- Military Requirements
Find a Job You Really Want In
Looking for MOS Marine careers? Discover jobs in the Marines, ranging from computer sciences to special operations. Begin your career in an elite force with the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) while achieving both professional and physical milestones. Learn about diverse career options and the process of joining the Marines in this comprehensive guide.
Key Takeaways
-
Military Occupation Specialties (MOSs), are the different jobs available within the Marine Corps.
-
While all Marines are trained as riflemen first and foremost, there are both combat and non-combat MOSs they can go into.
-
The Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam will help determine which MOS is the best fit for you.
Marine Corps MOS
What is MOS? The USMC breaks down the jobs they have into Military Occupation Specialties (MOS).
Many of the jobs the Marines offer are related to combat. There is a saying that “All Marines are Riflemen,” and this is true. It’s part of your training and quite possibly the most important part, so if you want to be a Marine, you’ve already decided that being a rifleman is part of who you are.
Marines don’t stop there, though. Let’s take a look at what some of the combat careers are within 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
-
Aviation Supply Specialist
-
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
All MOS in the Marines
But that isn’t all that the Marines have to offer. There are a lot of non-combat related positions within their organization as well. The following is a complete list of the Military Occupational Service areas:
-
Personnel and Administration
-
Intelligence
-
Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Plans
-
Communications
-
Field Artillery
-
Training
-
Utilities
-
Engineer, Construction, Facilities, and Equipment
-
Tank and Assault Amphibious Vehicle
-
Ground Ordnance Maintenance
-
Ammunition and Explosive Ordnance Disposal
-
Signals Intelligence/Ground Electronic Warfare
-
Ground Electronics Maintenance
-
Supply Administration and Operations
-
Traffic Management
-
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
In addition to these areas, there are several marines jobs and careers that fall under each one. For instance, under the Personnel and Administration area, you could be a postal clerk or a substance abuse control specialist. So, you can see that not all of them are combat-related, and there are many areas to specialize in.
The MOS system uses four numbers. The first two numbers designate the area a career is in. These numbers will correspond directly with one of the areas listed above. As an example, Personnel and Administration use code 01.
The second two numbers in the MOS four number career categorization system refers directly to the position. An Administrative Specialist in the USMC gets the code 11, and because it falls under the Personnel and Administration category (01), the job code for this position is 0111.
The ASVAB test and the Marines
To start working on any of these jobs in the Marines, you have to take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). To qualify for the Marines, you must score at least a 32 on the test. This does not mean you had that many points right. It means that you scored better than 32 percent of all the other members of the base youth population.
There is a computerized ASVAB test and a written one. Each takes about three hours, with timed sections in both. The standard format is as follows:
-
General Science
-
Arithmetic Reasoning
-
Word Knowledge
-
Paragraph Comprehension
-
Mathematics Knowledge
-
Electronics Information
-
Automotive and Shop Information
-
Mechanical Comprehension
-
Assembling Objects
-
Verbal Expression
But there’s more than just eligibility at stake when you take the ASVAB. It’s also used to determine your aptitude area scores or what career areas you’ll fit in best.
You’ll find that when you speak to a recruiter, and it’s in your best interest to speak openly and honestly with them about your interests, the recruiter will select your field. This correlates to the first two letters in that MOS code.
So, you may go in knowing what area you’ll be working in. The thing you won’t know is the specific job you will have. This is where the information from the ASVAB comes into play.
This is one of the main reasons people say that to be a Marine, first and foremost, you will be a rifleman, but you might not get to pick the exact career you want to do. They may see that you’re fit for an entirely different career.
What is the Marine Corps?
The United States Marine Corps is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States, and it’s been around since 1834. The Marines pair closely with the Navy, but they also operate on land and have aviation squadrons.
The Marine Corps’s slogan, “The few. The proud. The Marines,” is true. There are not many of them, especially compared to other military branches, and it takes grit, strength, and determination to become a Marine. The physical fitness standards are the most difficult, so they expect people who apply to be disciplined and determined.
The people who qualify and make it into the Marines are in for a “job” training like none other but one that will give them the strength of character, physical strength, and a level of confidence in their ability that’s hard to come by.
Why join the Marine Corps?
If this sounds like you, you’re tougher than most, laser-focused on your goals, and a physical beast – then the jobs in the Marines is for you.
Joining the Marines is not something that should be taken lightly. It’s for people who are driven to put others before themselves, to the point of being willing to die for them and the country. It doesn’t matter what you think of the person individually. Your duty comes before all else.
You are a rifleman. You will hear, time and again, that Marines are Riflemen. Actually, it’s probably best stated the other way. Riflemen become Marines. If deep inside you, whether you’re proficient with a rifle or not at this point, you’re a rifleman and ready to fight, then the Marines are calling you. It’s in your heart, your gut, and your soul.
There are benefits to being a Marine, and there are many opportunities that will come your way, but you need first to pass the muster, and it’s not an easy task. Once in, you will develop inner and outer strength, loyalty to your country, a high level of integrity and knowledge. You will be seen as a leader, earn great respect, and be held in high esteem.
Becoming a Marine
If you’re thinking about becoming a Marine, then your first stop should be to a recruiter’s office to discuss your potential path.
Enlisted Marine Eligibility. An enlisted Marine has to meet standards of moral, mental, and physical strength. There is also an aptitude test and initial strength test, as well as the following initial eligibility requirements:
-
At least 17 years of age and under 29 when recruit training starts
-
Proof of legal residency
-
Physical examination
-
High school diploma
-
Attend and graduate recruit training
Officer of Marines Eligibility. If you’ve been selected to become an officer, you will be placed in the most suitable area: Ground, Aviation, or Law. Their requirements include:
-
Between 18 and 28 years of age
-
Citizen of the United States
-
Physical examination
-
Hold a bachelor’s degree or be a full-time student in a regionally or nationally accredited college or university.
-
Must graduate from Officer Candidate School
Marine Corps MOS FAQ
-
Do Marines get to choose their MOS?
Yes, Marines do get to choose their MOS. Your recruiter will work with you to choose an MOS, taking into account your ASVAB scores and your preferences. You might not get to pick the exact job you get, but usually you get to at least help choose your field.
-
Who gets better pay, the Army or the Marine Corps?
The Army and the Marine Corps have the same pay. All of the branches of the U.S. military use the same pay structure based on years of service and pay grade.
-
Why are Marines not called soldiers?
Marines aren’t called soldiers because they aren’t in the Army. Each branch of the military has its own mission, training, history, uniform, and esprit de corps.
As a result, the members of each branch also have their own name: the Army has soldiers, the Navy has sailors or seamen, the Air Force has airmen, the Space Force has spacemen, and the Marine Corps has Marines.
Final Thoughts
Remember that your enlisted time in the Marines can be relatively short when compared to your entire career. This could be your perfect opportunity to get out and experience the world, travel, meet people from different backgrounds, and get incredibly fit while learning a profession.
For a few people, this is the proud moment of realization. The Marines can be your win-win in life.
- Military Requirements
Author
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.
