In MARADMINS 499/21, the Marines are soliciting existing CPLs and SGTs from any MOS to retrain to Psychological Operations MOS 0521.

Pertinent elements of the message are below:

1.  The purpose of this MARADMIN is to solicit qualified Marines to screen for a lateral move into Primary MOS (PMOS) 0521, Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Specialist, and to publish screening and assessment dates for Fiscal Year 22 (FY22).  The demand for qualified Marines to lateral move into the 0521 MOS will remain high for the foreseeable future.
2.  PSYOP Marines enable the Marine Corps to achieve targeted effects in the information environment (IE) by conducting Military Information Support Operations (MISO), providing Civil Authorities Information Support (CAIS), or supporting Military Deception (MILDEC).
2.A.  MISO are missions that convey selected information and indicators to foreign organizations, groups, and individuals to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately their behavior in a manner favorable to the Commander’s objectives.
2.B.  CAIS missions are intended to aid civilian populations during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) situations by disseminating critical information intended to support the rescue effort.
2.C.  MILDEC missions are intended to deter hostile actions, increase the success of friendly defensive actions, or to improve the success of any potential friendly offensive actions.
3.  While the essential technical and operational skills are learned through formal training, there are certain innate qualities which PSYOP Marines must possess.  PSYOP Marines must think critically, communicate clearly, and bring interpersonal skills, flexibility, creativity, as well as a diverse understanding of cultures.  Preexisting language skills are preferred.

4.  PSYOP Marines are capable of operating independently or as part of a larger PSYOP team or detachment.  Throughout their career, Marines in the PSYOP PMOS will have opportunities to support a Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), MEF Information Group (MIG), Marine Corps Service Component, Combatant Command (COCOM), or Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC).  They may also be tasked to support Joint, Interagency, or international partners in support of training and operations.  PSYOP Marines have increased opportunities to deploy and support ongoing Marine Corps missions and requirements.
5.  Marines approved for lateral move by Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA) will be enrolled in the pre-resident training (PRT) on MarineNet.  After the Marine is enrolled in the PRT they will be scheduled to attend the PSYOP Qualification Course (POQC), U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and Schools (USAJFKSWCS) and the Intermediate MAGTF Information Operations Practitioners Course (IMIOPC).  Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or Permanent Change of Assignment (PCA) orders to a MIG or the MCIOC will be issued following the completion of the POQC in most cases prior to attending IMIOPC.  Upon successful completion of all training, FY22 lateral movers into the 0521 PMOS will rate a lateral move reenlistment bonus in accordance with reference (c).
6.  Interested Marines should review the references and visit the Marine Corps PSYOP website at:  https:(slash)(slash)intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/mcioc/PSYOPPMOS/LateralMove/SitePages/Home.aspx.  This site is a CAC-enabled, public website designed for Marines seeking information on the lateral move process, scheduled screening and assessments, references, and points of contact.

7.  Marines requesting a lateral move must attend a four day screening and assessment comprised of physical and academic events, and meet the minimum requirements as outlined in reference (a) in order to receive a favorable endorsement for lateral move.  Marines must have in hand the completed PSYOP PMOS Command Screening Checklist (reference (b)), their Marine Corps professional resume, and a security clearance verification letter from their Command Security Officer or Special Security Officer, confirming their current security clearance.  These documents can be found on the website listed in paragraph 6.  Marines may pre-register for a screening and assessment utilizing the website listed in paragraph 6.
7.A.  Per reference (a), the following prerequisites for lateral move into the 0521 PMOS apply:
7.A.1.  Must be a volunteer Corporal or Sergeant from any MOS.  Sergeants must have less than 18 months’ time in grade.
7.A.2.  Must attend a psychological operations screening and assessment and receive a recommendation for lateral move from the MOS specialist.
7.A.3.  Must possess a GT score of 100 or higher.
7.A.4.  Security requirement:  secret security clearance eligibility.
7.A.5.  Must have a first class physical fitness test (PFT) and combat fitness test (CFT) (accomplished during the PSYOP screening and assessment process).
7.A.6.  Must obligate to a minimum of 48 months of service when approved for lateral move into the 0521 PMOS.
7.A.7.  Must be worldwide deployable when approved for lateral move into the 0521 PMOS.
7.B.  All Marines must complete the physical and academic requirements of the screening and assessment process in order to be eligible for a lateral move recommendation.
7.B.1  Physical events are used to assess an individual Marine’s ability to meet or exceed the physical standards set by the USAJFKSWCS.  Physical events are as follows: Marine Corps PFT and CFT, five mile run in under 45 minutes, and an unknown distance individual effort ruck march with a minimum 35 lb dry ruck (water not included) that must be completed while maintaining a 15 minute mile pace or faster.  The ruck march will not exceed 8 miles.
7.B.2.  Academic events are designed to assess a Marine’s ability to communicate, critically think in a time-constrained environment, engage in complex social interactions, and demonstrate objective based reasoning.
8.  Screening and assessment locations and dates are published on the website listed in paragraph 6.  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, locations and dates are subject to change.  Additional locations may be added as needed based on demand and availability of screening teams.
8.A  Screening and assessments will be conducted approximately once a quarter aboard Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, and Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico and semi-annually aboard Camp Hansen and MCB Hawaii.
8.B  Letters of Instruction (LOI) will be published approximately 60 days prior to the execution of a specific screening and assessment.  These LOIs will be posted on the website in paragraph 6 and disseminated to all Career Planners via Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments (MMEA) using the Total Force Retention System (TFRS).
9.  Interested Marines should contact their career planner to ensure they meet the prerequisites and initiate the lateral move process.