Female Marine MOS

[Jessica Craver]

I have recently enlisted in the USMC and ship to boot camp/basic training on October 13th. Right now i'm looking at possible MOS choices. I know all Infantry, Artillery and Tank and Assault Amphibious Vehicle Operations are closed to females. I don't want to be left on the side lines simply because of my sex. I'm trying to find out what sort of jobs there are for females that still involve any sort of combat. I'v been looking into Radio Feild Operator and Motor Transportation, but those are about the only ones I can find. I looked up a couple others but am not sure if females qualify for the positions. 8026- parachutist/combatant diver marine, and 8153- Marine Corp Security Force(MCSF) or 8154- MCSF Close Quarter Battle (CQB). I'm pretty sure the last two are for males only. And does anyone know any information on the Lioness Program. Any help or further MOS suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[LeaderOfMarines]

I have recently enlisted in the USMC and ship to boot camp/basic training on October 13th. Right now i'm looking at possible MOS choices. I know all Infantry, Artillery and Tank and Assault Amphibious Vehicle Operations are closed to females. I don't want to be left on the side lines simply because of my sex. I'm trying to find out what sort of jobs there are for females that still involve any sort of combat. I'v been looking into Radio Feild Operator and Motor Transportation, but those are about the only ones I can find. I looked up a couple others but am not sure if females qualify for the positions. 8026- parachutist/combatant diver marine, and 8153- Marine Corp Security Force(MCSF) or 8154- MCSF Close Quarter Battle (CQB). I'm pretty sure the last two are for males only. And does anyone know any information on the Lioness Program. Any help or further MOS suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Talk to your recruiter. You will need to compare your line scores from the asvab to the programs available.

[mtnldr0321]

None of the MOS's you listed are open to females. They are secondary MOS's, and secondary only to Infantry (03xx), or in the case of Parachutist/Combat Diver Marine, Reconnaissance Marine (0321). I myself fell into the later category, and in my opinion, if you want to get dirty, become a HUMINT (Human Intelligence) Specialist, or Interpreter/Translator. As a Marine with Force Recon/MSOB, the only females we ever came into contact with in theater were of these MOS's. Look into Intel. (02xx), for starters. You will have to have scored well on the ASVAB. Good luck, and be careful what you wish for!

[Copecwby20]

If you want to see outside the wire time, you can try MP, Counter Intel (you're gonna have to be in for two years, pick up Cpl. and meet various other requirements) Intel, Linguist (Crypto or Intel, with a language slot, but you're going to have to get a pretty high ASVAB and pass the DLAB with a score of 100 or higher) As far as the Lioness program is concerned, that's not something you enlist for. You get recommended for that, you have to have any old MOS, and then check with your S-1 to see when taskers get pushed down from MEF to fill slots. Once that happens, you have to fight off every other female in your command that feels they have something to prove for the slot. You better be in the good graces of your CoC and your S-1 Bubbas, because ultimately, that's who is going to give you the nod for the slot. Focus on picking an MOS that you will be satisfied with in the long run as opposed to whatever's gonna get you outside the wire fastest, because when Iraq and Afghanistan are done... you will still have an obligation to the Marine Corps. Pick an MOS you like, become as proficient as possible, master all your collatoral duties, have a high PFT, shoot expert, complete your MCI's and focus on off duty education. Avoid the perception that many Marines have that you are using the fact that you have a v@gina to your advantage to get what you want. Basically, walk on water. No one is going to give a PVT or a PFC a slot on the Lioness Program just because she showed up and started screaming about how she wants to be a door kicker. You have to give the impression that when a slot is available, they would be crazy to send any one BUT you. You will do that by being a rock solid performer in all aspects of your job, and off duty.

That being said, I used to work for the Gunny that had a part in standardizing the training for the Lioness program and can give you more pointers should you so desire.

[KrashKatz]

First off.... everyone is under the wrong impression about the Intel field. The idiot who barely passes the ASVAB with a 31 can be an 0231, just the the the dumbest smart kid you know with a 99. As long as they don't have any misconduct offenses, have a GT score of 100+, they can go into the Intel field.

The AFQT score doesn't mean crap except for bonuses, and other programs such as the GOP, MCCF, CEP, etc (Usually a 50+) Only thing that really matters is your line scores (GT, EL, MM, CL.)

Field Radio Operator is most likely your best shot at combat as a female.

[wzgriffith]

Motor T could be a choice. You could also look at being a Combat Correspondant or Combat Camera. However, as a female, wherever you go, you'll likely be placed where you're least likely to get shot at.