Soldier. Leader. Analyst.
The Intelligence Corps are responsible for information gathering and intelligence analysis. Modern military operations are dependent on the provision of highly accurate and timely intelligence. To provide this, our analysts are embedded in all parts of the Military to ensure that the Army's operations are successful. Although we are one of the smallest parts of the Army, our analysts have a monumental impact on decision making straight out of training.
Soldier First
All of our analysts are soldiers first. You will complete basic training and throughout your career maintain your shooting, fitness, and ability to live and operate in austere conditions.
You will have access to all the advantages of being a soldier - free gym; paid sports and adventurous training; cheap accommodation - as well as being a professional analyst.
Being a soldier first means that you are highly deployable. Unlike your counterparts in civilian intelligence, you will have the opportunity to spend a large part of your career abroad on operations or exercises.
Whether you are working from an office, a forward operating base, or a trench, we support Commanders at the point of decision making. That means that if they go forward and into the fight, so will you.
Lead from the Start
We are one of the only parts of the Army where all of our soldiers achieve the rank of Lance Corporal during their initial specialist training. This means that you will begin your career already on the first step of the promotion ladder. This equates to an approx. £7,000 increase in annual pay from the moment you complete training.
This will give you the confidence and credibility straight out of training to add real value to operational planning using your analytical skills.
Being an Intelligence Analyst means having the moral courage to present facts and analysis under pressure - even if that means telling a Senior Leader that they may be wrong.
Intelligence is about saving lives, and that comes with the added responsibility and reward of earning that coveted first stripe a lot earlier than your peers across the Army.
Making a difference
Problem solving, pattern recognition, prediction, insight.
The use of analytical tools to turn information into useful intelligence is our core skill. This is varied work - finding a terrorist leader, supporting humanitarian work, predicting enemy movements, or something else entirely.
You can choose three career paths:
- Operator Military Intelligence. Our primary trade, supporting the Army, Defence, and UK Special Forces. You can remain in all-source analysis or specialise in a particular area of intelligence.
- Operator Technical Intelligence. A specialist trade focusing on Signals Intelligence, Cyber, or Languages. Much of this work supports covert and sensitive operations.
- Intelligence Officer. Balance analysis with team management and leadership. Like all other officers, you must first attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and then be selected for Intelligence duties.
You are entering a highly sought after profession where we will give you the opportunity to earn graduate and postgraduate qualifications throughout your career.
Our Specialisms
Our analysts often specialise and become experts in a field. Whichever path you choose, look forward to becoming an in-demand expert having an impact on real-life operations.
- Operational Intelligence
- Counter Intelligence and Security
- Imagery Intelligence
- Signals Intelligence (incl. linguist work)
- Human Intelligence
- Cyber Intelligence
- Open Source Intelligence
- Material and Personnel Exploitation
Our Stories
I went home each night knowing that I had made a real difference. All this for someone twenty years old. Sophie, 20
Learning a language to make a difference
I spent the first two years of my Intelligence career in training - first learning the basics of being a soldier and then specialising in Signals Intelligence and the Pashto language.
My first job was using my language and analytical skills to provide real-time warning to deployed troops. We provided soldiers on the ground with up-to-the-second intelligence from enemy communications so that Commanders could make informed decisions.
The work was incredibly exciting and high tempo. Every day was different and you didn't know what was going to happen on the way into work each morning. I could see that my work had immediate real world effect - identifying threats to soldiers on the ground and warning them in time to prevent casualties.
Even though I was UK based, I went home each night knowing that I had made a real difference. All this for someone twenty years old and only a few months out of training - it was incredibly rewarding.
It was humbling... what an incredible amount of influence for someone just out of training Jay, 24
Finding a Taliban Explosives Factory
While in Afghanistan in 2013, I deployed attached to the Infantry. The local Afghans we were supporting were taking heavy casualties from Taliban Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Two months in to the tour, we identified a potential explosives factory.
At first we thought it was a drugs lab, and for six weeks we painstakingly developed the intelligence picture. Eventually we were sure the building was being used by the Taliban to create IEDs, and developed the intelligence to plan a raid.
Once the door was kicked in, we found piles of explosives, ammunition, wires, and ball bearings. Everything needed to cause devastation in the local community.
Hearing the reports of what was found, we felt pretty awesome. We'd provided something really positive to the area. No one will ever know for sure the extent of the effect we had, but we know that we probably saved lives and prevented people from being killed or maimed. That's enough for me.
8 hours in to my deployment and I had prevented an enemy ambush Richard, 26
PREVENTING AN AMBUSH
Within 8 hours of landing in a war zone, I had used my newly acquired language skills to contribute to intelligence that potentially saved lives.
During my first foreign language conversation with a friendly local, I worked out that an enemy ambush had been set up in front of a coalition patrol. Once I presented my analysis, the patrol was re-routed and the ambush avoided - potentially saving those soldiers from serious injury or death. This was a truly rewarding start to my tour.
For an OPTI, there is no better feeling than knowing that the intelligence you provide allows the Commander to make the right decision. In other words, your work has an immediate and important impact.
As an OPTI, every post is different. But together, we provide 24-7, 365 days a year cover. Somewhere in the world, there will always be an OPTI using their language and/or technical analysis skills to uncover the enemy's next move.
Within weeks of joining my new section, I was working on a counter-terrorism threat Laura, 28
Tracking the enemy online
Within a few weeks of joining my new section, I was working on a counter-terrorism threat to the British Army. This is what I joined the Intelligence Corps to do and here I was doing it.
Working closely with the civilian police, we were exploiting social media and other websites in order to establish the enemy’s network. Once established and with the correct authorisations in place, we were able track the individuals on the darkest parts of the internet, join the same forums and websites as them, and collect information to assist with the investigation.
Open Source Intelligence is normally very reactive: responding quickly to incidents and working with other parts of the military and various government departments. Whilst the military provided all the courses to develop and enhance my analytical skill set, the experience of working on live intelligence problems counted for everything.
Leading a team of soldiers to identify Islamic State threats Ben, 27
Counter-Terrorism Operations
In 2015, I was a teacher running secondary school counter-radicalisation workshops. I wanted to have more of a direct impact against the Islamic State, so joined the Army.
After Sandhurst I joined the Intelligence Corps, and within two years was leading a deployed team in the Middle East on a Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Operation.
As far as I'm concerned, being an Army Intelligence Officer is the best job in the world. I'm privileged to lead and manage some of the most motivated and capable people in the whole Army, but I also get to work on cutting edge intelligence projects.
I joined the Army to make a difference, and there's nowhere like the Intelligence Corps for it.
Past to Present
Tracing its history back to Wellington's Peninsula Campaign, the Intelligence Corps was formally established with the consent of King George VI on 15 July 1940. Ever since it has deployed in support of every British operation, from the jungles of Malaya to the deserts of Iraq.
Our locations
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Intelligence Corps HQ
Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5PR Telephone: 01462 752135
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1 MI Battalion HQ
1 Military Intelligence Headquarters is based in Catterick, but it also has units in Colchester and York. The Battalion provides Military Intelligence support to the Army's High Readiness and Adaptable Forces, to the Firm Base and other specified Joint and Defence capabilities.
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2 MI Battalion HQ
2 Military Intelligence Headquarters is based in Upavon, It has units in Abingdon and and a Reserve Unit in Southampton. The Unit’s mix of capabilities are unique in the Army, Defence and wider Government. The Battalion is focused on two main areas: Material and Personnel Exploitation (MPE) and Counter Intelligence (CI).
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3 MI Battalion HQ
3 Military Intelligence Battalion is an Army Reserve unit under the operational command of 1 Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade within Force Troops Command and is based in London and Cambridge. Tel: 07980 706583
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4 MI Battalion HQ
4 Military Intelligence Headquarters is based in Bulford, but it also has units in Aldershot, Dorset and Germany. The Battalion provides Military Intelligence Close Support and delivers the Counter Intelligence/Security component to Op ASSERT within boundaries in order to enable the find and understand functions within the Land Component.
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5 MI Battalion HQ
5 Military Intelligence Battalion is one of four Intelligence Corps Army Reserve units in the British Army. We are based in Scotland, the North East of England and Yorkshire. The Battalion is actively recruiting in all regions, at all ranks. Tel: 0131 310 5744
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6 MI Battalion HQ
6 Military Intelligence Battalion is a hybrid Regular/Reserve unit which provides intelligence support to 6th (United Kingdom) Division Headquarters and its two subordinate brigades: 77th Brigade and the Army Special Operations Brigade.
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7 MI Battalion HQ
7 Military Intelligence Battalion is an Army Reserve unit under the operational command of the 1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade, within the Field Army. Tel: 07973 739387
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Land Intelligence Fusion Centre
Regular Unit
LIFC provides fused, multi-disciplinary intelligence in support of Land Forces in the home base and on operations.
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Defence Intelligence Fusion Centre
Regular Unit
Multi-disciplinary Task Groups at DIFC use data and reporting from various sources, together with other advanced technologies, to provide critical information to tactical, operational and strategic decision makers.
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Defence Intelligence Training Group
Training Unit
OCdts and Soldiers who join the Intelligence Corps will complete various training courses at Chicksands. Chicksands is the ‘Home’ of the Intelligence Corps.
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11, 14, 15 MI Companies - 1 MI Battalion
Regular Unit
Gaza Barracks, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, DL9 4AU Tel: 01462 752135
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12 MI Company - 1 MI Battalion
Regular Unit
254 Fulford Road, York, YO10 4PA Tel: 01462 752135
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16 MI Company - 1 MI Battalion
Regular Unit
Merville Barracks, Colchester, CO2 7UT Tel: 01462 752135
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21 MI Company - 2 MI Battalion
Regular Unit
Shippon, Abingdon, OX13 6HNTelephone: Tel: 01462 752135
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23 MI Company - 2 MI Battalion
Regular Unit
Upavon, Pewsey, SN9 6BE Tel: 01462 752135
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25 MI Company - 2 MI Battalion
Regular Unit
Magheralave Road, Lisburn, Northern Ireland BT28 3NP Tel: 01462 752135
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31 MI Company - 3 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Ashford House, 79-85 Worship Street, EC2A 2BE Tel: 07980 706583
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32 MI Company - 3 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Coldhams Lane, Cambridge, CB1 3HS Tel: 07980 706583
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33/34 MI Companys - 3 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
1 Fitzjohns Avenue, Hampstead, London, NW3 5LA Tel: 07980 706583
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51 MI Company - 5 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
124 McDonald Road, Edinburgh EH7 4NQ Tel: 01462 752135
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51 MI Company (det) - 5 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
21 Jardine Street, Glasgow, G20 6JU Tel: 01462 752135
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52 MI Company - 5 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
347 Alexandra Road, Gateshead, NE8 4HX
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53 MI Company - 5 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Carlton Barracks, Carlton Gate. Leeds LS7 1HE
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53 MI Company (det) - 5 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Boythorpe Road, Chesterfield, S40 2NH
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61 MI Company - 6 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Langdon House, Norman Road, Rusholme, Manchester, M14 5LH Tel: 07966 534750 10am - 4pm
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62 MI Company - 6 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Thiepval Barracks, Magherlave Road, Lisburn, BT28 3NP Tel: -2892 263752
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62 MI Company (det) - 6 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LE
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63 MI Company - 6 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Wiggin House, Swinford Road, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY22 2LQ Tel: 07966 534630
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63 MI Company (det) - 6 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Army Reserve Centre, Water Eaton Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 5HQ Tel: 07966 534630
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71 MI Company - 7 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Army Reserve Centre, Horfield Common, Bristol, BS7 0XL Tel: 01985 223732 or 07973 739387
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71 MI Company (det) - 7 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Wyvern Barracks, Exeter, EX2 6AR Tel: 01985 223732 or 07973 739387
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72 MI Company - 7 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Army Reserve Centre, Millbrook Road, Southampton, SO15 0AJ Tel: 02380 725019 or 07973 739387
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73 MI Company - 7 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Denison Barracks, Hermitage, Berkshire, RG18 9TP Tel: 01635 204364 or 07973 739387
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74 MI Company - 7 MI Battalion
Reserve Unit
Raglan Barracks, Newport, NP20 5XE Tel: 01985 223732 or 07973 739387
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Intelligence Corps HQ
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