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0363 -  Light Armored Reconnaissance Unit Leader

             SSgt - GySgt

The 0363 Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Unit Leader MOS is a primary MOS for infantry Marines who promote from 0313 LAR Crewmen.  They are the small-unit leaders who guide and advise the operation of Light Armored Vehicles in support of the Marine Corps' reconnaissance mission. 

The Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Unit Leader serves as the enlisted technical and tactical advisor to the LAR unit Commander. He assists the commander with all aspects of the planning, training, employment, logistical support, maintenance, accountability, welfare, and administrative functions in support of the LAR unit’s mission. He controls the employment of his vehicle and section within the unit and assists with the coordination and implementation of supporting arms.

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0363's supervise and coordinate the performance of maintenance, maintenance management, embarkation, and recovery operations. Staff Sergeants are employed as LAR Vehicle Commanders and Gunnery Sergeants are employed as LAR Platoon Sergeants.

LAR Battalions, are fast and mobilized armored terrestrial reconnaissance units that conduct reconnaissance-in-force (RIF) ahead of the battalion landing teams or division infantry forces. They mainly provide the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and the Marine Expeditionary Unit commanders vital intelligence of the enemy.  They perform their methods as special motorized, infantry-based reconnaissance units as they are equipped with LAV-25s to quickly penetrate enemy lines and locate and/or harass any enemy forces to determine their size, strengths, location, and any other pertinent information requested of the Marine commanders.

LAR differs from regular infantry, as their is an emphasis on reconnaissance.  The LAR [Light Armored Reconnaissance] battalion performs combined arms reconnaissance and security missions in support of the Ground Combat Element. Its mission is to conduct reconnaissance, security and economy of force operations, and, within its capabilities, limited offensive or defensive operations that exploit the unit’s mobility and firepower.  LAR is not mechanized infantry and LAR scouts are not employed the same way as infantry or mechanized infantry.Operations requiring large numbers of infantry favor employing mechanized infantry units due to their higher troop density.  LAR units are not equipped with either an armored personnel carrier or an infantry fighting vehicle, which a designation as either armored or mechanized infantry would require, and the LAV should not be viewed as an infantry fighting vehicle or as an armored personnel carrier. This vehicle is an armored reconnaissance vehicle that lacks sufficient armor protection and troop density to perform missions normally assigned to a mechanized infantry unit.

 

Marines seeking an MOS lateral move (LAT Move) to the 0363 MOS are required to meet all prerequisites and requirements of the 0313 PMOS, must have a finally adjudicated secret security clearance based on national agency check, law enforcement and credit check (NACLC) prior to being assigned the PMOS 0363. Upon successful completion of the six week Light Armored Reconnaissance Leader Course, School of Infantry West, Camp Pendleton, California, Marines are assigned the PMOS 0363.

The billets that 0363's can fill throughout their careers are endless.  Just like regular Infantry Marines, LAR crewmen are found from LAR battalions to the supporting establishment and back again.  0313's also have opportunities to go on Marine Rotational Forces in Darwin, Australia (MRF-D), MRF-Europe, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (SP-MAGTF's), Battalion Landing Teams (BLT's) on Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU's), and the Black Sea Rotational Force (BSRF), Battalion Executive Officers and Commanders, and the leaders in the supporting establishment.  B-billets may include stints at supporting establishment units, in addition to regular Special Duty Assignments.

To learn more about enlisted career paths, please visit our Enlisted Info section.

To learn more about other MOS's, please visit our Complete MOS List.

If you feel any of this information is inaccurate or incorrect, or have additional resources to inform our audience, please Contact Us.

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