Lateral Move Advising

When to Surface Lateral Move

A Marine fits the lateral move conversation when.

• Performance is solid but the Marine seems disengaged from the MOS.
• The Marine has talent or interest aligning with a different MOS.
• The current MOS is over-strength.
• Promotion outlook in the current MOS is poor.
• Family needs an MOS-driven duty station change.

Lateral moves are not for Marines failing the current MOS. They are for Marines whose talent fits better elsewhere.

The 18-Month Lead Time

Lateral moves take time. Open the conversation at the next reenlistment window or earlier.

• Identification at 18 months from decision point.
• Coordination with career planner at 12 months.
• Application at 6 to 9 months.
• School selection and orders at 3 to 6 months.

A Marine surfacing lateral move interest at 6 months from EAS has compressed all of this.

The Conversation

In counseling sessions.

• What do you enjoy about your current MOS?
• What frustrates you?
• If you could pick any MOS in the Corps, which one?
• What experience or interest pulls you that direction?
• Have you talked to anyone in that MOS?

Listen for the gap between what the Marine does and what the Marine wants to do.

Career Planner Coordination

The career planner owns the formal lateral move process.

• Brief the planner on the Marine's interest.
• Receive the planner's eligibility assessment.
• Coordinate the application timing.
• Support the Marine through the package.

Lateral move opportunities follow current MARADMIN guidance on which MOSes accept moves and what eligibility requires.

Eligibility Considerations

Common factors.

• Time in current MOS (often a minimum requirement).
• Performance in current MOS.
• ASVAB or specific test scores for the gaining MOS.
• Medical and physical qualifications for the gaining MOS.
• Security clearance level if the gaining MOS requires.

A Marine whose performance is weak in the current MOS rarely qualifies for a competitive lateral move.

Family and Geographic Considerations

Lateral moves often drive PCS to the gaining MOS school and subsequent assignment.

• Brief the Marine and family on the timeline.
• Coordinate with EFMP if family has special needs.
• Discuss the impact on the Marine's transition timeline if reenlistment also in play.

The lateral move can extend the Marine's career commitment as part of the package.

When the Move Approves

After approval.

• Coordinate the school assignment.
• Coordinate the duty status during the transition.
• Brief the Marine on the gaining MOS expectations.
• Connect the Marine with peers in the gaining MOS.

Send the Marine into the new MOS with awareness, not just orders.

When the Move Denies

Disapproval is part of the process.

• Document the denial reason.
• Coordinate with the career planner on alternatives.
• Reassess in 6 to 12 months if eligibility shifts.
• Support the Marine's continued performance in the current MOS.

A Marine whose lateral move denied who continues to perform is a Marine the section keeps developed.

Common Lateral Move Failures

• Marine surfaces interest at 6 months from EAS, no time to execute.
• Career planner not engaged early.
• Section pushes Marine toward a lateral move the Marine has not chosen.
• Family considerations not surfaced.
• Disapproval treated as a relationship failure.

Where to Go Next

• Reenlistment conversation for the parallel decision point.
• Career overview for the broader career framework.
• Education planning for credential parallels.