Strong Men Armed--USMC Force Recon

[MarineSniper8541]

This is a great article and it really makes me miss the Corps.

The third paragraph to the left of the first photo of the guys in Tiger Stripe is probably my favorite statement in the entire article.

If you dont like it, keep your mouth shut and don't be disrespectuful.
This post is meant as a link and not a flame forum.
If you like this article, can relate to it, or can appreciate it, please feel free to post here. Otherwise, take your sarcasm or smart remarks some other place where they might be appreciated.

Anyways, here it is...credit to Patrick A. Rogers

http://www.forcerecon.com/strongmenarmed.htm

[budanski]

*wipes off the clown make-up and moves the show to the "off topic" section.

[James]

Excellent article. I have a question for those in the know - when did 8654 become 0321? Has it? I worked with a fellow who was an 0321 with 4th Force a while back.

Just curious.

[MarineSniper8541]

0321 is a Recon Marine. You HAVE to be an infantryman to get that MOS.

8654 is the MOS for a Force Recon Marine. It does not matter what feeder MOS you come from. That is the MOS you get when you become a Force Recon Marine.

An 0321 from a Recon Bn. Would then become an 8654 if the took the Force indoc and then completed the training pipeline for Force.

If he was actually with 4th Force and was an 0321, then he has not yet completed the training pipeline for the MOS. In other words, he is not yet an "operator".

[Ratamacue]

MS, just curious, but did you serve at some point with Force Recon?

Great article by the way, lengthy read but very cool.

[96B]

forcerecon.org


What is the 0321 MOS?

The 0321 MOS is Infantry/Reconnaissance Marine. Initially it was considered a secondary MOS but now it is a primary MOS. At this time, an individual cannot join the Marine Corps as a Reconnaissance Marine. You have to join as an 0311 Basic Infantry Marine and then take the initial screening at the Basic Infantry School. Upon successful completion of the screening the Marine will receive orders either to the Basic Recon Course or directly to a Reconnaissance Unit.

A new change to the 0321 MOS was approved for Marines to be able to stay in the Reconnaissance Community their entire career from Private to Master Gunnery Sergeant. This is an important change and allows Recon Marines to make Recon a career.

[James]

0321 is a Recon Marine. You HAVE to be an infantryman to get that MOS.

8654 is the MOS for a Force Recon Marine. It does not matter what feeder MOS you come from. That is the MOS you get when you become a Force Recon Marine.

An 0321 from a Recon Bn. Would then become an 8654 if the took the Force indoc and then completed the training pipeline for Force.

If he was actually with 4th Force and was an 0321, then he has not yet completed the training pipeline for the MOS. In other words, he is not yet an "operator".

He enlisted USMCR 0300 and took the indoc in '99 (I think) during SOI. He went to BRC immediately after SOI, then jump, dive, SERE, MFF...

I haven't seen or talked to him for more than a year, but he lived in Hawaii, and I heard he was activated to augment 1st Force for OIF.


On a side note... If I had been a better swimmer when I was on active duty... Oh well.

Take it easy.

[MarineSniper8541]

If he told you he was an 0321 then he was telling you his primary MOS.
If he has been through the pipeline then he difinately has the 8654 designator.

8654, Force Recon Marine is a secondary MOS listing.

Any 8000 series MOS in the Marine Corps indicates a secondary MOS.

Marines are not billeted or promoted via their secondary MOS.

All promotion selection boards and "boat space" staffing are done by primary MOS. All 0321s fall into the same promotion category to as all other infantry Marines to be promoted into the Staff NCO ranks. An 0311, 0313, 0321, 0331, 0341, 0351 and 0352 would all be promoted to an 0369- Infantry Platoon Sergeant upon selection to E-6. Any secondary MOS held by those Marines would be retained.

[James]

Thanks for the info.

[TriggerPuller]

0321 is a Recon Marine. You HAVE to be an infantryman to get that MOS.

8654 is the MOS for a Force Recon Marine. It does not matter what feeder MOS you come from. That is the MOS you get when you become a Force Recon Marine.

An 0321 from a Recon Bn. Would then become an 8654 if the took the Force indoc and then completed the training pipeline for Force.

If he was actually with 4th Force and was an 0321, then he has not yet completed the training pipeline for the MOS. In other words, he is not yet an "operator". Ok 8654 if for a Marine who has the 0321 MOS and has been jump and dive qualified. If no schools but graduated BRC then 0321. If jump qualed and not scuba then your MOS is 8652 if Scuba qualed and not jump then your MOS is 8653. You are 8654 only after you have been dual qualed. At this point you get to wear the dual cool.If you are in the fleet and an exemplerary Marine then you can try out for INDOC(if your command will release you) meaning you dont have to be necessarily an 0311,31,41,51,52. You can be a Bn Recon marine and still be considered an operator, but I wouldnt consider anyone an operator just because they have the MOS 8654 you earn that title in the field. Hell I know plenty of Grunts who I consider Operators. I hope this clears up any confusion.BTW Pat Rogers was an SOTG instructor,a good one mind you,but not a Force Recon Marine.Teaching skills and being operational are 2 different animals.
MS8541, not stepping on your toes here but info was just a little off! take care and Semper Fi

TP

[Argyll]

What a great article,it makes for an interesting read from a "Limeys" POV!!