CID, or Criminal Investigation Division has their HQ in Quantico, VA and their primary mission is to investigate and deter serious crimes in which the Army has an interest. “Agents” collect, analyze, process and disseminate criminal intelligence; conduct protective service operations; provide forensic laboratory support and maintain the Army criminal records.
CID Agents primarily investigate felony-level crime across the Army and provide investigative support to field Commanders. They conduct a wide variety of investigations to include deaths, sexual assault, armed robbery, procurement fraud, computer crimes, counter-drug operations and war crimes. CID Agents also provide counter-terrorism support.
The CID got its start during World War I, when General Pershing ordered the creation of a separate Criminal Investigation Division (CID) within the MP Corps to prevent and detect crime among the American Expeditionary Forces in France. However, these investigation activities were not formally organized until 1971, when Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird created the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. CID officially became a Command on September 17, 1971.
Good news for National Guard and Reserve Soldiers is that there are opportunities to serve in the CID! As I am not a SME in this area, I highly recommend that you discuss your options with a NG or AR Recruiting Liaison. The first place to begin is to get in contact with your local CID office. They will perform a brief interview and determine if you meet the minimum requirements. From that point they will provide great assistance and guidance to the applicant throughout the complete application process.
Once you are accepted into the program there are many options for professional growth. There are additional training courses provided to Special Agents, various fields or specialties where Special Agents investigate and both an Enlisted and Warrant Officer career track. The most important thing to remember while you are applying is to be upfront and honest. Integrity is one of the most important traits of a Soldier and it starts from the application process. Besides, CID agents know when you’re lying! For more information to determine if this career is right for you, visit:
Final Thoughts
Good luck with your Army career as a CID agent.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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The 10 or so drilling Army National Guard Units are gone now from what I can find. That leaves only the U.S. Army Reserves 15 TPU units, IMA positions and whatever this Nation Guard program is. I served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a CID Agent in a TPU or as a drilling reservist and as a IRR/IMA soldier. I was credentialed as a CID Agent for over 10 years. I attended the active duty CID Course, The Army Physical Security Course, The Protective Services Training Course and some others unique and sensitive training courses as well. Some agents from my unit attended the Air Assault Course, and the Airborne Basic Course in the years I served with them as well. A fully trained CID Special Agent is a senior enlisted or warrant officer. They have attended the basic criminal investigative course, NCOES and or WO training, Domestic Violence Intervention Course, Child Abuse Prevention Investigative Course, Protective Services Training Course, Anti-Terrorism Evasive Driving Course, Economic Crime Investigation Course, DEA Basic Drug Investigative Course, etc. Many go on to attend advanced training such as Advanced Crime Scene Investigative Techniques Course, Crime and Criminal Analyst Course, and the DLI 1 year language training program to name a few. (Do you care to to learn, German, Spanish, French, Korean, Standardized Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, etc., approaching a native speaker level?) I have known some active duty agents who have gone on to be Scotland Yard Fellowship graduates, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Fellowship graduates, and at least one reservist who went to polygraph school. I knew of some reserve agents who attended the Special Reaction Team Course and even one who attended the little known Military Intelligence Counter-Surreptitious Entry Course. There are great opportunities in CID. I have been retired many years now. However, CID is a dynamic opportunity to serve your nation in a unique, demanding and exciting way that is separate from the “Big Army” experience. “Do What Must Be Done” and apply to day!
Thanks for sharing your experience in CID.
Chuck, the requirements currently include a minimum of one year of MP experience or two years of civilian police experience, but notes that a waiver of these requirements may be considered. It is my understanding that the CID is understaffed and overworked, so they are looking “for a few good men” so to speak. I would think that would drive a requirement waiver.
Thanks for the update about the National Guard CID Program, Amy. I appreciate it.
Chuck
Yeah, I was a bit surprised too but as the ARNG begins to become more and more “like big Army”, the less and less I am surprised when I find out that we have the same opportunities as them. I am not exactly sure what the MOS or pre-req requirements are (i.e. being an MP?) but I will say that they cannot hurt you in the application/interview process. I would refer back to my tip to talk with a local CID office to find out specifically what the requirements are as I am by no means a SME on this…
Thanks for the update, Justin. The National Guard CID Program sounds like a pretty good deal.
Up until your post, Justin, I never even realized the National Guard had a CID Program. I knew the Active Duty did, but not he USAR or ARNG. I think this would be a great program for anyone who wanted to be a Private Detective, US Marshall, FBI Agent, Secret Service or any of those other programs.
Do you know what the MOS is or what the process is to get selected for CID? Do you have to be a MP first?
Chuck