PLC/92-Day Reserve Rundown

[LivinSoFree]

For those of you interested in PLC, officer programs, and those who are weighing their options between the enlisted and officer side, here are a few items that should help you figure things out. When I first enlisted, all I had was hearsay and some moto videos to work off of- here's some down and dirty about the PLC program, OCS, and the differences between OCS and recruit training.

OK, starting point: http://www.marineofficer.com

Google searches for "Marine OCS" "Officer Candidate School" and "PLC" may also yield good results. Also Google "USMC Candidate Regulations" and get a copy of the Candidate Regs, that'll give you a pretty good look at what's going on.

Getting Selected for PLC/Marine Officer Programs

Getting selected is always a nebulous proposition. PLC is the "stopgap valve" whereby the Corps can ratchet up or down it's number of officer accessions. What this means is this: The Corps is going to get a fixed number of new officers from ROTC programs and USNA every year. Those numbers stay more or less the same due to the necessity of keeping those programs active with a certain number of candidates/midshipmen. PLC/OCC/MECEP etc. suffers from no such limitation. As such, they can increase or decrease the number of selections however best fits the needs of the Corps.

That said, I'd also add the following. My OSO has a 100 percent selection rate for the packages that make it to the selection board. This is a direct result of an excellent prescreening process. If you have a good OSO, he'll take a good look at what you're submitting and work with you to get it as competitive as possible- it's in their best interest to hit their quotas with good, strong candidates.

Physically, the minimum PFT to even go to OCS is a 225, with a minimum of 8 pullups, and a 24:00min 3-mile run time. DO NOT take this as the standard to reach. Competitive PFT score for PLC is about a 245 at minimum, and 255 for OCC (for those already possessing a 4-year degree). Again, don't just depend on the minimum. It's in your best interest to be as strong as possible before you go to OCS, both in power and endurance (though I'd recommend the latter as somewhat more important- OCS is like a marathon run at a sprint pace).

Academically, you need a 2.0 GPA minimum to get selected. Surprisingly, this is really not a big deal as far as exceeding the minimum- they're just looking for decent academic progress- they don't expect a bunch of potential Jarheads to be super overachievers in civilian colleges. Though I'd recommend having a good reading habit established, as well as a well-developed ability to write clearly and concisely, using proper spelling and grammar. You also need to hit a certain AFQT score on the ASVAB, I believe it's currently 73, but that may have changed.

Other than that, there's the Moral/Security Clearance type qualifications. No DUIs, no major police involvement, no outstanding traffic tickets, etc. Goes without saying, but don't be openly homosexual, per the homosexual conduct policy. Also in the medical department- if you have any old surgeries/nagging injuries/conditions that require or required in the past a doctor's care/regular medication, make sure they're thoroughly documented, and that you have evaluations from specialists stating that they're NOT any sort of impediment to you being able to perform your duties. If you have any old injuries that are still nagging problems, GET THEM DEALT WITH before you go to OCS. If you have something that's just a nagging problem under regular circumstances, it WILL get aggravated at OCS, and that can lead to your disenrollment for medical reasons, no matter how good of a candidate you are. Keep in mind that after you get commissioned, your first 6 months is going to be spent at The Basic School, which is definitely physically demanding. So even if you squeak by at OCS, you'll feel the pain at TBS, which risks you getting dropped back to Mike Company (the PCP/MRP of TBS).

When you walk in with your rough application, have everything put together and checked over twice, organized and presentable. Attention to detail, initiative counts, and it will be noted by those evaluating you, even at the OSO level. If they ask for 4 character references, get 6. Try to get a good spread, that includes retired military if possible. Get evals from people who have seen you in a leadership role. They're looking for people who have the potential to lead Marines in a high stress environment.

Above all, be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that this is what you want. Go up there dedicated and determined to finish.

Now, all of this is a little flexible. When I applied, I had a substandard PFT (236 on the initial run at OCS). But the rest of my package shined, and that offset it. When I got to OCS, despite my bad initial PFT, the rest of my scores were high, and that kept me in the game long enough to get my PFT up. By the end of the 10 weeks, I had dropped 2:18 off my run time, and picked up 4 pullups.

Initial PFT at OCS: 236
Pullups: 12
Crunches: 100
3 Mile Run: 21:22

Final PFT at OCS: 273
Pullups: 16
Crunches: 100
3 Mile Run: 19:04

If they see you putting out, and I mean with every ounce of effort you've got, making yourself drop from exhaustion instead of quitting, working out on your downtime, and going the extra mile, they'll keep you, even if you're hurting on your physical scores. Your platoon staff has a LOT of pull in determining whether or not to keep or drop a candidate who's on the fence. Convince them that you're worth keeping, and you'll stay. Give them the impression that you're a sh*tbird, and you'll be on a plane before you even knew what hit you.


OCS compared to Recruit Training:

Briefly, here's the difference. Boot Camp is meant to put each recruit into a "Basic Marine" mold. It teaches discipline (defined as "Instant, willing obedience to orders, self-reliance, and teamwork.") It "checks the box" on all the basic skills and qualifications that every Marine must have (rifle qual, PFT, swim qual, gas chamber/NBC quals, MCMAP Tan Belt qual, basic field firing techniques, basic patrolling tactics, drill and ceremonies, uniform wear, history, customs/courtesies, first aid, etc.) and graduates Marines into the fleet or the reserves. It's all about getting hundreds of recruits per company, from just as many different backgrounds, to function as a team and as a Marine in the operating forces. When you graduate recruit training, you will be a Marine, period.

OCS is different. The mission at OCS is to "Train, Screen, and Evaluate candidates to determine whether they possess the physical, intellectual, and moral qualities necessary to serve effectively as company grade officers in the Operating Forces." It's like one big job interview. When you graduate OCS as a PLC candidate, you technically don't even rate the title "Marine" yet, until you accept your commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. You'll go back to college and be expected to maintain your fitness for commissioning with little or no oversight. You are correct that you can decline to accept your commission if you so choose, however, if you took any financial aid, you'll have to either pay it back monetarily or through an enlistment in the Marine Corps.

Boot camp is a 13-week straight shot. OCS as a PLC candidate has 2 different options. If you contract/get selected before the end of your sophomore year, you'll do 2 6-week courses (Juniors/Seniors). One the summer after you get selected, and one the summer after your junior year. If you contract after your sophomore year (as I did), you'll do one 10-week straight shot (Combined). Personally, I'd recommend the 10-week course if you can work it that way. More recovery time (though still not much), and generally a better learning curve.

Differences? OCS is far more about individual effort. Physically speaking, the PT is light-years away harder than at recruit training. You've gotta have a 225 PFT MINIMUM even to qualify for OCS, a 245 is recommended as a minimum competitive score for PLC applicants. You'll PT probably somewhere between 4 and 6 mornings a week, and the only time you'll run on pavement is for your PFTs. You'll run, A LOT, uphill, downhill, sideways, on dirt, through mud, in PT gear, boots 'n utes, with wargear and weapon, and then you'll run some more. Lots of time on the O-Course, endurance course, and the CRT (Combat Readiness Test). Academically, it's a little more challenging than boot camp, but still mostly at a 10th grade level. You'll spend a fair bit of time in classes, covering Marine Corps History, customs/courtesies, uniforms, basic tactics, operations orders and all the misc. subjects that you've gotta cover, like fraternization, sexual harassment, etc.

Another big difference is the mindset. Boot Camp is a "succeed or die trying" kind of place. It's VERY hard, if not damn near impossible to "quit" boot camp. Once you're there, you signed the contract and you're in it for the haul. OCS, on the other hand, you've gotta WANT it, and I mean with every bone in your body, 'cause starting at week 4 for the 10 weekers, and I imagine after week 3 for the 2x6 weekers, you can quit. I mean you can knock on the duty hut hatch, say "DOR" and be on a plane home in less than 48 hours, never to get another chance to return and with a piece of your honor left on Brown Field. It's that easy. OCS is designed to weed out the ones that can't hack it. It's a numbers game too. Everything is evaluated. 25% of your score is academics, 25% physical events, and 50% leadership. Your leadership score is based on evaluations from your "billets," whereby you're placed in a leadership role, from squad leader all the way up to Candidate Company Commander, and evaluated by your staff counterparts (and they are merciless- good luck when you end up as candidate platoon sergeant or candidate company gunnery sergeant). Also, you are evaluated for leadership during SULE I and SULE II (Small Unit Leadership Exercise) which are fireteam and squad sized tactical reaction courses, where you basically end up running through the woods and around Brown Field with your team solving reaction course style and tactical problems rotating through the team leader/squad leader positions, as well as the Leadership Reaction Course (I and II), and Fireteam/Squad in the offense scenarios. Written tests are generally multiple choice, but also include 2 essay style exams for History II and Leadership II. Graded physical events include PFTs, CRT, Endurance Course, and O-Course. All of these evaluations are graded. Anything 83% or below is considered "Marginal" performance and result in a notation in your eval file, and anything below 80% is considered failing, also resulting in a notation in your file. Get more than one of those, and you're in danger of probation and/or disenrollment from the course (ie- you can't hack it, thanks for trying, go home, don't come back). Also, missing too many training days due to light duty/bed rest can result in disenrollment for "Failure to Evaluate," which can send you home, though you may get a second chance the next year at the discretion of the Battallion CO.

Other differences- Boot camp is totally self-contained. At OCS you'll get off on the weekends starting at the end of the 3rd week. You can go to DC, Stafford/Woodbridge (the towns closest to Quantico), and get some time off. It's considered training though- they give you enough leeway to see if you screw up. Integrity is also a BIG thing. I saw candidates disenrolled for unintentionally misreporting their crunch count on their PFT- by 2 reps. DO NOT BE AN INTEGRITY VIOLATOR. It'll get you thrashed in boot camp, but it'll get you thrown out at OCS. IT- At boot camp, if you screw up, expect to pay in sweat. At OCS, expect to pay in sleep- there's no quarterdeck or pit, just 300 word essays. At boot camp you get 8 hours a night and are forced to sleep. At OCS, your 8 hours a night is time to sleep, yes, but also to do EVERYTHING ELSE you need to do for the next day, including prepping/remarking gear, turning over billets, writing assigned essays (300 words, only words with 4 letters or more count, EXACTLY 300 words, on the assigned topic, properly formatted, spelling and grammar counts, each word that counts underlined, numbered, with the number circled. Screw it up, prepare to do it again, along with another essay on "The Importance of Attention to Detail." But at OCS, we as a platoon definitely were a lot tighter than boot camp.

Bottom line, the Corps does NOT want officers who don't want to be there, or who can't perform- we can't afford it when you're putting Marines' lives on the line.

Prior service experience is a major advantage- it'll help you through the course, 'cause you'll already have a handle on the basic subjects taught, as well as the "Marine Mindset," though in later parts of the course, non-prior candidates tend to catch up pretty quick and at times surpass the priors. Prior service also carries the risk of making you overconfident or even arrogant. Don't fall into this trap. I would recommend being a 92-day reservist before going to OCS. Some Marines like to badmouth the 92-day program, but it's a GREAT way to get enlisted experience before you get commissioned, which is invaluable both at OCS and throughout your career as a Marine Officer. Just because you don't go to MOS school right away doesn't mean you can't learn on the fly once you get to your unit. I've been a Comm unit for over 2 years now, never been to MOS school- yet the Marines there have taught me enough to fill multiple books (and it HAS). Take advantage of all the opportunities you can to get where you want to go- if someone tells you no the first time, improvise, adapt, and overcome. It took 3.5 years, 7 medboards, 4 waivers, and 5 denials to get to OCS for me- what do you think that means?

Everyone wants to know about the money, so here goes: Pay at OCS is at the E-5 (Sergeant) level, for all candidates (unless they are E-6 or above due to prior service), with credit for time in service. Good money. This is, of course, taxed, and you WILL spend a substantial amount of it up there at the courses, for gear you need, on your weekends, etc. PLC provides two forms of financial assistance in addition to the pay at OCS, that are available during the school year, contingent upon successfuly maintaining academic and disciplinary standings within the program. The FAP (Financial Assistance Program) program is a stipend- currently available on a competitive basis (but most candidates that want it can get it), in 2 payments of $1575.00 a year, once in the fall, once in the spring. This is a non-taxable, subsistence stipend. Additionally, MCTAP (Marine Corps Tuition Assistance Program) will reimburse you for up to $5600.00 of tuition, books, lab fees, etc. Not housing, so far as I know. IF YOU TAKE THE MONEY- you are obligated, should you disenroll from the program, voluntarily or involuntarily for unfavorable reasons, to reimburse the US Government for the money you took, either through a 2-year enlistment in the Marine Corps, or by direct reimbursement. Also, the FAP stipend adds an additional 6 months to your initial active duty obligation.

What happens after you graduate and get commissioned? For PLC candidates, you will get commissioned at a place and time of your choosing, around the time you recieve your degree (having already completed OCS). This will be coordinated through your OSO. Following that, you will recieve orders to The Basic School for 6 months of training in tactics, weapons systems, administrative and legal topics, history, leadership, etc. Basically everything you need to be a functioning basic 2nd Lieutenant at the Company Level. Based on your performance there, you will be broken down in to 3 groups (top, middle, and bottom 3rd of the class, performance wise), and then ranked within those groups. Then, for MOS assignment, to ensure a quality spread, the top guy from the top group gets first choice, then the top guy from the middle group, then the top guy from the bottom group, then the number 2 guy from the top group, etc. so on, so forth. Now, this isn't completely blind, your instructors at TBS will try to guide you towards MOSes you may be best suited for, and may make adjustments based on any number of factors, but that's generally how it works. Don't intentionally bomb a test to get dropped to the next group, 'cause I guarantee, about 10 other Lieutenants have the same idea. Just do your best. Once MOS assignments are made, you'll go out to your respective MOS schools, then be assigned to a unit in the Operating Forces once you've completed your MOS training pipeline, and it's off you go.

In between OCS and Commisioning, you'll need to maintain academic, physical, legal and moral standards. You'll run a semi-annual PFT, complete a security clearance investigation, file your request for appointment, and request TBS dates. You can be disenrolled for substandard performance or misconduct. Don't let it happen. You also might have a few pool functions, but they're usually pretty fun, and they're not a big committment. Other than that, you have no official committments during the year, unless you are currently a reservist or something of that ilk.

A Brief Note on Reserve Enlistments

Reserve Enlistments work 2 different ways for initial accessions (those with no prior service). There's the "92" and "135" programs, those numbers being technically how long the Corps has to get you through Boot Camp once you ship before you're turned back over to Civilian life. 92-dayers are college types- you must be enrolled in a 4-year college before you can enlist on a 92-day slot. This contract splits up your initial training over your summers. Boot Camp the first summer, then MCT and/or MOS school the next, then the last of the three the third summer if you can't fit them both into the 2nd summer. In between, once you graduate boot camp, you drill with your reserve unit like any other reservist. Deployability is very low, as it requires your MOS to get designated as critical for deployment, then you get active duty orders to MOS school/MCT followed by a deployment. I've never seen it happen. The 135-day option is also known as the Regular Reserve program. This is a straight-through program, the one most commonly taken by those joining straight to the reserve side. Regular reservists do the same initial cycle as active duty: boot camp, 10-day leave, MCT, MOS School, then they check into their unit and are released from active duty, and then drill with their unit (one weekend/month and an AT somewhere during the year, generally 2 weeks, but I've seen longer). At this point you're fully deployable. I watched Marines check into my unit and get handed their activation orders the same day. Or you may never get activated. Just depends on your MOS and the needs of the Marine Corps.

Both programs are eligible for the reserve GI Bill, so long as you do a 6x2 contract (6 years obligated SMCR drilling reserves/2 years Individual Ready Reserve- non-obligated). There is a 4x4 and 2x6 option, but I wouldn't recommend them. Additionally, reservists who are deployed become eligible for REAP, which is a substantial increase in educational benefits. The Reserve GI Bill will increase to approximately 302 dollars a month, 9 months/year, up to 36 months, with an initial 10-year eligibility period. Activation resets the clock on that 10-year period (giving you another 10-year long window to use those benefits). The $302.00 amount is contingent upon you being enrolled full time (12 hours) in an accredited educational institution. For more info on that, google search "Selected Reserve GI Bill."

There is no requirement/minimum drill time for activation. As I said above, I've seen Marines come straight out of MOS school and get activated at their reserve center. However, you must complete 48 "drills" (2 drills = 1 day) a year, in addition to an AT of a minimum of 2 weeks in order to have a "sat year" (satisfactory year- i.e. you've fulfilled your contract obligation to the Corps for that year, barring activation). There're also options to go active duty for any length of time, just depending again on MOS and needs of the Corps.

Good luck to all prospective recruits/candidates, and if you have any other questions, feel free to PM me and we'll get in touch.

[jinelson]

Thank you brother and future sir! You have done an outstanding job putting this together for the officer prospects and hopefully it will answer all their questions. I have made it a sticky so it will always serve as a resource for those that come in the future. Thank you for all your help Meyer you have served as an inspiration for those seeking to follow your path and a source of pride for myself.

Semper Fi

Jim

[devildoghopeful]

Awesome! A great insight into the PLC and what is required, I can't wait! Better start work on my PFT too...

[TylerA23]

I am currently in the DEP for Reserves- I will be a 92 day reservist while attending college, I just had this on my mind, so I thought I'd ask.
If I'm a 92 day reservist and either drop out of College or Flunk out, would I be just switched to Regular Reserves or kicked out of Reserves all together?
I know this isn't really a good thing to be asking but the reason I'm asking is because I personaly don't believe you can accomplish anything unless your whole heart is into it, and my heart really is not set on college, it's set on being a GRUNT.(Honestly I cant/nor do I know why).But my family (yea I know this has been said before) wants me to go to college "and get my education". I agree, but I'd rather just pick it up along the way while serving in the Corps. They want me do it now, and I want to be a Marine, so Reserves looked like to me (hitting 2 birds w/ one stone sorta thing) a happy median, but the more I think about it, and tell people "I'm going to college" it sounds like a lie. So I guess I was just wondering what would happen if I were to flunk out or decide while attending college that it definitely wasn't for me and dropped out, what would happen? all advice and criticism is greatly appreciated. Thanks and God Bless. -Tyler

[LivinSoFree]

OK, so there's a couple issues here:

1- The contract issue. The 92-day (IIADT) Program contract is contingent upon your continued enrollment in a 4-year college. If this ceases to be the case, then you revert to a 135-day (Regular SMCR) contract, and will be immediately assigned to your remaining initial training schools. You will then complete your enlistment as previously contracted.

2- The college issue. Look- I've been there. I was there, up until about 9 months ago when I took a swing at OCS. College, academia, did nothing for me, and still doesn't really float my boat. BUT- it's an admission ticket to a lot of avenues that would otherwise be closed off to you. If you ever want to take a swing at an officer slot, or even be more promotable on the enlisted side, you'll need your degree. If something goes wrong (highly possible as a grunt), and you're not able to continue on in the Corps, that degree could mean the difference between a homeless shelter and a good, fulfilling job on the civilian side. Plus, the education isn't in the classroom. It's in the things you learn about life, about people, about how to deal, that are the real value in a university education. Believe me, it sucks sometimes, but it's worth it. Stick it out, get your feet wet in the reserves, then go active after you're done if you still want to do it. It's a great way to make things happen for yourself.

[TylerA23]

Thank you very much for your reply, and I have decided to go for it. Might as well take advantage of this nearly free education.

[Gaddy46]

Im a 92-day Reservist right now, i have not been receiving any money from the GI Bill, i was told by my recruiter that i would get it. I asked a Staff Sgt in my company about it and he told me i had to go to SOI before receiving it. I have heard people say both sides. Does anyone know for sure? and how i go about getting it?

[LivinSoFree]

The GI Bill is a stepwise process to obtain. I was able to get it after I went to MCT, but I've had Marines who were able to get it before. First, you have to get a "Notice of Basic Eligibility" from your unit (NOBE for short). Your admin section can get you this, and I've not heard anything that says for certain that you have to go to SOI/MCT/MOS School first. Once you get that, take it to the VA liasion at your registrar's office, they'll start the rest of the paperwork for you. Important to note is that you CAN file retroactively going all the way back to your first day of school after you graduated boot camp (it's a nice check). Also note that it takes about 90 days to process all this and start getting your money. After that, just reverify your enrollment every month online, and you'll get your money tax-free, direct deposit.

[devildoghopeful]

Just one question,

I'm intending to go to US college in September of this year and I was wondering; to apply for the PLC so that I attend OCS for the 10 week session between Junior and Senior year, when should I go to a recruiting station? In other words, how far in advance should I start talking with an OSO?

Many thanks,

Alex

[LivinSoFree]

OK, here's your first issue. I notice that you're OCOUNS (Out of Continental United States) in London. Are you an American citizen? In order to become a commissioned officer in the US Military, American citizenship IS a requirement. It is *not* required to enlist, but in order to obtain a commission, it is.

Assuming for the sake of argument that that's not an issue, if you wanted to ensure that you would do the 10 weeks instead of the 2 6-weeks, you would need to start working with the OSO right after you started your Junior year of college. Any earlier, and you'll probably end up doing 2 6-week shots instead.

Also, if you're not an American citizen, check what entry visa will allow you to do, and consider enlisting on the reserve side first, as a way to get acquainted with the Corps, put some enlisted time under your belt, and assist you in obtaining your citizenship, if that's something you're willing to do in order to become a comissioned officer. It sounds like you might have a few hurdles to jump before you get to OCS. Good luck, and feel free to contact me here with any additional questions.

-Meyer

[devildoghopeful]

Thank you LCpl soon to be 2ndLt!

That info was exactly what I was looking for.



-Alex

P.S. I have dual citizenship with the US and UK.

[maysoon]

For those of you interested in PLC, officer programs, and those who are weighing their options between the enlisted and officer side, here are a few items that should help you figure things out. When I first enlisted, all I had was hearsay and some moto videos to work off of- here's some down and dirty about the PLC program, OCS, and the differences between OCS and recruit training.

OK, starting point: http://www.marineofficer.com

Google searches for "Marine OCS" "Officer Candidate School" and "PLC" may also yield good results. Also Google "USMC Candidate Regulations" and get a copy of the Candidate Regs, that'll give you a pretty good look at what's going on.

Getting Selected for PLC/Marine Officer Programs

Getting selected is always a nebulous proposition. PLC is the "stopgap valve" whereby the Corps can ratchet up or down it's number of officer accessions. What this means is this: The Corps is going to get a fixed number of new officers from ROTC programs and USNA every year. Those numbers stay more or less the same due to the necessity of keeping those programs active with a certain number of candidates/midshipmen. PLC/OCC/MECEP etc. suffers from no such limitation. As such, they can increase or decrease the number of selections however best fits the needs of the Corps.

That said, I'd also add the following. My OSO has a 100 percent selection rate for the packages that make it to the selection board. This is a direct result of an excellent prescreening process. If you have a good OSO, he'll take a good look at what you're submitting and work with you to get it as competitive as possible- it's in their best interest to hit their quotas with good, strong candidates.

Physically, the minimum PFT to even go to OCS is a 225, with a minimum of 8 pullups, and a 24:00min 3-mile run time. DO NOT take this as the standard to reach. Competitive PFT score for PLC is about a 245 at minimum, and 255 for OCC (for those already possessing a 4-year degree). Again, don't just depend on the minimum. It's in your best interest to be as strong as possible before you go to OCS, both in power and endurance (though I'd recommend the latter as somewhat more important- OCS is like a marathon run at a sprint pace).

Academically, you need a 2.0 GPA minimum to get selected. Surprisingly, this is really not a big deal as far as exceeding the minimum- they're just looking for decent academic progress- they don't expect a bunch of potential Jarheads to be super overachievers in civilian colleges. Though I'd recommend having a good reading habit established, as well as a well-developed ability to write clearly and concisely, using proper spelling and grammar. You also need to hit a certain AFQT score on the ASVAB, I believe it's currently 73, but that may have changed.

Other than that, there's the Moral/Security Clearance type qualifications. No DUIs, no major police involvement, no outstanding traffic tickets, etc. Goes without saying, but don't be openly homosexual, per the homosexual conduct policy. Also in the medical department- if you have any old surgeries/nagging injuries/conditions that require or required in the past a doctor's care/regular medication, make sure they're thoroughly documented, and that you have evaluations from specialists stating that they're NOT any sort of impediment to you being able to perform your duties. If you have any old injuries that are still nagging problems, GET THEM DEALT WITH before you go to OCS. If you have something that's just a nagging problem under regular circumstances, it WILL get aggravated at OCS, and that can lead to your disenrollment for medical reasons, no matter how good of a candidate you are. Keep in mind that after you get commissioned, your first 6 months is going to be spent at The Basic School, which is definitely physically demanding. So even if you squeak by at OCS, you'll feel the pain at TBS, which risks you getting dropped back to Mike Company (the PCP/MRP of TBS).

When you walk in with your rough application, have everything put together and checked over twice, organized and presentable. Attention to detail, initiative counts, and it will be noted by those evaluating you, even at the OSO level. If they ask for 4 character references, get 6. Try to get a good spread, that includes retired military if possible. Get evals from people who have seen you in a leadership role. They're looking for people who have the potential to lead Marines in a high stress environment.

Above all, be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that this is what you want. Go up there dedicated and determined to finish.

Now, all of this is a little flexible. When I applied, I had a substandard PFT (236 on the initial run at OCS). But the rest of my package shined, and that offset it. When I got to OCS, despite my bad initial PFT, the rest of my scores were high, and that kept me in the game long enough to get my PFT up. By the end of the 10 weeks, I had dropped 2:18 off my run time, and picked up 4 pullups.

Initial PFT at OCS: 236
Pullups: 12
Crunches: 100
3 Mile Run: 21:22

Final PFT at OCS: 273
Pullups: 16
Crunches: 100
3 Mile Run: 19:04

If they see you putting out, and I mean with every ounce of effort you've got, making yourself drop from exhaustion instead of quitting, working out on your downtime, and going the extra mile, they'll keep you, even if you're hurting on your physical scores. Your platoon staff has a LOT of pull in determining whether or not to keep or drop a candidate who's on the fence. Convince them that you're worth keeping, and you'll stay. Give them the impression that you're a sh*tbird, and you'll be on a plane before you even knew what hit you.


OCS compared to Recruit Training:

Briefly, here's the difference. Boot Camp is meant to put each recruit into a "Basic Marine" mold. It teaches discipline (defined as "Instant, willing obedience to orders, self-reliance, and teamwork.") It "checks the box" on all the basic skills and qualifications that every Marine must have (rifle qual, PFT, swim qual, gas chamber/NBC quals, MCMAP Tan Belt qual, basic field firing techniques, basic patrolling tactics, drill and ceremonies, uniform wear, history, customs/courtesies, first aid, etc.) and graduates Marines into the fleet or the reserves. It's all about getting hundreds of recruits per company, from just as many different backgrounds, to function as a team and as a Marine in the operating forces. When you graduate recruit training, you will be a Marine, period.

OCS is different. The mission at OCS is to "Train, Screen, and Evaluate candidates to determine whether they possess the physical, intellectual, and moral qualities necessary to serve effectively as company grade officers in the Operating Forces." It's like one big job interview. When you graduate OCS as a PLC candidate, you technically don't even rate the title "Marine" yet, until you accept your commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. You'll go back to college and be expected to maintain your fitness for commissioning with little or no oversight. You are correct that you can decline to accept your commission if you so choose, however, if you took any financial aid, you'll have to either pay it back monetarily or through an enlistment in the Marine Corps.

Boot camp is a 13-week straight shot. OCS as a PLC candidate has 2 different options. If you contract/get selected before the end of your sophomore year, you'll do 2 6-week courses (Juniors/Seniors). One the summer after you get selected, and one the summer after your junior year. If you contract after your sophomore year (as I did), you'll do one 10-week straight shot (Combined). Personally, I'd recommend the 10-week course if you can work it that way. More recovery time (though still not much), and generally a better learning curve.

Differences? OCS is far more about individual effort. Physically speaking, the PT is light-years away harder than at recruit training. You've gotta have a 225 PFT MINIMUM even to qualify for OCS, a 245 is recommended as a minimum competitive score for PLC applicants. You'll PT probably somewhere between 4 and 6 mornings a week, and the only time you'll run on pavement is for your PFTs. You'll run, A LOT, uphill, downhill, sideways, on dirt, through mud, in PT gear, boots 'n utes, with wargear and weapon, and then you'll run some more. Lots of time on the O-Course, endurance course, and the CRT (Combat Readiness Test). Academically, it's a little more challenging than boot camp, but still mostly at a 10th grade level. You'll spend a fair bit of time in classes, covering Marine Corps History, customs/courtesies, uniforms, basic tactics, operations orders and all the misc. subjects that you've gotta cover, like fraternization, sexual harassment, etc.

Another big difference is the mindset. Boot Camp is a "succeed or die trying" kind of place. It's VERY hard, if not damn near impossible to "quit" boot camp. Once you're there, you signed the contract and you're in it for the haul. OCS, on the other hand, you've gotta WANT it, and I mean with every bone in your body, 'cause starting at week 4 for the 10 weekers, and I imagine after week 3 for the 2x6 weekers, you can quit. I mean you can knock on the duty hut hatch, say "DOR" and be on a plane home in less than 48 hours, never to get another chance to return and with a piece of your honor left on Brown Field. It's that easy. OCS is designed to weed out the ones that can't hack it. It's a numbers game too. Everything is evaluated. 25% of your score is academics, 25% physical events, and 50% leadership. Your leadership score is based on evaluations from your "billets," whereby you're placed in a leadership role, from squad leader all the way up to Candidate Company Commander, and evaluated by your staff counterparts (and they are merciless- good luck when you end up as candidate platoon sergeant or candidate company gunnery sergeant). Also, you are evaluated for leadership during SULE I and SULE II (Small Unit Leadership Exercise) which are fireteam and squad sized tactical reaction courses, where you basically end up running through the woods and around Brown Field with your team solving reaction course style and tactical problems rotating through the team leader/squad leader positions, as well as the Leadership Reaction Course (I and II), and Fireteam/Squad in the offense scenarios. Written tests are generally multiple choice, but also include 2 essay style exams for History II and Leadership II. Graded physical events include PFTs, CRT, Endurance Course, and O-Course. All of these evaluations are graded. Anything 83% or below is considered "Marginal" performance and result in a notation in your eval file, and anything below 80% is considered failing, also resulting in a notation in your file. Get more than one of those, and you're in danger of probation and/or disenrollment from the course (ie- you can't hack it, thanks for trying, go home, don't come back). Also, missing too many training days due to light duty/bed rest can result in disenrollment for "Failure to Evaluate," which can send you home, though you may get a second chance the next year at the discretion of the Battallion CO.

Other differences- Boot camp is totally self-contained. At OCS you'll get off on the weekends starting at the end of the 3rd week. You can go to DC, Stafford/Woodbridge (the towns closest to Quantico), and get some time off. It's considered training though- they give you enough leeway to see if you screw up. Integrity is also a BIG thing. I saw candidates disenrolled for unintentionally misreporting their crunch count on their PFT- by 2 reps. DO NOT BE AN INTEGRITY VIOLATOR. It'll get you thrashed in boot camp, but it'll get you thrown out at OCS. IT- At boot camp, if you screw up, expect to pay in sweat. At OCS, expect to pay in sleep- there's no quarterdeck or pit, just 300 word essays. At boot camp you get 8 hours a night and are forced to sleep. At OCS, your 8 hours a night is time to sleep, yes, but also to do EVERYTHING ELSE you need to do for the next day, including prepping/remarking gear, turning over billets, writing assigned essays (300 words, only words with 4 letters or more count, EXACTLY 300 words, on the assigned topic, properly formatted, spelling and grammar counts, each word that counts underlined, numbered, with the number circled. Screw it up, prepare to do it again, along with another essay on "The Importance of Attention to Detail." But at OCS, we as a platoon definitely were a lot tighter than boot camp.

Bottom line, the Corps does NOT want officers who don't want to be there, or who can't perform- we can't afford it when you're putting Marines' lives on the line.

Prior service experience is a major advantage- it'll help you through the course, 'cause you'll already have a handle on the basic subjects taught, as well as the "Marine Mindset," though in later parts of the course, non-prior candidates tend to catch up pretty quick and at times surpass the priors. Prior service also carries the risk of making you overconfident or even arrogant. Don't fall into this trap. I would recommend being a 92-day reservist before going to OCS. Some Marines like to badmouth the 92-day program, but it's a GREAT way to get enlisted experience before you get commissioned, which is invaluable both at OCS and throughout your career as a Marine Officer. Just because you don't go to MOS school right away doesn't mean you can't learn on the fly once you get to your unit. I've been a Comm unit for over 2 years now, never been to MOS school- yet the Marines there have taught me enough to fill multiple books (and it HAS). Take advantage of all the opportunities you can to get where you want to go- if someone tells you no the first time, improvise, adapt, and overcome. It took 3.5 years, 7 medboards, 4 waivers, and 5 denials to get to OCS for me- what do you think that means?

Everyone wants to know about the money, so here goes: Pay at OCS is at the E-5 (Sergeant) level, for all candidates (unless they are E-6 or above due to prior service), with credit for time in service. Good money. This is, of course, taxed, and you WILL spend a substantial amount of it up there at the courses, for gear you need, on your weekends, etc. PLC provides two forms of financial assistance in addition to the pay at OCS, that are available during the school year, contingent upon successfuly maintaining academic and disciplinary standings within the program. The FAP (Financial Assistance Program) program is a stipend- currently available on a competitive basis (but most candidates that want it can get it), in 2 payments of $1575.00 a year, once in the fall, once in the spring. This is a non-taxable, subsistence stipend. Additionally, MCTAP (Marine Corps Tuition Assistance Program) will reimburse you for up to $5600.00 of tuition, books, lab fees, etc. Not housing, so far as I know. IF YOU TAKE THE MONEY- you are obligated, should you disenroll from the program, voluntarily or involuntarily for unfavorable reasons, to reimburse the US Government for the money you took, either through a 2-year enlistment in the Marine Corps, or by direct reimbursement. Also, the FAP stipend adds an additional 6 months to your initial active duty obligation.

What happens after you graduate and get commissioned? For PLC candidates, you will get commissioned at a place and time of your choosing, around the time you recieve your degree (having already completed OCS). This will be coordinated through your OSO. Following that, you will recieve orders to The Basic School for 6 months of training in tactics, weapons systems, administrative and legal topics, history, leadership, etc. Basically everything you need to be a functioning basic 2nd Lieutenant at the Company Level. Based on your performance there, you will be broken down in to 3 groups (top, middle, and bottom 3rd of the class, performance wise), and then ranked within those groups. Then, for MOS assignment, to ensure a quality spread, the top guy from the top group gets first choice, then the top guy from the middle group, then the top guy from the bottom group, then the number 2 guy from the top group, etc. so on, so forth. Now, this isn't completely blind, your instructors at TBS will try to guide you towards MOSes you may be best suited for, and may make adjustments based on any number of factors, but that's generally how it works. Don't intentionally bomb a test to get dropped to the next group, 'cause I guarantee, about 10 other Lieutenants have the same idea. Just do your best. Once MOS assignments are made, you'll go out to your respective MOS schools, then be assigned to a unit in the Operating Forces once you've completed your MOS training pipeline, and it's off you go.

In between OCS and Commisioning, you'll need to maintain academic, physical, legal and moral standards. You'll run a semi-annual PFT, complete a security clearance investigation, file your request for appointment, and request TBS dates. You can be disenrolled for substandard performance or misconduct. Don't let it happen. You also might have a few pool functions, but they're usually pretty fun, and they're not a big committment. Other than that, you have no official committments during the year, unless you are currently a reservist or something of that ilk.

A Brief Note on Reserve Enlistments

Reserve Enlistments work 2 different ways for initial accessions (those with no prior service). There's the "92" and "135" programs, those numbers being technically how long the Corps has to get you through Boot Camp once you ship before you're turned back over to Civilian life. 92-dayers are college types- you must be enrolled in a 4-year college before you can enlist on a 92-day slot. This contract splits up your initial training over your summers. Boot Camp the first summer, then MCT and/or MOS school the next, then the last of the three the third summer if you can't fit them both into the 2nd summer. In between, once you graduate boot camp, you drill with your reserve unit like any other reservist. Deployability is very low, as it requires your MOS to get designated as critical for deployment, then you get active duty orders to MOS school/MCT followed by a deployment. I've never seen it happen. The 135-day option is also known as the Regular Reserve program. This is a straight-through program, the one most commonly taken by those joining straight to the reserve side. Regular reservists do the same initial cycle as active duty: boot camp, 10-day leave, MCT, MOS School, then they check into their unit and are released from active duty, and then drill with their unit (one weekend/month and an AT somewhere during the year, generally 2 weeks, but I've seen longer). At this point you're fully deployable. I watched Marines check into my unit and get handed their activation orders the same day. Or you may never get activated. Just depends on your MOS and the needs of the Marine Corps.

Both programs are eligible for the reserve GI Bill, so long as you do a 6x2 contract (6 years obligated SMCR drilling reserves/2 years Individual Ready Reserve- non-obligated). There is a 4x4 and 2x6 option, but I wouldn't recommend them. Additionally, reservists who are deployed become eligible for REAP, which is a substantial increase in educational benefits. The Reserve GI Bill will increase to approximately 302 dollars a month, 9 months/year, up to 36 months, with an initial 10-year eligibility period. Activation resets the clock on that 10-year period (giving you another 10-year long window to use those benefits). The $302.00 amount is contingent upon you being enrolled full time (12 hours) in an accredited educational institution. For more info on that, google search "Selected Reserve GI Bill."

There is no requirement/minimum drill time for activation. As I said above, I've seen Marines come straight out of MOS school and get activated at their reserve center. However, you must complete 48 "drills" (2 drills = 1 day) a year, in addition to an AT of a minimum of 2 weeks in order to have a "sat year" (satisfactory year- i.e. you've fulfilled your contract obligation to the Corps for that year, barring activation). There're also options to go active duty for any length of time, just depending again on MOS and needs of the Corps.

Good luck to all prospective recruits/candidates, and if you have any other questions, feel free to PM me and we'll get in touch.

Hi, I really appreciated this. I want to know, if lets say, I pass OCS, accept my commission as a second lieutenant, and then fail TBS, do I still have my butter bar, or do I lose my commission? Do I then take the option of being demoted as an NCO? What happens?

[maysoon]

Thank you LCpl soon to be 2ndLt!

That info was exactly what I was looking for.



-Alex

P.S. I have dual citizenship with the US and UK.

Being also British, how does it feel to not be full independent? How would the appreciation of the declaration of independence be reduced being English also? Would you say you feel like a CANADIAN? being half/half? How to the British feel about the US Marines? Are they their sentiments comparable to the Canadians? We had an Irish 3 star private named Celtic Tiger who wanted to become a US Marine.

How would you fellow pooles feel as proud Americans to be lead by a British officer? I know Canada being loyalists still love Britain more, and have only positive sentiments of the UK.

[devildoghopeful]

Well my Dad is American, my mother is British. The issue of where my loyalties lie has never been a big one. I have lived in the UK all my life, and yet I have always felt that the US is my home. For example, whenever I visit the US (which is quite often - I'm going to Philadelphia this weekend for a college interview), I always feel so much more comfortable there, and especially around the people. Even though I stand out due to my British accent (rarely a bad thing, it actually seems to be rather popular with the ladies), I experience a strong sense of belonging. So in answer to your question, I don't feel like a Canadian. I feel totally 100% AMERICAN and am darn proud of it.

How do the British feel about the US Marines? Good question. To be honest, its mainly negative amongst people my age, but that's only because now its fashionable to hate America/GW Bush/Capitalism/Freedom etc. People not my age: the only example I have is of a Royal Marine squaddie (enlisted personell). I was taking a cadet Amphibious Training course with the Royals at RM Poole (one of their bases). We had free time and had squared away all our stuff and were just relaxing around the base, some in the living area (squadbay) and some outside. A friend of mine and I got into a conversation with this Royal Marine (who can't have been much older than me) and he was talking about his time in Iraq in 2003. Eventually he asks us if we're planning to join the military. My friend answers in the affirmative, saying he wants to join the British Army. I say, "well actually, I'm to join the US Marines". The sqaddie just nods quitely, and I could tell he was holding something back so I said, "what do you think? Any opinions would be much appreciated". To which he replied with a grin: "Don't join the US Marines, I served with them in Iraq and Afghanistan...buch of fu***ing cowboys!"

Now I HAVE to join the USMC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aviator101]

"I served with them in Iraq and Afghanistan...buch of fu***ing cowboys!"

I love that quote devildoghopeful. That just made my day and gave me a quick shot of moto.