Hey guys, I was branch detailed to Field Artillery and am now MI. Branch detail is a great program which is designed to give MI officers the tactical and operational experience before they become intelligence professionals advising Battalion level Commanders. You can expect the exact same LT experience as any other officer of the branch you are detailed to (I was a FSO then became a PL/Battery XO, then BN s2.) Once you are a Captain, you will go to Huachuca to learn your new profession as an Intel professional. You will likely be used as (and should seek out) a BN S2 position coming out of the MICCC and you will find that your detail experience will only help you with learning the trade. Intel is for Commanders, as part of that, you need to know what the Commander needs to be able to make well-informed decisions. The branch detail program’s purpose is to help you be better at doing that. If you have heard mixed reviews from folks about the program, it was likely some folks who didn’t get a plush assignment at INSCOM. Too bad, there is a reason those positions aren’t designated as “Key Developmental” and a BN S2 position is. The key is to get in contact with your Branch Manager (the MI one for Captains) early and get what the process is to get into the transition/MICCC.

-Former JO Cole