5713 CBRN Defense Specialist
The 5713 is not a different specialty. It is the career milestone for a CBRN Defense Specialist who has earned the experience, additional training, and responsibility that separate an entry-level 5711 from a senior technical advisor to a commander. That distinction matters in a field where a single inaccurate assessment can result in the wrong protective posture for an entire unit. If you are already a 5711 thinking about your path forward, this is the designation your career is built toward. If you are researching the CBRN field as an applicant, understanding 5713 tells you where a serious CBRN career ends up.
Job Role and Responsibilities
The 5713 CBRN Defense Specialist serves as a senior chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear specialist within Marine Corps units and MAGTF headquarters. Marines who hold 5713 provide experienced technical advising to commanders and staffs, direct complex CBRN operations including reconnaissance and large-scale decontamination, and mentor junior 5711 Specialists. The designation indicates a Marine who has progressed from basic qualification to senior technical competence within OccFld 57.
Daily Tasks
Senior CBRN Specialists handle a broader and more complex set of responsibilities than entry-level counterparts. Daily activities include:
- Advising commanders and staffs at battalion, regimental, or MEF level on CBRN threats, vulnerability assessments, and protective postures
- Planning and directing CBRN reconnaissance operations and decontamination site operations
- Managing the unit’s CBRN training program, ensuring all unit Marines maintain baseline CBRN defense proficiency
- Mentoring and technically directing junior 5711 Specialists
- Integrating CBRN considerations into operational planning processes
- Monitoring and analyzing CBRN threat intelligence products
- Coordinating with joint CBRN elements during exercises and operations
Specific Roles
| Classification | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PMOS | 5713 | CBRN Defense Specialist (advanced designation) |
| Entry level | 5711 | CBRN Defense Specialist (beginning of career) |
| Warrant | 5702 | CBRN Defense Officer (warrant officer path) |
The 5713 designation applies to experienced CBRN Specialists who have met the time-in-grade, training, and proficiency requirements that distinguish senior from junior specialists within the occupational field.
Mission Contribution
At the 5713 level, CBRN Specialists operate at the intersection of technical expertise and command advisory. A senior specialist who correctly identifies a contamination pattern, recommends the appropriate decontamination approach, and adjusts the unit’s MOPP posture in time prevents casualties. An incorrect assessment or an incomplete decontamination plan creates exactly the vulnerability that CBRN threats are intended to exploit. The 5713 Marine is the unit’s most experienced person on that problem.
Technology and Equipment
Senior CBRN Specialists work with the same detection and protection systems as 5711 Marines, but with greater technical depth. Advanced detection platforms, data integration systems for CBRN reconnaissance products, and the administrative tools for CBRN planning and reporting are standard. Knowledge of evolving CBRN threat agents and the detection equipment designed to identify them is a continuous professional requirement.
Salary and Benefits
Financial Benefits
Pay follows the 2026 DFAS active-duty enlisted pay tables, effective January 1, 2026.
| Rank | Grade | Under 2 Years | Over 2 Years | Over 4 Years | Over 6 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | E-1 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 |
| Private First Class | E-2 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 |
| Lance Corporal | E-3 | $2,836.80 | $3,015.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 |
| Corporal | E-4 | $3,142.20 | $3,303.00 | $3,658.50 | $3,815.40 |
| Sergeant | E-5 | $3,342.90 | $3,598.20 | $3,946.80 | $4,110.00 |
| Staff Sergeant | E-6 | $3,401.10 | $3,743.10 | $4,068.90 | $4,235.70 |
| Gunnery Sergeant | E-7 | $3,932.10 | $4,291.50 | $4,673.10 | $4,843.80 |
| Master Sergeant | E-8 | – | – | – | $5,656.50 |
| Master Gunnery Sgt | E-9 | – | – | – | – |
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, pay grade, 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 for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Work-Life Balance
Senior CBRN Specialists are involved in planning, training, and advisory work at the staff level. The schedule follows operational and exercise cycles rather than a predictable daily routine. Planning periods, exercise preparation, and major training events all create extended hours. Garrison periods between major exercises allow for more regular schedules.
Qualifications and Eligibility
Basic Qualifications
5713 is not a first-term enlistment MOS. Marines progress to 5713 from 5711 through time in service, additional training, and demonstrated competence within the CBRN field. The standard entry into CBRN defense starts with 5711.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Entry path | Progression from 5711 CBRN Defense Specialist |
| Time and experience | Mid-career or senior NCO designation |
| Training completion | Advanced CBRN courses and schooling completed |
| ASVAB line score | GT 100 minimum (original entry requirement into OccFld 57) |
| Service record | No disqualifying adverse history |
Applicants researching CBRN for initial enlistment should start with 5711 CBRN Defense Specialist. The 5713 designation is the career destination for experienced Marines who have built their CBRN foundation and demonstrated the technical and leadership competence required for senior advising roles.
Application Process
The transition from 5711 to 5713 is managed through Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Marines interested in this progression should work with their Career Planner to understand current criteria, training requirements, and timing.
Upon Accession
Marines enter the CBRN field at 5711. The 5713 designation applies to those who have met the criteria for the advanced specialist level. Confirm current specific requirements with Manpower or an official Marine Corps career management source.
- 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
Senior CBRN Specialists work at battalion, regimental, and MEF staff levels. The environment is a combination of office-based planning work and field exercises where CBRN capabilities are integrated into combined arms training. Senior Specialists are involved in command planning processes, not just technical operations.
Leadership and Communication
At the 5713 level, the Marine is the senior CBRN technical voice in most units. Communication must be effective with commanders, staff officers, and non-CBRN-specialist Marines who need accurate, clear guidance on protective measures. The leadership challenge is conveying urgency and precision when the threat is invisible.
Team Dynamics and Autonomy
Senior CBRN Specialists typically work with junior 5711s as a small team. The senior specialist provides technical direction and mentorship while the unit CBRN officer (5702) handles command-level advising. At lower command levels where no officer CBRN specialist is present, the senior enlisted CBRN specialist may be the primary advisor to the commander.
Job Satisfaction and Retention
Marines who reach 5713 have typically committed to the CBRN field as a career specialty. The satisfaction of being a recognized technical expert and of training a field that units depend on in the most serious environments tends to sustain retention in the senior ranks.
Training and Skill Development
Initial Training
The initial pipeline for 5713 Marines runs through the 5711 entry path first.
| Phase | Location | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boot Camp | MCRD San Diego or Parris Island | 13 weeks | Marine Corps fundamentals |
| Marine Combat Training (MCT) | SOI-West or SOI-East | 29 days | Basic combat skills |
| CBRN Defense Specialist Course | Fort Leonard Wood, MO | Approximately 9-11 weeks | CBRN detection, protection, decontamination, reconnaissance |
| Advanced CBRN training | Various locations | Varies | Reconnaissance operations, senior advising, staff integration |
The path from 5711 to 5713 includes advanced CBRN coursework, staff college equivalents, and documented proficiency at the senior technical level.
Advanced Training
- Senior CBRN leaders course and advanced operations planning training
- CBRN reconnaissance vehicle qualification
- Joint CBRN staff integration courses
- Emergency management and hazmat certifications
- Tuition Assistance-supported degrees in chemistry, environmental science, or emergency management
Career Progression and Advancement
Career Path
| Rank | Grade | Typical Time in Grade | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant | E-5 | Progression toward 5713 | Senior CBRN NCO |
| Staff Sergeant | E-6 | Initial 5713 designation range | Senior specialist, battalion level |
| Gunnery Sergeant | E-7 | Established 5713 | Regimental or division CBRN advisor |
| Master Sergeant | E-8 | 4+ years | MEF-level senior CBRN advisor |
| Master Gunnery Sgt | E-9 | Career capstone | OccFld 57 senior technical advisor |
Role Flexibility and Transfers
Senior CBRN Specialists with strong records are competitive for warrant officer programs through 5702 CBRN Defense Officer. The technical expertise and leadership experience from 5713 billets also positions Marines well for joint CBRN assignments and interagency CBRN support roles.
Performance Evaluation
FITREPs at Staff Sergeant and above capture technical advising quality, unit CBRN training effectiveness, and leadership of subordinate CBRN personnel. A senior CBRN Specialist’s visible impact on the unit’s CBRN readiness is the primary performance signal.
Physical Demands and Medical Evaluations
Physical Requirements
Senior CBRN Specialists maintain the same physical fitness requirements as all Marines, while also being capable of operating in MOPP gear during exercises and operations. Physical readiness is required for promotion and retention.
| 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 | 3:38 | 2:55 | 4:40 | 3:48 |
| CFT | Ammunition Lift | 42 | 95 | 42 | 95 |
| CFT | Maneuver Under Fire | 3:37 | 2:27 | 4:20 | 3:15 |
Source: marines.com. Verify current year standards against official Marine Corps publications.
Medical Evaluations
Standard periodic medical evaluations apply. Long-term CBRN Specialists should maintain hearing health monitoring and be aware of occupational health considerations associated with extended work around detection agents and protective equipment.
Deployment and Duty Stations
Deployment Details
Senior CBRN Specialists deploy with MEF and MEU headquarters, Marine logistics groups, and combined arms units. Deployed 5713 Marines advise commanders at higher levels than entry-level specialists. Deployment length follows standard Marine unit rotations.
Location Flexibility
5713 billets are distributed across the operating force at all major Marine Corps installations. Staff-level CBRN billets exist at higher headquarters in Quantico and at MEF headquarters at Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton.
Risk, Safety, and Legal Considerations
Job Hazards
The hazard profile for 5713 mirrors that of 5711 with the additional factor of greater exposure to hazardous training agents in advanced course environments. Regulatory and safety controls govern these exposures, but they are real.
Safety Protocols
All CBRN training operations operate under Marine Corps and Army Chemical School safety regulations. Senior Specialists serve as safety monitors for their own unit’s CBRN training exercises.
Security and Legal Requirements
Some 5713 billets at higher headquarters require a security clearance. Standard UCMJ obligations apply to all Marines.
Impact on Family and Personal Life
Family Considerations
Senior CBRN Specialists are deployed with their units and share the operational tempo of the supported force. MCCS, Military OneSource, and Marine Corps Family Team Building support families at all major installations.
Relocation and Flexibility
PCS moves are standard. Senior CBRN billets are distributed across major installations, providing reasonable geographic variety.
Marine Corps Reserve
Component Availability
5713 billets exist in the reserve component for experienced CBRN Specialists. Reserve 5713 Marines support unit CBRN training readiness and can be mobilized for contingency operations requiring senior CBRN expertise.
Drill Schedule and Training Commitment
Standard reserve commitment is one drill weekend per month and two weeks of Annual Training per year. Senior CBRN reserve specialists lead unit CBRN training during drill periods and are responsible for maintaining their own technical currency between drills.
Part-Time Pay
A reserve Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) earns approximately $524 per drill weekend based on 2026 pay rates. Active-duty monthly base pay for the same grade starts at $3,932.10.
Benefits Differences
| Benefit | Active Duty | Marine Corps Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly pay (E-7) | $3,932.10 | ~$524 per drill weekend |
| Healthcare | TRICARE Prime, no cost | TRICARE Reserve Select (premiums apply) |
| Tuition Assistance | Up to $4,500/year | Available on qualifying orders |
| GI Bill | Full Post-9/11 GI Bill | Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve |
| Retirement | 20-year pension at 40% of high-36 | Points-based, collect at age 60 |
| Deployment tempo | Higher, consistent with unit missions | Lower, mobilization possible |
Deployment and Mobilization
Reserve 5713 Specialists can be mobilized for contingency operations. Senior technical expertise is activated when reserve CBRN capability is needed at scale for large operations.
Civilian Career Integration
5713 experience is directly relevant to senior hazmat response, emergency management, industrial safety management, and environmental health leadership roles. Federal agencies including FEMA, EPA, and DoD civilian CBRN programs actively seek candidates with this background. USERRA protections apply.
Post-Service Opportunities
Transition to Civilian Life
The Transition Readiness Program provides career planning support. Veterans’ Preference applies to federal emergency management, safety, and environmental protection positions. The GI Bill supports advanced degrees in emergency management, environmental science, or chemistry that complement the practical CBRN background.
Civilian Career Prospects
| Civilian Job Title | Median Annual Salary | Job Outlook (BLS) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Management Director | $79,180 | +2% |
| Industrial Safety Manager | $100,000-$130,000 | Growing |
| Environmental Health and Safety Manager | $99,540 | +4% |
| Hazardous Materials Manager | $80,000-$110,000 | Steady |
| Federal CBRN Specialist (GS-12/13) | $90,000-$120,000 | Federal hiring |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Is This a Good Job for You? The Right (and Wrong) Fit
Ideal Candidate Profile
The 5713 path is for Marines who entered the CBRN field at 5711, committed to technical excellence, and want to spend a career as a recognized specialist rather than broadening into general logistics or administration. It rewards technical depth, sustained preparation, and the leadership skill required to train units in a specialty that most Marines do not understand. If that combination fits your career goals, the path from 5711 to 5713 is a clear and purposeful one.
Potential Challenges
Marines who find the preparation-heavy nature of CBRN training tedious, or who want broader operational variety than a single technical specialty provides, should consider different MOS fields before committing to the CBRN path. The field is narrow, and senior CBRN billets are not present at every installation or in every unit type.
Career and Lifestyle Alignment
5713 Marines who separate after a full career have one of the stronger federal job candidacy profiles in the enlisted force. Senior CBRN expertise, security clearance experience, and demonstrated command advisory experience are valued in federal emergency management, military contracting, and DoD civilian CBRN programs.
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 if you are researching the CBRN field from the beginning. Marines already in service should speak with their Career Planner about 5713 upgrade requirements and warrant officer program eligibility through the 5702 path.
Explore more 57 CBRN Defense careers such as 5711 CBRN Defense Specialist to understand the entry and progression path within the same occupational field.
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