U.S. Marines · Communications
Marine Corps MOS 0612 is the Tactical Switching Operator / Field Wireman — the foundation of tactical wire and cable communications. Marines in 0612 install, operate, and maintain field wire and cable systems and the telephone switchboards / switching centers (such as the AN/TTC-series) that link command posts, fire-direction centers, and headquarters. It is a wire/cable specialty, not the radio MOS — Marines who operate field radios are MOS 0621 (Field Radio Operator).
0612 (Tactical Switching Operator / Field Wireman) is in the Marines and requires a minimum AFQT of 32 and EL of at least 90. Last verified 2026-06-24 against Military Yearbook Project — USMC MOS 0612 (per MCO 1200.18).
Quick check
Enter the scores you already know. Leave a box blank if you do not have that score yet.
Plain requirement
Source: Military Yearbook Project — USMC MOS 0612 (per MCO 1200.18) · last verified 2026-06-24.
Role brief
Marine Corps MOS 0612 is the Tactical Switching Operator / Field Wireman — the foundation of tactical wire and cable communications. Marines in 0612 install, operate, and maintain field wire and cable systems and the telephone switchboards / switching centers (such as the AN/TTC-series) that link command posts, fire-direction centers, and headquarters. It is a wire/cable specialty, not the radio MOS — Marines who operate field radios are MOS 0621 (Field Radio Operator).
Starting pay · 2026
Base pay is set by pay grade, not by job — every Marines enlistee at the same grade earns the same monthly base pay. These are the 2026 active-duty rates (3.8% raise, effective 2026-01-01).
| Grade | Rank | Monthly base pay | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Private (Pvt) | $2,407 | after 4 months of service |
| E-2 | Private First Class (PFC) | $2,698 | under 2 years |
| E-3 | Lance Corporal (LCpl) | $2,837 | under 2 years |
| E-4 | Corporal (Cpl) | $3,142 | under 2 years |
Source: DFAS 2026 active-duty basic pay tables (3.8% raise, effective Jan 1 2026) · last verified 2026-05-23 · date retrieved 2026-05-23.
Eligibility notes
No. MOS 0612 is the Tactical Switching Operator / Field Wireman — a wire and cable communications specialty (laying field wire, running cable, and operating telephone switchboards). The Marine who operates field radios is a separate MOS, 0621 Field Radio Operator. The two are often confused because both sit in the 06XX Communications field, but they are distinct jobs with separate training pipelines.
A 0612 installs, operates, and maintains tactical wire and cable systems and the telephone switchboards / switching centers that connect command posts, fire-direction centers, and headquarters. Day-to-day work includes laying and recovering field wire, splicing and troubleshooting cable, and operating manual and automatic switchboards. Per the Military Yearbook Project (MCO 1200.18), the entry standard is an EL (Electronics) line score of at least 90.
0612 Marines attend the Telephone Systems Installer/Maintainer Course at the Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School (MCCES), Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, after recruit training and Marine Combat Training. Source: Military Yearbook Project — USMC MOS 0612, last verified 2026-06-24.
The Marines Tactical Switching Operator / Field Wireman MOS (0612) requires a minimum AFQT of 32 and EL of at least 90, with initial training of about 8 weeks. Those are the ASVAB-based entry requirements; a recruiter confirms the full enlistment picture (medical, background, and current openings). Source: Military Yearbook Project — USMC MOS 0612 (per MCO 1200.18), last verified 2026-06-24.
0612 initial training runs about 8 weeks. Source: Military Yearbook Project — USMC MOS 0612 (per MCO 1200.18), last verified 2026-06-24.
Source: Military Yearbook Project — USMC MOS 0612 (per MCO 1200.18) · last verified 2026-06-24 · date retrieved 2026-06-24.
Nearby targets
Related
AFQT + EL practice targets
Compare Marines ASVAB requirements
Independent test-prep — not affiliated with DoD or the ASVAB program. See officialasvab.com for the test program.