Expert: John Pierce - 7/16/2004

Question
which mos has faster promotions, marine security forces and FAST or infantry units?

Answer
Hello again Luke.  The answer is, neither.  Security Forces is an enlistment (or reenlistement) option for infantry Marines.  Marines that enlist in an infantry MOS can get one year of Security Forces duty (if that's what they signed up for).  At the end of that one year, they simply resume their infantry duties.  So, even though performing a different job, their MOS is still infantry (which is made up of several MOS's, machine gunner, mortarman, anti tank, rifleman, etc).  So, given that promotions are different for different MOS's, two Marines of equal rank on Security Forces duty could get promoted at entirely different times if their actual MOS's are different.  Does that make sense?  Some MOS's promote faster than others, and it changes often.  As shortages occur in a job, it opens up for promotions.  As the shortages are filled, promotions become more scarce.  So, there's no good way to answer your question.  Security Forces would certainly make one more competetive for promotion in the future, but it's not a separate MOS in it's own right; not for promotion purposes anyway. Also, not every infantry Marine gets the opportunity to serve on Security Forces duty.  It's challenging and rewarding, but it's not for everyone.  I hope this helps.   Good luck.

John Pierce