How to Become a Marine

Working in the Marine Corps offer you not just a job, but a career. You can be assured of having access to a wide range of roles and job opportunities during your service, as well as access to education, as well as professional development.

To become a marine you will need to be fit, have good leadership skills, and an excellent work ethic. Working for the Marine Corps offers excellent opportunities to travel, gain skills, as well as the opportunity to serve your country.

Educational Requirements to Become a Marine

To enlist in the Marines you will need to have completed high school. To become an officer you will need a college degree. There is no specification of what kind of degree it must be, only that you complete a four year bachelor degree.

While you don't need a college degree to get into the Marines, it will certainly help if you want to climb the ranks later on. A four year bachelor's degree is a good start. After you complete your first year, get in contact with a Marines recruiter and let them know of your interest. You may be selected for Platoon Leaders Camp, which takes place for six weeks for two summers.

To become a marine you will need to be in fit physical shape. There is a fitness test for entry, followed by a boot camp to those that are successful. Marines also need to pass a fitness test every six months.

The Marine Corps support its officers in their professional development, and offers a range of programs that allows those already working in the field to get a college degree later on.

Marine Job Description

Working as a Marine Corps Officer, you will have the opportunity to work in eighty listed Military Occupational Specialties, or MOS. These range from traffic management, infantry, logistics, communications, and intelligence to only name a few. Here are some of the more common MOS within the Marines:

• Personnel and Administration


• Intelligence


• Infantry


• Marine Air Ground Task Force


• Command and Control Systems


• Field artillery


• Utilities


• Engineering


• Tank and Assault Vehicles


• Ordinance


• Ammunition and Explosive Ordinance Disposal


• Operational Communications


• Signals Intelligence/ground electronic warfare


• Linguist


• Data/Communications Maintenance


• Supply Administration and Operations


• Traffic Management


• Food Service


• Financial Management


• Motor Transportation


• Data Systems


• Marine Corps Exchange


• Public Affairs


• Legal Services


• Visual Information


• Music


• Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense


• Military Police and Corrections


• Electronics Maintenance


• Aircraft Maintenance


• Avionics


• Aviation Ordinance


• Aviation Logistics


• Weather Service


• Airfield Service


• Air Control/Air traffic Control


• Navigational Officer/Enlisted Flight Crew

Marine Salary and Career Path

Most officers in the marines will start with an entry level position. They could find themselves in active duty on the field, or just as likely behind a desk. You will be expected to work in this kind of role for the first few years of your career.

One of the greatest benefits of working in the marines is that you will be actively encourages and supported in your professional development. There are in house educational schemes to help you develop, as well as support if you want to study elsewhere.

If you haven't already chosen one when you enlisted, you will need to decide on an MOS within the Marine Corps, such as those listed above. You may need further training to work in your MOS of choice, or you may be able to learn on the job.

Once you are working within your MOS, as you build your experience and skills base you can expect to climb the ranks. Of course, there is also opportunity to switch your MOS if you are looking for a change later on in your career.

Employment within the marines is very secure once you have enlisted. You can be assured of a job for life. The salary of an officer can range from anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000 a year. Officers on active duty will be paid more. There is also a housing allowance, uniform allowance, and other benefits such as medical and dental. Marine veterans can qualify for pensions, educational grants and other benefits in some circumstances.

Joining the few and the proud can be a very rewarding experience. You'll get the opportunity to travel, to serve your country, and have endless resources for training and development available at your disposal.