0313 Light Armored Reconnaissance Marine

The Light Armored Vehicle moves fast, reaches far, and fights hard enough to close with or withdraw from most threats on the modern battlefield. The Marine who crews and fights from that platform is the 0313 Light Armored Reconnaissance Marine. This is infantry work done mounted, at speed, and far enough forward that the rest of the force depends on what the LAR element reports back. If you want combined arms, vehicle operations, and reconnaissance all in one field, 0313 is worth understanding.

Job Role and Responsibilities

The 0313 Light Armored Reconnaissance Marine operates as part of a Light Armored Vehicle crew to conduct armored reconnaissance, surveillance, and security missions in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force. These Marines employ the LAV-25 and its weapons systems to locate and report on enemy forces, terrain, and obstacles while maintaining the capability to engage targets directly.

Daily Tasks

The daily rhythm of a 0313 Marine rotates between vehicle maintenance, crew gunnery training, and field exercises. Crew discipline on the LAV-25 demands that every Marine understands multiple crew positions, including driver, gunner, and vehicle commander. On a typical training day, tasks include:

• Performing before-, during-, and after-operations maintenance on the LAV-25 and assigned variants
• Crew gunnery drills on the 25mm M242 Bushmaster cannon and coaxial machine gun
• Land navigation and mounted route reconnaissance operations
• Radio communications using vehicle-mounted systems
• Dismounted infantry tasks when the mission requires getting off the vehicle

Specific Roles

Mission Contribution

LAR units provide the MAGTF with a fast, protected, and firepower-capable reconnaissance element. When the larger force needs eyes on an objective, a route screened, or an enemy flank engaged before the main body moves, LAR Marines do that work. The 0313 sits at the intersection of reconnaissance, security, and light combined-arms operations.

Technology and Equipment

The LAV-25 is the primary platform, armed with the M242 25mm cannon and a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun. LAR battalions also operate the LAV-AT (anti-tank), LAV-M (mortar), LAV-L (logistics), LAV-C2 (command and control), and LAV-R (recovery) variants. Individual Marines carry standard infantry weapons alongside their vehicle-crew duties. Vehicle navigation, communications, and optics systems are all part of the daily technical load.

Salary and Benefits

Financial Benefits

Pay follows the 2026 DFAS active-duty enlisted pay tables, effective January 1, 2026.

Source: dfas.mil, 2026 Enlisted Basic Pay Table.

Additional Benefits

BAS of $476.95 per month covers food costs. BAH varies by duty location, rank, and dependency status. TRICARE Prime provides no-cost health coverage for active-duty Marines and their families. The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers full in-state tuition at public schools and up to $29,920.95 per year at private schools (AY 2025-2026 cap), plus a housing stipend and book allowance.

Work-Life Balance

LAR Marines follow an infantry-based operations tempo. Field exercises, vehicle maintenance cycles, and deployments shape the schedule more than garrison office hours. Infantry culture in the LAR community values physical readiness and crew proficiency over convenience.

Qualifications and Eligibility

Basic Qualifications

The line score requirement of CL 90 or GT 90 places 0313 above the bare infantry minimum. The Corps expects Marines in this field to handle vehicle systems, navigation, and reporting tasks that demand above-average verbal and reasoning ability.

Application Process

Enlistment follows the standard path: recruiter visit, ASVAB or PiCAT, MEPS physical, and contract negotiation. Infantry track assignment happens at enlistment, and 0313 assignment follows ITB completion based on performance and available seats. Water survival qualification is required before the LAR course.

Selection Criteria and Competitiveness

0313 seats are limited because LAR is a specialized infantry community. Marines who meet the line score thresholds, pass the water survival requirement, and perform well at ITB are competitive. The height and depth perception requirements add additional screening layers not present in standard rifle assignments.

Upon Accession

Marines enter at E-1 (Private). Standard active-duty enlistment is four years. Current contract specifics, including any bonus programs, should be confirmed with a recruiter.

Work Environment

Setting and Schedule

0313 Marines split their time between vehicle maintenance bays, ranges, field exercises, and operational deployments. The LAR community is based primarily at Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune, and Okinawa. Schedule is driven by maintenance cycles and training plans more than fixed hours.

Leadership and Communication

Vehicle crew hierarchy moves from crew member to vehicle commander to section leader. Communication happens via vehicle intercom and radio during operations, and face-to-face during maintenance and planning. Performance feedback is immediate in a crew context because every crew member’s performance is visible to the others.

Team Dynamics and Autonomy

Crew cohesion is essential in a LAV. Every position depends on the others. A weak link in a vehicle crew creates problems for the entire crew during a mission. Marines who value tight team accountability and clear individual roles within a small-unit system find the LAR community compelling.

Job Satisfaction and Retention

LAR Marines who enjoy vehicle operations, reconnaissance missions, and the combined-arms aspect of the MOS tend to stay. The field has a distinct community identity. Marines who expected pure foot-infantry work and find vehicle maintenance burdensome sometimes separate after their first enlistment.

Training and Skill Development

Initial Training

Sergeants assigned to LAR later complete the Light Armored Reconnaissance Commander Course before assuming vehicle commander responsibilities.

Advanced Training

• LAV maintenance and gunnery refresher courses
• Advanced land navigation and route reconnaissance
• Joint training exercises with Army and allied armored units
• Scout Sniper indoctrination for high-performing LAR NCOs
• Combined Arms Staff Officers Course for senior NCO development

Career Progression and Advancement

Career Path

Role Flexibility and Transfers

LATMOVE opportunities exist for 0313 Marines seeking other infantry roles or different occupational fields. Command endorsement and school seat availability govern timing. LAR-to-reconnaissance and LAR-to-intelligence moves have precedent given the reconnaissance-focused mission.

Performance Evaluation

Proficiency and conduct marks govern Lance Corporals and below. Staff Sergeants and above receive formal FITREPs. NCO performance in an LAR unit is visible through crew-level maintenance readiness, gunnery scores, and leadership demonstrated in the field.

Physical Demands and Medical Evaluations

Physical Requirements

Vehicle operations do not eliminate the infantry physical load. LAR Marines dismount and operate on foot when the mission requires. Crew positions require climbing on and off the vehicle, carrying weapons and equipment, and performing maintenance tasks that demand upper-body strength and endurance.

Source: marines.com physical fitness standards. Verify current year standards against official Marine Corps publications.

Medical Evaluations

Normal color vision, normal depth perception, and vision correctable to 20/20 are required at accession. Periodic physical exams, dental checks, and hearing assessments are conducted throughout the career.

Deployment and Duty Stations

Deployment Details

LAR units deploy with Marine Expeditionary Brigades (MEBs) and MEUs, and in support of theater security cooperation activities. Deployment frequency matches the broader Marine infantry operational tempo, with roughly seven-month deployments every 24-36 months depending on unit cycle. LAR Marines have operated in Iraq, Afghanistan, and across the Pacific theater.

Location Flexibility

Primary LAR battalion locations include 1st LAR Battalion at Camp Pendleton, 2nd LAR Battalion at Camp Lejeune, and 3rd LAR Battalion at Twentynine Palms and Okinawa. Assignment preferences are submitted but not guaranteed.

Risk, Safety, and Legal Considerations

Job Hazards

Vehicle operations add rollover, mechanical failure, and fire risk on top of standard combat exposure. Hearing damage from the 25mm cannon is a real occupational risk. Marines work with live ammunition and explosive ordnance during gunnery qualification.

Safety Protocols

All vehicle operations follow Marine Corps vehicle safety SOP. Crew responsibilities include pre-operation maintenance checks designed to catch mechanical failures before they become operational hazards. Range safety rules apply to all live-fire events.

Security and Legal Requirements

0313 does not require a security clearance at accession. Individual billets in headquarters or intelligence-adjacent assignments may require one. All Marines are subject to UCMJ and Status of Forces Agreements at overseas stations.

Impact on Family and Personal Life

Family Considerations

Field exercises, pre-deployment workups, and deployments create the same family impact as other infantry MOS fields. MCFTB, Military OneSource, and MCCS programs are available at all major LAR-battalion locations. Families near Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune have strong support infrastructure.

Relocation and Flexibility

Expect two to three PCS moves over a standard four-year enlistment. LAR billets are concentrated at specific installations, which can limit location flexibility compared to broader infantry assignments.

Marine Corps Reserve

Component Availability

Reserve LAR billets exist, but the community is smaller and more unit-specific than the general infantry reserve population. Billet availability depends on unit location and structure.

Drill Schedule and Training Commitment

Standard reserve commitment is one drill weekend per month and two weeks of Annual Training per year. LAR reserve units often schedule additional gunnery events and field exercises to maintain vehicle crew proficiency. The maintenance requirement for LAVs adds time to the standard drill obligation.

Part-Time Pay

A reserve Corporal (E-4) earns approximately four days of base pay per drill weekend, roughly $419 per weekend based on 2026 rates. Active-duty monthly pay of $3,142.20 for the same grade far exceeds part-time drill pay.

Benefits Differences

Deployment and Mobilization

Reserve LAR Marines can be mobilized under Title 10 orders. Mobilization lengths are typically six to twelve months. The specialty nature of the MOS means mobilization is usually unit-based rather than individual augmentation.

Civilian Career Integration

Vehicle operations, maintenance management, and tactical communications experience can support civilian careers in heavy-equipment operation, vehicle fleet management, emergency management, and security. USERRA protections apply to reserve service.

Post-Service Opportunities

Transition to Civilian Life

The Transition Readiness Program provides career counseling, resume support, and job-placement assistance. Veterans’ Preference applies to federal hiring. Skillbridge internships are available in the final 180 days of active service.

Civilian Career Prospects

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 0313 candidates combine the physical toughness of an infantry Marine with genuine interest in vehicle systems, vehicle operations, and the reconnaissance mission. Marines who like mechanical work, enjoy learning complex systems, and want a fast-moving tactical role fit well here. The field rewards those who are comfortable operating far forward, reporting accurately, and staying composed in a vehicle under fire.

Potential Challenges

Marines who prefer pure foot-infantry operations or who dislike the maintenance burden that comes with crewing a complex armored vehicle may find the MOS frustrating. The height requirement and water survival prerequisites eliminate some applicants early. Deployment and field time remain high.

Career and Lifestyle Alignment

If you want infantry service with a combined-arms and reconnaissance emphasis, 0313 provides a career track that is distinct from the standard rifle platoon path. Benefits including the GI Bill and tuition assistance can help build civilian credentials in mechanical fields, transportation, or leadership after service.

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

Contact your nearest Marine Corps Recruiting Station or speak with a Marine Corps recruiter to confirm current 0313 contract availability, line score requirements, and school seat timing for the Light Armored Reconnaissance Marine Course.

Explore more 03 Infantry roles, including 0311 Rifleman and 0321 Reconnaissance Marine.

Need score context? Review the ASVAB guide and the PiCAT guide before publishing permanent MOS content.