0311 Rifleman
Every Marine is a rifleman. That phrase is not marketing. For the 0311 Rifleman, it is the job description. You close with the enemy, you move under fire, you hold ground, and you do all of it as part of a fire team that depends on every Marine inside it. If you want the most direct, most demanding ground combat role the Marine Corps offers enlisted Marines, 0311 is the answer.
Job Role and Responsibilities
The 0311 Rifleman is the primary ground combat specialist of the Marine Corps, responsible for locating and destroying enemy forces through fire and maneuver, defending positions, and operating as part of a fire team or rifle squad in all terrain and weather conditions. Riflemen execute direct-fire combat missions, conduct patrols and ambushes, secure objectives, and form the tactical core of every Marine infantry unit.
Daily Tasks
The daily work of a rifleman is repetitive by design. Repetition builds the muscle memory and unit cohesion that keep Marines alive in actual combat. On a typical training day, a 0311 Marine may conduct individual movement techniques, weapons maintenance, patrol planning, land navigation exercises, range qualifications, and physical conditioning. In a deployed or field environment, the work shifts to actual missions: combat patrols, presence operations, objective clearance, observation post manning, and force-protection duties.
Core daily responsibilities include:
- Maintaining the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, M16A4, or M4 carbine to combat-ready standards
- Executing fire team movement in bounding overwatch, traveling, and traveling overwatch techniques
- Conducting patrol base operations, ambushes, and raids in small-unit formations
- Operating assigned crew-served weapons and equipment as directed
- Participating in physical training and maintaining personal equipment readiness
Specific Roles
| Classification | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PMOS | 0311 | Rifleman: primary ground combat infantry specialist |
| NMOS | 0365 | Infantry Squad Leader: earned through advancement and leadership schools |
| NMOS | 0369 | Infantry Unit Leader: senior NCO infantry leadership role |
| AMOS | Various | Sniper, assault climber, or other specialty qualifications earned through additional courses |
Mission Contribution
The rifleman is the foundation of the Marine Corps’ ground combat power. Infantry units cannot function without qualified riflemen at every level. When the Marine Corps needs to seize terrain, clear a building, destroy an enemy position, or hold ground under fire, 0311 Marines execute that mission. Every other infantry specialty, from machine gunners to mortarmen to reconnaissance Marines, builds on the rifleman baseline.
Technology and Equipment
Riflemen work with the M27 IAR, M16A4, and M4 carbine as their primary weapons. They also operate with the M240B and M249 SAW in certain billet configurations, M203 grenade launchers, AT4 anti-armor rockets, and M67 fragmentation grenades. Day and night optics, including the ACOG and AN/PVS-14 night-vision monocular, are standard issue. Communications equipment includes the AN/PRC-152 and team radio sets. Body armor, the Improved Load Bearing Equipment system, and the assault pack round out standard individual gear.
Salary and Benefits
Financial Benefits
All Marine enlisted pay is governed by the 2026 DFAS active-duty pay tables, effective January 1, 2026. Most new enlisted Marines enter at E-1 and advance to E-2 within six months. The table below shows base monthly pay for the most common enlisted grades an 0311 Marine will hold in the first several years of service.
| Rank | Grade | Under 2 Years | Over 2 Years | Over 4 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | E-1 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 |
| Private First Class | E-2 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 |
| Lance Corporal | E-3 | $2,836.80 | $3,015.00 | $3,198.00 |
| Corporal | E-4 | $3,142.20 | $3,303.00 | $3,658.50 |
| Sergeant | E-5 | $3,342.90 | $3,598.20 | $3,946.80 |
Source: dfas.mil, 2026 Enlisted Basic Pay Table.
Additional Benefits
Marines receive Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) of $476.95 per month (2026 rate). Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) varies by duty station, rank, and dependency status. TRICARE Prime provides no-cost medical, dental, vision, mental health, and prescription coverage for active-duty Marines. Family members enroll under the same plan at no enrollment fee.
Tuition Assistance covers up to $4,500 per year and $250 per semester hour for active-duty education. After service, the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers full in-state tuition at public schools and up to $29,920.95 annually at private schools (AY 2025-2026 cap), plus a housing allowance and up to $1,000 per year for books.
Work-Life Balance
Active-duty Marines earn 30 days of paid leave per year, accruing 2.5 days per month. Operational tempo in the infantry can be high, particularly during pre-deployment workups and actual deployments. Unit schedules vary by installation and mission cycle, but long field exercises, weekend duty, and irregular hours are common in 0311 billets.
Qualifications and Eligibility
Basic Qualifications
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident |
| Age | 17-29 for initial enlistment (waivers possible up to 34) |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| AFQT minimum | 31 (active duty, diploma holder) |
| ASVAB line score | No published standalone minimum; standard Marine enlistment baseline applies |
| Physical | Must pass the Marine combat-arms MOS classification standard |
| Medical | Meet MEPS medical standards; no disqualifying conditions |
The Marine Corps does not publish a standalone GT, EL, MM, or CL score cutoff for 0311 in open recruitment materials. Meeting the overall AFQT minimum of 31 and standard Marine enlistment standards satisfies the published baseline. In practice, recruiters and the schoolhouse expect Marines who are physically and mentally competitive. Clearing the minimum threshold is the floor, not the target.
Application Process
The enlistment path begins with a recruiter visit, ASVAB or PiCAT testing, a MEPS physical examination, and a background investigation supporting a security screening. Infantry track assignment happens during the enlistment contract negotiation. The recruiter can confirm current infantry contract availability and any bonuses attached to the field.
Selection Criteria and Competitiveness
0311 is a high-volume MOS by Marine Corps standards. The Corps needs large numbers of riflemen to fill infantry battalions, so access is more predictable than many specialty fields. Marines who meet fitness minimums, pass the combat-arms MOS classification screen, and have clean records are generally competitive.
Upon Accession
Marines enter active duty at E-1 (Private). The standard initial enlistment is four years for active duty. Some infantry contracts include a bonus or specific unit guarantee; check with a recruiter for current offerings.
- ASVAB Online Course Guided lessons and timed practice for the line score this MOS needs.
- ASVAB Study Guide Self-paced study with full-length practice exams and answer explanations.
Work Environment
Setting and Schedule
Riflemen work primarily outdoors, in field environments, training ranges, and deployed settings. The work cycle follows unit training schedules, which typically alternate between garrison administration periods, field exercises, and deployment or deployment preparations. Schedules are rarely nine-to-five. Early morning physical training, late maintenance sessions, and overnight field exercises are routine.
Leadership and Communication
Infantry units follow a direct chain of command: team leader (Corporal), squad leader (Sergeant), platoon sergeant (Staff Sergeant), and platoon commander (Lieutenant). Communication is face-to-face, radio, and written in field-message formats. Feedback is direct and often immediate. Performance is measured by physical standards, weapons qualification scores, fitness reports, and peer reputation inside the unit.
Team Dynamics and Autonomy
0311 is one of the most team-dependent specialties in the Marine Corps. Individual decisions happen inside a small-unit context. Fire team members depend on each other to move, communicate, and maintain firepower. Junior riflemen have limited individual decision-making authority during a mission but are expected to execute their assigned tasks without prompting once the order is given.
Job Satisfaction and Retention
Retention in the infantry depends heavily on individual Marines. The field has a high physical and deployment demand, and some Marines separate after one enlistment. Others build full careers. Marines who find satisfaction in fieldwork, physical challenge, and close-unit service tend to remain. Those who want more technical or sedentary work often transition out.
Training and Skill Development
Initial Training
| Phase | Location | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boot Camp | MCRD San Diego or Parris Island | 13 weeks | Basic soldiering, Marine Corps values, initial combat skills |
| Infantry Training Battalion (ITB) | SOI-West (Camp Pendleton) or SOI-East (Camp Lejeune) | 59 days | Warfighting philosophy, fire and maneuver, offensive and defensive operations, patrolling, combat shooting |
Infantry Marines do not attend Marine Combat Training (MCT). They attend Infantry Training Battalion directly after Boot Camp. ITB is the PMOS-producing school for all 03XX infantry fields. The 0311 course covers individual movement techniques, basic and advanced rifle marksmanship, land navigation, patrolling, direct-action operations, and survival skills.
Advanced Training
After MOS school, riflemen can pursue additional qualifications through competitive selection. Available advanced paths include:
- Scout Sniper Basic Course (SSBC) leading to 8541 Sniper AMOS
- Assault Climber Course at Mountain Warfare Training Center
- High-Angle Fire and Mountaineering courses
- Jump Master qualifications for airborne billets
- Pre-Ranger, Army Ranger School, and other joint training opportunities
- Urban breaching and close-quarters battle courses at Marine unit level
The Marine Corps also supports career development through Corporal’s Course, Sergeant’s Course, and the Infantry Squad Leaders Course for NCOs moving into team and squad leader billets.
Career Progression and Advancement
Career Path
| Rank | Grade | Typical Time in Grade | Primary Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private | E-1 | 0-6 months | Initial training, team member |
| Private First Class | E-2 | 6-12 months | Rifle team member |
| Lance Corporal | E-3 | 12-18 months | Senior team member, begin fire team duties |
| Corporal | E-4 | 18-36 months | Fire team leader |
| Sergeant | E-5 | 36-60 months | Rifle squad leader |
| Staff Sergeant | E-6 | 6-10 years | Platoon sergeant or staff NCO |
| Gunnery Sergeant | E-7 | 10-16 years | Company gunnery sergeant or staff billet |
Role Flexibility and Transfers
Marines can request a lateral move (LATMOVE) to another MOS after completing their initial service obligation and demonstrating proficiency in their current role. The LATMOVE program requires command endorsement and school seat availability. Riflemen commonly move into reconnaissance (0321), military police (58XX), or other fields that value fieldwork and physical performance.
Performance Evaluation
Lance Corporals and below receive proficiency and conduct marks from their chain of command. Corporals and Sergeants receive proficiency and conduct marks. Staff Sergeants and above receive a formal fitness report (FITREP). FITREPs assess mission accomplishment, leadership, individual character, and overall military presence. NCOs in the infantry are compared against peers in similar billets and pay grades.
Physical Demands and Medical Evaluations
Physical Requirements
Riflemen carry between 60 and 100 pounds of gear on combat patrols. The daily work involves walking, running, low-crawling, climbing, and working in austere field conditions for extended periods. Marines are expected to maintain peak physical conditioning year-round, outside of PFT and CFT cycles.
| Test | Event | Male 17-20 Minimum | Male 17-20 First Class | Female 17-20 Minimum | Female 17-20 First Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFT | Pull-ups | 3 | 23 | 1 | 7 |
| PFT | Crunches (2 min) | 70 | 100 | 70 | 100 |
| PFT | 3-Mile Run | 28:00 | 18:00 | 33:00 | 21:00 |
| CFT | Movement to Contact (880m) | 3:38 | 2:55 | 4:40 | 3:48 |
| CFT | Ammunition Lift (30 lb, 2 min) | 42 | 95 | 42 | 95 |
| CFT | Maneuver Under Fire | 3:37 | 2:27 | 4:20 | 3:15 |
Source: marines.com physical fitness standards. Verify current year standards against official Marine Corps publications.
Medical Evaluations
Marines receive a medical screening at MEPS before enlistment and periodic health assessments throughout their careers. Annual physicals, dental exams, and deployment health screenings are required. Infantry Marines also receive hearing and vision checks more frequently due to weapons exposure.
Deployment and Duty Stations
Deployment Details
Infantry Marines deploy frequently. A typical active-duty infantry Marine can expect a seven-month deployment every 24-36 months depending on unit assignment. Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) rotations put infantry Marines on ship for six to seven months, ready to respond anywhere in the region. Unit deployments to the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe are all part of the current operational picture.
MEU rotations work on a roughly 24-month cycle: workup training, deployment, post-deployment reconstitution. Riflemen assigned to a MEU’s Battalion Landing Team are the primary ground combat force for that rotation.
Location Flexibility
The primary duty stations for 0311 Marines are Camp Pendleton (California), Camp Lejeune (North Carolina), Kaneohe Bay (Hawaii), Camp Butler (Okinawa, Japan), and Camp Hansen (Okinawa). Assignment preferences can be submitted but are not guaranteed. First-term Marines often receive their assignment based on unit needs.
Risk, Safety, and Legal Considerations
Job Hazards
Infantry carries the highest direct combat risk of any Marine MOS. Riflemen are the Marines most likely to be in direct contact with enemy forces. Additional hazards include training accidents, hearing loss from weapons fire, musculoskeletal injuries from carrying heavy loads, and heat or cold injuries during field exercises.
Safety Protocols
Marine Corps range safety rules, weapons handling procedures, and field safety standing orders govern daily training. Combat leaders at every level are responsible for enforcing safety standards without degrading combat effectiveness. Personal protective equipment including body armor and eye protection is mandated during live-fire events.
Security and Legal Requirements
0311 does not require a security clearance at the PMOS level, though individual billets may require one. All Marines are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Infantry Marines in deployable units are subject to Status of Forces Agreements at overseas stations and Rules of Engagement briefings before every mission.
Impact on Family and Personal Life
Family Considerations
Infantry service has a direct impact on families because deployment frequency is high and field training time away from home is routine. The Marine Corps provides several family support programs including Marine Corps Family Team Building (MCFTB), Military OneSource (free counseling and referral services), and Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) recreational and support programs at every major installation.
Relocation and Flexibility
Infantry Marines can expect two to three permanent change of station (PCS) moves during a standard four-year enlistment. Location requests are submitted and considered but are not guaranteed. Families who need stability in one geographic area should weigh this carefully before choosing an active-duty infantry path.
Marine Corps Reserve
Component Availability
0311 is available in the Marine Corps Reserve. Reserve infantry units are organized as battalions and regiments under the Forces Reserve structure. Active-duty and reserve billets both exist for riflemen.
Drill Schedule and Training Commitment
Reserve Marines commit to one drill weekend per month (typically Friday evening through Sunday) and two weeks of Annual Training (AT) per year. Infantry reserve units often run additional field exercises and weapons qualification events beyond the standard drill schedule, particularly in pre-deployment workup cycles.
Part-Time Pay
An E-4 (Corporal) with under two years of service earns $3,142.20 per month on active duty. The same Corporal earns approximately four days of base pay per standard drill weekend (two drill periods per day), which works out to roughly $419 for the weekend based on the 2026 daily rate. Active-duty monthly pay significantly exceeds part-time drill pay.
Benefits Differences
| Benefit | Active Duty | Marine Corps Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly pay (E-4) | $3,142.20 | ~$419 per drill weekend |
| Healthcare | TRICARE Prime, no cost | TRICARE Reserve Select (premiums apply) |
| Tuition Assistance | Up to $4,500/year | Up to $4,500/year (when on active orders) |
| GI Bill | Full Post-9/11 GI Bill after 36 months | Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve |
| Retirement | 20-year pension at 40% of high-36 | Points-based Reserve retirement, collect at age 60 |
| Deployment tempo | Higher, structured MEU/unit cycles | Lower, but mobilization possible |
Deployment and Mobilization
Reserve infantry Marines can be mobilized under Title 10 orders for overseas deployments, contingency operations, and national emergencies. Typical mobilization lengths are six to twelve months. Reserve infantry units have deployed in support of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and various exercises in the Indo-Pacific.
Civilian Career Integration
0311 experience pairs well with law enforcement, emergency management, security, and first-responder work in civilian life. USERRA protections prevent civilian employers from discriminating against reserve service members and require reemployment after qualifying deployment. Many law-enforcement agencies and federal employers view reserve infantry service favorably.
Post-Service Opportunities
Transition to Civilian Life
The Marine Corps Transition Readiness Program (TRP) provides pre-separation counseling, resume assistance, job-placement support, and education planning for separating Marines. Veterans’ Preference gives former service members an advantage in federal hiring. The Veterans Employment Initiative and the Skillbridge program (which allows active-duty Marines to intern with civilian employers in the final months of service) both help smooth the transition.
Civilian Career Prospects
| Civilian Job Title | Median Annual Salary | Job Outlook (BLS) |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $70,900 | +3% (about as fast as average) |
| Security Guard / Security Manager | $38,400 - $63,000 | +3% |
| Firefighter | $56,560 | +4% |
| Emergency Management Director | $79,180 | +5% |
| Military / Intelligence Analyst | $103,680 | +7% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Is This a Good Job for You? The Right (and Wrong) Fit
Ideal Candidate Profile
The best 0311 candidates are physically competitive, comfortable being outdoors in hard conditions, team-oriented without being dependent, and motivated by direct, tangible accomplishment. Marines who like clear missions, tight unit bonds, and work that demands their full attention thrive in this field. The job rewards those who stay mentally sharp when physically exhausted.
Potential Challenges
0311 is a poor fit for anyone who wants a predictable schedule, prefers individual work, values personal comfort, or is seeking a direct civilian job-skill pathway from day one. Deployments, field time, and high physical demand are not features of the job on paper. They are the actual job.
Career and Lifestyle Alignment
If you want to build civilian technical skills from day one, other Marine MOSs will serve that goal better. If you want to be tested, want elite unit membership, and are prepared to invest in a follow-on education plan using benefits to build the civilian side, 0311 is one of the most defining experiences the enlisted ranks offer.
This site is not affiliated with the U.S. Marine Corps or any government agency. Verify all information with official Marine Corps sources before making enlistment or career decisions.
More Information
Talk with a Marine Corps recruiter or visit your nearest Marine Corps Recruiting Station (RSS) to confirm current 0311 contract availability, bonus offers, and school seat timing. Recruiters can also walk you through the ASVAB, PiCAT, and MEPS process in detail.
Explore more 03 Infantry roles, including 0313 Light Armored Reconnaissance Marine and 0331 Machine Gunner.
Need score context? Review the ASVAB guide and the PiCAT guide before publishing permanent MOS content.