If your son or daughter has been offered Marine Corps MOS 6842, they are headed into one of the more technical and specialized jobs in the Corps. A 6842 is a METOC Analyst Forecaster, which means they study the weather and the ocean and turn that information into forecasts that commanders, pilots and planners rely on. Here is what the job involves, how the training pipeline works, and what families can expect along the way.
Quick Facts: MOS 6842
- Official title: METOC Analyst Forecaster.
- What METOC means: Meteorology and Oceanography.
- Occupational field: 68, Meteorology and Oceanography.
- Main job: Collect and analyze weather and ocean data, produce forecasts and environmental assessments, and brief decision-makers.
- Primary schoolhouse: Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, through the Marine Corps Detachment there.
- Security: Marines in this field must be eligible for a high-level security clearance with access to sensitive information.
Is 6842 Still a Current MOS?
Yes. As of the most recent Marine Corps occupational listings, 6842 is still an active enlisted MOS under the title METOC Analyst Forecaster. Its role has grown over the years. The job now includes a stronger focus on littoral oceanography, meaning the coastal and near-shore waters where the Marine Corps expects to operate, and on geospatial intelligence concepts. Marine Corps job titles and structures do change from time to time, so your recruit’s recruiter or career counselor is the best source for the very latest details.
What a METOC Analyst Forecaster Does
Weather affects almost everything the Marine Corps does. Aircraft need safe flying conditions. Amphibious landings depend on surf, tides and sea state. Ground units need to know about heat, storms and visibility. A 6842 provides that information.
Typical duties include:
- Observing and collecting data: Recording weather and ocean conditions using sensors and other equipment.
- Validating and processing data: Checking information for accuracy and assembling it into a useful picture.
- Forecasting: Producing forecasts and environmental assessments for upcoming operations.
- Briefing: Explaining weather and ocean conditions to commanders, pilots and planners in clear terms.
- Maintaining equipment: Performing preventive maintenance on METOC sensors, computer systems and related gear.
Strong communication skills are essential. A forecast is only useful if the person receiving it understands what it means for their mission. In joint operations, an experienced 6842 may also serve in a weather support role alongside other services.
Where 6842 Marines Serve
METOC Marines serve across the operating forces and supporting commands. Assignments can include Marine Expeditionary Forces and Brigades, Marine Aircraft Wings and Groups, Marine Divisions, Marine Littoral Regiments, intelligence battalions and logistics groups. Outside the operating forces, they may work at Marine Corps air stations, regional METOC centers, training commands, the Marine Corps Detachment at Keesler, and other specialized posts.
The Training Pipeline
The path to becoming a METOC Analyst Forecaster has several stages:
- Recruit training: About 13 weeks at Parris Island or San Diego.
- Marine Combat Training: Like other non-infantry Marines, new 6842s complete combat training at the School of Infantry before moving to their job school.
- Weather training at Keesler: Marines attend the Defense Department’s initial skills weather training at Keesler Air Force Base, alongside Airmen, Sailors and Coast Guard members. Marines then continue into the Meteorological and Oceanographic Analyst Forecaster course and Marine-specific instruction.
The academic portion is long and demanding. It covers the foundations of forecasting, including weather maps, radar, observations and the science behind them. Recruits who are comfortable with math and science, and who study consistently, tend to handle it best. Families should expect their Marine to be in school for many months before reaching their first unit.
Requirements
Requirements are set by the Marine Corps and can change, so confirm them with a recruiter. In general, a 6842 must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Earn a qualifying ASVAB line score for the field.
- Be eligible for a top secret clearance with access to sensitive compartmented information, which involves a detailed background investigation.
- Have enough obligated service remaining after school to serve in the MOS.
The background investigation can take time. Parents can help by encouraging their recruit to be completely honest on all paperwork and to keep personal records, such as past addresses, jobs and references, organized.
Life After the Marine Corps
Weather forecasting skills carry over to civilian work. Former METOC Marines may pursue careers in meteorology, aviation weather, emergency management, environmental science and related fields, and many continue their education to strengthen those options.
For Families of Future Forecasters
Having a son or daughter in a technical MOS often means a longer stretch of training before they settle into a unit. Letters, calls when allowed, and steady encouragement go a long way during those months of classroom work. Ask them what they are learning. You may be surprised how much you start noticing the sky. Most of all, be proud: the Marines who depend on their forecasts are trusting them with real decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does METOC stand for?
METOC stands for Meteorology and Oceanography. Marines in this field forecast both weather and ocean conditions that affect operations.
Where is the MOS 6842 school?
Entry-level training for this MOS takes place at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, where Marines train through the Marine Corps Detachment alongside members of other services.
Do 6842 Marines need a security clearance?
Yes. They must be eligible for a top secret clearance with access to sensitive compartmented information, based on a detailed background investigation.
Is MOS 6842 a good fit for my recruit?
It suits recruits who enjoy science, technology and problem-solving and who communicate well. If your recruit likes the idea of supporting aviation and operations with expert information, it can be a rewarding path.