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ArmyIntelligenceRank #23 of 101 by 4-year cost
35M

Human Intelligence Collector

35-week pipeline · BCT + AIT + Language Training (partial) · Fort Huachuca, AZ + DLI (language-dependent)
Training Pipeline
$86K
35 weeks
Annual MILPERS
$67K
E-4/E-5, 3 years service
Equipment Burden
$5K
per year (amortized)
4-Year Total Cost
$372K
DoD investment
4-Year Cost Breakdown
Training Pipeline
$86K23%
Military Personnel (MILPERS × 4yr)
$268K72%
Equipment Burden (× 4yr)
$18K5%
Training: 23% · MILPERS: 72% · Equipment: 5%= $372K
By the Numbers

A single productive HUMINT source can provide intelligence worth more than any technical collection system. 35Ms are trained to recruit, validate, and debrief those sources — a skill with no civilian equivalent.

Training Pipeline
Duration
35 weeks
Type
BCT + AIT + Language Training (partial)
Location
Fort Huachuca, AZ + DLI (language-dependent)
Pipeline Cost
$86K

35Ms conduct source operations and interrogations — the only Army MOS that can legally conduct tactical questioning and formal interrogations. Their 35-week pipeline includes law of armed conflict, source validation, and foreign language basics.

Equipment & Annual Burden
Assigned Equipment
  • ·M17 Pistol
  • ·M4A1 Carbine
  • ·HIIDE Biometric Device ($8K)
  • ·Tactical Recording Equipment
  • ·Interpreter Support Kit
Annual Equipment Burden
$5K/yr
HIIDE biometric device + recording equipment + personal gear
Military Personnel Cost (Annual)
Grade BenchmarkE-4/E-5, 3 years service
Base MILPERS$63K/yr
Specialty Pay(Foreign Language Proficiency Pay (FLPP), Special Duty Assignment Pay)+$4K/yr
Total Annual MILPERS$67K/yr
Specialty pays account for $4K annually (5% of total compensation).
Force Structure Context
Annual Accessions~900
Avg Career Length7 years
Annual Training Bill$77.4M
Total Force 4yr Cost$334.7M
Read 35M Reviews →← All MOS ProfilesAverage Per-Soldier Cost →
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Cost estimates derived from DoD Comptroller per-soldier analysis, RAND Corporation military personnel studies, CBO military compensation reports, service-specific training cost testimony, and published equipment unit costs. Error margin ±15%. Individual costs vary by duty station, assignment, and deployment tempo. This is Phase 3 of the Honest MOS DoD Budget Intelligence Roadmap.