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thedrifter
07-20-07, 06:52 AM
Navy officer programs now open to Marines
Lance Cpl. David Rogers

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa (July 20, 2007) -- Enlisted Marines and sailors interested in becoming commissioned officers in the Navy medical field may find a unique window of opportunity at the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa's career fair Aug. 15, hospital officials said.

Hospital representatives will provide information and answer questions about career opportunities to include two programs designed to commission enlisted personnel in the medical field. The programs just opened to Marines last year, according to Petty Officer 1st Class Ralph Montgomery, the hospital's command career counselor.

The Navy Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program and Navy Medical Service Corps In-Service Procurement Program provide paths for active-duty Marines and sailors to obtain bachelor's degrees and commissions in the Navy, according to Montgomery.

Those who qualify for the NMECP or the MSC IPP will remain on active-duty and receive complete pay and allowances while attending school as full-time students to earn a qualifying degree in their chosen medical field, according to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction 1420.1A.

NMECP allows participants to earn a commission in the Navy Nurse Corps. IPP allows participants to be commissioned in the following Navy Medical Service Corps Fields: health care administration, environmental health, industrial hygiene, entomology, pharmacy, physician assistant and radiation health.

Capt. Patrick Haines, the first-term alignment plan officer for Headquarters Marine Corps' Enlisted Retention Section, advises Marines who are

considering applying for one of the programs to consider a few things first.

Accepted Marines will have to make a service transfer to the Navy. Those selected must agree to commit six years of additional obligated service. They should also be prepared for the challenges of academia while earning a degree as a full-time student.

"You'll be on your own," Haines said. "So it will be up to you to go to school and get things done."

The programs have already attracted the attention of Marines on Okinawa. Pfc. Christina Givens, a military policeman with Camp Foster's Provost Marshal's Office, said she wanted a medical career long before joining the Marine Corps but couldn't put herself through school and continue to pay her bills. She joined the Marine Corps planning to balance her military career with college. Givens said the program is a perfect fit for her, and she plans to apply.

"I like the Marine Corps, but my life has to come back to what I eventually want to do for a career," Givens said.

Applicants for both programs must be U.S. citizens and eligible for a secret clearance.

NMECP applicants must possess a minimum of 30 transferable college credits and have three years of obligated service - the maximum amount of time students will be given to earn a degree - remaining on their enlistment contract.

MSC IPP requires varying amounts of college credits depending on the field selected. Applicants must be at least an E-5.

Anyone interested in more information on specific requirements and participation instructions can reference Marine Administrative Message 398/07 or call Montgomery at 643-7649.

Ellie