1751 Influence Specialist

Every military operation exists inside an information environment that shapes what people believe, how they behave, and whether they support or resist the mission. The 1751 Influence Specialist is the Marine who works in that environment deliberately, planning and executing influence operations that shape the perceptions and behaviors of target audiences in ways that support commander objectives. This is one of the most demanding cognitive specialties in the Corps, and the Corps screens for it accordingly.

Job Role and Responsibilities

The 1751 Influence Specialist plans and conducts influence operations, primarily psychological operations and civil affairs operations, in support of MAGTF commanders. These Marines analyze operational environments, physical targets, and target audiences; advise on psychological effects; and develop actions and messages designed to affect or reinforce desired behaviors and decisions among foreign military forces, civilian populations, and other relevant audiences.

Daily Tasks

Influence work is analytical, planning-intensive, and communication-dependent. Daily tasks include:

• Conducting target audience analysis using cultural, behavioral, and information environment frameworks
• Developing influence messages and products for approved missions
• Planning and assessing influence operations including psychological operations and civil affairs activities
• Advising commanders and staff on information environment conditions and adversary messaging activities
• Coordinating with intelligence, civil affairs, and information operations staff on integrated information campaigns
• Producing written assessments, operation plans, and influence products for command review

Specific Roles

Mission Contribution

Influence operations extend the commander’s range of tools beyond direct force. When military operations need to generate cooperation among civilian populations, deter adversary action through carefully designed messaging, or counter enemy propaganda, the Influence Specialist provides the analytical and operational capability to do that. The field’s value is often measured by things that do not happen: populations that remain neutral, surrenders that occur without direct combat, access that is granted because of credible and consistent messaging.

Technology and Equipment

Influence Specialists work with classified and unclassified analytical platforms, target audience databases, message dissemination systems, and intelligence products from supporting disciplines. The field uses media analysis tools, social behavior modeling frameworks, and approved dissemination channels. The specific technical systems vary by assignment and classification level.

Salary and Benefits

Financial Benefits

Pay follows the 2026 DFAS active-duty enlisted pay tables, effective January 1, 2026. 1751 is a lateral move field; typical applicants are Corporals or Sergeants.

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, rank, and dependency status. TRICARE Prime provides no-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage. 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). Tuition Assistance covers up to $4,500 per year during active service.

Work-Life Balance

Influence work involves analytical and planning cycles tied to operational tempo. High-tempo exercises, deployment workups, and deployed operations can require extended periods of intensive planning. The field has a strong culture around product quality and analytical rigor that demands consistent mental effort.

Qualifications and Eligibility

Basic Qualifications

The public 1751 screening includes physical and academic components over four days. First-class PFT and CFT scores are required. That is a published threshold, not a recommendation. A five-mile run under 45 minutes and a six-mile ruck at pace are also part of the public screening standards. The combination of cognitive and physical demands at screening is the Corps’ signal that the field expects the whole Marine, the analyst and the athlete simultaneously.

Application Process

Interested Marines build a lateral move package with Career Planner support and submit for the 1751 screening and assessment. The assessment evaluates physical readiness, academic aptitude, communication skills, and overall fitness for the influence mission. Marines who receive a favorable recommendation then proceed through the lateral move approval process and school assignment.

Selection Criteria and Competitiveness

1751 is small and selective. The Corps has limited seats and a formal assessment rather than a simple paperwork review. Strong PFT and CFT scores, a clean record, above-average GT score, and demonstrated maturity and communication skills all strengthen the application. Prior experience in communications, intelligence, or civil affairs is advantageous.

Upon Accession

Marines lateral move at their current grade. The 60-month service obligation begins upon lateral move approval. This is separate from any prior enlistment obligation.

Work Environment

Setting and Schedule

1751 Marines serve in MEF Information Groups, Marine Expeditionary Force headquarters, MEU staff, infantry battalion headquarters, and Marine Corps Special Operations Command-adjacent billets. The work environment combines garrison analytical settings with deployed field and command-post environments.

Leadership and Communication

Influence teams work in small groups with significant individual analytical responsibility. Communication requires the ability to brief commanders, write clear analytical products, and explain complex behavioral and cultural concepts to military audiences that may have limited context for influence theory. Clear writing and confident briefing are non-optional skills.

Team Dynamics and Autonomy

Small influence teams often operate with significant independence during planning and product development. The field values self-motivated analysts who can manage their own work against mission timelines without constant supervision. Peer review of analytical products is standard practice.

Job Satisfaction and Retention

Marines who are genuinely motivated by the intellectual challenge of audience analysis, behavioral influence, and information environment operations tend to stay in the field. Those who expected more physical operational roles, or who find analytical and planning work less engaging than field military work, sometimes do not continue beyond their first obligation.

Training and Skill Development

Initial Training

The exact post-screening course location is confirmed through the career planner and solicitation process. The public solicitation references follow-on courses after screening approval.

Advanced Training

• Joint Psychological Operations training with Army PSYOP School
• Advanced target audience analysis and behavioral science courses
• Inter-agency information operations coordination
• Foreign language training for theater-specific assignments
• Information operations integration with joint and combined forces

Career Progression and Advancement

Career Path

Role Flexibility and Transfers

LATMOVE from 1751 to other MOSs is available with command endorsement. The target audience analysis, communication planning, and behavioral assessment skills of 1751 Marines translate well into intelligence, civil affairs, and information operations officer programs.

Performance Evaluation

Proficiency and conduct marks govern Lance Corporals and Corporals. FITREPs govern Staff Sergeants and above. Product quality, analytical depth, physical fitness, and leadership within the team factor into advancement evaluations.

Physical Demands and Medical Evaluations

Physical Requirements

First-class PFT and CFT are required for entry, and that standard is expected to be maintained throughout the career. The 1751 screening’s physical requirements (five-mile run under 45 minutes and six-mile ruck) reflect that the Corps expects more than bare Marine Corps minimums from influence specialists.

Source: marines.com. First-class scores are required for 1751 entry; the Corps minimum is below the entry threshold for this field. Verify current year standards against official Marine Corps publications.

Medical Evaluations

Standard periodic medical evaluations apply. Secret clearance maintenance includes periodic background review. Mental health and psychological stability are relevant given the nature of the work.

Deployment and Duty Stations

Deployment Details

1751 Marines deploy with MEF Information Groups, MEU staff elements, infantry battalions, and MARSOC-adjacent billets. The range of assignment options means deployment frequency and length vary. Some assignments involve short-notice TDY support to specific operations while others follow standard unit deployment cycles.

Location Flexibility

Primary 1751 assignments include MEF-level headquarters at Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune, MEU staff elements, and selected joint commands. Assignment preferences are submitted but not guaranteed.

Risk, Safety, and Legal Considerations

Job Hazards

Influence specialists deployed to operational environments face the same force protection risks as any Marine in those environments. The work itself does not carry industrial hazards, but the sensitivity of the mission creates legal and operational security requirements that must be rigorously followed.

Safety Protocols

All influence operations are conducted under legal authority and command approval. Products are reviewed through legal channels before dissemination. Operational security governing information about ongoing influence missions is strictly maintained.

Security and Legal Requirements

Secret clearance eligibility is required. Influence operations targeting specific audiences are conducted under applicable legal authorities. All activities are subject to UCMJ. The legal framework for psychological operations and civil-military activities must be understood and followed.

Impact on Family and Personal Life

Family Considerations

Deployment cycles and operational tempo create the same family impact as other operational Marine specialties. MCFTB, Military OneSource, and MCCS programs support families at all major installations. The analytical nature of the work can limit what can be discussed with family about current operations.

Relocation and Flexibility

PCS moves are typical throughout a 1751 career. The field is concentrated at MEF-level and information group locations, which shapes geographic options.

Marine Corps Reserve

Component Availability

Reserve opportunities in the influence specialty exist through the broader information field and civil affairs reserve structure. Public 1751 solicitations have primarily addressed active-duty lateral movers, but reserve pathways exist through coordination with Career Planners for qualified reserve Marines.

Drill Schedule and Training Commitment

Reserve influence specialists require sufficient training time to maintain analytical proficiency and stay current on doctrine, tools, and approved methods. The specialized nature of the field means the standard monthly drill schedule needs to be supplemented with additional training events.

Part-Time Pay

A reserve Sergeant (E-5) earns approximately $446 per drill weekend based on 2026 pay rates. Active-duty monthly pay for the same grade is $3,342.90.

Benefits Differences

Deployment and Mobilization

Reserve influence specialists can be mobilized under Title 10 orders for stability operations, information operations support, and contingency missions where influence capability is needed.

Civilian Career Integration

1751 experience pairs well with careers in communications, strategic communications, public affairs, policy analysis, behavioral research, and government relations. The combination of behavioral analysis, message development, and operational planning creates a skill set that transfers into public-sector communications and private-sector strategic advisory roles. USERRA protections apply.

Post-Service Opportunities

Transition to Civilian Life

The Transition Readiness Program supports career planning. Federal Veterans’ Preference applies. The behavioral science, communications planning, and audience analysis skills of 1751 Marines are valued in government communications, defense contractor positions, and civilian strategic advisory roles.

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 1751 candidates combine above-average cognitive ability, physical fitness well above the Marine Corps minimum, genuine interest in behavioral and cultural analysis, and strong written and spoken communication skills. Marines who are naturally curious about how populations think, what shapes group behavior, and how communication can be designed to achieve specific effects are naturally aligned with the field. A clean record, first-class fitness scores, and GT 100 or higher are practical prerequisites.

Potential Challenges

Marines who are not genuinely interested in the analytical side of influence work, who are not strong writers, or who do not meet the first-class fitness threshold will not pass the screening assessment. The field rewards patient, methodical analytical work rather than quick reaction and direct physical engagement. If the appeal is the title rather than the mission, the screening process will likely identify that.

Career and Lifestyle Alignment

1751 builds skills in communication strategy, behavioral analysis, and information environment operations that translate into several growing civilian fields. The GI Bill and tuition assistance can support formal education in communications, public affairs, behavioral science, or social research that accelerates post-service career placement.

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

Interested Marines should review current MARADMIN solicitations for 1751 lateral move screening cycles and work with their Career Planner to confirm current requirements, assessment dates, and available seats. Preparation for the physical assessment standards should begin well before the assessment date.

Explore more 17 Information Maneuver roles, including 1721 Cyberspace Warfare Operator and 1732 Civil Affairs Specialist.

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