The Marine Corps is looking for Marines to laterally move to more than a dozen positions in an effort to boost retention.
The move is laid out in Marine Corps Administrative Message 365/25 for Marines who have yet to reenlist or if their primary military occupational specialty is closed.
Marines in their first or subsequent terms can apply for the following 12 specialties:
- Avionics/maintenance technician, unmanned aircraft system
- Unmanned aircraft mechanic, MQ-9
- Tactical air operations/air defense systems technician
- Tactical data systems technician
- Ground control station technician
- Explosives ordnance disposal technician
- ACV repairer/technician
- Amphibious combat vehicle crewmember
- Influence specialist
- Critical skills operator
- Reconnaissance Marine
- Counterintelligence/human intelligence specialist
Marines in their first term of enlistment can also apply for five other specialties:
- Low altitude defense gunner
- Criminal investigator agent
- Career counselor
- Marine Corps community services Marine
- Operational contract support specialist
Only Marines in their subsequent term of enlistment can apply for the following specialties:
- Information security technician
- Cyberspace warfare operator
- Career recruiter
In fiscal year 2024, the Marines had 1,014 lateral moves, which was a 20% increase from the previous year, according to the service’s 2024 Talent Management update.
An earlier August MARADMIN also established a voluntary early release option for Marines with an End of Active Service date on or before Sept. 30, 2025.
