thedrifter
09-12-06, 08:06 AM
U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii (Sept. 11, 2006) -- Intelligence Marines, linguists, reconnaissance Marines and Explosive Ordinance Disposal technicians are harder to come by these days, but the Corps is trying to fix that.
Specially qualified Marines now have the chance to laterally move to these fields from their current military occupational specialty with the opportunity to collect large reenlistment bonuses as an incentive.
These MOSs are not easy to qualify for because of difficult specialized training, security clearance requirements and requirements for eligibility. The Marine Corps, however, is trying to sweeten the deal by increasing the Selective Reenlistment Bonuses for those MOSs.
In certain situations, a Marine can earn an SRB of up to $60,000.
Reenlisting Marines are categorized into three zones.
Those with six years or less of active duty fall into zone A which caps the bonus at $40,000. Zones B and C include Marines with more than six years but less than 14 years of active duty service. Both are capped at $60,000 for their SRB.
“The senior Marines in these fields are offered so much to reenlist because they’re hard to hold on to,” said Sgt. Matthew Nale, the MARFORPAC career retention specialist. “They could possibly go into the civilian sector and make six figures easily with the level of training and experience they have.”
Many Marines’ motives for entering these fields is to improve their future careers in the civilian world.
“I come from a motor transport background, and that’s not what I want to do when I get out of the Marine Corps,” said Sgt. Davian McKnight, a transportation NCO for MARFORPAC protocol. “I’m laterally moving into an intelligence field, because that will give me opportunities for better jobs on the outside.”
Qualifying for many of these jobs, however, can be difficult.
Intelligence Marines must first qualify for a top-secret clearance. Federal agencies will perform background checks for financial stability and review police records for criminal history.
Marines must also have a general/technical score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery of 100 or 110, depending on which intelligence field they choose.
The counter-intelligence field also requires they take the Defense Language Aptitude Battery and undergo language training.
To be an EOD technician, the Marine must be a sergeant with the GT score of 110, good color vision and they cannot be claustrophobic.
Reconnaissance, MOS 0321, used to require Marines to have an infantry background, but now Leathernecks from any MOS who meet the initial requirements qualify to laterally move into this field.
“These jobs are a challenge for Marines, but that’s why the Marine Corps offer these reenlistment bonuses,” said Nale.
After meeting all these requirements, Marines must successfully graduate from the formal school for these MOSs to receive the bonus and finally join that occupational field.
“Any Marine that wants to find out if they’re qualified to move to one of these fields, can go to their career planners for more information and get the process started,” said Nale.
Another source for information on specific initial requirements to enter these MOSs can be found in Marine Corps Order P1200.16.
MARADMIN 334/06 lists all SRB zones and provides more information on lateral moves.
Ellie
Specially qualified Marines now have the chance to laterally move to these fields from their current military occupational specialty with the opportunity to collect large reenlistment bonuses as an incentive.
These MOSs are not easy to qualify for because of difficult specialized training, security clearance requirements and requirements for eligibility. The Marine Corps, however, is trying to sweeten the deal by increasing the Selective Reenlistment Bonuses for those MOSs.
In certain situations, a Marine can earn an SRB of up to $60,000.
Reenlisting Marines are categorized into three zones.
Those with six years or less of active duty fall into zone A which caps the bonus at $40,000. Zones B and C include Marines with more than six years but less than 14 years of active duty service. Both are capped at $60,000 for their SRB.
“The senior Marines in these fields are offered so much to reenlist because they’re hard to hold on to,” said Sgt. Matthew Nale, the MARFORPAC career retention specialist. “They could possibly go into the civilian sector and make six figures easily with the level of training and experience they have.”
Many Marines’ motives for entering these fields is to improve their future careers in the civilian world.
“I come from a motor transport background, and that’s not what I want to do when I get out of the Marine Corps,” said Sgt. Davian McKnight, a transportation NCO for MARFORPAC protocol. “I’m laterally moving into an intelligence field, because that will give me opportunities for better jobs on the outside.”
Qualifying for many of these jobs, however, can be difficult.
Intelligence Marines must first qualify for a top-secret clearance. Federal agencies will perform background checks for financial stability and review police records for criminal history.
Marines must also have a general/technical score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery of 100 or 110, depending on which intelligence field they choose.
The counter-intelligence field also requires they take the Defense Language Aptitude Battery and undergo language training.
To be an EOD technician, the Marine must be a sergeant with the GT score of 110, good color vision and they cannot be claustrophobic.
Reconnaissance, MOS 0321, used to require Marines to have an infantry background, but now Leathernecks from any MOS who meet the initial requirements qualify to laterally move into this field.
“These jobs are a challenge for Marines, but that’s why the Marine Corps offer these reenlistment bonuses,” said Nale.
After meeting all these requirements, Marines must successfully graduate from the formal school for these MOSs to receive the bonus and finally join that occupational field.
“Any Marine that wants to find out if they’re qualified to move to one of these fields, can go to their career planners for more information and get the process started,” said Nale.
Another source for information on specific initial requirements to enter these MOSs can be found in Marine Corps Order P1200.16.
MARADMIN 334/06 lists all SRB zones and provides more information on lateral moves.
Ellie