Marine Force Recon Qualifications
Marine Corps force reconnaissance companies, more commonly known as force recon, or MARSOC, are specially trained Marines who specialize in reconnaissance and deep-action special operations. They are capable of performing unconventional warfare operations similar to those performed by Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces and Air Force Combat Controllers.
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General
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Marine Corps force recon personnel must apply for the reconnaissance military occupational specialty (MOS) 0321. They must be United States citizens and request release by their MOS monitor. They must also have a written endorsement from their battalion or squadron commander. No Marine with less than 18 months remaining on their current enlistment contract can apply for recon duty.
ASVAB
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In addition to completing basic training, candidates for force recon must have an Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) general technical score of 105 or higher. They must also receive a first-class score on the physical fitness test and have received combat water survival training.
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Security Clearance
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In addition to the physical and test requirements, all Marines wishing to enter force recon training must be eligible for "secret" level security clearance.
Physical Fitness
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The screening process also includes several physical tests Marines must pass. A 25-meter underwater swim, 30 minutes of treading water, a deep-water weapon retrieval, a tower jump and a timed 500-meter swim are all required before Marines can be accepted into MARSOC.
Marines Special Operations School
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Only some candidates will be required to attend the Marine Special Operations Individual Course at the Marine Special Operations School. This school is designed to teach the skills Marines need in reconnaissance situations, direct action, irregular warfare, survival evasion resistance and escape, infantry weapons and tactics, as well as other situations they may encounter.
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References
- Photo Credit military helicopter image by Tom Oliveira from Fotolia.com
