Hello everybody my name is Joe Lujan.  I have been using this forum for several months as I prepared my DCIO application for the upcoming panel.  Although I haven't posted any specific questions the information posted on this forum has been extremely helpful and I just wanted to say thank you to everybody that contributes information and answers questions. 

I am currently an active duty Air Force Intelligence Analyst stationed in Colorado Springs, CO.  I am extremely hopeful to be selected into the DCIO program.  The Coast Guard performs the missions I would like to work, specifically counterterrorism, that the Air Force does not focus on as a primary mission. 

Are there any other applicants to the upcoming DCIO panel?  If so please introduce yourself I would love to know the different intel backgrounds and why they decided on the Coast Guard.  I wish all of you who are applying to the different programs the best of luck in the upcoming commissioning panels. 

Thanks Again,
Joe

Hi Joel,

I also dropped a DCIO packet.  I am currently at the NIU and heard about the program from some of the other CG officers in the masters program.  I looked into the CG mission and thought it was something I would like to pursue.

I'm an E-5, CI Agent in the AD Army.  I just returned from Afghanistan in June and have been at the NIU ever since. 

There's a couple other guys at the NIU who also dropped packets.  One is in the Navy and the other is a Coastie in the master's program.

I'm really looking forward to having a real-world mission without having to travel to another continent.  I think the FTO threat is a serious maritime concern.

I hope to get assigned in Florida if selected.

Where did you go to school?  What did you get your degree in?  Do you know of anyone else who applied?  Do you think you are going to miss the AF?  I'm nervous about leaving the Army but I think I have a better chance to affect the mission in the CG.

Have you been to your interview yet?

Justin

Justin,

Thank you for replying so quickly.  I am really glad to hear there are some diverse applicants for the board.  It seems to me that this program is one of the less talked about programs and I understand why.

I completed my interview at the Denver recruiting office in October and really enjoyed it.  I was definately nervous but the panel calmed my nerves quickly by allowing it to be much less formal than I expected.  I feel like it went really well but of course it seems like everybody did.  Have you completed yours yet?

I completed my Bachelors in Counterterrorism from Henley-Putnam University and am halfway done with my Masters in National Security Studies with AMU.  I would have loved to attend NDIC or JMIC but there just hasn't been an opportunity for me to get in right now. 

I don't know any others personally who have applied but I am glad that you do.  I think that the different backgrounds you have mentioned would greatly benefit the CG due to our vastly different experiences both at home and aborad. 

I will greatly miss the AF but ultimately I want to work the missions I do to better contribute to Homeland Security.  I think it is the same mindset that you have about transferring.

That is funny that you mentioned being stationed in FL since that is one of my wife and I's first choices as well.  She is from south of Tampa and would like to get home.  We would also like DC as an option.

Thank you again for replying.  It is great to meet you and I truly hope that I get to meet you on the other side.  Best of luck!

r/
Joe

I have been a language analyst for 8 years.  I am fluent in Arabic and Pashto.  I have been deployed several times in support of Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I put a package in for the DCIO program but I'm curious about something.  The instruction says applicants must have a degree in Intelligence but the field can be waived on case-by-case basis for those with extensive experience in Intelligence.  My undergrad is in Finance(graduated in 1999) and I am 18 hours away from completing my Masters degree in Criminal Justice.  What are the chances my undergrad field will work against me in this instance? Thank for any help.

You're gonna have to contact the nearest recruiting office to get the details on the program. No one here can calculate the odds of anything happening.

Your recruiter didn't say anything about this? You guys aren't finished with a degree in intelligence? HELL I SHOULD PUT IN A PACKAGE IM ALMOST DONE WITH AN INTELLIGENCE M.S. Wooo. Next year. Just kidding. I would kill myself in an office, I need the sea breeze in my hair, and the smell of dirty broken engines behind me!

I need the sea breeze in my hair, and the smell of dirty broken engines behind me!

You and me both! I miss the sound of screaming diesel engines.

Hey guys - saw the other DCIO applicants in here, so I decided to say hello. I served in the Army for 6 years (4 in the infantry and 2 in the Special Forces - AO Caribbean, Latin and South America). Then I left and worked as a police officer while I finished up my BS degree in Criminal Justice and Communications. After graduation, I went into corporate management where I was a tier 3 manager for a few Fortune 500 banks. I then returned to government work as an investigator for the Federal Investigative Services (OPM). In that capacity I do investigative and counterintelligence work, in particular for the Defense Intelligence Enterprise. I just completed my Master's Degree in Homeland Security - with High Honors (also at AMU - what an awesome school). My specialized course work was intelligence. My application went up AGAIN this year. I was not selected in the last panel. I actually caught a glance at my CG panel rating before it went up (not sure if I was supposed to see it) and I was rated 7's in all categories (which is the highest) but I wasn't picked up last year even with that. I'm not too sure why, but there has been a HUGE diversity push in the CG and most government entities. Unfortunately, this has caused me to miss several really great opportunities with various agencies, which is pretty sad. I was the highest rated applicant for a FBI Special Agent position in the Bureau's last rotation but my recruiter was candid with me. She told me I was put at the bottom of the list for academy dates because of the whole diversity thing. It took me 4 years to get through their process to make it to that list. By the time my number was FINALLY called, I had turned 37 and was dropped. The same story has played out a few times in different situations. I am hoping the CG is past that this year because I am extremely connected to the military and law enforcement intel network here in South Florida and have strong links to intel sources in Colombia and SA. Down South it is ALL about relationships when it comes to info sharing. My wife works for DHS and I'm plugged into the heads of most of the local LE fusion centers and regularly work with the CG folks at the MFIC. I have a TS clearance and speak some Spanish so that helps in this area. Anyway, I have heard that it sometimes takes a few tries to get picked up, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed this year. Either way I wish you all good luck and if any of you make it down this way with the CG, let me know.

Rockstar, when I read your post I was struck by a number of things you said. First, I am impressed with your training, experience, and education. I can imagine your frustration at not being picked up, and your other missed opportunities, given your credentials. Second, similar to you, this is my second time applying for a DCO position, although I'm not competing in the same program as you and the others in this thread. Like you, I've also heard that sometimes it takes a few tries to get selected, so let's hope that is indeed the case, and our perseverance pays dividends. Third, as for troubleshooting reasons why you were not selected last time around, I think it is problematic to assume there was only one reason the board decided not to choose you. I don't mean to imply that your intel about diversity is wrong, I simply suggest that it's difficult to determine with certainty the minds of the members on a selection panel, who completely vary from cycle to cycle, and who spend substantial time pouring over hundreds of qualified applicants, each unique with certain abilities and who bring different assets to the table.

One piece of advice I have to offer for your consideration relates to your motivation to join the CG. This is what I believe was my weakest link last time around, and what I've been focusing on this term. You mentioned that you have numerous opportunities in the intel world, some of which have already passed you by. It seems to me that you would be well-suited for the FBI, NSA, etc., but the question that surfaces for me regarding your application is why the CG as opposed to the other agencies? Now you may have answered this question already, quite well in fact considering your interview ratings, and you don't see the issue here, but maybe this is something you could still improve.

Finally, a last piece of feedback/advice to consider concerns your flexibility and the specificity of your experience. The location of your prior intel contacts and experience suggest that you would want to work for the CG in the 7th and 8th Districts only. I don't know you and I don't know your objectives in the CG, but from what I read in your comment and how you described your background and abilities, it seems that is your goal. From other comments and posts I've read on this forum, flexibility in assignment is very important, and it is possible that might have been another limiting factor for you. Again, this may be something you have absolutely no problem with, I'm just going on the information you provided. I do not mean to criticize your application, but instead to assist you in determining areas you may not have previously considered for why your otherwise stellar application was not picked up. These are considerations I've applied in my own situation and hopefully they will be of service to you as well.

Good luck to all of you during the panel this year.

HMMM. Dont get discouraged. Both of you, the CG is really tightening its belt right now. Maybe they literally only took 5 applicants last year for intelligence? Who knows. But ya keep trying, alot of people don't get picked up until their 2nd or third time.

Rockstar,

   Thanks for replying and letting us know that you too applied this year.  I can't believe the board is a week away.  Your background sounds intriguing and diverse.  Best of luck to you!!

Bells,
 
    They only accepted four applicants last year and I am truly hoping they are taking at least four again this year.  You are so correct, it is becoming more and more difficult as they tighten their belt.

they are taking four again this year.

Where did you get that info?

psychic!

+1 Bells

Good luck folks. I know one of the Officers on panel. GREAT guy. Loves the USCG, and zero tolerance for BS.

Srf13 did you apply as well for the upcoming board?

No sir. Heading in reserves in September's Depot.

Congrats on getting into Depot!!

I know a couple of former AD Navy Intel service members that got picked up on their first try but I think it all depends on what the board is looking for that particular year. This is my first time submitting a package so I'm somewhat anxious. It will be interesting to see how many they accept this year. I believe they took 5 in 2010 and 4 last year. Good luck to everyone.

Prior 2012,

Thanks for the feedback. If there is one thing I have learned in life, the most important quality one can gain from others is honest input. And in our case, Iron sharpens Iron! I take everything you said with an introspective look and appreciate the spirit of your approach. The truth is, no one can truly know what an organization may be looking for that year. But I do know for a fact that the CG has been hounded to recruit more diversity. I personally believe that is a good thing, as long as the playing field is level. As for your points regarding the ability and desire to relocate, they know that I am completely flexible in that regard, and naturally my skills will travel with me. I do however respect your point about my connections down here. I bring them up because this area is by far the most critical in the country from an Intel perspective. We have the most significant amount of drug trafficking and illegals entering our country in the 7th and 8th Districts. But what has always remained a grave threat from a national security perspective is the proximity of Cuba and now Venezuela. Both are networked with our Communist enemies. We can never forget the Cuban Missile Crisis. Even Kennedy had a nuclear shelter built on Peanut Island. That was the closest we have ever come to nuclear annihilation, and Russia gets regular invites down South these days. With Putin back in office, and the Chinese wanting to take the #1 spot, anything can happen.

The other aspect of the complexity of this state is the amount of boating traffic, from recreational to commercial. Not to mention cruise liners. You need an incredible amount of good Intel and networking to find the threats. They are literally a needle in a haystack. We are surrounded on all three sides by water and have several of the WORLD's largest ports. So whether it is a Mumbai styled ground attack or a nuke in a shipping container - we are susceptible. We also have SOCOM in Tampa, SOUTHCOM in Homestead and DIA South down here. We have several prime targets in this district such as oil rigs, Turkey Point and 2 other nuclear power plants on the water. No other state has such a combination, and the Bin-Laden Intel said they were planning on attacking oil tankers, rigs and "pirate style" attacks on cruise ships.

From a career perspective; while other groups like the CIA, DIA and NSA may sound more prestigious, it's really not about me trying to pursue a career, but rather what organization I see as the most crucial to protecting the country. For the reasons mentioned above, I see the Coast Guard as the most important organization within our Homeland Security apparatus. We are literally the last line of defense to protect our nation. If the threat reaches the shore or the port, it will be too late. The IC can find hundreds of folks with multiple languages and Intel experience in several theaters, but Contract linguists and "analysts" are a dime-a dozen. The above agencies always take the same approach and have missed virtually every significant threat and world event in modern times. But the CG has always been a group that focuses on RESULTS - not prestige. That is why I want to join. With that said, I can say with great honesty that there are VERY few people in my area who have the relationships and connections on the ground that I have. I was born and raised here and operated in this theater for the Special Forces. My wife is from Colombia and her mom used to prosecute the cartels before she retired. Between us, we know the right people who can be trusted in most of the region and the important law enforcement heads in our state. Those types of assets take YEARS to develop and even longer to gain their trust. That is something that I can offer the Coast Guard that others can't. I feel hopeful the panel can see that.

Oops sorry guys - I "double tapped" it. Looks like old habits never die

Posted By rockstar0000 on 23 Mar 2012 10:43 PM
Prior 2012,

Thanks for the feedback. If there is one thing I have learned in life, the most important quality one can gain from others is honest input. And in our case, Iron sharpens Iron! I take everything you said with an introspective look and appreciate the spirit of your approach. The truth is, no one can truly know what an organization may be looking for that year. But I do know for a fact that the CG has been hounded to recruit more diversity. I personally believe that is a good thing, as long as the playing field is level. As for your points regarding the ability and desire to relocate, they know that I am completely flexible in that regard, and naturally my skills will travel with me. I do however respect your point about my connections down here. I bring them up because this area is by far the most critical in the country from an Intel perspective. We have the most significant amount of drug trafficking and illegals entering our country in the 7th and 8th Districts. But what has always remained a grave threat from a national security perspective is the proximity of Cuba and now Venezuela. Both are networked with our Communist enemies. We can never forget the Cuban Missile Crisis. Even Kennedy had a nuclear shelter built on Peanut Island. That was the closest we have ever come to nuclear annihilation, and Russia gets regular invites down South these days. With Putin back in office, and the Chinese wanting to take the #1 spot, anything can happen.

The other aspect of the complexity of this state is the amount of boating traffic, from recreational to commercial. Not to mention cruise liners. You need an incredible amount of good Intel and networking to find the threats. They are literally a needle in a haystack. We are surrounded on all three sides by water and have several of the WORLD's largest ports. So whether it is a Mumbai styled ground attack or a nuke in a shipping container - we are susceptible. We also have SOCOM in Tampa, SOUTHCOM in Homestead and DIA South down here. We have several prime targets in this district such as oil rigs, Turkey Point and 2 other nuclear power plants on the water. No other state has such a combination, and the Bin-Laden Intel said they were planning on attacking oil tankers, rigs and "pirate style" attacks on cruise ships.

From a career perspective; while other groups like the CIA, DIA and NSA may sound more prestigious, it's really not about me trying to pursue a career, but rather what organization I see as the most crucial to protecting the country. For the reasons mentioned above, I see the Coast Guard as the most important organization within our Homeland Security apparatus. We are literally the last line of defense to protect our nation. If the threat reaches the shore or the port, it will be too late. The IC can find hundreds of folks with multiple languages and Intel experience in several theaters, but Contract linguists and "analysts" are a dime-a dozen. The above agencies always take the same approach and have missed virtually every significant threat and world event in modern times. But the CG has always been a group that focuses on RESULTS - not prestige. That is why I want to join. With that said, I can say with great honesty that there are VERY few people in my area who have the relationships and connections on the ground that I have. I was born and raised here and operated in this theater for the Special Forces. My wife is from Colombia and her mom used to prosecute the cartels before she retired. Between us, we know the right people who can be trusted in most of the region and the important law enforcement heads in our state. Those types of assets take YEARS to develop and even longer to gain their trust. That is something that I can offer the Coast Guard that others can't. I feel hopeful the panel can see that.

There is really no reason to diminish the work of those agencies and linguists/analysts that are protecting our nation.  As a linguist who works in CT for NA, I can tell you with 100% certainty that you are wrong about these agencies missing every significant threat in modern time.  I have direct knowledge that contradicts that statement.  Being born and raised in South Florida is far closer to being a dime a dozen that being a linguist/analyst for one of the agencies you mentioned.

People bring their own unique set of skills and experiences to the table in this profession.  You seem like a qualified individual worthy of consideration for this program.  I'm sure you wold do great things in the Coast Guard as an Intelligence Officer.  I'm just pointing out the inaccuracy that you brought to the discussion.

Folks I wish you all the best of luck. I hope we all get picked up and can continue our discussion in New London CT We are the next generation of folks trying to keep this country safe. So no matter where we end up, it has really been encouraging to see such patriotic professionals who have TRULY prepared themselves for service to this nation in their various specialty. I will leave everyone with a thought: National Security is not a profession or a career path, but rather a calling that one answers because they stay up at night knowing that the world is dark and dangerous. They know that it is only a matter of time before that danger reaches our shore and they are prepared to go anywhere, do anything, and give everything to prevent that from happening - even if it costs them their life. That is the true definition of "Semper Paratus!"

Technically, it's a profession and a career.

+ 1 for Cooch

 

National Security is not a profession or a career path, but rather a calling that one answers because they stay up at night knowing that the world is dark and dangerous. They know that it is only a matter of time before that danger reaches our shore and they are prepared to go anywhere, do anything, and give everything to prevent that from happening - even if it costs them their life. That is the true definition of "Semper Paratus!"

I like the way you think.

From what I can tell there is simply a plethora of intelligence experience that has applied for the DCIO program. I would be honored to serve along side any of the selectees. Every agency out there wants diversity, whether it's from a cultural background, previous work experience, language proficiency or personal connection. One of the things that I want to highlight that may be interesting;