Going Officer After or Before Enlisted Marine

[7VIIG]

Hello Marines,

It's been a long standing goal of mine to someday hopefully become a U.S. Marine. I have enlisted and awaiting shipping out. But for a long time I have also wanted to become an Infantry Officer in the Corps.

I have been struggling with the question, is it worth the chance to possibly get a college degree and enlist without being an officer as a Junior Marine in his 20s? If I bust my ass academically, community service, recommendations etc to go the PLC route, how likely is it that I have a chance? Also if cut, is there an ability to retry? Or is the decision final? Finally, if I put in max effort and devotion to being a stellar marine for the next 6+ years, how likely is MECEP? I realize nothing is guaranteed in the military, but I would like to have some insight into the inner workings of the Marine Corps.

Any responses would be deeply appreciated, thank you.

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[Tennessee Top]

I was in for 22.6 years. Saw one Sgt I worked with get selected for MECEP (so, it's not likely at all). Know of several who became Warrant Officers.

You can GOOGLE "USMC MECEP" to see the eligibility requirements. Same with the "USMC Warrant Officer Program".

[djj34]

I know 6 MECEP guys. Two were recruiters. Two were drill instructors. Two were Marine of the Year at the battalion level or higher. All of them were Staff Sergeant or higher. The likelihood of MECEP is dismal at best. It's out there, but it's for the truly exceptional Marine. Then you have to be the truly exceptional Marine whose command doesn't want to give up their exceptional Marine. It's a fine line. Most guys I know who went E to O went to USNA, did the ECP (ROTC after getting discharged), or separated completely and did college on their own while doing PLC.

[devilbones2]

I can tell you that 100% of the Marines that I know that applied for MECEP were accepted.

[madsox]

I can tell you that 100% of the Marines that I know that applied for MECEP were accepted.

[Rocky C]

Hahahahahaha,

Jeramy, that was great Brother !

[devilbones2]

Hahahahahaha,

Jeramy, that was great Brother !

Its true. Two Marines from my MOS school went directly to USNA after they completed the course, three Marines from my Platoon that applied were accepted too. Everyone that I know that has applied to be an officer or WO has been accepted and I know one MSgt (Was a SSgt at the time) that was med dropped.