Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command put out a call for enlisted reservists to join the ranks of critical skills operators.
In a Marine administrative message released Aug. 25, manpower officials announced three opportunities in 2015 for reservists to attend assessment and selection, the grueling trial phase that determines whether Marine applicants can make it to MARSOC.
The message directed potential candidates to submit application packages to Marine Corps Forces Reserve headquarters for consideration.
"CSO opportunities are available to the reserve component [to] meet manpower requirements," the message states. "This program will be supported while contingency operations funding is available, mobilization authorities are in effect, and until MARSOC manning requirements are met."
Officials with Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs directed questions about the announcement to MARSOC. A MARSOC spokesman said the command was unable to provide any additional information, including how many spots are available for reservists next year, what qualities top candidates will have, and how many critical skills operators are currently assigned to MARSOC.
For reservists interested in Marine special operations, the MARADMIN laid out the following dates and deadlines:
■ Assessment and Selection 15-1, from Jan. 14-Feb. 25, 2015. Deadline for reserve applications: Nov. 19, 2014. Individual Training Course from Aug. 16, 2015-May 9, 2016.
■ Assessment and Selection 15-2, from April 8-May 22, 2015. Deadline for reserve applications: Feb. 10, 2015. Individual Training Course from Aug. 15, 2015-May 9, 2016.
■ Assessment and Selection 15-3, from Aug. 12-Sept. 25, 2015. Deadline for reserve applications: June 16, 2015. Individual Training Course from Jan.-Sept. 2016.
The attendance in each training course held in fiscal year 2016 will depend on a funding review conducted the previous fiscal year, according to the MARADMIN.
MARSOC first allowed reservists to join MARSOC in 2010 in a recruiting initiative designed to fill its CSO ranks with more diversity and account for manpower shortfalls. Officials at the time said the move would give MARSOC access to a a wide range of civilian qualifications and skills within the ranks of Marine reservists.
