What on earth would I know about getting infantry? A bit, actually. Let's be real, a ton of you want to join the Marines because you want to go infantry. I have some good news for you. There are a large number of slots per company for infantry, the most out of all the MOS. However, Infantry Officer Course is very rigorous and has a high attrition rate. This means that your SPC will only send you if they think you have a good chance at making it through. You're in luck though, because a lot of this is within your control. Out of all the MOS, I really think that the tier system matters the least here. If I were first in the company and I put infantry first, my SPC would NEVER send me. There was a guy in my squad, that no matter his ranking, they were sending him to IOC. He was that good.
My platoon graduated 50 people, 9 went to IOC. (All graduated). Other platoons had higher numbers. I think one platoon sent like 18 out of 50 people. All the people in my platoon that went to IOC, I would trust with my life, and I can't say that for everyone.
Tips for being sent to IOC:
Be in great physical shape. I'm not kidding. Don't fall out of hikes, don't fail PT events. Excel. Look up the test requirements at the fitness center and crush them.
Have a good command presence. Don't shy away from tasks.
Get to know your SPC and let them know about your career aspirations.
Ask your SPC to give you high-level tactical billets.
Don't go internal in the field.
Be trustworthy and dependable. The staff needs to know that you will be the best choice in life or death scenarios for Junior Marines, and all Marines.
Volunteer for STEX. Not a done deal, but this will give you practice for the field.
Be the Marine that people look up to.
It won't matter if your SPC is infantry or not. But if your SPC is not infantry, absolutely reach out to the infantry SPCs and ask them questions.
If you are female, and you think you have what it takes, go for it. There are currently three women that graduated IOC, one this past fall (2020). Some are there now.
Obviously these are all things that every Marine should do, but these are things that will help you more with getting infantry, as there are more spots and your SPC needs to know you will succeed.
Good luck!!!!