The Marine Corps is converting MOS 0648 from a necessary MOS (NMOS) to a primary MOS (PMOS) effective 1 October 2026, and they're soliciting volunteers to lateral move into it now. If you currently hold 0648 as an NMOS and don't want to lateral move, nothing changes for you. This only applies if you volunteer.
Bottom line: If you're a Sgt through MGySgt in one of the qualifying MOSs and want to lateral move into 0648, packages are being accepted right now.
Who it affects
Volunteers only. You must be a Sgt through MGySgt currently holding one of these MOSs: 0621, 0627, 0629, 0699, 2651, 2659, or 5948.
Additional eligibility gates:
- U.S. citizen
- GT score of 100 or higher
- Clerical score of 100 or higher
- Not passed over for promotion in current grade
- No NJP in current enlistment
- No courts-martial
- SCI eligibility letter from your Special Security Officer (SSO)
MSgts must have held a 0648-coded billet within the last 36 months. MGySgts are considered case by case. Active component Marines also need 24 months of obligated service remaining after graduation from the MOS-producing school.
Any prerequisite can be waived by the 06XX Occupational Field Manager for exceptional applicants. Waiver requests go in with your lateral move package.
What you need to do
- Check the FY27 MOS Manual (NAVMC 1200.1M) to confirm you meet prerequisites.
- Contact your career counselor to start the lateral move process.
- Complete your commanding officer's screening, interview, and questionnaire.
- Get interviewed by a 0640 Strategic Electromagnetic Spectrum Officer.
- Submit your lateral move package. Packages are being accepted now.
To earn the 0648 PMOS, you must complete the Spectrum Operations Apprentice Course (SOAC), course code F0224L1, located in Biloxi, MS. Equivalent Army and Navy courses may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Key dates
- 1 October 2026: 0648 converts from NMOS to PMOS for lateral move approvals
- Now: Lateral move packages are being accepted
The official version
This comes from MARADMIN 155/26. The governing reference is NAVMC 1200.1M (FY27 MOS Manual), dated 2 March 2026.
POCs:
- LtCol J. R. Robbins, 06XX Occupational Field Manager:
jeffrey.r.robbins@usmc.mil/ 571-256-8845 - MGySgt L. C. Bostic III, 06XX Occupational Field Specialist:
lawrence.bostic@usmc.mil/ 571-256-8845 - MGySgt B. J. Sackey, 06XX Monitor (M&RA):
benjamin.sackey@usmc.mil/ 703-784-9294
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.