MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --
Marines with Marine Corps Special Operations Command and
Special Operations Screening Team conducted an informational brief for more
than 200 Marines and Sailors at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.,
Oct. 15.
During the brief, service members had the opportunity to
meet with career planners and MARSOC representatives to discuss information and
possible future duty assignments with the Corps’ special operations unit.
“We are here to screen qualified applicants for a possible
transition into the MARSOC program,” said Master Sgt. Paul Madsen, a recruiter-screener
for MARSOC. “MARSOC is a volunteer assignment and our mission set is special
and exclusive. We are only looking for the most qualified and capable Marines.”
Some of MARSOC’s standard responsibilities include
counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and security forces assistance. Its core
tasks also include foreign international defense, direct action and special
reconnaissance.
According to Madsen, Marines interested in a career in
MARSOC have a basic list of criteria they must meet before beginning the screening
process. Applicants must be male volunteers; have a minimum general technical
score of at least 105; score a minimum of 225 on the physical fitness test; be
able to pass a swim assessment; meet a specific medical screening criteria;
obtain a secret clearance; and be willing and able to make a lateral move to
the critical skills operator military occupational specialty.
In addition to the basic requirements, there are additional
categories they must fall under to be considered for further screening.
First-term Marines must be either a corporal or lower rank, with some
exceptions for junior sergeants who have less than two years’ time in grade.
According to the MARSOC mission statement, the units
objective is to train and provide a fully-capable Marine Special Operation
Force for worldwide deployments to accomplish assigned missions. MARSOC units
are task-organized to be flexible and responsive to deploy from the sea and
from within the United States.
“We encourage Marines to ask about screenings and special
duty assignments even if they would just like to learn more information about
it,” said Staff Sgt. Antoinette Reyna, a career planner with 2nd Marine
Aircraft Wing. “Some programs such as MARSOC only take volunteers, so those who
are even slightly interested in becoming involved need to go to their career
planner on their own to start the process.”
Although there are many who have the opportunity to apply,
not everyone will make it past the initial screening process, explained Reyna.
“It is the career planner’s job to facilitate the screening
process and direct and assist Marines who show an interest or are qualified
basically,” said Reyna.
For more information about becoming a critical skills
operator, visit http://www.marsoc.com/ or contact a career planner.