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MarinesCombat ArmsRank #37 of 101 by 4-year cost
0341

Mortarman

28-week pipeline · Recruit Training + MCT + SOI/ITB · MCRD + Camp Geiger, NC
Training Pipeline
$42K
28 weeks
Annual MILPERS
$63K
E-4, 3 years service
Equipment Burden
$10K
per year (amortized)
4-Year Total Cost
$334K
DoD investment
4-Year Cost Breakdown
Training Pipeline
$42K13%
Military Personnel (MILPERS × 4yr)
$254K76%
Equipment Burden (× 4yr)
$38K11%
Training: 13% · MILPERS: 76% · Equipment: 11%= $334K
By the Numbers

Mortars are the infantry battalion commander's personal artillery. 0341s provide organic indirect fires that no other infantry weapons system can replicate — and operate in Marine formations that routinely deploy without artillery support.

Training Pipeline
Duration
28 weeks
Type
Recruit Training + MCT + SOI/ITB
Location
MCRD + Camp Geiger, NC
Pipeline Cost
$42K

Marine mortarmen operate the 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar systems. The 120mm Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) can strike targets 7km away from a helicopter-transportable platform.

Equipment & Annual Burden
Assigned Equipment
  • ·M224 60mm Mortar ($13K)
  • ·M252 81mm Mortar ($23K)
  • ·EFSS 120mm System
  • ·Fire Control Equipment
  • ·M4A1 Carbine
Annual Equipment Burden
$10K/yr
Three mortar systems amortized across battery crew
Military Personnel Cost (Annual)
Grade BenchmarkE-4, 3 years service
Base MILPERS$63K/yr
Total Annual MILPERS$63K/yr
Force Structure Context
Annual Accessions~1,000
Avg Career Length5 years
Annual Training Bill$42.0M
Total Force 4yr Cost$333.5M
Other Marines Profiles

Cost estimates derived from DoD Comptroller per-soldier analysis, RAND Corporation military personnel studies, CBO military compensation reports, service-specific training cost testimony, and published equipment unit costs. Error margin ±15%. Individual costs vary by duty station, assignment, and deployment tempo. This is Phase 3 of the Honest MOS DoD Budget Intelligence Roadmap.