In this part on our series on Military Occupational Specialties and security clearances, we look at the Marine Corps. The Marines operate similarly to the Navy in that they have potential enlistees fill out a security clearance form, the Standard Form 86, before they enlist. Even if the job they are enlisting for currently does not require a security clearance.
Marine Corps Structure
A Marine Air-Ground Task Force consists of three different elements: MEU, MEB, MEF. In a typical structure, MEUs makeup MEBs; MEBs makeup MEFs, similar to the Army’s Battalion/Brigade/Division concept.
Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
In this configuration, a colonel commands 2,200 Marines that are in a Battalion Landing Team, Helicopter Squadron and Combat Logistics Battalion. Within a MEU itself are three different types of elements:
- Ground Combat – Marines in these roles are trained to seize and occupy terrain using a variety of land and amphibious-based operations, including offensive, defensive, humanitarian, reconnaissance or security.
- Aviation – Marines use a variety of aircraft to support ground combat troops. Missions typically encountered include offensive, assault support, antiair warfare, electronic warfare, aircraft control and reconnaissance.
- Combat Support – CS Marines provide the logistics, intelligence communication and other support necessary to move equipment, ammunition, and provide medical support to fellow Marines wherever they are needed.
Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB)
Commanded by Brigadier General, 4,000 to 16,000 Marines are grouped in a Regimental-size Ground Combat Configuration, an Aircraft Group and a Combat Logistics Regiment.
Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF)
Under command of a Lieutenant General, 46,000 to 90,000 Marines are compiled into a Division, Aircraft Wing and Logistic Group.
Below is a small sampling of two Marine Corps jobs each that require either a Secret or TS-SCI Security clearance:
Marine Corps Jobs Requiring Secret Clearance
MOS 7041 – Aviation Operations Specialist
Marines in this specialty are required to draft correspondence; assist in the preparation of orders, maintain orders of flight time in both master and individual flight files; maintain files of extended flight; store and disseminate flight information publications (FLIP); post radio and landing facility charts, flight information manuals, maps, and prepare Aviation Operations Safety Reports.
MOS 8060 – Acquisition Specialist
These specialized logisticians assist in planning, directing, coordinating, and performing specific duties that pertain to the acquisition of equipment/weapons.
Marine Corps Jobs Requiring TS-SCI Security Clearance
MOS 8016 – Special Technical Operations (STO) Chief
Enlisted Marines in this highly specialized MOS are required to advise the commander on the integration of STO capabilities into plans and operations; participate in the development of the STO in plans that support operations, contingencies, and exercises; develop requirements for future STO operations; develop policy on STO for integrated Joint Special Technical Operations; develop operational concepts for the employment of STO capabilities in support of the overall Marine Corps Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare concept.
MOS 6852 – METOC Impact Analyst
Marines working in this MOS consider all meteorological and oceanographic factors, from the bottom of the ocean, to the weather over the operations area, to the factors affecting satellite operations or communications in the upper atmosphere and space; responsible for the assessment and characterization of the battle space in terms of what and how environmental conditions will affect operations; enable commanders and their staff to exploit environmental conditions by characterizing the battle space and the impacts it will have on mission planning and execution; must have a high level of competency in meteorology, oceanography and littoral sciences.
In the next (and final) part, we wrap up the series by exploring security clearances in the only military branch not in the Department of Defense – the Coast Guard.
