How Marine Corps Job Selection Works
Like the Army, the Marine Corps uses MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) codes for its jobs. Marines are organized into occupational fields (OccFlds), and each MOS within a field has specific ASVAB line score requirements.
The Marines use four primary composites: GT (General Technical), EL (Electronics), MM (Mechanical Maintenance), and CL (Clerical). The minimum AFQT to enlist is 32, but most competitive MOS require GT 100+.
Marine Corps Line Score Formulas
| Composite | Formula |
|---|---|
| GT | VE + AR (VE = WK + PC) |
| EL | GS + AR + EI + MK |
| MM | AS + EI + MC |
| CL | VE + AR + MK |
Infantry & Ground Combat (OccFld 03)
- 0311 — Rifleman: GT 80
- 0331 — Machine Gunner: GT 80
- 0341 — Mortarman: GT 80
- 0351 — Infantry Assaultman: GT 80
- 0321 — Reconnaissance Marine: GT 105
Intelligence (OccFld 02)
- 0211 — Counterintelligence/HUMINT Specialist: GT 110
- 0231 — Intelligence Specialist: GT 110
- 0261 — Geographic Intelligence Specialist: GT 110
Communications (OccFld 06)
- 0621 — Field Radio Operator: EL 95
- 0627 — Satellite Communications Operator: EL 105
- 0651 — Data Network Specialist: EL 115
- 0659 — Cyber Network Operator: GT 110, EL 115
Electronics Maintenance (OccFld 59)
- 5900 — Electronic Maintenance: EL 105
- 5939 — Aviation Communications Systems Technician: EL 115
- 5951 — Aviation Electronics Technician: EL 115
- 5952 — Air Traffic Control Maintenance: EL 115
Motor Transport (OccFld 35)
- 3531 — Motor Vehicle Operator: MM 90
- 3533 — Logistics Vehicle System Operator: MM 90
- 3537 — Motor Transport Operations Chief: MM 90
Aviation (OccFld 60–75)
- 6019 — Pilot (Officer): GT 115, requires flight screening
- 6113 — Fixed Wing Aircraft Crew Chief: MM 105
- 6174 — Helicopter Mechanic: MM 105
- 6811 — Aviation Supply Specialist: CL 100
- 7041 — Aviation Operations Specialist: GT 100
Artillery (OccFld 08)
- 0811 — Field Artillery Cannoneer: GT 80
- 0842 — Field Artillery Radar Operator: GT 105, EL 105
- 0861 — Fire Support Marine: GT 100
Logistics & Supply (OccFld 04)
- 0411 — Maintenance Management Specialist: GT 100
- 0431 — Logistics/Embarkation Specialist: CL 95
- 0481 — Landing Support Specialist: CL 95
Medical (OccFld 02 — Navy Corpsmen attached)
Marine infantrymen are supported by Navy Hospital Corpsmen (HM), not Marine medical personnel. However, some Marine support MOS require GT 100+.
Special Operations — MARSOC
- 0372 — Critical Skills Operator (CSO / Raiders): GT 105, must be an established Marine first (no direct enlistment)
Improving Your GT Score for USMC
GT is the single most important composite for Marine Corps MOS selection. GT = VE + AR. To raise your GT:
- WK (Word Knowledge): Learn Latin/Greek roots and prefixes. 20 new words/week adds up fast.
- PC (Paragraph Comprehension): Practice summarizing paragraphs in one sentence. Focus on finding main idea and author's tone.
- AR (Arithmetic Reasoning): Work through word problem sets. Write equations before calculating.
Most competitive USMC jobs require GT 100–110. A score of GT 110+ puts essentially every MOS on the table.
See all Marine MOS requirements at our Marine Corps MOS Explorer.