Spec ops MOS almost a reality

[unhappycamper]

A Marine from a Marine Special Operations Company with the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command fires his MK19 grenade launcher at targets in the valley below him at the U.S. Army Depot in Hawthorne, Nev., earlier this year.


Spec ops MOS almost a reality
By Trista Talton - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Dec 7, 2009 6:16:23 EST

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Marine special operators will have their own military occupational specialty in coming weeks, according to the Corps’ recently retired spec ops commander.

The move will benefit members of Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command by allowing manpower officials to keep closer tabs on their career progression — and it could set the stage for targeted re-enlistment bonuses for the Corps’ commando community, Maj. Gen. Mastin Robeson said Nov. 20 after his retirement ceremony at Camp Lejeune, where MarSOC is based.

MarSOC officials say the MOS will be reserved for Marines who graduate from the command’s Individual Training Course, a seven-month program tailored to Marine special operations. ITC covers a wealth of spec ops disciplines, including training in foreign internal defense, direct action and close-quarters battle, among others.

Robeson, who was replaced at MarSOC by Maj. Gen. Paul Lefebvre, said creation of a spec ops MOS represents a smart step forward for the young command. Less than four years old, MarSOC needs to focus on retaining the Marines it trains rather than returning them to the conventional force as it does now, he said.

It’s not immediately clear whether special operators will receive a primary or secondary MOS. Marines compete for promotion and vie for re-enlistments in their primary job skill. Secondary MOSs can include tours as recruiters, drill instructors or marksmanship instructors.


Rest of article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/12/marine_marsoc_120709w/