Combat Instructor Training

On 10 October 2002 the Marine Corps released All Marine message 056021 creating the Military Occupational Specialty MOS 8513 Marine Combat Instructor MCI. This order designates the billet a Special Duty AssignmentSDA. This placed the instructors at the Schools of Infantry SOI in the same category as Drill Instructors, Recruiters, and Marine Security Guards MSG in terms of bonus pay, promotion incentives, and status. Marines in SDA assignments enjoy many incentives including bonus pay, promotion points, and increased opportunity to gain meritorious promotion. Traditionally, to earn the perks of a SDA, a Marine must complete a rigorous training program to prepare him physically and mentally for his role in a highly competitive and challenging duty environment. Additionally, this training must allow opportunity for growth in the assignment at all levels. Certain SDA commands, particularly the Marine Corps Recruit Depots, have learned, through trial and error, many effective methods of instructor training and employment. Although the duties of Drill Instructors and Combat Instructors are vastly different, the Schools of Infantry will be more effective by modeling Combat Instructor selection and training procedures after those used at Marine Corps Recruit Depots. Instructor Selection All USMC schools have minimum enrollment criteria.