like a 90-day op get hired faster than the ones who treat it like an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary for intelligence analysts?
Do I need a degree to work in intelligence after the Army?
How valuable is my TS/SCI clearance on the civilian job market?
What if I want to leave intelligence entirely?
Which federal agencies hire former 35Ms besides the obvious ones?
How does Veterans Preference work for federal intelligence jobs?
Should I get certified as a fraud examiner (CFE) or PMP?
What does a typical defense contractor HUMINT job look like?
Can I start job searching while still on active duty?
Is the HUMINT job market stable or cyclical?
Translate your 35M Human Intelligence Collector experience into a resume that gets callbacks
Stop rewriting from scratch every time you apply. BMR turns your military experience into civilian and federal resumes — tailored to each job.