thedrifter
05-17-06, 08:35 AM
U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii (May 16, 2006) -- One of the many opportunities offered to active duty and active reserve enlisted Marines is the chance to earn a commission and become a Marine officer.
The most common program enlisted Marines use to transition from enlisted to officer is the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, according to Gunnery Sgt. Benjamin Dillon, the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific career retention specialist.
“The program offers qualified Marines the chance to go to a four-year college full-time, while maintaining active duty status and pay,” said Dillon.
To be eligible for MECEP, a Marine must be between the ages of 20 and 26. They must score at least 1,000 on the Scholastic Assessment Test, 40 on the American College Test or a 74 on the Armed Forces Qualification Test, according to Marine Administrative message 152/06.
A 500-word essay is also required of Marines applying for MECEP.
The essay is used to determine the Marine’s ability to communicate, and the reason they want to become a Marine Corps officer.
Once the initial requirements are met, the Marine must submit their package to the Marine Corps Recruiting Command by Jan. 31 of the year applying.
“Submitting a package is a long process, but because it is such a long process and so thorough, it helps the people reviewing the package to make a more informed decision on who is best suited to be an officer,” said Cpl. Kurtis Adams, computer repair technician, MARFORPAC G-6 and a recently accepted applicant to MECEP.
The package must include proficiency and conduct marks, a medical evaluation, a history of education, letters of recommendation, and anything else that could impact an applicant’s acceptance.
Applicants participate in a series of informal boards held by officers who review their application and interview the Marine.
Once the Marine has been accepted into MECEP, he must go to a preparation school at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, so the Marine can adjust to college-level learning.
After the prep school has been completed, the Marine begins their study at the four-year accredited school of their choice and be on their way to becoming a Marine Corps Officer.
Once schooling has been completed, the Marine then receives orders to the Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va., where, on completion, they will receive a commission as a 2nd Lt.
“The MECEP program is a great way to go from enlisted to officer,” said Adams. “It gives you the opportunity to go to school, stay on active duty and get a commission when you’re done. To me, that seems like great deal.”
Ellie
The most common program enlisted Marines use to transition from enlisted to officer is the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, according to Gunnery Sgt. Benjamin Dillon, the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific career retention specialist.
“The program offers qualified Marines the chance to go to a four-year college full-time, while maintaining active duty status and pay,” said Dillon.
To be eligible for MECEP, a Marine must be between the ages of 20 and 26. They must score at least 1,000 on the Scholastic Assessment Test, 40 on the American College Test or a 74 on the Armed Forces Qualification Test, according to Marine Administrative message 152/06.
A 500-word essay is also required of Marines applying for MECEP.
The essay is used to determine the Marine’s ability to communicate, and the reason they want to become a Marine Corps officer.
Once the initial requirements are met, the Marine must submit their package to the Marine Corps Recruiting Command by Jan. 31 of the year applying.
“Submitting a package is a long process, but because it is such a long process and so thorough, it helps the people reviewing the package to make a more informed decision on who is best suited to be an officer,” said Cpl. Kurtis Adams, computer repair technician, MARFORPAC G-6 and a recently accepted applicant to MECEP.
The package must include proficiency and conduct marks, a medical evaluation, a history of education, letters of recommendation, and anything else that could impact an applicant’s acceptance.
Applicants participate in a series of informal boards held by officers who review their application and interview the Marine.
Once the Marine has been accepted into MECEP, he must go to a preparation school at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, so the Marine can adjust to college-level learning.
After the prep school has been completed, the Marine begins their study at the four-year accredited school of their choice and be on their way to becoming a Marine Corps Officer.
Once schooling has been completed, the Marine then receives orders to the Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va., where, on completion, they will receive a commission as a 2nd Lt.
“The MECEP program is a great way to go from enlisted to officer,” said Adams. “It gives you the opportunity to go to school, stay on active duty and get a commission when you’re done. To me, that seems like great deal.”
Ellie