Thread: Army CID Training

Hey Folks,

Just got my official entry date with Army CID, doing computer crime work as an 1811. First 1811 gig -- I'm psyched.

Any suggestions/impressions from folks that have been to ASAC ("Apprentice Special Agent Course"), CID's alternative to FLETC, up at Fort Leonard Wood, MO? Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer to go that route. Just curious about things to do in the (extended) area, suggestions of what to bring, do's/don'ts while there, etc. I see lots of threads with the same information for FLETC, but not so much for ASAC.

Thanks!

- BigOx

I was at Ft. Leonard Wood for a 2 week course several years ago. I can say that the training was top notch. The instructors were very knowledgable. There is not a whole lot to do in that area on your free time, just keep focused on your training and get through it.

Congrats! I think attending ASAC as a civilian will be a bit different. I've heard it is a good course. As budget are getting smaller and military is consolidating training I wonder why the Army keeps ASAC. All other 4 branches have transitioned to FLETC, seems like it would cost more to keep a seperate academy.

I agree, even the CID headquarters is combined with NCIS/AFOSI at Quantico. Speaking with some CID agents, the concern the Army has with transitioning to FLETC is that CID could eventually become in independent agency and it will be taken away from the Military Police Battalion commanders who have oversight of CID, even though they aren't SA's themselves. I think the Army just wants to be able to keep an eye on them.

Originally Posted by bushmasta

Congrats! I think attending ASAC as a civilian will be a bit different. I've heard it is a good course. As budget are getting smaller and military is consolidating training I wonder why the Army keeps ASAC. All other 4 branches have transitioned to FLETC, seems like it would cost more to keep a seperate academy.

Originally Posted by bushmasta

Congrats! I think attending ASAC as a civilian will be a bit different. I've heard it is a good course. As budget are getting smaller and military is consolidating training I wonder why the Army keeps ASAC. All other 4 branches have transitioned to FLETC, seems like it would cost more to keep a seperate academy.

I'm sure there are multiple factors at play, but one of them is probably that Fort Leonard Wood is home to other related training courses that would remain there even if CID was consolidated. This includes the Military Police Investigators course that utilizes many of the same courses as CID training, minus a few elements, and is attended by MP investigators and their equivalents in at least some other branches. Army would still have a heavy investment in MP training there even if CID basic moved to FLETC, and that could actually raise costs rather than save them.

Other than some infrastructure costs, I'm still not sure how "consolidating" training at FLETC saves most large agencies money when they still have to turn around and run a lengthy add-on that duplicates much of CITP anyway.

And, not to be a wet blanket or anything, but perhaps a new thread for "Why hasn't everyone moved to FLETC already?" might be more appropriate. This one was intended for personal experience with either ASAC or FLW in general.

Thanks.

- BigOx

Originally Posted by DBrasco

I agree, even the CID headquarters is combined with NCIS/AFOSI at Quantico. Speaking with some CID agents, the concern the Army has with transitioning to FLETC is that CID could eventually become in independent agency and it will be taken away from the Military Police Battalion commanders who have oversight of CID, even though they aren't SA's themselves. I think the Army just wants to be able to keep an eye on them.

I may have misunderstood what you wrote. CID is basically an independent investigative agency within the Army. They answer directly to the Army Chief of Staff and no one else.

MP units and CID units are two separate entities with separate chains of command. However they do work very closely together and sometimes a MP unit will informally support a CID unit with things such as vehicle maintenance.

CID unit commanders are MP commissioned officers but they only answer/report to the CID chain of command. They do not answer to any other military commander regardless of rank. CID has their own commanding general who answers directly to the Army Chief of Staff. Basically CID battalion commander to CID group commander to CID commanding general (a brigadier general I think) to Army Chief of Staff. The investigative work is done by the NCOs, warrant officers, and some civilian agents. The MP officers essentially manage the units and ensure the agents have what they need to conduct their investigations. The investigations are supervised by the CID unit’s senior warrant officer.

I think the merger of HQs only consolidated management of the personnel and had no impact on how investigations are conducted.

Originally Posted by nsedet

I'm sure there are multiple factors at play, but one of them is probably that Fort Leonard Wood is home to other related training courses that would remain there even if CID was consolidated. This includes the Military Police Investigators course that utilizes many of the same courses as CID training, minus a few elements, and is attended by MP investigators and their equivalents in at least some other branches. Army would still have a heavy investment in MP training there even if CID basic moved to FLETC, and that could actually raise costs rather than save them.

Other than some infrastructure costs, I'm still not sure how "consolidating" training at FLETC saves most large agencies money when they still have to turn around and run a lengthy add-on that duplicates much of CITP anyway.

The only courses not at FLW are the MWD School and the Traffic Accident Investigations School which are taught at Lackland Air Force Base