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New MOS 0315 Scout is official. Here's who can convert.

MARADMIN 296/26·June 29, 2026·3 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps officially stood up PMOS 0315 Scout with an out-of-cycle change to the FY27 MOS Manual. The new MOS is designed for Marines skilled in fieldcraft and long-range communications who conduct ground reconnaissance and surveillance in support of infantry and LAR battalions. It becomes effective 1 October 2026, and the Corps is moving fast to build NCO inventory now.

Bottom line: If you're an 03XX Marine (E5 and below, not 0321) who graduated the Basic Scout Course or holds MOS 0317, you're eligible for an immediate PMOS conversion to 0315 with no additional training required.

Who it affects

This MARADMIN is Total Force, so it applies to active component, Reserve, and IMA Marines. The most immediate impact is on:

  • E5 and below 03XX Marines (excluding 0321 Reconnaissance Marines) who graduated the Basic Scout Course (BSC) or hold the additional MOS 0317 Scout Sniper. These Marines are eligible for immediate conversion.
  • Any 03XX Marine interested in a lateral move to 0315.
  • Marines with prior infantry MOSs (0311, 0313, 0331, 0341, or 0352) seeking a LatMov. They skip the Infantry Common Core and Infantry Rifleman Course requirements.
  • New accessions: FY26 entry-level Marines attending the Ground Reconnaissance Course pilot will be eligible for 0315 upon completion.

The MOS also feeds into 0369 Infantry Unit Leader (0315 is now a qualifying prerequisite MOS) and EMOS 0913 Marine Combat Instructor.

What you need to do

If you think you're eligible for conversion or a LatMov:

  1. Talk to your Career Counselor. They're the first step for both conversion and LatMov requests.
  2. Check whether you graduated the BSC (course identifier M030J14 or M100J15, military service school code 0J1) or hold MOS 0317. If yes, you qualify for immediate conversion.
  3. If you want to attend one of the final BSC classes to become eligible, commands must nominate Marines through Marine Corps Training Information Management System (MCTIMS) using normal formal school course nomination channels. Travel funding is available through TECOM's Formal School Training Support (FSTS) program for both remaining classes.

For unit leaders and SNCOs: Identify Marines who can perform Scout duties and get them nominated for the final BSC classes. The Corps is explicitly asking commands to support this.

Reserve-specific note: The MARADMIN doesn't spell out a separate Reserve conversion process. Contact your S-1 or Career Counselor to confirm how MOS batch changes and FSTS travel funding apply to SMCR and IMA Marines.

Key dates

  • 1 October 2026: PMOS 0315 effective date
  • 13 July 2026: Final BSC class convenes, SOI East
  • 3 September 2026: Last BSC class convenes, SOI East (final opportunity for BSC-based conversion eligibility)
  • 1 November 2026: Deadline for the OccFld Manager and MOS Specialist to submit consolidated conversion list to MMEA/MMIB for batch MOS changes

The official version

Full source: MARADMIN 296/26

Referenced documents include NAVMC 1200.1M (FY27 MOS Manual), NAVMC 3500.132 (MOS Manual Program Guidance), and MARADMIN 590/25 (FY27 Enlisted Retention Campaign) for LatMov guidance.

POC for questions:

  • LtCol Robert Viehmeyer, Senior Infantry OccFld Manager: robert.viehmeyer@usmc.mil
  • MGySgt Dallas Miller, Infantry Specialist: dallas.miller@usmc.mil
  • MSgt Aldo Gongora, Infantry Specialist: aldo.gongora@usmc.mil
  • Jay Coutu, GS-14, Head MCSRB/TSD/TECOM: jay.coutu@usmc.mil

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.

Resources & references

The documents this bulletin points to, with a plain-English note on why each matters. Links marked CAC required need a government login.

  • FY 2027 MOS Manual (NAVMC 1200.1 M)Reference

    This is the authoritative manual listing all Marine Corps military occupational specialties. This MARADMIN adds PMOS 0315 Scout to it via an out-of-cycle change, so it is the document that will reflect the new MOS, its prerequisites, and related MOS connections.

  • MOS Manual Program Guidance (NAVMC 3500.132)Reference

    This document governs how MOS manuals are developed and updated. It provides the procedural authority under which the out-of-cycle addition of PMOS 0315 was submitted.

  • Infantry Battalion Scout Platoon Concept of Employment (CONEMP)Reference

    This CD&I document defines how Scout platoons are intended to be employed operationally. It is the doctrinal basis that drove the creation of PMOS 0315.

  • Force Structure Decision Memorandum for DOTMLPF-C Analysis of 0315 Scout PMOSReference

    This memorandum, signed 24 June 2026, formally directed the creation of PMOS 0315. It is the authority behind the actions described in this MARADMIN.

  • FY 2027 Enlisted Retention Campaign (MARADMIN 590/25)MARADMIN

    This MARADMIN contains additional lateral move guidance relevant to Marines considering a move to PMOS 0315 Scout. Reservists or active component Marines interested in a LatMov should consult it alongside their Career Counselor.

  • Infantry Training and Readiness Manual (NAVMC 3500.44)Reference

    This manual contains the complete listing of duties and tasks for PMOS 0315 Scout. Marines seeking a full picture of what the Scout MOS requires them to do should reference it.

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New MOS 0315 Scout is official. Here's who can convert. — Reservable