Infantry Weapons Officer

Marine Gunner insignia

The United States Marine Corps MOS 0306, Infantry Weapons Officers, or Marine Gunners, are Chief Warrant Officers that are technical weapons specialists and are knowledgeable (as pertaining to their acceleration of grade and experience) in the tactical employment of all the weaponry in Marine Corps arsenal; all weapons organic to the Marine infantry units.

Their technical skills complemented with infantry field experience fundamentally posits them as advisers to the force commanders within the Fleet Marine Force's task forces (i.e. Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and its subordinate units). When assigned directly to a section of the general staff (usually "S-3/G-3" (Operations) sections), Marine Gunners may be responsible for developing and monitoring weapons training protocols, its tactical employment of weapons, and preventive maintenance of the unit's infantry weapons. During combat operations, Marine Gunners assists their force commanders in battle tracking.

They are sent forward to oversee the battle, reporting directly to task force commanders in a "directed telescope" fashion. Additional assignments may be assigned based on future needs of the Marine Corps; such as new weapons systems acquisition, new weapons systems research and development, management of the units ammunition allocation—and the unit training plan, infantry training, and fire support planning.

They have oversight of the unit's annual re-qualification programs for the service rifle and pistol, and supervise the unit's training programs with respect to individual and infantry crew served weapons—to include preparation of training plans and schedules. They also design, develop, implement and control expeditionary ranges, world wide. They have the ability to "set-up" combined arms training. As infantry weapons officers advance in grade, they are assigned to instructor/trainer billets, usually at the School of Infantry, Infantry Officer Course, The Basic School, etc., or more prestigious assignments, such as the Anti-Terrorism Battalion of 4th Marine Division (under the Fleet Marine Force operational status–the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (4th MEB)).

Insignia

The title "Gunner" is almost always used in lieu of a rank (i.e., "Gunner Smith" as opposed to "Chief Warrant Officer Smith"), and the rank insignia worn on the right collar or shoulder is replaced with a "bursting bomb", similar to the insignia inside the rank chevrons of a Master Gunnery Sergeant. The rank insignia of the chief warrant officer bar is worn on the left.

The rank insignia and gunner "bursting bomb" insignia are worn as described in the text as viewer is looking at the Marine, not as they are worn by the wearer. The "bursting bomb" insignia is worn on the left collar, and the chief warrant officer rank insignia is worn on the right collar.

See also

United States Marine Corps portal

External links

• 0306, Infantry Weapons Officer—usmilitary.about.com