Can You Enlist as a Marine Raider?

To become a Marine Raider, one must first enlist in the Marine Corps and serve in a conventional Marine unit before applying to MARSOC (Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command), which is a requirement that sets it apart from other branches that allow direct enlistment into special operations units. The path to becoming a Marine Raider involves meeting specific qualification standards, including a minimum ASVAB General Technical score of 105, achieving excellent physical fitness scores, passing a MARSOC swim test, and obtaining a secret clearance.

Eligibility and Requirements

Basic Requirements

To be eligible, potential candidates must demonstrate a strong foundation in physical fitness, swimming proficiency, and academic achievement, as evidenced by their ASVAB scores.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the basic requirements to become a Marine Raider? To become a Marine Raider, one must have a minimum ASVAB General Technical score of 105, excellent physical fitness scores, pass a MARSOC swim test, and be able to get a secret clearance.

2. Can you enlist into Marine Raiders directly? No, to become a Marine Raider, one must first enlist in the Marine Corps and serve in a conventional Marine unit before applying to MARSOC.

3. How long does it take to be a Marine Raider? The training and deployment cycle for Marine Raiders can vary, but typically includes 10-12 months of pre-deployment training followed by a 6-9 month deployment.

4. Do the Marines still have Raiders? Yes, the Marine Corps currently maintains three Raider battalions, all of which fall under the 1st Marine Raider Regiment.

5. What rank is a Marine Raider? It takes a minimum of four and a half years to create a Marine CSO (Critical Skills Operator), with a requirement of serving at least three years or achieving the rank of at least Lance Corporal before being considered a MARSOC candidate.

6. What are Marine Raiders called? The Marine Raider Regiment (MRR), formerly known as the Marine Special Operations Regiment (MSOR), is a special operations force of the United States Marine Corps.

7. What do Marine Raiders call themselves? MARSOC’s Marine Raiders are the men and women who serve within MARSOC, distinguished from the organization itself.

8. Are Marine Raiders as good as SEALs? Today’s Raiders stand shoulder to shoulder with other Tier 2 special operations forces like Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and Green Berets.

9. What is the most elite Marine unit? The Marine Raider Regiment (MRR) is considered the most elite unit within the Marine Corps, specializing in special operations.

10. How elite are Marine Raiders? Marine Raiders are among the most elite troops in America’s special operations arsenal, undergoing rigorous training and selection processes.

11. What is the fail rate for Marine Raiders? Historically, the Assessment and Selection phase has had an attrition rate of 46 percent, with successful candidates proceeding to the Individual Training Course.

12. Can you join MARSOC right away? No, to become a Marine Raider, one must first enlist in the Marine Corps and serve in a conventional unit before applying to MARSOC.

13. Is MARSOC hard to join? Becoming a MARSOC Operator is not easy, involving a challenging Assessment and Selection process and subsequent Individual Training Course.

14. Do Marine Raiders get paid more? Raiders tend to be better compensated due to the wide-ranging nature of their mission, which creates opportunities for additional pay, although their base pay is the same as other military personnel.

15. What martial arts do Marine Raiders learn? Marine Raiders, like all Marines, learn a form of martial arts derived from various disciplines such as Okinawan karate, judo, taekwondo, boxing, and jujutsu, designed for quick and effective self-defense and combat.