How to Get Marine Recon

To become a Marine Recon, one must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a U.S. citizen, scoring a 105 or higher on the ASVAB’s General Technical section, and being physically fit as a swimmer and for fitness tests, as well as getting a secret security clearance and passing a screening for selection. The process of joining Marine Recon involves a series of challenging steps, including completing the Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC) at Camp Pendleton, California, and acquiring specialized skills such as parachuting, scuba diving, and surveillance, which are essential for conducting reconnaissance missions.

Eligibility Criteria for Marine Recon

FAQs About Marine Recon

General Information

1. What is Marine Recon?: Marine Recon, also known as Force Reconnaissance, is an elite unit of the United States Marine Corps that conducts amphibious reconnaissance, deep ground reconnaissance, surveillance, battle space shaping, and limited scale raids in support of the Marine Expeditionary Force.
2. How hard is it to get into Marine Recon?: The Reconnaissance selection and training course is intensely rigorous, involving swimming, underwater training, timed marches, and other physical fitness tests, making it extremely challenging to get into Marine Recon.
3. How long does it take to become a Marine Recon?: On average, reconnaissance programs take one and a half to two years to complete, including specialized training such as the basic airborne course and the Marine combatant diver (MCD) course.

Joining Marine Recon

4. Can any Marine try out for Recon?: Enlisted Marines and new recruits can qualify to become a Recon Marine candidate if they meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a U.S. citizen, scoring a 105 or higher on the ASVAB’s General Technical section, and being physically fit.
5. How do you get selected for Recon?: To get selected for Recon, one must possess a first-class swimmer qualification, obtain a first-class score on the PFT, have 20/200 near visual acuity or visual acuity not to exceed 20/400 with a completed PRK eye surgery, and complete the Marine Rifleman Course.
6. Can you go straight to Recon Marines?: While it is possible to join Recon Marines as a new Marine, one must first qualify after boot camp and the School of Infantry (SOI), and then attend the Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC) at Camp Pendleton, California.

Training and Education

7. What schools do Recon Marines attend?: All future RECON students must attend a Basic RECON Course, or BRC, taught at the School of Infantry (SOI) West RECON Training Company in Camp Pendleton, California.
8. Do Recon Marines go to sniper school?: Recon Marines may attend sniper school, and some may become scout snipers, which is a secondary MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) designator of U.S. Marine Corps infantrymen and reconnaissance Marines.
9. What is the difference between Marine Recon and Force Recon?: While both Marine Recon and Force Recon conduct reconnaissance missions, Force Recon is utilized more often for limited scale raids and assaults on the enemy, whereas Marine Recon focuses on amphibious reconnaissance and deep ground reconnaissance.

Career and Deployment

10. Are Recon Marines like Navy SEALs?: Recon Marines and Navy SEALs are both elite units, but they have different primary purposes, with SEALs focusing on direct action and Recon Marines focusing on reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
11. Do Recon Marines get paid more?: Marine Force Recon personnel may receive special duty pay and hazardous duty pay, but their base pay is the same as other Marines with the same rank and time in service.
12. Where do most Recon Marines get stationed?: There are three active duty Recon Battalions and one Reserve, with 1st Recon Battalion based on Camp Pendleton in California, 2nd Recon at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, and 3rd Recon on Okinawa.

Specialized Skills and Equipment

13. What do Marine Recon specialize in?: Marine Force RECON specializes in amphibious reconnaissance, deep ground reconnaissance, surveillance, battle space shaping, and limited scale raids, using specialized skills such as parachuting, scuba diving, and surveillance.
14. What jobs are Recon in the Marines?: Reconnaissance Marines conduct various types of missions, including amphibious reconnaissance, ground reconnaissance, and surveillance, using specialized techniques such as surface, subsurface, and airborne insertion and extraction.
15. Can a Marine become a Navy SEAL?: While Marines and Navy SEALs are both part of the Department of the Navy, they are from different branches of service, and a Marine cannot directly become a Navy SEAL, although they may be able to transition to the Navy and join the SEALs after meeting specific eligibility criteria.