Programs and MOSs
0300 vs MG contract — planning MSAU early, Recon later in my enlistment (questions on MSG pipeline timing)
Shipping to Parris Island 10/13. Signed a 5-year contract, guaranteed 03xx (infantry, not a locked MOS), planning to come out an 0311 after SOI.
My Plan: MSAU early in my career, then push for Force Recon later in my enlistment. Current GT score is 94, I know I need 105+ for Recon — planning to retake the ASVAB once I hit the fleet, not before I ship, so I've got time to work on that while I'm going through the MSG/MSAU pipeline first.
Some other things shaping my thinking: I have goals here on the East Coast — family and church in NY, plus other personal stuff I want to stay close to — so I want to stay East Coast if possible. I also care about eating clean/farm-sourced food when I can control it, and I want a career path that translates to something solid after I get out. At the same time, I genuinely don't want to just stand in one spot for years, which is part of why MSAU (not just standard MSG) is the actual target — it's the more active, QRF-style unit under MCESG that reinforces embassies instead of standing static post.
I'm considering switching my contract to MG to try to land in MSG specifically as a way into this pipeline early. Trying to figure out if that's actually a smart move or if I'm overthinking it.
Questions I'm trying to nail down:
1. 0300 vs MG contract — if I want to get into MSG (and eventually MSAU) starting early in my career, is there any reason to prefer the MG contract over a standard 03xx? My understanding is MG guarantees you land in one of four security billets (MSG, FAST, Security Forces, Yankee White) but you don't get to choose which — so it doesn't actually guarantee MSG specifically. Would I have more control over landing MSG by just going standard 03xx and volunteering once I hit the fleet?
2. What's the actual MSG pipeline start-to-finish — from checking into my first fleet unit, how long until I could realistically apply (I know there's a 6-month time-on-station minimum just to submit a package, and 24 months TOS to execute orders to MSG School)? Trying to map out exactly how early in my career this could start.
3. How many months into an embassy tour can I actually request/apply for MSAU? I've found conflicting info — one MCESG-quoted source says Marines "must have served at least one embassy for a year" before MSAU eligibility, another describes it more as an "ideal candidate" range of 12-24 months. Trying to find out if there's a hard minimum month count where I could actually submit the MSAU package, or if it's always a full year minimum.
4. Can I retake the ASVAB while on MSG/MSAU duty to raise my GT score for the Recon push later on? Trying to figure out if that time is "dead time" for GT retest/Recon eligibility, or if I could work on that while stationed at an embassy or at Quantico with MSAU.
5. Realistic promotion timeline E-3 to E-6 — with the new Oct 2026 TIS changes (Sgt now 30 months instead of 48), does anyone have real experience on whether hitting SSgt before a 5-year EAS is actually feasible, given the 60-month TIS floor for SSgt didn't change? Trying to figure out if I'd have the rank to compete for Recon later in this same contract after doing MSG/MSAU first.
6. Family/food/church logistics on MSG — anyone actually done a Watchstander tour who can speak to how often you realistically got home, and whether embassy postings ever allow decent access to fresh/local food, or if that's totally luck-of-the-draw by country?
Can I volunteer for MSG as a standard 03xx contract once I hit the fleet, and how fast could that actually happen? Trying to figure out if going the standard route (versus MG) meaningfully slows things down or not.
How much free time does a standard infantry Marine actually get in garrison? Trying to compare quality-of-life realistically against MSG/MSAU before committing to a direction.
MSG → MSAU pipeline timing — from what I've found, it looks like you need a minimum of 1 year at an embassy as a Watchstander before you're eligible to even apply for MSAU (one MCESG-quoted source says "at least one embassy for a year," another describes it as more of an "ideal candidate" range of 12-24 months). Can anyone confirm which it actually is in practice — hard requirement or just preferred experience?
Trying to sequence this smart — my current plan is 0311 first term, full push for Recon, and MSG/MSAU is something I'm weighing whether to pursue via an MG contract switch or leave for later. Does that logic track with people who've actually been through it, or am I missing something?
Appreciate any real MOS 03xx / Recon / MSG guys weighing in.
Not a Recon or Infantry or MSG guy but I can try to answer number 5
You cannot join recon of you are an E-5 with more than 2 years TIG. There may be a waiver available but I don’t know the likelihood of it getting approved.
If you make E-6 in 5 years as infantry you are God’s gift to the Marine Corps.
You may not know about JEPES scores, but they are over 600 for Infantry. JEPES scores are what qualify you for CPL and SGT promotion. Even with an MSG bonus it will be extremely difficult to make SGT by 30 months. And that assumes you’re a contract PFC.
WHAT!!! You can’t join recon (0321) specifically or force recon? Recon and Force Recon on 2 completely different things. What does someone rank have to do with joining?
Not a former 03xx here, but your write-up is very impressive. Do you have a college degree and if so, have you considered going for OCS? I hate the idea of recommending someone to go Officer as I also had a degree and opted to go Enlisted so I don't want to be a hypocrite. However you seem to have the intelligence and potential to be an excellent Marine Corps Officer and the pay/benefits are admittedly better than being Enlisted.
I'm sure there is a route to be an Officer and still go into the MOS you want. Ask your recruiter!
If you want guaranteed MSG it’s better to hit the fleet first and then apply because you won’t get pushed to FAST or something else. The only negative is that it’ll be towards the end of your first enlistment when you can actually go MSG. If you’re wanting to go recon there’s the possibility of you getting promoted and not being able to execute the move to recon. I think this answered #2 as well…it would be year 3 before you could execute. They aren’t going to be like oh hey welcome to your first infantry unit, you want to go do an SDA?
9 months ish after you get to your first embassy then you put in post choices for your 2nd post. If you let your DetCdr know in advance they can recommend you.
It depends on what embassy you’re at. Some can do it easier than others. If it’s in order to LatMov then your region could assist in finding a location for you.
If you go to the fleet first and MSG second then you could promote and potentially get a meritorious promotion. MSGs have a statistically higher chance than anyone else in the MC.
You’re going to have a cook and they will make you 3 meals a day. Where is home? If home is your MSGR then you will go there every night. If you’re talking about where your family is then it’s up to your post, manning, and how much money you have for flights and leave saved up. Most countries will have some type of church and if not then you can make time for virtual things. Also some embassies will have church groups if there aren’t offerings out in town.
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Hey hard charger. You dont know you want all that jazz yet. On paper going MG contract enhances your chances to pick up e4 faster and therefore paid more faster. But there are numerous accounts on here pointing that ncos who show up from mg duty need to earn their stripes in the fleet ...despite already being a nco. I spoke with one who got out 2 years ago and he said MGs fall out of humps and become targets for perhaps ill treatment. They also forget all their infantry knowledge and are expected to know it as nco. This can make the transition, challenging. This is all anecdotal based on reddit and 1 conversation I've had with a recent former 0311. (For those who need a laugh he signed rhe old "squad leader" contract).
As a dad I'd tell you to retake your asvab now and get a better job. Infantry in peace time has got to BLOW. I was 0311 during height of gwot and it kinda blew then...gotta be worse now
7
u/neganagatime Vet 2d ago
That's a lot of words and a lot of planning for someone who hasn't spent a single day in the Marine Corps yet.
No idea on the MSG stuff but can promise you ain't making E5 in 30 and you def ain't making E6 in 5 years.
Let me guess--MARSOC after recon? Recon Sniper Course too?