0291 Intelligence Chief
The 0291 Intelligence Chief is the senior enlisted intelligence leader inside the 02 field. This is where a career’s worth of collection, analysis, and operational experience becomes the resource that a commander draws on to shape an entire intelligence section. No one enters this role directly. It is the destination for Marines who spent years building credibility in the intelligence community and earned the trust to lead it at the senior enlisted level.
Job Role and Responsibilities
The 0291 Intelligence Chief serves as the senior enlisted intelligence advisor in Marine Corps intelligence organizations, overseeing the readiness, training, and operational effectiveness of enlisted intelligence personnel. These Marines advise commanders and intelligence officers on collection management, analytical production, and intelligence-community integration, ensuring the intelligence section delivers accurate and timely support across all phases of operations.
Daily Tasks
The 0291 leads rather than produces. The daily work is less about personal analysis and more about the section’s collective output:
- Advising the commanding officer and intelligence officer on section readiness, training status, and personnel issues
- Overseeing the quality and timeliness of intelligence products produced by the section
- Mentoring junior and mid-grade intelligence Marines across all 02XX specialties
- Coordinating external intelligence relationships with joint, interagency, and partner-nation counterparts
- Managing clearance maintenance, training requirements, and professional development for the section
- Reviewing and approving analytical products before dissemination to supported commanders
Specific Roles
| Classification | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PMOS | 0291 | Intelligence Chief |
| Feeds from | 0211, 0231, 0241, 0261 | All major 02XX specialties can progress to this senior role |
| Related | 0202 | Intelligence Officer (officer counterpart) |
Mission Contribution
Intelligence sections at the battalion, regiment, and higher headquarters levels are only as effective as their most experienced leadership allows them to be. The 0291 is the Marine who sets standards, enforces quality, and ensures the section delivers under pressure. A strong intelligence chief extends the effectiveness of every analyst and collector below him or her.
Technology and Equipment
0291 Marines have proficiency across the intelligence community’s classified systems, analytical platforms, and collection management tools. The leadership role requires understanding how systems integrate rather than operating them personally at a junior level. The technical context remains important for supervising diverse teams working across imagery, all-source, HUMINT, and geospatial disciplines.
Salary and Benefits
Financial Benefits
Pay follows the 2026 DFAS active-duty enlisted pay tables, effective January 1, 2026. 0291 is a senior enlisted role; typical grades range from E-6 to E-9.
| Rank | Grade | 6 Years | 10 Years | 14 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staff Sergeant | E-6 | $4,235.70 | $4,759.50 | N/A |
| Gunnery Sergeant | E-7 | $4,843.80 | $5,300.40 | $5,591.70 |
| Master Sergeant | E-8 | N/A | $5,907.00 | $6,247.20 |
| Master Gunnery Sergeant | E-9 | N/A | $6,910.20 | $7,263.60 |
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 is available for qualifying service. Special duty assignment pay and senior intelligence incentive pay may apply to selected billets. Tuition Assistance covers up to $4,500 per year during active service.
Work-Life Balance
Senior intelligence leaders work irregular hours during exercises and deployments. The responsibility of section oversight means the chief is often the last one to leave and the first one in during high-tempo periods. Between deployments, the schedule is more predictable but still includes continuous readiness requirements.
Qualifications and Eligibility
Basic Qualifications
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Access path | Progression through prior 02XX intelligence service; not a direct accession MOS |
| Security baseline | SCI clearance maintained throughout the career |
| Grade requirement | Typically Staff Sergeant to Master Gunnery Sergeant |
| Experience | Significant operational intelligence experience at battalion, regiment, or higher echelon |
| Character and reliability | History of sustained performance, discretion, and leadership in intelligence roles |
| ASVAB and line scores | No standalone published minimum for 0291; entry into the underlying 02XX PMOS governs the floor |
The lack of a published standalone score requirement for 0291 is appropriate because the MOS is a career destination, not an entry point. The qualifying credential is years of demonstrated performance, not a test score.
Application Process
0291 designation results from career progression within the intelligence field. Marines who demonstrate sustained excellence in their primary intelligence PMOS, complete advanced courses, and perform well in senior NCO billets are evaluated through the standard Marine Corps promotion and billet assignment process.
Selection Criteria and Competitiveness
Advancement to senior intelligence leadership is competitive within the small pool of Marines who complete full careers in the intelligence field. Track record of analytical quality, leadership effectiveness, clearance maintenance, and professional development all factor into selection for senior billets.
Upon Accession
0291 is not an entry-level designation. Marines arrive at this role through years of service in the 02 field. Service obligation is governed by current assignment and career stage rather than initial enlistment contract.
- 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
0291 Marines serve at intelligence battalions, MEF-level intelligence sections, joint intelligence organizations, and selected higher headquarters. The work environment is predominantly in secure facilities. Senior intelligence chiefs at higher headquarters operate in staff environments where planning cycles, briefing schedules, and cross-section coordination shape the daily rhythm.
Leadership and Communication
The 0291 reports to the intelligence officer and serves as the primary enlisted advisor within the section. Communication with commanders is direct and significant. Senior intelligence chiefs must be capable of briefing at senior levels, writing for command audiences, and representing the section to external partners.
Team Dynamics and Autonomy
Senior intelligence chiefs operate with considerable autonomy in managing the section’s day-to-day functions. The intelligence officer sets the mission framework; the chief manages the team against it. The autonomy is earned, not given, and depends on years of demonstrated judgment.
Job Satisfaction and Retention
Marines who reach the 0291 level typically have strong identification with the intelligence community and high satisfaction in the leadership role. The intellectual engagement of the field, the significance of the mission, and the opportunity to develop junior Marines all contribute to high retention among those who reach this level.
Training and Skill Development
Initial Training
| Phase | Location | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation: PMOS course (0231, 0211, 0241, or 0261) | Dam Neck, VA | Varies | Entry-level specialty training |
| Mid-career development | Various Marine Corps schools | Ongoing | Advanced collection management, targeting, staff planning |
| Senior NCO development | Marine Corps University, resident SNCO courses | Varies | Leadership, staff integration, program management |
Advanced Training
- Advanced Targeting Staff Course
- Joint Intelligence Preparatory of the Operational Environment
- Interagency intelligence coordination courses
- Intelligence community senior leader programs through DIA, CIA, and NGA
- Marine Corps War College or equivalent senior leader development programs
Career Progression and Advancement
Career Path
| Rank | Grade | Typical Stage | Primary Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff Sergeant | E-6 | Early senior NCO | Section leader, shift OIC equivalent |
| Gunnery Sergeant | E-7 | Mid senior NCO | Senior section chief, primary 0291 billet level |
| Master Sergeant | E-8 | Senior senior NCO | Intelligence chief at higher headquarters |
| Master Gunnery Sergeant | E-9 | Peak senior NCO | Senior intelligence advisor, MEF or equivalent |
Role Flexibility and Transfers
At this career stage, lateral moves are uncommon. Opportunities for joint duty, interagency assignments, and senior intelligence advisory billets become available and often represent the most meaningful career development options beyond traditional unit assignments.
Performance Evaluation
All senior enlisted Marines in the intelligence field receive formal FITREPs. The 0291 is evaluated on section readiness, quality of intelligence support to the command, professional development of subordinates, and overall leadership effectiveness. FITREPs at this level are compared against peers with similar billet responsibilities and tenure.
Physical Demands and Medical Evaluations
Physical Requirements
Senior intelligence leaders maintain the same PFT and CFT standards as junior Marines until the age brackets where standards adjust. Physical readiness is expected throughout the career.
| 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. Standards adjust by age bracket. Verify current year standards against official Marine Corps publications.
Medical Evaluations
Periodic medical evaluations apply throughout the career. SCI clearance maintenance includes periodic reinvestigations at the security level required for current billets.
Deployment and Duty Stations
Deployment Details
0291 Marines deploy with intelligence organizations at all echelons. Deployment frequency and length depend on assignment. Senior intelligence chiefs at higher headquarters may deploy for shorter periods or TDY in support of specific operations rather than on standard seven-month cycles.
Location Flexibility
Primary 0291 assignments are at intelligence-heavy installations including Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune, Quantico, and overseas. At the senior NCO level, joint duty and interagency assignments become available in the National Capital Region and other major intelligence hubs.
Risk, Safety, and Legal Considerations
Job Hazards
Deployed intelligence chiefs face the same environmental and operational risks as their sections. The psychological demands of sustained leadership in sensitive environments, managing classified information at high stakes, and operating under time pressure are occupational realities of the field.
Safety Protocols
Classification management, SCIF security, and intelligence oversight regulations govern all activities. Senior leaders are responsible for ensuring their sections comply with legal and policy requirements.
Security and Legal Requirements
SCI clearance is required and must be maintained. Senior intelligence leaders bear responsibility for their sections’ compliance with all intelligence oversight laws and UCMJ standards.
Impact on Family and Personal Life
Family Considerations
Senior enlisted intelligence leaders often have more stable geographic assignments than their junior counterparts, but deployments and interagency TDY requirements continue. MCFTB, Military OneSource, and MCCS programs support families at all major installations.
Relocation and Flexibility
PCS moves continue throughout the senior NCO career. Joint duty and interagency assignments add geographic variety. At the senior level, some degree of assignment preference can be exercised, though Marine Corps needs govern final decisions.
Marine Corps Reserve
Component Availability
Reserve intelligence chief billets exist in reserve intelligence units and higher headquarters. Senior enlisted intelligence leaders in the reserve component support operating forces and provide experienced leadership in training and mobilization contexts.
Drill Schedule and Training Commitment
Senior reserve intelligence Marines must maintain SCI clearance, meet all professional development requirements, and fulfill the same quality standards expected in the active component. The two-week Annual Training period is especially important for maintaining proficiency in intelligence systems and tradecraft.
Part-Time Pay
A reserve Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) earns approximately four days of base pay per drill weekend, roughly $606 per weekend based on the 2026 daily rate at 10 years of service. Active-duty monthly pay of $5,300.40 for the same grade and service time is substantially higher.
Benefits Differences
| Benefit | Active Duty | Marine Corps Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly pay (E-7, 10 yrs) | $5,300.40 | ~$606 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 | Higher, mission-driven | Lower, mobilization possible |
Deployment and Mobilization
Reserve intelligence chiefs can be mobilized under Title 10 orders in support of contingency intelligence requirements. The depth of experience a senior intelligence chief brings makes individual augmentation for specific senior advisory billets possible in addition to unit mobilizations.
Civilian Career Integration
0291 experience translates into senior government intelligence analyst, program manager, and advisory roles in the federal and contractor intelligence community. The combination of leadership experience, active SCI clearance, and deep intelligence tradecraft knowledge represents strong post-service value in a market that consistently needs experienced intelligence leaders. USERRA protections apply.
Post-Service Opportunities
Transition to Civilian Life
The Transition Readiness Program supports career planning. Federal Veterans’ Preference applies. Senior intelligence veterans are actively recruited by the intelligence community, major contractors, and defense-sector firms. Retirement after 20 years provides an immediate pension that supplements post-service employment.
Civilian Career Prospects
| Civilian Job Title | Median Annual Salary | Job Outlook (BLS) |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Program Manager | $115,000-$150,000 | Strong demand |
| Senior Intelligence Analyst | $103,680+ | +7% |
| Director of Intelligence Operations (Contractor) | $130,000-$170,000 | Growing |
| Security Director | $100,000+ | +6% |
| Federal Agency Senior Analyst (GS-12 to GS-15) | $90,000-$160,000 | Stable |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics and federal pay scale data.
Is This a Good Job for You? The Right (and Wrong) Fit
Ideal Candidate Profile
Marines who arrive at 0291 have already demonstrated, over years of service, the qualities the role requires: precision under pressure, leadership in sensitive environments, deep professional commitment to the intelligence mission, and the maturity to advise commanders with the full weight of experience behind their recommendations. This role is not a goal for an applicant planning their enlistment; it is the result of a career spent building toward it.
Potential Challenges
The responsibility of the 0291 is proportional to the years spent earning it. Section leadership, section accountability, and continuous operational support create sustained stress. Marines who thrived in individual analytical roles sometimes find the leadership demands of the chief role different from what they expected.
Career and Lifestyle Alignment
0291 is the senior enlisted pinnacle of one of the most transferable career fields in the Marine Corps. The intelligence community values experience, clearance, and proven judgment at the senior level. Post-service career options in government, contracting, and advisory roles are strong. The military retirement pension provides a foundation that makes post-service transition more financially manageable.
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
Marines interested in intelligence careers should start with their nearest Marine Corps Recruiting Station and confirm current intelligence-field accession options. Those already in service should speak with their Career Planner and explore the Marine Corps Intelligence Schools at Dam Neck for professional development opportunities.
Explore more 02 Intelligence roles, including 0231 Intelligence Specialist and 0211 Counterintelligence/HUMINT Specialist.
Need score context? Review the ASVAB guide and the PiCAT guide before publishing permanent MOS content.