ASVAB Score for Infantry: Army and Marine Requirements
What 11X and 03XX contracts actually require, and why higher still helps
July 2, 2026
Army infantry (11X, which becomes 11B Infantryman or 11C Indirect Fire Infantryman) requires a Combat (CO) line score of 87 [NOTE: verify current 11X requirement]. Marine Corps infantry (03XX, including 0311 Rifleman, 0331 Machine Gunner, and 0341 Mortarman) requires a General Technical (GT) score of 90 [NOTE: verify current 03XX requirements]. Both branches also require you to clear the enlistment minimum, an AFQT of 31 with a high school diploma [NOTE: verify current minimums].
What ASVAB score do you need for Army infantry?
The Army screens infantry candidates with the CO line score, calculated from Arithmetic Reasoning, Auto and Shop Information, and Mechanical Comprehension (the formula is listed as AR+CS+AS+MC, with CS being a legacy Coding Speed component) [NOTE: verify current CO formula and whether CS still applies]. You need a CO of 87 or higher for an 11X contract [NOTE: verify].
Notice what feeds that score. Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension do not touch it. A recruit who is average verbally but solid at math and comfortable with tools and machines can clear the CO bar without much trouble. If you have never studied auto or shop material, that subtest is usually the fastest place to pick up points, because it rewards straightforward factual knowledge.
What ASVAB score do you need for Marine Corps infantry?
The Marine Corps uses the GT score, which combines Verbal Expression (Word Knowledge plus Paragraph Comprehension) and Arithmetic Reasoning. The baseline infantry jobs sit at GT 90, and a few specialized infantry roles ask for more.
| Marine MOS | Job title | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 0311 | Rifleman | GT ≥ 90 |
| 0331 | Machine Gunner | GT ≥ 90 |
| 0341 | Mortarman | GT ≥ 90 |
| 0313 | LAV Crewman | GT ≥ 90 |
| 0352 | Anti-Tank Missile Gunner | GT ≥ 100 |
| 0321 | Reconnaissance Marine | GT ≥ 105 |
[NOTE: verify current USMC infantry GT requirements before publishing]
Because GT is built entirely from verbal and arithmetic subtests, Marine infantry prep looks different from Army infantry prep. Reading comprehension and word problems are the whole game.
How do Army and Marine infantry requirements compare?
| Army 11X | Marine 03XX | |
|---|---|---|
| Line score used | CO ≥ 87 [NOTE: verify] | GT ≥ 90 [NOTE: verify] |
| Subtests that count | AR, AS, MC (plus legacy CS) | WK, PC, AR |
| Minimum AFQT to enlist | 31 [NOTE: verify] | 31 [NOTE: verify] |
| Best prep focus | Word problems, auto/shop facts, mechanical principles | Vocabulary, reading, word problems |
Neither bar is high compared to technical jobs. Army air traffic control needs ST 101 and many Army aviation maintenance jobs need MM 104, so the infantry threshold is deliberately reachable. That is by design, since infantry selects heavily on physical standards and training performance rather than test scores.
If infantry scores are low, why bother scoring higher?
Because the score bar and the competition are two different things. Infantry contracts with extras attached, like an Airborne slot or an Option 40 contract with a shot at Ranger Assessment and Selection, are limited, and recruiters and counselors fill them from the candidates in front of them. A stronger ASVAB makes you an easier yes when those contracts are on the table [NOTE: verify current Option 40 availability practices].
Higher scores also protect your future options. If you decide to reclass to another MOS later, apply for a special operations pipeline, or put in a warrant officer packet, your original line scores follow you. Retaking the ASVAB while on active duty is possible but harder to arrange than studying now. Scoring 30 points above the infantry minimum costs you a few weeks of prep and can save you a retest years down the road.
ASVABDRILL is an ASVAB practice test platform focused on AFQT improvement, built for military recruits, covering ASVAB, PiCAT, and verification-style practice. If infantry is your goal, use per-subtest results to confirm you clear CO or GT with margin instead of just watching the overall number.
FAQ
What AFQT score do you need for infantry?
You need the branch enlistment minimum, 31 for both the Army and Marine Corps with a high school diploma [NOTE: verify]. The AFQT gets you into the service, and the line score (CO for Army, GT for Marines) gets you the infantry contract.
Is the ASVAB score for infantry lower than other jobs?
Generally yes. Infantry line score requirements sit near the bottom of each branch’s job list because the role screens on physical and field performance instead. Technical fields like electronics, intelligence, and aviation maintenance ask for noticeably more.
Can you choose infantry with a minimum ASVAB score?
If you clear the AFQT minimum and the infantry line score, you are eligible, but eligibility does not guarantee the contract you want. Slots vary by month and by recruiting station, and candidates with stronger scores have more leverage on contract extras.
What is the difference between 11X and 11B?
11X is the enlistment option, not a final job. You sign an 11X contract, complete One Station Unit Training, and the Army designates you 11B (Infantryman) or 11C (Indirect Fire Infantryman) during training.
Related reading
- ASVAB scores explained for how line scores like CO and GT are built
- Army ASVAB score requirements for Army-wide minimums
- Marines ASVAB score requirements for Marine Corps minimums
- ASVAB practice test for the Army to drill the subtests behind the CO score
Get your baseline before you talk numbers with a recruiter. Take a full-length ASVAB practice test and see where your CO and GT scores stand today.