Becoming a
Special Operations Capability Specialist

8071

Special Operations Capability Specialists (SOCS) provide combat support expertise in intelligence, fire support, communications, and canine operations. SOCS are assigned to billets at the team, company, and battalion levels.

Shape today's fight

socs-b

Fires Specialist

0861 (E-5 through E-7)

socs-c

Communications Specialist

0621, 0629, 0631, 0639, 0651, 0659, 0671, 0679, 0681, 0689, 2821, 2823, 2841, 2847, 2862, (E-4 through E-7)

socs-d

Multi-Purpose Canine Handler

5811 (E-4 through E-5)

socs-e

EOD Specialist

2336 (E-5 through E-9)

socs-f

SIGINT Specialist

26XX (E-4 through E-7)

socs-d

Geospatial Specialist

0241 and 0261 (E-4 through E-7)

socs-h

CI/HUMINT Specialist

0211 (E-4 through E-7)

socs-i

All-source Intel Specialist

0231 (E-4 through E-7)

making a specialist

training pipeline

STC
01
SERE
02
MOS Training
03
8071
04

The making of a Special Operations Capability Specialist starts here. Upon assignment to MARSOC, you will take the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Training Course.

SOCS training continues with the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) course.

Lastly, you'll master additional skills and concepts required to effectively perform in special operations within your MOS.

Once you complete training, you are a designated SOCS and are awarded the 8071 military occupational specialty (MOS). You will be assigned to MARSOC for 5-year tours and will be eligible for additional career-enhancing opportunities within the special operations community.

Next Steps

01.

Enlist in the Marine Corps

We are Marines first, so the first step towards becoming a Marine Raider is to become a Marine. If you are not a current active duty marine, please contact a Marine Corps recruiter to get started.

Go to Marines.com

02.

Contact a recruiter

If you are an active duty Marine who is ready to advance your career as a Marine Raider, reach out to us today and we’ll help you take the next step.

03.

Attend a Screening Team Visit

HMST visits give you the opportunity to meet and speak with a recruiter in person, get your specific questions answered, and hear first-hand about what it’s like to be a Marine Raider. Check our calendar regularly to see scheduled screenings near you.

See the schedule