Can an officer go straight into Marine Recon or Raiders if they are prior service?

2020-06-02T19:41:15-04:00

I recently got out of the Army after 6 years, and am hoping to join the marines as an officer(earned my degree during high school and beginning part of enlistment). I want to either go Marine Recon or even Raider. From what I've read they prefer experience before entering either field. However, since I am prior service with combat experience, will I be required to start as a regular infantry officer or can i go straight into either right away?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 2 at 2020 8:55 PM

2020-06-02T20:55:50-04:00

NO, since you have not attended their version of BOLC- that's where you go. REcon/Raider Bn Commanders normal decide what officers goes to those units officer wise.

Response by Cpl Archie H. made Jun 10 at 2020 2:04 PM

2020-06-10T14:04:58-04:00

I am an 0311. Just a simple rifleman. It has been over 50 years since I have been in the field with the Marine Corps. Since I have been out and over throughout the years I had no contact with any Marines. What I noticed over the passing years when I greeted someone wearing a ball cap with a Marine Corps Eagle Globe or Anchor on it in a store I was informed by them they were all Marine Recon. Honestly I never met someone who was an office piggy, air wing, office pogue they are all Marine Recon, or snipers. I was educated in the Marines to believe the backbone of the Marine Corps was someone with 0300 infantry MOS. But in spit of this I never had anyone tell me they were a simple grunt they were all commandoes..

Response by LCpl John DeMeo made Jul 20 at 2020 12:43 PM

2020-07-20T12:43:58-04:00

No matter what your enlisted rank when going into the Marine Corps from another branch, you still have to go through Marine Corps boot camp. The Marine Corps boot camp is the only one that allows you to go into any other branch of service and not have to go through theirs. You (if eligible) keep your rank and time in grade. I do not know hoe it works for the officers.

Response by Pvt Jeff Oehlsen made Aug 31 at 2020 8:31 PM

2020-08-31T20:31:22-04:00

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA You want to be an officer in the Marine Corps is the best part of this post.

Response by Sgt Alex Casqueira made Jun 7 at 2021 11:16 PM

2021-06-07T23:16:20-04:00

Your best bet would be to go into the Corps under an Infantry MOS "0311" once you get to ITB "infantry training battalion" ace all the written tests they throw at you, shoot expert on the rifle range, get a perfect 300 CFT and PFT and on graduation day you'll get asked if you'd like to try out for recon. If you say yes then you're in for a real fun graduation day.... Not going to say much more then that and ruin the surprises but you'll get your shot.