The standards set by the Navy are understandably high for Sailors wishing to pursue a career in the Intelligence Specialist (IS) rating, the only source rating for Intelligence Technician Chief Warrant Officers. These Sailors are constantly reviewing and evaluating digital reams of data that an enemy or suspected threat force could use to completely negate the effectiveness of Naval intelligence-gather operations and mislead other branches of the U.S. Military on wild-goose chases.
Because of the gravity of the work that Intelligence Specialists routinely perform, all candidates for the rating must undergo and pass a Single Scope Background Investigation not once, but every five years. This vigilance is necessary because history has shown that there are Sailors who not only will betray their nation by turning it over to other nations, but will also do so for the flimsiest of reasons for almost laughably small compensation.
In 2011, for example, Intelligence Specialist Second Class Bryan Minkyu Martin was caught handing over a veritable treasure trove of information to a man that he was convinced was a spy for the Chinese government. Inside the three packets he was planning to sell for $11,500 was information on current naval operations, assessments of threat indicators that had been developed by the IS community, photos, satellite imagery, and detailed data on U.S. military operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Martin, a 22-year-old reservist, was assigned to the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center, which is located at the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach. Fortunately for the Navy and for the country, Martin had been duped: the “Chinese” spy was actually an undercover FBI agent. The motivation for Martin’s treasonous act? He needed money because his personal finances were shaky and he was engaged to be married.
The notion that someone would commit an act that has the potential to result in a death sentence in return for less money than you’d need to buy a subcompact car is unnerving—and it’s the reason that the Navy closely monitors the work and activities of Sailors working in the IS rating.
CWO Intelligence Technician Hard Shoulder Boards
CWO Intelligence Technician Soft Epaulets
CWO Intelligence Technician Sleeve Device