Can I be an Officer in Marine Special Operations?

Question

If I'm in Marine Special Operations (MARSOC?), what will I most likely be doing? I want to be operating in a small unit, doing high importance tasks for the military- but I REALLY want to be a Marine. Do I have to go Navy SEALs for that kind of thing? Also, if that IS what MARSOC will have me do, can do it as an Officer? I want to lead, but I want some action.

Answer 1

You can't be an officer and be special at the same time. It works against Audie Murphy's laws of military rules and regulations.

Answer 2

I am not a Marine officer yet, but have many close friends in the Corps and have spoken with former RECON and current MARSOC officials about this recently. I am planning to go into Marine OCS during fall of 09.

Maybe I can save you some trouble by telling you what I have found out already.

Just becoming a Marine officer is a hard task and should be your initial focus. You need to speak with an OSO to get set up to go to OCS (3 months) in Quantico, VA. If you make it through OCS, you will report into TBS (the basic school-six months) shortly thereafter. TBS is where incoming officers compete for their MOS. The are no MOS guarantees short of Aviation or Law/JAG, so you will have to graduate in the top percentage of your class to be able to have a real shot at becoming an Infantry officer. Marsoc/Recon primarily only employs Infantry (0302) and Ground Intel (0203) officers at the tactical level. So, if you want to pursue Marsoc/Recon later on, you probably need to get one of these MOS designators. After completing TBS, and provided that you are able to pick up an Infantry officer slot, you will immediately report for a 3 month IOC (Infantry Officers Course). Upon completion of IOC you will begin your first tour in the Fleet Marine Force (where you actually get to put your training into use). This is usually a 2-3 year billet. Following this tour you can go out for SOAS (Special Operations Assessment & Selection) which tests you physically and mentally to see if you have what it takes to join MARSOC. It is a long road, but understand that the Corps will be entrusting you with the lives of your Marines and special operators. This long training period is tasked with molding you into a leader that can handle MARSOC's missions and take care of your highly trained marines.

Also, a side note. SEAL officers (or Naval Special Warfare officers) can go out for BUD/s selection after commissioning. However, if you do not make the cut (and more than 70% don't)... there aren't really any other Direct Action or Special Operation options available to you in the Navy. I say this, because I have also seriously considered this route... but for me I want to be a marine.