The path to becoming a Marine Recon is not one that many people go down. It’s a long and difficult journey, but the rewards are worth it.
To become a Marine Recon, you need to enlist in the Marines as an infantryman. Once you’ve completed your initial training, you will be assigned to one of three battalions: 1st Battalion, 2nd Battalion, or 3rd Battalion. Each battalion specializes in different skillsets, so you will have to choose one before applying for further training.
Once you’ve chosen your battalion and completed basic training, you’ll be eligible for advanced training at either Camp Lejeune or Quantico. At Camp Lejeune, you’ll learn how to operate amphibious vehicles such as boats and helicopters; at Quantico, you’ll learn how to operate land vehicles such as tanks and artillery pieces (if you chose 2nd Battalion). After this phase of training is complete successfully, you’ll be eligible for additional advanced training at either Camp Pendleton or Coronado. At Camp Pendleton (if you chose 1st Battalion), your focus will be on reconnaissance missions; at Coronado (if you chose 3rd Battalion), your focus will be on direct action missions that require more frontline fighting than
How To Become Marine Recon
The United States Marine Corps has a variety of trained professionals that help support military operations. Those who consider becoming a reconnaissance marine undergo a lengthy training course that tests their physical and mental capabilities. If you’re considering a career as a reconnaissance Marine, it may be helpful to understand the different duties and training requirements that these specialists undergo. In this article, we define 0321 USMC, discuss what reconnaissance marines do and explain how to become one, including prerequisites and fitness testing expectations.
Find the best companies to work for on Indeed
Get access to millions of company ratings and reviews
What is 0321 USMC?
0321 USMC is a military occupational specialty code (MOS) in the United States Marine Corps. Specifically, it represents Marines in the Marine reconnaissance (recon) specialty. These specialists are a part of the infantry Marine field and have a unique skill set that allows them to conduct water and ground reconnaissance. Recon Marines undergo rigorous training and qualification courses to show they’re capable of providing direct support and assistance to the United States military operations.
Related: The Definitive Marine MOS List: What Is Your Military Occupational Specialty?
What are the duties of the 0321 MOS?
Aside from infantry responsibilities, the reconnaissance marine has several other specialized duties. Many of these duties relate to scouting and patrolling functions. Some of these additional duties include:
- Scouting on land or via water
- Small boat operations
- Refined observation
- Patrolling
- Long-range communication
- Close combat
- Insertion and extraction
- Airborne operations
- Demolitions
- Waterborne operations
Related: Guide to MARSOC Training and Being a Marine Raider
How to become a reconnaissance Marine
Reconnaissance Marines undergo a lengthy selection and training process to ensure that qualified graduates can support a multitude of military operations. Here are the common steps that each candidate undergoes to become a 0321 Marine:
1. Preliminary requirements
There are several requirements that potential recon marines need to meet, including:
- Having updated physical examination results
- Possessing a score of 105 or higher on the general technical segment of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests
- Completing the physical fitness test with a first-class score
- Achieving the swimming test with a first-class score
- Possessing 20/20 vision or corrected vision, such as with glasses or contacts
- Passing a vivid red and vivid green color recognition test if the candidate doesn’t have traditional color vision
- Having 18 months remaining on a current enlistment contract, including course completion
- Possessing or being able to obtain Secret security clearance
- Completing the infantry course at the Infantry Training Battalion
2. Selection
Recon Marine qualification starts with a screening board which is also known as the selection process. The selection process starts with a 48-hour trial that tests candidates on their combat swimming skills, physical stamina and overall endurance. Candidates may complete the screening process several times before moving onto the next step in the selection process. Here are a few of the selection tests you may need to complete:
- Pool screening: The pool screening test starts with a 500-meter swim, 25-meter underwater swim, underwater rifle retrieval and 25-meter rifle tow. Candidates then jump 25 feet from a tower into a body of water while wearing full combat gear, then tread water for 30 minutes.
- Physical fitness test: The physical fitness consists of dead-hang pull-ups, abdominal crunches and a three-mile run. Candidates can obtain a score of 225 or higher to achieve a first-class score.
- Obstacle course: The day after the initial fitness screening, candidates run through an obstacle course several times. Evaluators score candidates based on their effort and method of course completion versus the time they take to complete the course.
- Endurance run: The final physical aspect of the selection process includes an endurance run of at least eight miles with a field rifle and a pack, which can weigh about 50 pounds. Evaluators expect candidates to maintain a pace of four to five miles per hour during this test.
- Board interview: Once the physical component of the screening process is complete, a board of evaluators interviews candidates. The board can include the recon commander’s staff, the company commander, the company sergeant major and other staff noncommissioned officers.
3. Indoctrination
Marines aiming to join the recon communication team need to first complete the School of Infantry’s Rifleman Course prior to indoctrination. Upon completion, the Marine Corps assigns Marines to the Marines Awaiting Recon Training (MART) platoon. This indoctrination program prepares recon candidates for the upcoming Basic Reconnaissance Course that can help ease them into the amphibious reconnaissance community.
4. Accession pipeline
The accession pipeline is a series of schools and training programs that Marines attend before continuing to their assigned reconnaissance MOS. The number of schools they need to attend can vary based on their specialties. On average, reconnaissance programs take one and a half to two years to complete. Some of the specialized training that candidates may receive includes:
- The basic airborne course
- The Marine combatant diver (MCD) course
- Military free-fall parachutist training
- Survival, evasion, resistance and escape (SERE) Level C training
- Scout sniper training
- Jump master training
- US Army pathfinder training
- US Army ranger training
- Joint terminal attack control (JTAC) training
- Joint fires observe (JFO) training
Related: Intelligence Careers in the U.S. Marine Corps Explained
What does a day as a recon Marine look like?
Although daily requirements can change for recon Marines, they have regular training to ensure they’re ready to assist or perform any operation. Marines regularly train with weapons, different squadron tactics and maintain their physical fitness. The Marine Corps also deploys recon Marines for short periods of time to provide operational support to the United States military. Recon Marines may have deployments lasting seven to eight months in various theaters of operation.
Related: How To Join the Marines
Top job searches near you
Career opportunities for the 0321 MOS
Reconnaissance Marines who transition from the military to civilian life often pursue the following careers in which they can use their skills and training:
- Government contractor
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer
- Private security professional
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent
- Police officer
- Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) member
- Border patrol agent
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officer
- U.S. Marshall
- Corrections officer
