0372 - Critical Skills Operator
Sgt - MGySgt
The 0372 Critical Skills Operator MOS is the primary MOS for Marine Corps special operations enlisted Marines, also known as Marine Raiders. These critical skills operators (CSOs), sometimes shortended to Operators, are part of Marine Raider Battalions, and the Marine Corps Special Operations community inside of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
Critical Skills Operators (CSO) are the most highly trained Marines, executing missions in the special operations core activities of foreign internal defense (FID)/security force assistance (SFA), direct action (DA), special reconnaissance (SR), counter-terrorism (CT), support to information operations (IO), support to unconventional warfare (UW), and support to countering weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) as part of the Marine Corps component to USSOCOM.
Marine CSOs possess high levels of maturity, experience, judgment and the ability to rapidly apply critical thought to the operational environment. They are team-oriented, but are trained and ready to function as individuals and as members of an element, team, company, battalion or group. They are capable of operations across the entire spectrum of special operations; from employment in isolated and austere locales with little-to-no conventional support to operations as fully integrated units in a variety of joint task organized configurations. They may possess advanced language capabilities and cultural familiarity, and are adept at working by, with and through partner nation forces in pursuit of strategic goals and objectives.
CSO's possess a naval expeditionary character, and as such provide maximum versatility for Geographical Combatant Commanders. CSOs operate as cross-cultural diplomats and global scouts, with the unique ability to exert influence in areas and situations that are absent authority. They are capable of independent employment or rapid integration and interoperability with joint forces.
This is an all-volunteer MOS that requires officers to laterally transfer from their primary MOS. Applicants must meet a litany of prerequisites before being able to attend assessment and selection (A&S).
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have a minimum GT score of 105, have a minimum current PFT score of 235 (regardless of age), in the rank of Corporal or Sergeant in any MOS with a minimum of two years Time in Service, to attend A&S, and no more than 8 years TIS to attend ITC. Sergeants must report to ITC with no more than 18 months Time in Grade. Marines may not have derogatory page 11 entries within the last 12 months, no non-judicial punishment (NJP) as in the past 12 months with no more than two in during the current contract, no courts martial convictions, no incidents with drug use or possession while in service, no adverse fitness reports within the last 12 months. Additionally, applicants must have minimum interim secret security clearance based on national agency check, law enforcement and credit check (NACLC), obtain a Naval Special Warfare/Special Operator (NSW/SO) Physical prior to attending assessment and selection (A&S), and must meet the minimum ground combat arms MOS classification standards.
These minimum requirements are not indicative of what it actually takes to be selected to begin the screening and selection process. Serious applicants must have near-300 PFT's and exceptional service records. MARSOC wants only the best officers for this highly-specialized and unique MOS field. Additionally, this is a lateral transfer to a new primary MOS - some occupational fields will not be keen on losing their most capable officers to another MOS field. Marines looking to become special operators must have a discussion with their MOS Monitor to determine the feasabilty of beginning the process.
All Marines, regardless of MOS, awarding of the 0372 PMOS requires selection at assessment & selection (A&S), graduation from the Individual Training Course (ITC), and must request and be granted a lateral move to the 0372 MOS. COMMARFORSOC is the awarding authority for PMOS 0372.. Upon successful completion of the Individual Training Course (ITC) and subsequent awarding of the PMOS 0372, CSOs are authorized to wear the Marine special operator breast insignia, and are designated as Marine Raiders. Upon awarding of PMOS 0370, Special Operations Officers must have all necessary documentation for rapid global deployment in accordance with the Department of Defense Foreign Clearance Guide.
Training prior to assignment, The Basic Language Course (BLC) is a follow-on entry level course requirement not currently associated with the awarding of the primary MOS. Upon completion of the ITC, Marines will attend the BLC while assigned to the Commanding Officer, Marine Raider Training Center prior to follow-on assignment.
Visit marsoc.com to learn more about Marine Special Operations.
To learn more about officer career paths, please visit our Enlisted Info section.
To learn more about other MOS's, please visit our Complete MOS List.
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