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How to join the U.S. Marine Raider Regiment (MARSOC)?

By Ben Mingle

How to join the U.S. Marine Raider Regiment (MARSOC)?

Unlike other military branches that allow candidates to try out for a special operations unit, the Marine Raider Regiment requires you to serve in a conventional Marine unit before applying. You can enter either as a Critical Skills Operator, or a Special Operations Officer. Depending on which path you may choose, both operational roles have distinct requirements. 

To become a Critical Skills Operator, a Marine must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Be eligible to reenlist,
  • Have a minimum PFT of 235,
  • Have a minimum GT score of 105,
  • Meet the MARSOC medical screening criteria,
  • Be eligible to obtain and maintain a secret clearance,
  • Have no more than two NJPs on current enlistment,
  • Be able to pass the MARSOC swim assessment,
  • Make a lateral move to the critical skill operator MOS upon selection, and 
  • Have no more than 18 months in grade as a sergeant upon attending the Individual Training Course.

The requirements for Special Operations Officers are as follows:

  • Have a minimum PFT of 235,
  • Have a minimum GT/GCT score of 110,
  • Be eligible to obtain and maintain a secret clearance,
  • Meet the MARSOC medical screening criteria,
  • Be able to pass the MARSOC swim assessment,
  • Make a lateral move to the special operations officer MOS upon selection, and
  • Have no more than 24 months in grade as captain upon attending the Individual Training Course.

Meeting these eligibility criteria does not mean one will become a Marine Raider. Once you receive a slot, the real selection begins. The pipeline to becoming a Raider is divided into two parts. First, the Assessment & Selection phase, and second the Individual Training Course.

Assessment and Selection are subdivided into two phases. Phase one pushes candidates to their psychological and physical limits to dig out individuals who aren’t mentally and physically prepared or committed. They are assessed based on the following criteria: 

  • Physical in-test
  • Personal fitness test
  • 11-meter water tread
  • 300-meter swim
  • 12-mile ruck in a set amount of time
  • Abandon ship drill

Phase two pushes candidates to their absolute psychological, physical, and emotional limits while assessing their ability to work in a team. At this stage, the Marine Raider cadre will determine if your attributes are well-matched with MARSOC’s esprit de corps and mission. 

Part two which is the Individual Training Course is subdivided into four phases. Phase one covers basic field skills training including Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE). Phase two teaches tactical skills like mission planning, fire support training, heavy infantry weapons, small boat operations and scout swimming, and patrolling. Phase three focuses on marksmanship, demolition, urban warfare, and close-quarter battle. Phase four teaches candidates the dark arts of irregular warfare. This is done through realistic exercises known as “Derna Bridge.”

Raiders can attend numerous special operation courses like Hostile Forces Tagging Tracking Location course, Tactical Acquisition Exploitation course, Joint Terminal Attack Controller course, MARSOF Advanced Sniper course, and more.

Upon graduation, new Raiders are assigned to join a Raider battalion team in its pre-deployment workup. Congratulations you are now a Marine Raider.

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