Fourth Reconnaissance
The Reconnaissance Marine is a Marine skilled in multi-domain reconnaissance & surveillance. In addition to basic rifleman skills, Reconnaissance Marines possess enhanced physical and psychological attributes required to gain access to the operational environment and are required to maintain advanced capabilities in combat swimming, small boat operations, scouting, patrolling, close quarter combat skills demolitions.
Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, we have three companies distributed across the country. Company A operates out of Alameda, California, with a detachment stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCB Hawaii). Company B is in Smyrna, Georgia. Lastly, our Company C is stationed in San Antonio, Texas.
Lateral move process:
Complete Reconnaissance Training and Assessment Program (RTAP) followed by Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC). Upon graduation of BRC you are considered a Reconnaissance Marine. While in the Marine Corps Reserve, you will then attend the follow-on special schools.
MOS Requirements
Must be a volunteer.
Must be a U.S. citizen, not required for an international student.
Must possess a GT or CL score of 105 or higher (non- Waiverable) Must possess a WS-B swim qualification.
No derogatory page 11 entries within the last 12 months.
No NJPs within the last 12 months and with no more than one NJP during the current contract.
No courts martial convictions.
Must be fluent in the English language.
Physical Requirements
Achieve Water Survival-Intermediate Classification Prior to Reconnaissance Physical Assessment Program (RTAP)
Achieve Water Survival-Advanced (WS-A) prior to Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC)
Perform maximum pullups (minimum 8) Preferred Rep Recommended: 15
3-mile run: under 19 minutes 30 seconds.
Perform continuous 500-meter swim (Side or Breaststroke) at or below 15 minutes.
Perform 25-meter underwater swim.
Rifle Retrieval
25-meter Rifle Tow
Medical Requirements
Must have Naval Special Warfare/Special Operations (NSW/SO) Physical Prior to attending BRC.
If you meet the requirements, contact your career planner, prior service recruiter, or click on the next tab “Apply Here” to initiate the process.
Reconnaissance Training and Assessment (RTAP)
Reconnaissance Training Assessment Program provides the students with the required knowledge and skills needed to effectively perform initial 1000 level physical training events outlined in the reconnaissance training and readiness manual. This course emphasizes mental resiliency, swim qualification, rope management, combat conditioning, land navigation, and finning techniques. The course combines lecture, demonstration, practical application, and evaluation in areas associated with water survival, surface swim, rope management, land navigation, and combat conditioning. Upon successful completion of this course, the students are capable of performing the prerequisite skills required of a reconnaissance student entering the Basic Reconnaissance Course.
Timeline: 35 days – Camp Pendleton, CA
Screening to attend RTAP
1: minimum 6 pullups (target goal 15 +)
2: rest - 2:00 minutes
3: minimum 70 crunches - 2:00 minutes (target goal 85+)
4: rest - 2:00 minutes
5: minimum 38 pushups - 2:00 minutes (target goal 60+)
6: rest - 10:00 minutes
7: 3 mile run - 22:30 minutes or less (target goal 19:30)
8: rest - 10:00 minutes
9: 500 meter continuous swim in camouflage utilities, breaststroke/sidestroke only - 20:00 minutes or less (target goal 15:00)
Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC)
Basic Reconnaissance Course provides the students with the required knowledge and skills needed to effectively perform duties within a reconnaissance team. This course emphasizes individual and team patrolling, communications, amphibious insert/extraction skills, and combat conditioning. The course combines lecture, demonstration, and practical application in water survival, medical, communications, supporting arms, surveillance, patrolling, and amphibious operations. Upon successful completion of this course, the students are qualified for duties as a reconnaissance Marine capable of performing tasks associated with a reconnaissance team within a reconnaissance battalion.
Timeline: 95 days- Camp Pendleton, CA
Follow On Schools
Marine Combatant Diver (MCD) – 7 Weeks
Airborne- 3 Weeks
Survival Escape Resistance and Evasion (SERE) – 2 weeks
Advance schools include Multi-Mission Parachute, Reconnaissance Sniper Course, and other available upon graduation of basic requirements.