quick input- my son/marine mos

[Jethro]

My son is going into the Marines this fall, been trying to pick an MOS. Recruiter called him and said he has a recon opening for Oct. but it will go quick. My son called to ask my advice and I know nothing about recon, I was Navy. Any of you guys have some quick input on the subject? Is recon pretty much advanced infantry or what?

[systemnt]

Doesn't matter what he picks, thank him for me.

[billinkb]

Thank him for me too!

[1369]

Recon is similar in ways to Rangers/SF/SEALS. From what I understand under new rules since I got out in the way back, there is an enlistment option that will slot your son to go from SOI (School Of Infantry) after graduating from Boot Camp to BRC (Basic Reconnaissance Course), but if he fails any step along the way his contract is changed to "regular" infantry. If he's planning on doing this, he'd better get serious about wanting to do that kind of work and get in peak physical conditioning or he's wasting a spot that someone else who really wants it could use.

[BigPigSticker]

Qualifications for this enlistment option include:

A GT of 105 or higher
No moral waivers
No drug waivers
Eyesight correctable to 20/20
Not colorblind
The ability to obtain a secret clearance
The UZ enlistment option is available by quota. If the quota has been reached, a recruiter may not be able to offer the UZ option to an enlistee until the next quota period.

In addition to the requirements above, the applicant must:

Complete Boot Camp
1st Class PFT
Score Expert in rifle qualification
Upon graduation of Boot Camp the Marine will attend the School of Infantry (SOI).

After SOI, the Marine will attend the Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC). After successful completion of this school the Marine will be assigned the Primary MOS of 0321 - Basic Reconnaissance Marine.

If he fails the BRC he will be dropped to an 0311 (Infantry Rifleman)

GET SOME...OORAH

[Jethro]

He is in very good physical condition, has always been very serious about that. Initially he wanted to go infantry, but there were no spots open, so he has been waiting on something to open up. I think he would be very serious about it.

[reconman]

All the above is correct. He must also swim qual 1. The indoc is no cake walk! Like others said, if he DQ's on any portion, he will default to MOS-03xx. If he has what it takes, he will love it! If all is completed, he can then pick up 0326 and 0329 which would be his jump wings and SCUBA bubble. Tell him I said good luck, dont even think about the word quit, and always push harder! If he or yourself have any more questions, feel free to PM me. Ill help in any way I can.

[thebomb6_99]

Good Luck to him!!!

[1369]

All the above is correct. He must also swim qual 1. The indoc is no cake walk! Like others said, if he DQ's on any portion, he will default to MOS-03xx. If he has what it takes, he will love it! If all is completed, he can then pick up 0326 and 0329 which would be his jump wings and SCUBA bubble. Tell him I said good luck, dont even think about the word quit, and always push harder! If he or yourself have any more questions, feel free to PM me. Ill help in any way I can.

Scot, were you active when they changed the rules? I'd be interested to hear what the feeling was in the unit when you had someone come in that had no experience in the fleet.

[coachroc]

Airwing!! I had two MOS-6531(aviation ordnance) 6172 (CH-46E crewchief)

[Redneck Archer]

I would suggest doing something that will benefit him when he gets out.

god bless all infantry men and women, and recon and sere/seals/rangers/spec ops etc...

BUT!, When I went in I was going to go with my buddy into army infantry on a short enlistment.

My dad said NO! so i went in as Air Force Computer Systems specialist.

My buddy went infantry.

here we are 12 years later. I am a district IT manager with 12 years IT experience making descent money with a descent house and a beautiful wife.

My buddy is at home living with his parents struggling with drinking and drugs.



NOT that all turn out that way. BUT, why not go in for something that will benefit YOUR SON in the long run?

[PSD Ryan]

I usually encourage people to get into the air wing, not just because it is fun and rewarding, but also because it provides a lot of career opportunities after you get out. If he's set on going ground side though, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[Jethro]

I hear what you are saying on that Redneck Archer, I went into the nuclear field in the Navy myself. Having said that, he and I have had all of those discussions and it is up to him at this point. I have my concerns, but he has to live his life and make his decisions as well. He thrives on the physical challenge, and I think that is a big part of it. I made my decision 20 odd years ago, this one is his. I hope he makes the right one for him, I am just trying to give him the best information I can to help him with it.

[reconman]

I was in aftet a lot of the Recon units had been changed and moved around. I was pre-MARSOC, but they were gearing up for 1st Force going SOCOM/JSOC. I got selected for the indoc right out of SOI, and that was very rare at the time. Most Marines were NCO's and had a strong track record in the fleet, almost all from 03xx. I believe we had two airwingers and that was it. From what I could tell, I got watched a lot more and pushed harder by the instructors. Once I made it through the indoc and BRC, I got more accepted and recieved what I considered to be a heck of a lot of knowledge from my fellow Recon Marines...I was then one of THEM. I had to do a lot more "grunt work" just because I was out-ranked, but that would happen anywhere. So all in all, I would say that the initial feelings are that yes, the young Marines dont have the fleet experience but once you prove you have the drive and will to be there and you prove yourself, you are readily accepted. I felt like I got a lot of help that most Marines wouldnt/didnt get. Like I told Jethro, it no cake walk for anyone, even harder for a new Marine...but once you earn the title, you are family, a fraternity within a fraternity.

[reconman]

Jethro, you might want to mention to him also that yoy can go Recon from any primary MOS. Unless things have changed that I dont know about, that's still the way it is. However, it IS true that the grunts have a clear advantage when making it through the courses and training.