How to Work for the United States Marine Corps

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

Rate: (0 Ratings)

The United States Marine Corps is a powerful combined-arms task force branch of the military. With over 200,000 active and reserve soldiers, the day-to-day operation of the Marine Corps provides a wealth of job opportunities for both enlisted and civilian men and women who wish to work for the Corps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

  • U.S. citizenship
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps
  • Professional qualifications (needed for certain civilian positions)

Step1
Be between the ages of 17 and 35 if you want to work for the United States Marine Corps in an enlisted position. You must also be free of pending legal situations and felony convictions, in satisfactory shape and good physical condition. An entrance examination, the ASVAB, must also be satisfactorily completed.
Step2
Complete your training program to become a Marine, remembering that this is much easier said than done. Only a relatively small percentage of people who enlist actually go on to become Marines. If you make it, you should strongly consider continuing your education.
Step3
Take advantage of the virtually endless training and education opportunities available to enlisted personnel to learn a trade, complete a college degree or achieve a professional certification. From there, your path to working for the Marines in the field of your training will be clear. College graduates can also go on to become officers.
Step4
Remember that, operationally speaking, the United States Marines Corps functions like any large business or organization. They need support and administrative staff, legal staff, accounting staff, payroll staff, human resources personnel and more. Not all of these positions can be filled by enlisted personnel, and civilians are invited to apply to them.
Step5
Visit the official job website of the United States Government, USA Jobs, and head to the Marines portal (see Resources below). You can view current vacancies by entering your search criteria (by keyword, occupation or location). Follow the specific instructions associated with each job opening to apply to it.
Step6
Remember that the United States Marine Corps operates a large Office of Personnel Management, which is a key provider of civilian job opportunities. Check with them regularly for up-to-date listings.

Tips & Warnings

  • Complete your college education after enlistment to fund your studies. The Marines also provide opportunities for enlisted personnel to achieve civilian professional designations, such as Chartered Accountant (C.A.).
  • Prospective Marines are subject to a training regimen that is both physically and psychologically grueling.

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article: How to Work for the United States Marine Corps

eHow Careers & Work Editor

Related Ads

Careers & Work

acousticgroupie
Meet Kristen Fischer eHow’s Careers & Work Expert.