Desk?

[LCpl Lamm]

I plan to go to PLC/TBS/IOC. With that said, do you think after a certain amount of time being active the top brass will stick me at a desk? I'm asking this because I've heard rumors that they do that to some. I don't want to do that.
Lamm

[USMCRET6391]

Your primary MOS will always be your primary duty, but like all organizations the Corps has a lot of things that need to get done. Some of these will be desk jobs, no way to get around it. If you want to make a career out of the Corps will need to get these tickets punched to advance.

[USMC Chuter]

In short, yes. For instance, if you go in as an infantry officer you'll serve your time in infantry companies as a platoon commander, maybe company XO, CO... You'll eventually do time in staff positions, whether it's at battalion level, regiment, division, or somewhere like the pentegon. In a carreer, you'd likely go back to the battalion level as a S3 officer (staff), maybe XO... Eventually maybe battalion CO.. You get the idea.. Basically you can expect to spend time in line units and plenty of time in staff positions.. That's how it goes.

[Vulture6]

As an infantry officer, your primary MOS is 0302. You also receive an additional MOS, but no one talks about it. That would be 9910 - I forget the official designation of that MOS, but it basically means "anything that the Corps needs." That doesn't mean that they will come to you one day and as you to fly a helicopter, but it does mean that you will find yourself as a series commander at a recruit depot, an OIC at a recruiting station or sub station, or at a MEPS. Of course there are other plum assignments that will make you long for sweaty sleepless nights in the field, like General's aid, Regimental or Division liaison officer, and all of that.

Everyone above is right on the money. You will eventually spend some time at a desk as an infantry officer, though your first three years won't be there. Basically, when you are assigned to a "victor" unit - a deployable infantry battalion - you will have a desk, but if you spend more than 8 hours there a week, then you are doing something wrong.

[LCpl Lamm]

So in other words, I'll spend a few years as an infantry officer then go to a staff position and get my "ticket punched" then when I'm a Colonel I'll get back out there?
Thats what I've heard before. I don't want to be an officer to gain rank, I wanna lead. I don't want to be a ticket puncher.

[Vulture6]

Negative

You will spend 2-4 years in the fleet as a lieutenant (Platoon Commander / Company XO)

Then you will spend 2-3 years in a "B" billet - that is where you will get promoted to Captain. A "B" billet is a non-fleet tour - MCRD, Recruiting Duty, or staff duty somewhere (usually involving a bit more desk time). This is usually followed by orders to a "career" level school -- EWS or the Army's "Advanced Infantry Officer's Course" or the Army's Armor course. Something like that.

Then you will spend 2 - 4 years in the fleet as a captain (Company Commander / Staff officer: S-3A). More desk time than when you were in the fleet as a lieutenant, but not as much as when you were in your "B" billet. Again, if you are spending more than about 12 to 18 hours at your desk, you may be doing something wrong... but keep in mind that most of your desk hours will be before 0700 or after 1800. As a company commander, you ought to be in the field. As a 3A, you will be at your desk a whole lot more -- 50 to 60 hours a week (nature of the beast).

Then you will recieve orders to another "B" billet - Headquarters MC duty, TBS staff, recruiting, MCRD, base or Division staff... here's your desk and up those hours to 60 to 70 hours a week. Here is where you will probably pin on Major and get orders to another school (command and staff college).

Then you return to the fleet again. As a Major, you are looking at staff time, not command time. There will be some field time, but the majority will be spent at a field desk or over a map board.

At this point, your career can take many different avenues, but they will include opportunity for command as a Lt. Col. (both fleet and/or non-fleet commands). At this point you are in your 40s and have been on active duty 18 plus years. You will relish your field time and look for excuses to leave your desk and get out with your Marines. If you have a good XO and S-3 (both are Major billets), then you will be able to get out to the field more often.

Bottom line, as an infantry officer, you should get fleet time at each rank. As you move up the chain, your field time will decrease and desk time increase. Also, your role in the field will change. As a Lt or a Captain, you will be leading Marines directly, doing everything that they do. As a Major or Lt. Col. you will be supervising training rather than leading it on most occasions.

Though it may not sound it, it is a very rewarding career.

[LCpl Lamm]

Its sound like a very rewarding career, thats why I want to follow that route. I don't know why you joined the Corps, but I'm assuming it was to be a grunt. If so, was it what you wanted? Did you get the amount of fleet time you wanted? I know you did some desk time, was it alright?
Also, is it always 2-4 years or could it be shorter? I've heard that the West Pointers in the Army could serve a month or two in an infantry unit then leave to a staff postion. Now I know its not the Marine Corps, but would that happen in the Corp?
Thanks for your help sir, I greatly appreciate it.
Semper Fi,
Lamm

[Vulture6]

The only grunt officers that I knew who did less than 2 years with an infantry battalion were the ones that either go shit canned, or volunteered for re-assignment, usually to a recon platoon or LAR.

Fleet time is always good, it's what you join for... but the pace is such that you do need a "B" billet every now and then. The "B" billet also exposes you to more of the Corps, and lets you learn first hand that there are some damn fine NCOs and SNCOs in every MOS. Just as every Marine is a rifleman, every non-infantry Marine is a Marine. Sometimes people who have only lived in a grunt unit don't fully appreciate the dedication, motivation, and ability of Marines who don't happen to have the primary MOS of 03XX.

Was it worth it? Hell yes.
Would I change anything? There were friends lost that I wish were still around, but other than things like that, no, not a thing.

[LCpl Lamm]

Thanks for the advice sir, the only thing nagging me right now is the possibility of me not getting 03...but I'll stick with this route.
Semper Fi,
Lamm

[USMCRET6391]

I agree with vulture about "B" billets, like the Officers, NCOs and SNCOs serve their share of those also...the only "B" billet I didnt hold was Recruiter...doing those "off" MOS jobs makes you a much better Marine....and like vulture said they expose you to more of the Corps......and they definately make you more promotable.

[Grimmy]

As an officer, you'll alwase have some desk time daily, no matter what your job discription...that's why they want college grads... they seem to think that proves you can at least stay awake during paper work chores.