Choosing a Military Career: Which branch collaborates with the CIA the most?

Hey gang, it's my junior year, and I'm seriously considering a military career after graduation. Particularly interested in intelligence work — does anyone know which military branch tends to work closely with agencies like the CIA?

In studying military branches and their connection with the intelligence community, including the CIA, the Air Force or the Army are usually the branches most frequently cited for extensive collaboration.

The Air Force's Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) often partners with civilian agencies, including the CIA's Special Activities Division (SAD). A founding principle of AFOSI is to “detect, exploit, and neutralize” any threat to the USAF's mission, which naturally dovetails with the goals of the CIA.

Similarly, the U.S. Army's Intelligence & Security Command (INSCOM) frequently works with the CIA and other civilian intelligence agencies. Their mission is to deliver actionable intelligence to decision-makers, which involves a high-level of collaboration across the intelligence community.

It's important to remember that the specific jobs you're qualified for in the military depend on many factors, not just the branch you choose. The results of your ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test, physical fitness, background check, and other criteria can all influence your military career path.

Finally, choosing a branch to ultimately work with the CIA is not a guaranteed path. While it's true each branch has their own intelligence department, the CIA is extremely selective and hires very few people directly out of the military with no college degree. In fact, most roles at the CIA require at least a bachelor's degree, and many require a master's degree or PhD. For military personnel seeking employment with the CIA, it's typically best to get a bachelor's degree (minimum) while in the military, either at a service academy or using tuition assistance or the GI Bill to pay for it.

So while the Army and the Air Force likely have the most direct interactions with the CIA, it's not a guarantee that serving in either will put you on a path to join the CIA later. It can help, though, particularly if you are interested in a career in intelligence. The experience you gain and the clearance you obtain in the military can certainly be advantageous when applying to jobs in intelligence after your military service ends.