Human Intelligence Specialist

What does a Human Intelligence Specialist do?

Retrain-In Only. Perform human intelligence (HUMINT) operations – from source development and operations to debriefing and mission analysis – in support of multi-domain operations across all phases of conflict and at every echelon. Identify, assess, and cultivate human sources to gather critical information regarding adversarial elements, activities, intentions, capabilities, and locations within the Operational Environment (OE). Conduct HUMINT collection utilizing English, foreign languages, or interpreter/translator support. Question personnel including enemy prisoners of war, detainees, deserters, internally displaced persons, liaison contacts, friendly forces, and individuals with unique access to information. Leverage structured analytic techniques, classified databases, and open-source intelligence to develop, execute, and assess HUMINT operations, while employing robust security measures to mitigate risk. Coordinate with host-nation and coalition partners, requiring strong communication and collaboration skills. Responsible for the production and dissemination of timely and accurate intelligence reporting.

Duties and responsibilities

• Source Operations & Development. Conducts HUMINT operations and debriefs human sources to address intelligence requirements in compliance with US laws and policies. Assesses potential sources through biographical research, document examination, and behavioral analysis, documenting reliability and validity appropriately. Executes in-depth debriefings across a range of operational environments. Identifies and targets potential human sources based on validated intelligence requirements, employing appropriate security controls throughout the process. Coordinates and deconflicts source-related issues with interagency partners. Demonstrates leadership in fostering relationships with sources and building trust.
• Lead development & Collaboration. Screens documents and open-source materials to identify potential human source leads. Contacts and assesses leads to determine value and validity of the information they possess. Practices and applies appropriate security controls throughout the lead development process. Conducts coordination and deconfliction with interagency partners regarding source-related issues. Effectively communicates with internal and external stakeholders to share information, build rapport, and facilitate collaborative intelligence gathering.
• Intelligence reporting & Production. Prepares Intelligence Information Reports (IIRs) and summaries from collected data, clearly citing the specific intelligence requirements addressed. Responds to requests and requirements originating from the Intelligence Community (IC). Disseminates IIRs to appropriate consumers in accordance with established IC reporting guidelines and organizational standards. Publishes products to alert the IC regarding available sources and information. Maintains a focus on producing timely, accurate, and relevant intelligence products that directly support operational needs.
• Collection Management & Mission Support. Coordinates intelligence requirements to ensure alignment with collection efforts. Validates and maintains a current understanding of all applicable intelligence requirements. Applies requirements consistently to screenings, assessments, debriefings, and related documentation. Solicits feedback from consumers of intelligence reporting to improve collection efforts. Tracks the production and evaluation of reporting to ensure it directly addresses unit-specific operational directives.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: intelligence organizations, systems, and reporting procedures; Intelligence collection methods and structured analytical techniques; Geopolitical awareness, including foreign cultures, military systems, and mapping; Intelligence document management and data security protocols; Interviewing and debriefing techniques, including behavioral analysis; Air Force and DoD intelligence reporting standards; Proficiency in word processing and professional writing.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or General Education Development equivalency is mandatory. Completion of courses in foreign language, psychology, political science, international relations, cultural anthropology/sociology, computer science, critical thinking, and writing are highly desirable.

Training and Experience. The following formal training and/or experience is mandatory for the award of the AFSC indicated:

• 1N731. For award of AFSC 1N731, successful completion of The Defense Strategic Debriefing Course (DSDC), Ft. Huachuca, and the ISR Fundamentals for HUMINT Course, at Goodfellow AFB, are mandatory. As a retrain-only career field, there is no 5-skill level for the 1N7X1 AFSC.
• 1N771. For award of the AFSC 1N771, qualification in and possession of AFSC 1N731 for a minimum of 12 months is required.

Other. The following are mandatory for entry into this specialty:

• Must be SSgt or above to apply; SrA may be accepted on case-by-case basis with approval from the 1N Career Field Manager (CFM).
• Ability to type 35 words per minute (wpm).
• No speech disorders or noticeable communications deficiencies as defined by DAFMAN 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• A narrative autobiography outlining two specific achievements and why the member wants to retrain into the 1N7 AFS will be submitted with the retraining application. The autobiography will be no shorter than one page and no longer than three pages in length. NOTE: This is not an Air Force biography and will not include a photograph.
• A recorded, virtual interview with the 1N7 Deputy CFM or appointed SNCO that has held the 1N7X1 AFS.
• See attachment 4 of this directory for additional entry requirements.
• Letter of Recommendation for current CC and Supervisor.
• Last three EPBs.
• Must have a minimum score of 65 in General on the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) or a minimum score of 62 in General on the ASVAB plus a minimum score of 44 on the 1N7X1 Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System (TAPAS)/ASVAB predictive success model (PSM).

For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs, the following are mandatory:

• Specialty requires routine access to Tier 5 (T5) information, systems, or similar classified environment.
• Completion of a current T5 Investigation IAW DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405, Air Force Personnel Security Program, is mandatory.
• When required for a current or future assignment, Airmen must successfully complete a Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph and meet all customer access eligibility requirements. Airmen who fail to successfully complete a polygraph or do not meet mission, system, and/or facility access eligibility requirements should be considered for retraining or separation within 12 months..
• Must maintain local network access IAW AFMANs 17-1201, User Responsibilities and Guidance for Information Systems and17-1301, Computer Security. NOTE: A T5 investigation must be initiated within 10 business days of being notified of entry into the AFS. Award of the entry level without a completed T5 Investigation is authorized provided an interim Top Secret security clearance has been granted according to DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405. In order to attend the ISR Fundamentals for HUMINT tech school at Goodfellow AFB, Airman mist possess a valid TS/SCI entered into DISS from their losing unit. Retrainees start their T5 security investigation under their losing unit/CC.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $36,170–$125,350 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Clinical and Counseling Psychologists: $79,820
• Customs and Border Protection Officers: $65,540
• Database Administrators: $98,860
• Detectives and Criminal Investigators: $86,940
• Editors: $63,400
• Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs: $47,110
• Emergency Management Directors: $76,250
• First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers: $60,910
• First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: $92,970
• General and Operations Managers: $103,650
• Intelligence Analysts: $86,940
• Interpreters and Translators: $52,330
• Interviewers: $36,170
• Management Analysts: $87,660
• Operations Research Analysts: $86,200
• Police Identification and Records Officers: $86,940
• Political Scientists: $125,350
• Private Detectives and Investigators: $53,320
• Sociologists: $86,110
• Technical Writers: $74,650