The Marine Corps is actively recruiting volunteers to lateral move into the 0321 Recon MOS during FY2026-2027. Demand is expected to stay high. Both active component and RC Marines are eligible, and there are bonuses available for those who qualify.
Bottom line: If you want to become a Recon Marine, the door is open now, and some applicants can earn up to $20,000 in SMCR RAB money on top of other bonuses.
Who it affects
Any Marine, any MOS, who wants to LATMOVE into 0321. Specific eligibility windows:
- E5 and below in any MOS: no more than two years TIG
- E6 in an 03XX MOS: no more than one year TIG
- Outside those windows: considered case by case
Additional hard requirements:
- U.S. citizen and a volunteer
- No NJP in the last 12 months; no more than one NJP on current contract
- No courts martial convictions
- No derogatory page 11 entries in the last 12 months
- Interim Secret clearance (based on NAC, law enforcement, and credit check)
- GT score of 105 or higher, OR clerical score of 105 or higher
- Medically qualified for parachute and combatant dive operations
The medical piece has teeth. You need a completed Naval Special Warfare/Special Operations (NSW/SO) physical, which includes DD Form 2807-1 and DD Form 2808, reviewed and countersigned by an Undersea Medical Officer. Get this done before you report to training.
Non-03XX Marines also have to complete Infantry Common Core (ICC) and the Infantry Rifleman's Course (IRC) at School of Infantry (SOI) East or West before attending the Ground Reconnaissance Course (GRC) and Amphibious Reconnaissance Course (ARC).
What you need to do
- Contact a Recon Recruiter to get the process started:
- SOI-East:
justin.sheard@usmc.mil/910-449-2071 - SOI-West:
stephen.m.odonnell@usmc.mil/760-763-9117
- SOI-East:
- Talk to your Career Counselor or Prior Service Recruiter to formally initiate the LATMOVE.
- Complete the Reconnaissance Training and Assessment Program (RTAP) and Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC) Command Screening Checklist (Reference B). This includes screening and suitability assessment paperwork.
- Get your NSW/SO physical scheduled and countersigned by an Undersea Medical Officer.
- If approved by Manpower and Reserve Affairs, you'll execute TAD orders to Reconnaissance Training Company, SOI-West, Camp Pendleton, CA.
More program details are available at the Manpower website. The MARADMIN lists the URL but it is lengthy and may break in some browsers; search for "0321 LATMOVE" on manpower.marines.mil or ask your Career Counselor to pull it up.
Bonuses
Reserve Marines (SMCR RAB): Marines doing a LATMOVE may be eligible for the RAB under MARADMIN 549/25. LATMOVE applicants are limited to the 24- or 36-month options:
| Option | Amount |
|---|---|
| 24 months | $10,000 |
| 36 months | $20,000 |
Active component Marines: An eligible Zone A E5 who reenlists in conjunction with a LATMOVE could potentially receive a $50,000 LATMOVE kicker plus a $66,500 PMOS bonus, totaling $116,500, once the 0321 PMOS is awarded. See MARADMIN 023/26 for SRB details.
Confirm your specific bonus eligibility with your Career Counselor or S-1 before signing anything.
Key dates
- Solicitation covers FY2026-2027. No hard application cut-off date is listed in the MARADMIN. Contact the recruiters to get current windows.
The official version
This is MARADMIN 221/26.
Referenced orders: MARADMIN 023/26 (FY27 SRB Program), MARADMIN 549/25 (SMCR RAB Program), MARADMIN 400/25 (RC LATMOVE Program), and NAVMC 1200.1L (MOS Manual).
Direct questions to the MARADMIN POCs:
- MGySgt Scott Young, Recon Enlisted Assignments Monitor:
scott.young@usmc.mil/703-784-9247 - LtCol Jason Hibler, Recon Occupational Field Manager:
jason.hibler@usmc.mil/703-692-4494 - MGySgt Mickey Eaton, Recon MOS Specialist:
mickey.eaton@usmc.mil/703-692-4305
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.