0352 Antitank Missile Gunner

Armored vehicles are among the most dangerous threats on the modern battlefield, and the 0352 Antitank Missile Gunner is the Marine who counters them. This is the most technically demanding weapons PMOS in the infantry field. It combines the field demands of a rifleman with the system-specific knowledge of a weapons specialist, the vision requirements of an observer, and the driving and vehicle operation skills of a motor vehicle operator. If you want the most technically layered specialty in the infantry, 0352 is it.

Job Role and Responsibilities

The 0352 Antitank Missile Gunner is responsible for the tactical employment of the M41A7 Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS) Saber and the M98A1 Javelin weapons system to provide medium and heavy anti-armor fires in support of infantry battalions, LAR battalions, and the MAGTF. These Marines conduct anti-armor operations, tactical vehicle operations, and provide direct fire support against armored vehicles, hardened positions, and fortifications.

Daily Tasks

Daily work in an anti-armor assignment involves system operation, maintenance, and tactical employment training. Typical tasks include:

• Operating and maintaining the Javelin and ITAS systems including command launch units, tracking systems, and thermal imagers
• Conducting crew drills for acquiring, tracking, and engaging armored targets
• Vehicle operation and maintenance for assigned HMMWVs and anti-armor carrier variants
• Route reconnaissance and anti-armor ambush planning
• Weapons qualification including live-fire exercises with simulator and live rounds
• Physical conditioning with anti-armor system loads

Specific Roles

Mission Contribution

Anti-armor units give the MAGTF the ability to destroy or deter armored threats that direct infantry fire cannot defeat. When a battalion encounters enemy tanks, armored personnel carriers, or hardened vehicle positions, anti-armor Marines respond with precision guided munitions that can engage and destroy targets at extended ranges and under complex thermal conditions. The Javelin’s fire-and-forget capability means the gunner does not need to track the target after launch, reducing crew exposure time.

Technology and Equipment

Primary systems include the M98A1 Javelin missile system with the Command Launch Unit (CLU) and the M41A7 ITAS, which mounts the TOW family of missiles. Marines also use the M220 TOW Launcher in certain configurations. Anti-armor sections operate wheeled vehicles including HMMWV variants and the IMTV in mounted anti-armor configurations. The CLU serves double duty as a standalone thermal observation device independent of missile firing.

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 applies to all enlisted Marines. BAH varies by duty station and dependency status. TRICARE Prime provides no-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage for active-duty Marines. 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).

Work-Life Balance

Infantry weapons tempo applies to anti-armor units. Field exercises, anti-armor ranges, and deployments shape the schedule. The vehicle operation requirement adds maintenance and licensing workload on top of standard infantry physical demands.

Qualifications and Eligibility

Basic Qualifications

The GT 95 or MM 95 threshold is higher than most other infantry PMOS requirements. The Corps publishes separate vision and vehicle requirements because targeting thermal systems and driving under operational conditions both demand specific physical and technical qualification.

Application Process

Enlistment begins with recruiter contact, ASVAB or PiCAT, MEPS physical, and contract negotiation including infantry field selection. After Boot Camp, Marines attend ITB and then the Infantry Anti-Tank Missile Gunner Course at SOI East or SOI West. Vehicle licensing is completed during or after the course. The PMOS is awarded upon successful completion.

Selection Criteria and Competitiveness

0352 seats are limited relative to general infantry demand. The higher line-score and vision requirements filter applicants, and the Corps selects based on overall package. Strong performance in mechanical and general technical sections of the ASVAB directly supports competitiveness for this MOS.

Upon Accession

Marines enter at E-1. Standard active-duty enlistment is four years. Current bonus programs for anti-armor or infantry weapons specialties should be confirmed with a recruiter.

Work Environment

Setting and Schedule

Anti-armor units work in weapons companies and anti-armor platoons within infantry battalions and LAR battalions. The work environment is field-heavy with significant vehicle maintenance and range time. Long field exercises with mounted anti-armor operations are a regular part of the schedule.

Leadership and Communication

Section leadership runs from crew member to team leader (Corporal) to section leader (Sergeant). Anti-armor sections work in close coordination with maneuver elements during field exercises and operations. Communication is through vehicle radios and face-to-face during planning cycles.

Team Dynamics and Autonomy

Anti-armor crew operations require tight coordination between driver, gunner, and team leader. The crew has to communicate clearly and execute quickly in the engagement window. Each crew member’s failure immediately affects the others. The section’s effectiveness depends on every crew performing consistently.

Job Satisfaction and Retention

Marines who find the technical nature of guided-missile systems and vehicle operations satisfying, and who want a combined-arms infantry role rather than a pure rifle assignment, tend to stay. Those who preferred straightforward foot-infantry work and find the system-maintenance burden frustrating sometimes separate after their first enlistment.

Training and Skill Development

Initial Training

Advanced Training

• Advanced Anti-Tank Missile Gunner Course for team and squad leaders
• Vehicle operator licensing and advanced driving
• Combined-arms exercises with armor, aviation, and maneuver units
• Joint anti-armor exercises with allied forces
• Infantry Small Unit Leaders Course for Sergeant-level billet progression

Career Progression and Advancement

Career Path

Role Flexibility and Transfers

LATMOVE from 0352 to other MOSs is available with command endorsement and school seat availability. The targeting, observation, and vehicle operation experience of 0352 Marines translates well into reconnaissance and intelligence fields. Law enforcement is also a common post-infantry transition.

Performance Evaluation

Proficiency and conduct marks govern Lance Corporals and below. FITREPs govern Staff Sergeants and above. Section-level engagement results, vehicle maintenance readiness, and leadership demonstrated in anti-armor exercises all factor into advancement evaluations.

Physical Demands and Medical Evaluations

Physical Requirements

Anti-armor Marines carry heavy missile systems and associated equipment in the field. The Javelin complete round weighs approximately 49 pounds. Crew operations, vehicle dismounts, and anti-armor position establishment under time pressure require sustained physical effort.

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

Medical Evaluations

Normal color vision and 20/200 correctable to 20/20 vision are required at accession. Periodic eye exams and overall physicals are conducted throughout the career. Annual dental and hearing checks are required.

Deployment and Duty Stations

Deployment Details

Anti-armor units deploy with infantry battalions and LAR battalions, matching standard infantry deployment tempo: approximately one seven-month deployment every 24-36 months. MEU rotations include anti-armor capability as part of the Battalion Landing Team. Anti-armor Marines have deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the Pacific theater.

Location Flexibility

Primary duty stations include Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune, Twentynine Palms, and Okinawa. Assignment preferences are submitted but not guaranteed.

Risk, Safety, and Legal Considerations

Job Hazards

Handling guided missiles and rocket motors creates explosive and thermal hazard exposure. Vehicle operations add rollover, mechanical failure, and traffic-related risks. Direct combat exposure during anti-armor engagements is consistent with all infantry deployments.

Safety Protocols

Missile handling and storage follow strict ordnance safety procedures. Vehicle safety SOPs govern all motor operations. Range safety rules apply to all live-fire events. Crew safety briefings precede every live engagement.

Security and Legal Requirements

0352 does not require a security clearance at the PMOS level. Vehicle operator licensing under SF-46 is a formal qualification requirement. All Marines are subject to UCMJ and applicable Rules of Engagement in deployed settings.

Impact on Family and Personal Life

Family Considerations

Infantry deployment cycles and vehicle-heavy training schedules create real family impact. MCFTB, Military OneSource, and MCCS programs at Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune support families of anti-armor Marines.

Relocation and Flexibility

Two to three PCS moves during an initial enlistment are typical. Anti-armor billets are concentrated at major infantry-battalion installations. Geographic preferences should be discussed with a recruiter before enlistment.

Marine Corps Reserve

Component Availability

Reserve anti-armor billets exist within reserve infantry battalions. Availability depends on unit structure and location. The specialized nature of the PMOS means fewer total reserve billets exist compared to general infantry rifle assignments.

Drill Schedule and Training Commitment

Standard reserve commitment is one drill weekend per month and two weeks of Annual Training per year. Anti-armor reserve units schedule additional system maintenance and gunnery qualification events to maintain weapon and vehicle proficiency.

Part-Time Pay

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

Benefits Differences

Deployment and Mobilization

Reserve anti-armor Marines can be mobilized under Title 10 orders. Typical mobilization length is six to twelve months. Unit-based mobilizations are more common than individual augmentation for this specialty.

Civilian Career Integration

Missile system operation, vehicle maintenance, and targeting skills have some direct civilian overlap in defense contracting and government contractor support roles. Law enforcement and emergency response are more common civilian transitions. USERRA protections apply.

Post-Service Opportunities

Transition to Civilian Life

The Transition Readiness Program provides career counseling and job-placement support. Veterans’ Preference applies to federal hiring. The Skillbridge program supports civilian internships in the final 180 days of service. The GI Bill can fund degree programs or technical certifications that build on anti-armor technical experience.

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 0352 candidates are mechanically inclined, visually sharp, physically competitive, and interested in the combined-arms aspect of anti-armor work. Marines who want a specialist identity within the infantry, enjoy technical system mastery, and are comfortable with both vehicle operations and field infantry tasks fit this MOS well. Strong GT or MM scores on the ASVAB are a practical signal of alignment.

Potential Challenges

Marines who dislike vehicle maintenance, who are not mechanically oriented, or who want a straightforward rifle assignment without the additional system complexity may find 0352 frustrating. The vision requirements, vehicle licensing, and higher line-score threshold add hurdles that other infantry weapons paths do not require.

Career and Lifestyle Alignment

The MOS builds a combination of technical expertise, team leadership, and precision work that pairs well with post-service careers in law enforcement, defense contracting, or technical fields. Benefits including the GI Bill and tuition assistance can bridge the military experience to civilian credentials.

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 to confirm current 0352 school seat availability, contract options, and any current bonus programs tied to infantry anti-armor specialties.

Explore more 03 Infantry roles, including 0331 Machine Gunner and 0341 Mortarman.

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