Army Signals Collection Analysts (MOS 35S) is responsible for the detection, acquisition, location, and identification of foreign electronic intelligence.
The analyst is tasked with exploiting non-voice communications and other electronic signals in order to produce strategic and tactical intelligence.
Are you interested in becoming an Army Signals Collection Analyst (MOS 35S)?
Learn more about the role of 35S MOS including job duties, salary, training, and civilian job outlook.
Education, Qualifications,Training and Duty Stations
Signals Collection Analysts (MOS 35S) have an important responsibility within the U.S. Army.
As a result, you will need to complete the necessary Education, Qualifications,Training and Duty Stations in order to become an Army Signals Collection Analyst.
Related Article – Army Intelligence Analyst (MOS 35F): Career Details
Education
You are not allowed to enlist in the U.S. Army without completing high school or receiving a GED equivalent.
Those that are interested in becoming an Army Signals Collection Analyst should consult a local recruiter.
The Army recruiter will get you connected with the resources needed to complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
In order to remain considered for MOS 35S you must complete a score of Skilled Technical (ST): 101.
Prospective Army Signals Collection Analysts must also take the Army Analysis Aptitude Test.
Qualifications
The job requirements for 35S MOS are pretty intense.
A big part of your commitment to becoming an Army Signals Collection Analyst is gaining top-secret security clearance.
The Department of Defense takes the matter very seriously and therefore conducts an extremely thorough investigation.
The Army will look into your criminal history, finances, alcohol and drug use, as well as references.
You are not allowed to join MOS 35S with any conviction by court-martial.
The same goes for civil court convictions with the exception of minor traffic violations.
Alcohol or drug abuse may disqualify you as well as any record of selling or manufacturing narcotics.
Finally, soldiers (and their spouses) that work 35S MOS cannot have any family members that live in a country where physical or mental coercion is a common practice.
The Department of Defense considers it a conflict of interest and will likely disqualify you from this particular Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).
The same is true of Peace Corps.
If you were a previous member of the Peace Corps the Army will not qualify you for MOS 35S because the federal government is trying to prevent any perception that Peace Corps volunteers may also act as spies or intelligence agents.
Related Article – A full list of the different MOS in the Army
Training
Everyone that joins the U.S. Army gets their start at boot camp.
Boot camp, or Basic Combat Training (BCT) lasts 10 weeks.
If you survive boot camp you will begin to train for your MOS through Advanced Individual Training (AIT).
The amount of time spent training for an Army Signals Collection Analyst (MOS 35S) is 15 weeks.
The training takes place at Corry Station Naval Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Florida.
Those that thrive training for MOS 35S have an interest in working with radio equipment and use clues to help solve problems.
The Army also mentions it helps to have the ability to remain alert doing repetitive tasks commonly associated with the role of an Army Signals Collection Analyst.
Duty Stations
Those serving in the Army as an MOS 35M can expect to be potentially based at one of the following duty stations:
Inside the Continental US (CONUS)
- Ft. Bragg, NC
- Ft. Buckley, VA
- Ft. Campbell, KY
- Ft. Carson, CO
- Eglin AFB, FL
- Ft. Gordon, GA
- Ft. Hood, TX
- Ft. Lackland, TX
- Ft. Lewis, WA
- Ft. Meade, MD
- Ft. Peterson, CO
- Ft. Pensacola, FL
- Ft. Sam Houston, TX
Outside the Continental US (OCONUS)
- Hohenfels, Germany
- Panzer, Germany
- Wiesbaden, Germany
- Schofield, Hi
- Vicenza, Italy
- Torii, Japan
- Zama, Japan
- Humphreys, South Korea
- Yongsan, South Korea
What does an Army Signals Collection Analyst Do?
Army Signals Collection Analysts listen and watch foreign electronics communications.
They interpret and identify the communications in order to assist with strategic approaches and plans.
Army Signals Collection Analysts generally deal with non-voice communications.
Related Article – Army Airborne School: Requirements, Length, Packing List, And More
Signals Equipment
Army Signals Collection Analysts (MOS 35S) are part of a larger Military Intelligence (MI) team that deals with highly sensitive information.
A big part of your job is to monitor signals intelligence (SIGINT) equipment.
You use the equipment to study non-voice communications and relay important information back to your superiors.
Signals Collection Analysts (35S MOS) will prepare logs and reports to deliver to commanding officers.
Analyzing Target Communications
One of the job duties of an Army Signals Collection Analyst is to scan the radio spectrum.
From there they are able to collect and identify target communications.
Signals Collection Analysts use the radio spectrum to perform analysis and determine signal parameters.
Information that is gathered is either prepared in reports or added to technical databases for intelligence collection operations.
Related Article – Army Signals Intelligence Analyst (MOS 35N): Career Details
What does an Army Signals Collection Analyst make?
The Army does not pay based on your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).
Army Signals Collection Analysts, like every other Army MOS, is paid based on rank and years of service.
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 +4 months | Private | PVT | $1,917.60 | |
 | E-2 | Private Second Class | PV2 | $2,149.20 |
 | E-3 | Private First Class | PFC | $2,259.90 |
 | E-4 | Specialist | SPC | $2,503.50 |
 | E-4 | Corporal | CPL | $2,503.50 |
 | E-5 | Sergeant | SGT | $2,730.30 |
 | E-6 | Staff Sergeant | SSG | $2,980.50 |
 | E-7 | Sergeant First Class | SFC | $3,445.80 |
 | E-8 | Master Sergeant | MSG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-8 | First Sergeant | 1SG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major | SGM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Command Sergeant Major | CSM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major of the Army | SMA | $6,055.50 |
Benefits
Serving the U.S. Army includes many other benefits in addition to a monthly salary:
- Medical Insurance
- Vacation Time
- Special Pay
- Retirement
- Housing: Allowances for living expenses, utilities, and maintenance.
- Food: Allowance for the on-base dining hall and access to tax-free department and grocery stores.
- Education: Army members can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus annual stipend for living expenses.
Job Reviews
Unfortunately, there are very few job reviews on the World Wide Web related to the role of an Army Signals Collection Analyst (MOS 35S).
The main reason why is the job is very secretive with top security military clearance needed to perform the job duties.
As a result, current Army Signals Collection Analysts are unable to disclose much about their MOS.
You can browse potential job opportunities for Signal Collection Analysts following military service at websites like Indeed.com.
Civilian Job Opportunities
Though there are civilian jobs related to Signal Collection Analysts the vast majority of former 35S MOS transition into a job with a government agency.
The National Security Agency (NSA) regularly hires Military Intelligence (35) Specialists from the U.S. Army.
Those that choose to move toward the private sector can find jobs working as radio operators, sound engineers, computer operators, database administrators, or technical writers.
Related Article – Army Human Intelligence Collector (MOS 35M): Career Details
Summary
An Army Signals Collection Analyst (MOS 35S) exploits non-voice communications and other electronic signals to gain a strategical advantage on the battlefield.
They are responsible for detecting, analyzing, and identifying foreign electronic intelligence.
Resources:
- https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/computers-and-technology/signals-collector-analyst.html
- https://www.cool.army.mil/enlisted/35s.htm
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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