0241 Imagery Intelligence Specialist
A photograph from a drone or satellite is raw data. The 0241 Imagery Intelligence Specialist is the Marine who turns it into answers: where is the target, what is it doing, what does the terrain look like, and what changed since yesterday? Imagery intelligence sits at the intersection of technology, visual analysis, and operational decision-making. The field demands visual precision, technical competence, and the analytical discipline to avoid misreading what the sensor collected.
Job Role and Responsibilities
The 0241 Imagery Intelligence Specialist processes and analyzes imagery products gathered from space-based and airborne platforms and sensors, including infrared, electro-optic, radar, and laser systems, to produce imagery intelligence in support of MAGTF operations. These Marines identify and characterize targets, assess battle damage, support targeting operations, and provide commanders with precise spatial intelligence.
Daily Tasks
The day-to-day work of an 0241 Marine is organized around imagery products and the analytical tasks that make those products useful:
- Exploiting imagery from satellite, airborne, and unmanned aircraft system platforms using specialized software
- Producing imagery intelligence reports including target nominations, battle damage assessments, and terrain analysis
- Identifying military equipment, installations, and activities from multi-spectral imagery
- Using photogrammetry tools to calculate position, height, and physical characteristics of features
- Coordinating with all-source analysts to integrate imagery findings into broader intelligence products
- Maintaining imagery libraries and databases for ongoing operations
Specific Roles
| Classification | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PMOS | 0241 | Imagery Intelligence Specialist |
| Related | 0202 | Intelligence Officer (separate officer track) |
| Related | 0291 | Intelligence Chief (senior enlisted progression) |
Mission Contribution
Imagery intelligence reduces uncertainty about terrain, targets, and enemy force positions before the maneuver force commits. When the commander needs to know the layout of an objective, the condition of a road network, or the damage assessment after an airstrike, 0241 Marines provide that answer. Their products shape mission planning, targeting decisions, and route selection at every level of the MAGTF.
Technology and Equipment
0241 Marines work with classified imagery exploitation workstations, geographic information software, photogrammetry tools, and multi-spectral image processing platforms. The Tactical Exploitation System and National Imagery Exploitation Systems are part of the technical environment. Visual display systems, high-resolution monitors, and calibrated measurement tools are part of the daily workspace.
Salary and Benefits
Financial Benefits
Pay follows the 2026 DFAS active-duty enlisted pay tables, effective January 1, 2026.
| Rank | Grade | Under 2 Years | Over 2 Years | Over 4 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | E-1 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 |
| Private First Class | E-2 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 |
| Lance Corporal | E-3 | $2,836.80 | $3,015.00 | $3,198.00 |
| Corporal | E-4 | $3,142.20 | $3,303.00 | $3,658.50 |
| Sergeant | E-5 | $3,342.90 | $3,598.20 | $3,946.80 |
Source: dfas.mil, 2026 Enlisted Basic Pay Table.
Additional Benefits
BAS of $476.95 per month applies to all enlisted Marines. BAH varies by duty station, rank, and dependency status. TRICARE Prime provides no-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage. The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers full in-state tuition at public schools and up to $29,920.95 annually at private schools (AY 2025-2026 cap). Tuition Assistance covers up to $4,500 per year during active service.
Work-Life Balance
Imagery analysts work shifts during operational periods to maintain continuous intelligence coverage. The work can involve extended hours during high-tempo exercises and deployments. Garrison periods are more predictable but still include watch-standing requirements tied to supporting ongoing operations.
Qualifications and Eligibility
Basic Qualifications
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen |
| Age | 17-29 for initial enlistment |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| AFQT minimum | 31 |
| ASVAB line scores | GT 110 minimum |
| Vision | Normal color vision, normal stereoscopic acuity (verified by medical officer) |
| Clearance | SCI eligibility required |
| Interview | Lateral movers need an interview and recommendation from a 0241 GySgt or MSgt |
| Service obligation | 36 months of obligated service remaining after MOS training |
| Lateral move eligibility | Typically Corporal or below; Sergeants considered only in exceptional cases |
The GT 110 threshold and vision requirements both reflect the specific cognitive and visual demands of the job. Stereoscopic acuity is required because extracting accurate three-dimensional spatial data from two-dimensional imagery depends on the analyst’s visual system functioning correctly.
Application Process
Entry-level accession is available through intelligence-field enlistment contracts. After Boot Camp and MCT, Marines attend the Tactical Imagery Analysis Course at Marine Corps Detachment, Dam Neck, Virginia. Lateral movers must complete a field interview, have remaining service obligation, and be within the required rank window. The SSBI supporting SCI clearance is initiated during the application process.
Selection Criteria and Competitiveness
Both direct accession and lateral move applicants are screened for SCI eligibility, vision standards, and analytical aptitude. The field interview for lateral movers is conducted by a senior 0241 who is assessing whether the Marine can handle the visual analysis and documentation requirements of the field.
Upon Accession
Entry-level Marines enter at E-1. Standard active-duty enlistment is four years. Current bonus availability for intelligence-field contracts should be confirmed with a recruiter.
- ASVAB Online Course Guided lessons and timed practice for the line score this MOS needs.
- ASVAB Study Guide Self-paced study with full-length practice exams and answer explanations.
Work Environment
Setting and Schedule
0241 Marines work primarily inside Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) and imagery exploitation cells. In garrison, the work is computer-intensive in a climate-controlled secure workspace. In deployed environments, the workspace is typically a hardened TOC or expeditionary SCIF. Watch schedules during operations mean shift work and rotating hours.
Leadership and Communication
Imagery sections are organized within intelligence battalions, MEF intelligence sections, and supporting intelligence elements. The section chief and senior analysts coordinate products and ensure accuracy before dissemination. Communication with other intelligence disciplines and supported units requires clear written products and briefing capability.
Team Dynamics and Autonomy
Junior analysts own specific target folders, geographic areas, or mission sets within the section’s larger coverage. Peer review is built into the production process. Individual accuracy is critical because commanders act on imagery products, and errors in spatial data have operational consequences.
Job Satisfaction and Retention
Marines who have a genuine interest in spatial analysis, enjoy working with visual information, and find satisfaction in producing precise, useful intelligence products tend to remain in the field. Those who find screen-intensive work tiring or who prefer more physically active assignments often transition after their initial obligation.
Training and Skill Development
Initial Training
| Phase | Location | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boot Camp | MCRD San Diego or Parris Island | 13 weeks | Marine Corps fundamentals |
| Marine Combat Training (MCT) | SOI-West or SOI-East | 29 days | Basic combat skills |
| Tactical Imagery Analysis Course | Marine Corps Detachment, Dam Neck, VA | Varies | Imagery exploitation, photogrammetry, sensor systems, target analysis, imagery reporting |
Advanced Training
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency advanced imagery analysis courses
- Joint targeting and battle damage assessment courses
- Geospatial intelligence integration training
- Advanced exploitation techniques for new sensor platforms
- Fusion with all-source intelligence and signals intelligence products
Career Progression and Advancement
Career Path
| Rank | Grade | Typical Stage | Primary Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private | E-1 | Schoolhouse | Tactical Imagery Analysis Course |
| Private First Class | E-2 | Initial unit | Supervised imagery exploitation |
| Lance Corporal | E-3 | First assignment | Target folder management, routine exploitation |
| Corporal | E-4 | Mid-junior | Independent analysis, targeting support |
| Sergeant | E-5 | NCO | Senior analyst, section production lead |
| Staff Sergeant | E-6 | Senior NCO | Section chief duties, fusion support |
| Gunnery Sergeant | E-7 | Senior leader | Intelligence section chief or staff advisor |
Role Flexibility and Transfers
LATMOVE from 0241 to other MOSs is available with command endorsement. The targeting and analytical experience of 0241 Marines translates well into 0231 all-source analysis, 0261 geospatial intelligence, and staff intelligence planning roles. Federal contractor and NGA employment are common post-service paths.
Performance Evaluation
Proficiency and conduct marks govern Lance Corporals and below. FITREPs govern Staff Sergeants and above. Product quality, targeting accuracy, clearance maintenance, and analytical depth factor into advancement in the imagery intelligence field.
Physical Demands and Medical Evaluations
Physical Requirements
0241 is not a combat-arms MOS, but imagery Marines deploy and serve in operational environments. PFT and CFT performance is required for promotion and retention.
| Test | Event | Male 17-20 Minimum | Male 17-20 First Class | Female 17-20 Minimum | Female 17-20 First Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFT | Pull-ups | 3 | 23 | 1 | 7 |
| PFT | Crunches (2 min) | 70 | 100 | 70 | 100 |
| PFT | 3-Mile Run | 28:00 | 18:00 | 33:00 | 21:00 |
| CFT | Movement to Contact | 3:38 | 2:55 | 4:40 | 3:48 |
| CFT | Ammunition Lift | 42 | 95 | 42 | 95 |
| CFT | Maneuver Under Fire | 3:37 | 2:27 | 4:20 | 3:15 |
Source: marines.com. Verify current year standards against official Marine Corps publications.
Medical Evaluations
Normal color vision and normal stereoscopic acuity are confirmed at MEPS and at medical evaluation for the MOS. Periodic vision checks are part of the recurring medical calendar. SCI clearance maintenance includes periodic background reinvestigations.
Deployment and Duty Stations
Deployment Details
Imagery specialists deploy with intelligence battalions and MEF-level intelligence sections. Deployment frequency varies by assignment but generally follows standard Marine Corps operational cycles. Expeditionary imagery capabilities have deployed to support operations throughout the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe.
Location Flexibility
Primary 0241 assignments are at intelligence-heavy installations including Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune, Quantico, and overseas positions in Japan and South Korea. Assignment preferences are submitted but not guaranteed.
Risk, Safety, and Legal Considerations
Job Hazards
Deployed imagery sections work inside command-post facilities targeted by enemy fires. Long shifts at high-resolution workstations can affect vision and cause ergonomic stress over time. The psychological weight of managing target products for lethal operations is a real occupational factor.
Safety Protocols
Classification management and SCIF security protocols govern all imagery exploitation activities. Products are reviewed before release to ensure accuracy and legal compliance. Targeting products go through a formal legal and command review chain before operational use.
Security and Legal Requirements
SCI clearance is required throughout the career. All imagery products are classified and managed under applicable intelligence oversight regulations. Legal targeting requirements apply to all products used in support of fires or lethal operations.
Impact on Family and Personal Life
Family Considerations
Classified work limits what analysts can share about their mission with family. Shift work and deployment cycles affect family schedules. MCFTB, Military OneSource, and MCCS programs are available at all major installations. Dam Neck and the Virginia Beach area have strong military family infrastructure.
Relocation and Flexibility
PCS moves are common throughout an intelligence career. 0241 Marines tend to be concentrated at intelligence-heavy installations rather than general infantry bases. Dam Neck, Camp Pendleton, and Camp Lejeune are the primary locations.
Marine Corps Reserve
Component Availability
0241 is available in the Marine Corps Reserve. Reserve imagery specialists support operating forces through reserve intelligence units. Both the direct accession and lateral move paths apply to reserve service under the appropriate program.
Drill Schedule and Training Commitment
Standard reserve commitment is one drill weekend per month and two weeks of Annual Training per year. Reserve imagery analysts may require additional training events to maintain system access and analytical proficiency. SCI clearance maintenance applies in the reserve component.
Part-Time Pay
A reserve Corporal (E-4) earns approximately $419 per drill weekend based on 2026 pay rates. Active-duty monthly pay of $3,142.20 for the same grade is substantially higher.
Benefits Differences
| Benefit | Active Duty | Marine Corps Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly pay (E-4) | $3,142.20 | ~$419 per drill weekend |
| Healthcare | TRICARE Prime, no cost | TRICARE Reserve Select (premiums apply) |
| Tuition Assistance | Up to $4,500/year | Available on qualifying orders |
| GI Bill | Full Post-9/11 GI Bill | Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve |
| Retirement | 20-year pension at 40% of high-36 | Points-based, collect at age 60 |
| Deployment tempo | Moderate, unit-based cycles | Lower, mobilization possible |
Deployment and Mobilization
Reserve imagery specialists can be mobilized under Title 10 orders to support deployed intelligence requirements. Mobilization lengths typically range from six to twelve months.
Civilian Career Integration
0241 experience translates well into National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) roles, contractor geospatial and imagery analysis positions, emergency management mapping, and remote sensing support. The SCI clearance significantly increases federal and contractor employment opportunities. USERRA protections apply.
Post-Service Opportunities
Transition to Civilian Life
The Transition Readiness Program supports career planning and job placement. Federal Veterans’ Preference applies. NGA, DIA, and major imagery-intelligence contractors actively recruit cleared imagery analysts. The Skillbridge program can support civilian geospatial or intelligence internships in the final 180 days of service.
Civilian Career Prospects
| Civilian Job Title | Median Annual Salary | Job Outlook (BLS) |
|---|---|---|
| Geospatial Analyst | $98,800 | +14% |
| Intelligence Analyst | $103,680 | +7% |
| Remote Sensing Analyst | $85,000-$110,000 | Growing |
| Emergency Management Specialist | $79,180 | +5% |
| GIS Analyst | $98,800 | +14% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Is This a Good Job for You? The Right (and Wrong) Fit
Ideal Candidate Profile
The best 0241 candidates have strong visual perception, enjoy spatial problem-solving, produce accurate work under deadline pressure, and find satisfaction in the precision demands of imagery analysis. A GT score of 110 or higher and normal stereoscopic vision are practical prerequisites. Marines who like working with technology in a structured analytical environment, and who want a specialty with clear post-service civilian applications, fit this field well.
Potential Challenges
Marines who find screen-intensive work fatiguing, who prefer physical or outdoor roles, or who struggle with the documentation and precision requirements of imagery analysis will find the field a poor match. The vision requirements are non-negotiable and eliminate some candidates who would otherwise qualify.
Career and Lifestyle Alignment
Imagery intelligence is one of the Marine Corps’ most directly transferable technical specialties. The GIS, geospatial, and remote sensing industries actively seek people with military imagery training and active clearances. The GI Bill and tuition assistance can add formal education in geographic information science, which dramatically strengthens the civilian career picture.
This site is not affiliated with the U.S. Marine Corps or any government agency. Verify all information with official Marine Corps sources before making enlistment or career decisions.
More Information
Contact your nearest Marine Corps Recruiting Station to confirm current 0241 contract availability and clearance processing timelines. In-service Marines should contact their Career Planner and the Marine Corps Intelligence Schools at Dam Neck for current lateral move solicitation information.
Explore more 02 Intelligence roles, including 0231 Intelligence Specialist and 0261 Geospatial Intelligence Specialist.
Need score context? Review the ASVAB guide and the PiCAT guide before publishing permanent MOS content.