Jobs in the Marines: Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

If you’re exploring Marine Corps career opportunities, you’ve come to the right place. The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) offers a wide array of Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), from advanced computer sciences to elite special operations. Start your journey with one of the world’s most esteemed military branches while achieving significant professional and personal growth. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the diverse career paths available in the Marines.

Key Takeaways

• Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) encompass the various job roles within the Marine Corps.

• Every Marine is trained as a rifleman first, but there are numerous combat and non-combat MOS options available.

• The Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam determines your best-fit MOS based on your skills and interests.

Marine Corps MOS

What is an MOS? The USMC categorizes its jobs into Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). While many of these roles are combat-oriented, the Marines also offer a wide range of non-combat positions.

As the saying goes, “All Marines are Riflemen.” This foundational training is crucial for every Marine, regardless of their subsequent career path. Here are some of the combat careers you can pursue in the Marines:

Marine Ground Combat MOSs include:

• Marine Sniper

• M1A1 Abrams Tank Crew Marine

• Amphibious Assault Vehicle Operator

• Mortar Marine

• Infantry Assault Marine

Marine Aviation Combat MOSs include:

• Aircraft Maintenance Marine

• Helicopter Mechanic

• Aviation Ordnance Technician

• Aviation Supply Specialist

• Air Traffic Controller

• Marine Corps Pilot

Marine Combat Support MOSs include:

• Counterintelligence Specialist

• Logistics Chief

• Military Police and Corrections Marine

• Military Working Dog Handler

• Cyber Security Technician

• USMC Landing Support

Comprehensive List of Marine MOS

In addition to combat roles, the Marines provide numerous non-combat career opportunities. Here’s a complete list of Military Occupational Service areas:

• Personnel and Administration

• Intelligence

• Infantry

• Logistics

• Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Plans

• Communications

• Field Artillery

• Training

• Utilities

• Engineering, Construction, Facilities, and Equipment

• Tank and Assault Amphibious Vehicle

• Ground Ordnance Maintenance

• Ammunition and Explosive Ordnance Disposal

• Signals Intelligence/Ground Electronic Warfare

• Linguist

• Ground Electronics Maintenance

• Supply Administration and Operations

• Traffic Management

• Food Service

• Financial Management

• Motor Transport

• Marine Corps Community Services

• Public Affairs

• Legal Services

• Combat Camera

• Music

• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense

• Military Police and Corrections

• Electronics Maintenance

• Avionics

• Aviation Ordnance

• Aviation Logistics

• Meteorology and Oceanography

• Airfield Services

• Air Control/Air Support/Anti-air Warfare/Air Traffic Control

• Navigation Officer/Enlisted Flight Crews

• Miscellaneous Requirements

Each of these areas encompasses various marine jobs and careers. For example, within the Personnel and Administration sector, you could serve as a postal clerk or a substance abuse control specialist. Thus, there are many paths to choose from beyond combat roles.

The MOS system employs a four-digit code. The first two digits indicate the career area, while the last two digits specify the exact position. For instance, an Administrative Specialist in the USMC is coded as 0111, where 01 corresponds to Personnel and Administration.

The ASVAB Test and the Marines

To qualify for any job in the Marines, you must take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). A minimum score of 32 is required to enlist, indicating you performed better than 32% of the test-takers.

Both computerized and written versions of the ASVAB exist, each lasting about three hours and featuring timed sections. The subjects covered include:

• General Science

• Arithmetic Reasoning

• Word Knowledge

• Paragraph Comprehension

• Mathematics Knowledge

• Electronics Information

• Automotive and Shop Information

• Mechanical Comprehension

• Assembling Objects

• Verbal Expression

Beyond basic eligibility, the ASVAB scores help determine your best-fit career areas. When you meet with a recruiter, be honest about your interests, as they will help guide your field selection based on your ASVAB results.

This is why the mantra “first and foremost, you will be a rifleman” resonates in the Marines—while you may not choose your exact career path, your skills and interests will influence your MOS assignment.

What is the Marine Corps?

The United States Marine Corps is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States, established in 1834. The Marines work closely with the Navy but are also deployed on land and have dedicated aviation squadrons.

The Marine Corps’s motto, “The few. The proud. The Marines,” reflects the rigorous standards and elite nature of this branch. The selection process is demanding, requiring candidates to exhibit exceptional discipline and determination.

Those who qualify for the Marines undergo extensive “job” training that cultivates resilience and confidence, equipping them with both physical strength and character.

Why Join the Marine Corps?

If you’re highly motivated, focused on your objectives, and physically fit, a career in the Marines may be the right choice for you.

Joining the Marines is a significant commitment, ideal for individuals willing to put service to others above all else, sometimes even at great personal sacrifice. Your dedication to duty must supersede all personal feelings.

As a Marine, you are first and foremost a rifleman. This identity shapes your experience and commitment to the Corps. If you feel that you possess the qualities of a Marine—regardless of your current proficiency with a rifle—the Marines may very well be calling you.

There are numerous advantages to being a Marine, including career opportunities and benefits, but achieving this requires passing demanding assessments. Once you succeed, you’ll develop strong principles, loyalty, integrity, and leadership skills, earning respect both within and outside the Corps.

Becoming a Marine

If you’re considering becoming a Marine, your first step should be visiting a recruiter to discuss your potential career path.

Enlisted Marine Eligibility: To enlist, candidates must meet specific moral, mental, and physical standards, including:

• Minimum age of 17 and not older than 29 upon starting recruit training.

• Proof of legal residency.

• Successful completion of a physical examination.

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Completion of recruit training.

Officer of Marines Eligibility: If selected for an officer position, you will be placed in a suitable field: Ground, Aviation, or Law. The eligibility criteria include:

• Ages 18 to 28.

• U.S. citizenship.

• Successful completion of a physical examination.

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree or enrollment in an accredited college or university.

• Graduation from Officer Candidate School.

Marine Corps MOS FAQ

1. Do Marines get to choose their MOS?

   Yes, Marines can choose their MOS. Your recruiter will assist in selecting an MOS based on your ASVAB scores and preferences. While you may not get to choose your exact job, you can influence the field you enter.

2. Who gets better pay, the Army or the Marine Corps?

   The Army and Marine Corps have the same pay rates. All branches of the U.S. military follow the same pay structure based on years of service and rank.

3. Why are Marines not called soldiers?

   Marines are not classified as soldiers because they are not part of the Army. Each military branch has its own mission, training, history, uniform, and identity. Hence, members are designated differently: the Army has soldiers, the Navy has sailors, the Air Force has airmen, the Space Force has spacemen, and the Marine Corps has Marines.

Final Thoughts

Your time enlisted in the Marines can be a pivotal moment in your life, offering unparalleled opportunities for travel, personal growth, and fitness, all while learning a valuable profession. For many, joining the Marines is a proud and transformative experience.

Author

Kristin Kizer

Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.