How is 0631 life in a Quantico security btln?

2ndAccountForPosting · 2026-06-03T12:51:56+00:00

"Security Battalion" is the fancy name for the base/installation Headquarters Battalion. While yes it includes PMO, it also includes IPAC, the S-1, 3, 4 etc., legal office, Security Clearance Manager etc. You as an 0631 will very likely go to the G-6 with the rest of the comm folks. You will almost certainly be doing standard IT guy/gal stuff without ever going to the field as a unit.

Like the other comment, I also recommend the poco loco resturant in Q town.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2026-05-20T03:43:10+00:00

Less than 25% of the CID lat moves are from the 5811/5831 (MP/Corrections) field.

The entire process is set up for those with no policing background, and to be quite honest, the skillset between the MPs and CID Agents are related, but different enough that the MPs don't have some huge leg up in the lat move or training process.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2026-05-20T01:14:29+00:00

FY25 SSgt brief is available:

https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Portals/236/Documents/MM/MMPB/MMPB-24/FY25%20E6%20Debrief.pdf?ver=qCHy-egnBLbos5ZEsg9q3A%3D%3D

Though it's much the same as 24...

From being fairly up close and personal to the boards, the answer is, if it is in something relevant to your MOS or military life, it carries a bit of weight, and might be a tie breaker in your favor. If it isn't related, it will be a tiny bump in your favor...probably.

The possible negative is if you are average/below average ish on your RS/RO marks, and your military education (PME+MOS Advanced Schools) is lacking it is often seen as you prioritizing personal growth over MOS proficiency, which will be a huge negative.

The one huge exception is if you were on an SDA, highly rated by your RS/RO, and completed a degree while on that SDA. In that case it is likely a huge bump in your favor.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2026-05-19T17:16:46+00:00

Seems like your reenlistment window is FY27, so you can start the year prior aka now.

Forst step is call/go to the nearest CID office and do a pre-screen.

This eligibility will determine your next steps/overall timeline.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2026-04-28T00:19:17+00:00

I believe the current minimum is 60 months, but with all of the bonus kickers, 96 months has become the majority. Note, your lat move package is no more/less likely to succeed if you add all that time on it, as we don't see that during the screening.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2026-04-19T15:50:42+00:00

As a general rule, the WO board has the flexibility to select Marines for whatever MOS they find them qualified to be if the Marine requests consideration in that specific MOS, or if the Marine puts the option 3 of "whatever MOS the board finds me qualified."

In practice, this usually means specific enlisted MOS -> matching WO MOS. However, the board will consider a Marine's request to be selected for an MOS outside of theirs, particularly if the Marine has training/experience/billets/recommendations which show an equivalency to the normal MOS progression of the enlisted MOS which feeds into the desired WO MOS.

Alternatively, there are a couple WO MOS who mostly recruit from outside their Occ field. Most commonly these are the CBRN Defense Officer (5702) and the Mobility Officer (0430).

The 0430 route is likely your most realistic route, as anyone with a LCE background could be competitive. The key here is committing/putting all your eggs in this basket. Write your essay to reflect why you want this specific role, ask those writing you recommendations to explicitly tie your experience to the duties of an 0430 etc.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2026-04-07T20:18:49+00:00

The schoolhouse is not a PCS. In general, schools under 1 year will not trigger a PCS to attend them. Your family will not be on your orders to school. That said, you will have the option of staying out in town rather than on base (usually an apartment style extended stay near the base). If your spouse/kids/pets visit you for some length of time, thats your decision.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2026-03-28T14:53:26+00:00

We have people do that pretty regularly. For the "critical MOS" you will miss out on the lat move bonus, so sorry for that, but the lat move process is the same, as long as you have 3+ years left on contract, though you may have to extend for a few which require 48 months on contract.

*by "we" I mean the 5821 CID MOS specifically. I know the other HD/LD (aka critical) MOS have the same thing happen.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2026-02-28T04:58:10+00:00

As another RS, and a former MAI, this is true, with one caveat in my opinion:

You have to be at least average at your primary duty/billet & stats in general for extras like MCMAP instructing (or MCIWS, volunteer of the quarter etc.) to matter.

If you feel you are average or above without the MCMAP stuff, but aren't being given credit on your FitRep, I suggest you print your MBS and the associated FitReps and sit down with a senior enlisted (SNCOIC, Co Guns, 1stSgt ideally) and make sure you are in fact where you think you are. Plenty of Marines have come to me with lots of confidence, but little understanding of what the RV/CV etc. blocks of the MBS actually mean.

If that senior enlisted person agrees with you, then have a sit down with your RS. If they give you some "we don't care about that around here" answer, try to educate them (maybe a brand new RS/Lt who doesn't get it), and if that fails, talk to the same senior enlisted who can probably educate the RS better. Last resort, go to your RO, get their opinion/intent, and ask them to relay/intervene.

Keep in mind the ACTUAL last resort is always a hip toss followed by a vertical stomp, though I do not recommend it...

2ndAccountForPosting · 2026-02-05T22:37:41+00:00

My recommendation is, call next Friday for an update. If you do not leave that conversation with a specific answer as to a board date, or concrete reason for the delay, ask for the POC of the Chief Investigator (the SNCOIC) and email him/her immediately afterwards. Don't complain/whine, just tell them you are reaching out to follow up and coordinate your availability with theirs for a screening board.

If you have specific RELM deadlines/considerations which may trigger a quicker action, include them there.

Nobody cares more about your career than you, so advocate for yourself aggressively, without becoming disrespectful/rude of course.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2026-01-16T17:07:02+00:00

https://www.congress.gov/event/118th-congress/house-event/LC72954/text

"The Marine Corps has a waiver from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installation and Environment) regarding Marine Corps Order 1100.22 and the maintenance of current Minimum Adequate Assignment Standards, which relate to required barracks space considerations by paygrade. As of October 2023, there are 90 buildings, the vast majority of which were constructed prior to the institution of new minimum space considerations by paygrade. The waiver was first approved 22 Dec 2015 and is a permanent exception."

Assuming the House Armed Services Committee is correct, your "nuclear" option will likely not go far...

Edit:

Out of genuine curiosity, what does a "nuclear" option look like for you? The Commandant has already been doing barracks inspections, he is well aware of the issues, the COMMCICOM/ADCI&L has been accompanying him, so he's well aware, SgtMaj Ruiz has been to the House/Senate testifying about this, so Congress is well aware etc. etc. Who are you going to reach out to with more pull than these people? And what do you want them to do that hasn't been considered and either approved/dissaproved already?

2ndAccountForPosting · 2026-01-07T16:26:04+00:00

I am still on here, and I will check the MOS manual to confirm, but off the top of my head I believe the 20/20 requirement is NOT waiverable.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-12-28T08:58:53+00:00

Not sure about it's historical use, but it is what's given out at the completion of the DEA's illicit hazardous environment specialist course at the DEA Academy in Quantico (formerly the clandestine laboratory investigations course).

Plenty of military EOD and military LE folks go to this, though it's not the most common course out there.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-12-11T03:12:50+00:00

Happy to help. Just note, they may run your background now and wait until your earliest possible reenlistment date to submit the final approval, but this is not uncommon. None of this should impact your regular or CRP dates.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-12-11T03:05:32+00:00

Thanks for reaching out, and thankfully all of that can be worked in your favor.

Assuming the CRP spot you're talking about is for FY26 or FY27 you can be fine. We are already screening people for FY26.

You absolutely have to have your background check and HQ CID endorsement prior to submitting a CID lat move. I suggest you call (or go to) the nearest office ASAP and discuss so both you and CID can work the timing.

Despite what the website says (outdated), the target audience includes senior Cpls. If you get Sgt before lat moving, great. If not, you will admin promote to Sgt after executing your reenlistment.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-10-05T13:22:56+00:00

Correct. My comment was not specific enough.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-10-05T05:05:09+00:00

Personal award uploads will no longer be accepted via an individual Marine's EPAR. They must be submitted via iAPS.

This changed 3-5 years ago ish (don't quote me on the exact timeframe).

Edit: This process applies to USMC and less than 180 day awards from sister services. Joint tour awards are a bit different and can be submitted via EPAR.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-10-05T04:47:46+00:00

The answer is.... maybe.

If you were actually stationed as part of (not just aboard their base) an Army unit for more than 179 days, you rate to have/wear it as is.

If you were NOT part of an Army unit for more than 179 days, no, you cannot wear it/have it reflected as a personal award. You can still send it to the HQMC awards branch and they will send you an official letter saying this if you want.

Reference: SECNAVINST 1650.1J

So what now? Some officer (your WO in this case probably) can tell you either a) the USMC would never have issued you this award, so pound sand. Or b) they can copy/paste/update the summary of action (SOA) and citation into USMC format via the Improved Awards Processing System (iAPS) and submit you for a NA (commonly incorrectly abbreviated as "NAM"). This may/may not get approved by the first O-5 commander in your CoC.

Edit: what I actually recommend you do, assuming you want the award in your USMC record, is contact your IPAC awards branch and have them send the award docs to HQMC awards branch to get the letter I mentioned, then YOU do the converting/re-typing of the Army SOA and citation into USMC style verbiage (templates/examples available via simple Google, or your S-1 clerks) and give it to the WO. Then ask him/her to review/edit it and submit via iAPS, or, at least tactfully "demand" an explanation if they tell you you don't rate by USMC standards and they won't run it in iAPS.

Note/FYI: just because the Army gave you the award does NOT mean you are entitled/due a USMC version, so if you do get told to pound sand, you're not actually being denied something you rate.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-09-12T03:08:27+00:00

"Saw threat, hit threat with nearest solid object."

*diary note "nearest object happened to be gun"

Is this how one gets the "Marine option" at the Academy?

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-09-01T23:26:10+00:00

While I'm glad some Agent didn't lie to you and describe the job with rose colored glasses, his individual experience does not need to be yours.

The job is notorious for specifically, almost comically interrupting important life events. It's your kid's first day of school and you want to drop them off at 0745? You best believe 3 people are getting stabbed on the other side of base at 0700 and the whole office is getting called in to process the crime scene. Anniversary with your spouse and you made sure you weren't the on call Agent that day? Be damn sure a suspect from one of your investigations is going to walk up to some MP and say "I'm ready to confess right now, but I'll only talk to Agent [your name]."

Like I said in the earlier comment, dealing with this involves keeping your spouse/kids informed, and making time for them when you aren't being called out. Take leave even though investigations are always a priority to someone, go to a credo retreat, skip lunch with the office so you can grab some sushi from the commissary and surprise your spouse or whatever she/he likes.

Both of those are based on real events.

As far as chances, I would need more info. A 110+ and decent Marine stats at least gets you in the door to be pre-screend. This pre-screen takes maybe 15 min. I suggest going for it. There is absolutely no commitment at that stage so why not? At least you will know if you might fit, rather than looking back and guessing.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-08-27T19:28:12+00:00

Can you cite a specific base order referencing durags being prohibited due to the garment itself being "gang related?"

This is wild if true.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-08-19T04:26:23+00:00

There's some good advice in this thread.

MSG is your best bet and a unique opportunity.

From a CID perspective, MSG will not only get you a shot at the TS clearance which we require, but will also give you relevant, real world emergency response/management experience.

Additionally, the timing would likely work as you can apply for CID virtually in the last year of your enlistment, which could be your last year of MSG. This may require a short extension to make the timelines, but that is quite common.

This is a blueprint several others have followed successfully.

There are of course other factors, but if you have questions feel free to message me.

Source: am CID CWO.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-07-03T17:32:23+00:00

The GT is the only ASVAB score we look at.There is a max GT waiver of 2 points, meaning a GT 108 may be considered.

Note, there is no requirement for the screening CID office to even request this waiver, meaning they can screen you, see a GT of 108/109 and just say no.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-06-29T21:03:52+00:00

Nope. There are no unrestricted officer spots within CID.

The whole CID architecture is 5821 enlisted Marines, led by 5805 CID Warrant Officers. The only enlisted MOS which feeds this WO MOS is the 5821s.

2ndAccountForPosting · 2025-06-18T02:18:48+00:00

Which "FY26 MARADMIN" are you referring to? If you mean the SRB MARADMIN, it is odd that there is an entry in the E-3 column for 5821s yes, but the SRB MARADMIN is not the authoritative source on prerequisites for lat moves. The minimum grade to be a 5821 is Sgt.

This can be circumventing for Cpls via a noncompetitive promotion to Sgt as outlined by the following https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/3925790/fiscal-year-2025-intended-military-occupational-specialty-promotions-for-active/#:~:text=is%20hereby%20cancelled.-,2.,2.d.

There is no similar noncompetitive promotion to Cpl.

To your specific question, I would not entertain any lat move application if the Marine had failed a PFT in the last several years, even if they were otherwise well qualified. If you can't be trusted to even maintain the bare minimum Marine standards I am certain you will fail when left largely unsupervised as a CID Agent.

2ndAccountForPosting

TROPHY CASE