USMC Enlisted Job Qualifications and ASVAB Scores

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) has long been the first test many recruiter applicants will see after initially speaking with the service recruiter. There are standards within the Armed Forces and passing the ASVAB with high enough scores will at first allow you to enter military service, but also let you have a range of MOSs (jobs) that will qualify for. The higher the ASVAB score, the more opportunities you may have in the military. If you score at a bare minimum on the test, then you will be fairly limited in the job skills available to you within the military.

How to Prepare for the ASVAB

Treat the ASVAB like any other test you have taken in high school or college—study for it. There are many options online as well as preparatory programs and practice tests you should do prior to taking the test for real. Some of the skills tested (listed below) you may not remember taking in high school and the conceptual knowledge tested in mechanical devices can throw the most polished test taker if you are not prepared for those type of questions.

ASVAB Knowledge Categories

The ASVAB subtests for determining the composites are:

• General Science (GS),
• Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
• Word Knowledge (WK)
• Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
• Auto & Shop Information (AS)
• Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
• Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
• Electronics Information (EI)

How Your Scores Are Calculated

• Verbal Expression (VE) - Sum of Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension, scaled (VE).
• Current aptitude area composites used for MOS selection for the Marine Corps are as follows:
• CL- Clerical, Administrative, Supply & Finance - NO + CS + VE - The CL score range for most job qualifications within the USMC recommend a score of 90-100 or more.
• EL -Electronics Repair, Missile Repair, Electronics, and Communications -GS+AR+MK+EI - Your EL score should be in the 90-115 range or above to qualify for most jobs in the electronics systems and communications MOS.
• MM - Mechanical Maintenance, Construction, Utility, and Chemical Maintenance (hazmat) - GS+AS+MK+MC - The MM scores range from 85-105 to qualify for most jobs involving mechanics, construction, utility and hazardous materials.
• GT - General Technical, Special, and Officer Programs - VE+AR - Most jobs that require the GT scores recommend a score from 80-110 or more to qualify for a variety of MOSs in this grouping.
• ST - Skilled Technical: GS+VE+MK+MC - General Science, Verbal Expression, Math knowledge, and Mechanical Comprehension make up a challenging combination Skilled Technical (ST) score.
• The AFQT (Armed Forces Qualifying Test) score is what the recruiters will first decipher as it determines whether you’re eligible to join ANY military branch of service. The AFQT is the following subtest scores combined: VE+PC+WK+AR. These are Verbal Expression (VE), which is computed from the Paragraph Comprehension (PC) and Word Knowledge (WK) subtests plus Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), and Math Knowledge (MK).

Career Fields and ASVAB Scores

The following chart is the Active Duty USMC MOS's and the related ASVAB Score and entry-level positions open to recruits joining the Marine Corps: 

MOS/Job Title	ASVAB Line Score Required
01 -- Personnel and Administration
0121 - Personnel Clerk	CL=100
0151 - Administrative Clerk	CL=100
0161 - Postal Clerk	CL=90
02 -- Intelligence
0231 - Intelligence Specialist	GT=100
0261 - Geographic Intelligence Specialist	EL=100
03 -- Infantry
0311 - Infantry Rifleman	GT=80
0313 - LAV Crewman	GT=90
0321 - Reconnaissance Man	GT=105
0331 - Machine Gunner	GT=80
0341 - Mortarman	CT=80
0351 - Assaultman	GT=80
0352 - Antitank Assault Guided Missileman	GT=90
04 -- Logistics
0411 - Maintenance Management Specialist	GT=100
0431 - Logistics/Embarkation and Combat Service Support (CSS) Specialist	GT=100
0451 - Air Delivery Specialist	GT=100
0481 - Landing Support Specialist	GT=95
05 -- Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Plans
0511 - MAGTF Planning Specialist	GT=110
06 -- Communications
0612 - Field Wireman	GT=90
0613 - Construction Wireman	EL=90
0614 - Unit Level Circuit Switch (ULCS) Operator/Maintainer	EL=100
0621 - Field Radio Operator	EL=90
0622 - Mobile Multichannel Equipment Operator	EL=100
0624 - High-Frequency Communication Central Operator	EL=100
0626 - Fleet SATCOM Terminal Operator	EL=100
0627 - Ground Mobile Forces SATCOM Operator	EL=100
08 -- Field Artillery
0811 - Field Artillery Cannoneer	GT=90
0842 - Field Artillery Radar Operator	GT=105
0844 - Field Artillery Fire Control Man	GT=105
0847 - Artillery Meteorological Man	GT=105
0861 - Fire Support Man	GT=100
11 -- Utilities
1141 - Electrician	EL=90
1142 - Electrical Equipment Repair Specialist	EL=100
1161 - Refrigeration Mechanic	MM=105
1171 - Hygiene Equipment Operator	MM=85
1181 - Fabric Repair Specialist	MM=85
13 -- Engineer, Construction, Facilities, and Equipment
1316 - Metal Worker	MM=95
1341 - Engineer Equipment Mechanic	MM=95
1345 - Engineer Equipment Operator	MM=95
1361 - Engineer Assistant	GT=100
1371 - Combat Engineer	MM=95
1391 - Bulk Fuel Specialist	MM=85
18 -- Tank and Assault Amphibious Vehicle
1812 - M1A1 Tank Crewman	GT=90
1833 - Assault Amphibious Vehicle	GT=90
21 -- Ground Ordnance Maintenance
2111 - Small Arms Repairer/Technician	MM=95
2131 - Towed Artillery Systems Technician	MM=95
2141 - Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) Repairer/Technician	MM=105
2146 - Main Battle Tank (MBT) Repairer/Technician	MM=105
2147 - Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) Repairer/Technician	MM=105
2161 - Machinist	MM=105
2171 - Electro-Optical Ordnance Repairer	MM=105
23 -- Ammunition and Explosive Ordnance Disposal
2311 - Ammunition Technician	GT=100
26 -- Signals Intelligence/Ground Electronic Warfare
2631 - Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) Intercept Operator/Analyst	GT=100
2651 - Special Intelligence System Administrator/Communicator	GT=100
2671 - Arabic Cryptologic Linguist	GT=105
2673 - Korean Cryptologic Linguist	GT=105
2674 - Spanish Cryptologic Linguist	GT=105
2676 - Russian Cryptologic Linguist	GT=105
27 - Linguist (MOS dependent upon language specialty	DLPT
28 -- Ground Electronics Maintenance
2811 - Telephone Technician	EL=115
2818 - Personal Computer (PC)/Tactical Office Machine Repairer	EL=115
2822 - Electronic Switching Equipment Technician	EL=115
2831 - Multichannel Equipment Repairer	EL=115
2841 - Ground Radio Repairer	EL=115
2844 - Ground Communications Organizational Repairer	EL=115
2846 - Ground Radio Intermediate Repairer	EL=115
2847 - Telephone Systems/Personal Computer Intermediate Repairer	EL=115
2871 - Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Technician	EL=115
2881 - Communication Security Equipment Technician	EL=115
2887 - Counter Mortar Radar Repairer	EL=115
30 -- Supply Administration and Operations
3043 - Supply Administration and Operations Clerk	CL=110
3051 - Warehouse Clerk	CL=90
3052 - Packaging Specialist	CL=80
31 -- Traffic Management
3112 - Traffic Management Specialist	CL=90
33 -- Food Service
3361 - Subsistence Supply Clerk	CL=90
3381 - Food Service Specialist	GT=90
34 -- Financial Management
3432 - Finance Technician	CL=110
3451 - Fiscal/Budget Technician	CL=110
35 -- Motor Transport
3521 - Organizational Automotive Mechanic	MM=95
3531 - Motor Vehicle Operator	MM=85
3533 - Logistics Vehicle System Operator	MM=85
43 -- Public Affairs
4341 - Combat Correspondent	GT=105
44 -- Legal Services
4421 - Legal Services Specialist	CL=100
46 -- Combat Camera
4611 - Combat Illustrator	GT=100
4612 - Combat Lithographer	GT=100
4641 - Combat Photographer	GT=100
4671 - Combat Videographer	GT=100
55 -- Music
5526 to 5566 - Musician	AFQT Score of 50
5711 - Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) Defense Specialist	GT=110
58 -- Military Police and Corrections
5811 - Military Police	GT=100
5831 - Correctional Specialist	GT=100
59 -- Electronics Maintenance
5937 - Aviation Radio Repairer	EL=105
5942 - Aviation Radar Repairer	EL=105
5952 - Air Traffic Control Navigational Aids Technician	EL=105
5953 - Air Traffic Control Radar Technician	EL=105
5954 - Air Traffic Control Communications Technician	EL=105
5962 - Tactical Data Systems Equipment (TDSE) Repairer	EL=105
5963 - Tactical Air Operations Module Repairer	EL=105
60/61/62 -- Aircraft Maintenance
6046 - Aircraft Maintenance Administration Specialist	CL=100
6048 - Flight Equipment Technician	MM=105
6061 - Aircraft Intermediate Level Hydraulic/Pneumatic Mechanic	MM=105
6071 - Aircraft Maintenance Support Equipment (SE) Mechanic	MM=105
6072 - Aircraft Maintenance Support Equipment Hydraulic/ Pneumatic Structures Mechanic	MM=105
6073 - Aircraft Maintenance Support Equipment Electrician/ Refrigeration Mechanic	MM=105
6074 - Cryogenics Equipment Operator	MM=105
6091 - Aircraft Intermediate Level Structures Mechanic	MM=105
6092 - Aircraft Intermediate Level Structures Mechanic	MM=105
63/64 -- Avionics
6311 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Electrical/Weapon Systems Technician	EL=105
6312 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Weapon Systems Technician - AV-8	EL=105
6314 - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Avionics Technician	EL=105
6316 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation Systems Technician - KC-130	EL=105
6317 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Weapon Systems Technician - F/A-18	EL=105
6322 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Electrical Systems Technician - CH-46	EL=105
6323 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Electrical Systems Technician - CH-53	EL=105
6324 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Electrical/Weapon Systems Technician - U/AH-1	EL=105
6326 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Electrical/Weapon Systems Technician - V-22	EL=105
6331 - Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician-Trainee	EL=105
6332 - Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician - AV-8	EL=105
6333 - Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician - EA-6	EL=105
6336 - Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician - KC-130	EL=105
6337 - Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician - F/A-18	EL=105
6386 - Aircraft Electronic Countermeasures Systems Technician - EA-6B	EL=105
65 -- Aviation Ordnance
6511 - Aviation Ordnance Technician	GT=105
6531 - Aircraft Ordnance Technician	GT=105
6541 - Aviation Ordnance Systems Technician	GT=105
66 -- Aviation Logistics
6672 - Aviation Supply Clerk	CL=100
6673 - Automated Information Systems (AIS) Computer Operator	CL=100
68 -- Meteorology and Oceanography
6821 - Weather Observer	GT=105
70 -- Airfield Services
7011 - Expeditionary Airfield Systems Technician	MM=95
7041 - Aviation Operations Specialist	CL=100
7051 - Aircraft Firefighting and Rescue Specialist	MM=95
72 -- Air Control/Air Support/Anti-air Warfare/Air Traffic Control
7212 - Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Gunner	GT=90
7234 - Air Control Electronics Operator	GT=105
7242 - Air Support Operations Operator	GT=100
7251 - Air Traffic Controller	GT=105
7257 - Air Traffic Controller	GT=105
73 -- Navigation Officer/Enlisted Flight Crews
7314 - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Air Vehicle Operator	GT=105
7371 - Aerial Navigator	GT=110
7381 - Airborne Radio Operator/Inflight Refueling Observer/ Loadmaster	GT=110
80 -- Miscellaneous Requirements MOSs