PLC/92-Day Reserve Rundown

[gwladgarwr]

Any interested poolees, Reservists, AD Marines, and college juniors may want to read this recent MARADMIN concerning two new Reserve commissioning programs (programs for officers in the SMCR who drill only once a month) - prior service Marines like me who still drill may really want to consider these two new programs.) Believe me - I may be pretty old, but it may not be too late. Any questions - just ask.

Sgt gw

http://www.usmc.mil/maradmins/maradm...b?OpenDocument

MARADMIN 571/06
Date signed: 12/04/2006 MARADMIN Number: 571/06
RESERVE OFFICER COMMISSIONING PROGRAMS

Subject:

R 041554Z DEC 06
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(UC)
TO AL MARADMIN(UC)
UNCLASSIFIED//
MARADMIN 571/06
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA//
SUBJ/RESERVE OFFICER COMMISSIONING PROGRAMS//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/CMC 1040.10L/YMD: 18JUN2004/-//
REF/B/MSGID: LTR/CMC 06-06/DTD 20OCT2006/-//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/CMC 1040.43A/YMD: 02MAY2000/-//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/CMC P1100.73B/YMD: 29SEP1989/-//
NARR/REF (A) IS MCO 1040R.10L RESERVE ENLISTED COMMISSIONING PROGRAM (RECP).
REF (B) IS CMC WHITE LETTER 06-06 RESERVE OFFICER COMMISSIONING AND AFFILIATION
PROGRAMS. REF (C) IS MCO 1040.43A ENLISTED-TO-OFFICER COMMISSIONING
PROGRAMS. REF (D) IS MCO P1100.73B MPPM OFFICER PROCUREMENT //
POC/ACKISS E.L./LTCOL/-/LOC:HQMC (RAP)/TEL:703-784-9136/EMAIL:
ERNEST.ACKISS@USMC.MIL//
POC/J.F.SCHUMACHER/CAPT/-/LOC:HQMC (RAP)/TEL:703-784-9138/EMAIL:
JOSEPH.SCHUMACHER@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/
1. PURPOSE. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO ANNOUNCE MODIFICATIONS TO
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE RESERVE ENLISTED COMMISSIONING PROGRAM
(RECP)(REF A) AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TWO NEW RESERVE OFFICER
COMMISSIONING PROGRAMS, THE MERITORIOUS COMMISSIONING PROGRAM-RESERVE
(MCP-R) AND THE OFFICER CANDIDATE COURSE-RESERVE (OCC-R), IN SUPPORT OF
CMC WHITE LETTER (REF B).
2. BACKGROUND. CURRENT AC MANPOWER PRACTICES AND HISTORICALLY HIGH
RETENTION RATES HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS
LEAVING ACTIVE DUTY FOLLOWING THEIR INITIAL THREE OR FOUR YEAR SERVICE
OBLIGATION. THOSE THAT DO TRANSITION TO THE RESERVE COMPONENT (RC) OFTEN
DO SO AT GRADES MORE SENIOR THAN REQUIRED TO FILL JUNIOR OFFICER RANKS.
THESE FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO AN EVER WIDENING GAP BETWEEN RC JUNIOR
COMPANY GRADE LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENTS AND MANPOWER RESOURCES.
CONSEQUENTLY, THE CMC DIRECTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF VIABLE OPTIONS TO
SOLVE THE SELECTED MARINE CORPS RESERVE (SMCR) LIEUTENANT (LT) SHORTAGE.
3. THE FOLLOWING APPROVED PROGRAMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCED
AND QUALIFIED ENLISTED MARINES, BOTH ACTIVE AND RESERVE, AND QUALIFIED
COLLEGE SENIORS/GRADUATES TO PURSUE COMMISSIONED SERVICE IN SMCR UNITS
OF THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE.
THESE PROGRAMS BECAME EFFECTIVE 1 OCTOBER 2006 (FISCAL YEAR 2007).
THE ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION CRITERIA FOR EACH MODIFIED OR NEW
PROGRAM ARE PROVIDED BELOW.
A. RESERVE ENLISTED COMMISSIONING PROGRAM (RECP). THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC
MODIFICATIONS/CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE RECP (REF A).
(1) ELIGIBILITY
(A) RC TIME IN SERVICE (TIS). MINIMUM TIS HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM 36
MONTHS TO 12 MONTHS FOR OTHERWISE QUALIFIED MARINES. ALL OTHER
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS APPLY AS FOUND IN REF A. ACTIVE RESERVE
(AR) MARINES WHO APPLY AND ARE SELECTED WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE
INDIVIDUAL READY RESERVE (IRR) PRIOR TO ASSIGNMENT TO ACTIVE DUTY FOR
TRAINING AT OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL (OCS) AND WILL BE ASSIGNED TO A
SMCR UNIT UPON COMPLETION OF ALL TRAINING. FORMER AR MARINES MAY RETURN
TO AN AR STATUS UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE
SMCR UNITS AND COMPETITIVE SELECTION BY AN AR OFFICER ACCESSION BOARD.
(B) AC MARINES. AC APPLICANTS MUST HAVE COMPLETED A MINIMUM OF 12 MONTHS
OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE BEFORE APPLYING FOR A RESERVE COMMISSION VIA
RECP. AC APPLICANTS MUST HAVE AN END OF ACTIVE SERVICE (EAS) DATE WITHIN
1-YEAR OF THE OFFICER CANDIDATE COURSE
(OCC) FOR WHICH THEY WISH TO ATTEND. MARINES MAY SEEK A CONDITIONAL
RELEASE VIA THEIR AC CHAIN OF COMMAND IF THE DESIRED OCC COURSE
CONVENING DATE OCCURS PRIOR TO THE MARINES ACTIVE DUTY EAS. AC MARINES
WHO APPLY AND ARE SELECTED WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE IRR PRIOR TO
ASSIGNMENT TO ACTIVE DUTY FOR TRAINING AT OCS.
(2) APPLICATION PROCEDURES
(A) RC AND AC APPLICATION PACKAGES WILL BE ENDORSED BY THE APPLICANTS
APPROPRIATE CHAIN OF COMMAND, UP TO AND INCLUDING THE FIRST GENERAL
OFFICER IN THE MARINES CHAIN OF COMMAND.
(B) RC MARINES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF SMCR UNITS WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE
ENDORSEMENT BY THE COMMANDER MARINE FORCES RESERVE PRIOR TO SUBMISSION
TO MARINE CORPS RECRUITING COMMAND (MCRC) UNLESS THEY ARE A MEMBER OF
THE MARINE FORCES RESERVE (MARFORRES) STAFF OR A MARFORRES FORCE LEVEL
UNIT.
(C) INDIVIDUAL MOBILIZATION AUGMENTEE MARINES WILL SUBMIT APPLICATIONS
VIA THEIR APPROPRIATE OPERATIONAL SPONSORS CHAIN OF COMMAND.
(D) IRR MARINES WILL SUBMIT APPLICATIONS VIA THE COMMANDING GENERAL,
MARINE CORPS MOBILIZATION COMMAND (MOBCOM).
(E) MARINES WILL LIST ASSIGNMENT PREFERENCES AS FOLLOWS: MILITARY
OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) PREFERENCE, CITY/STATE PREFERENCE, SMCR
UNIT PREFERENCE, AND IDENTIFY PRIORITIZATION OF MOS OR GEOGRAPHIC/UNIT
SELECTION. PREFERENCES WILL BE BASED ON LT BILLET VACANCIES AT SMCR
UNITS OF CHOICE AS PUBLISHED IN THE SOLICITATION MARADMIN. THIS
INFORMATION WILL BE USED AT A LATER DATE DURING THE UNIT/MOS ASSIGNMENT
PROCESS.
(3) TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. MARINES SELECTED FOR RECP WILL BE ASSIGNED TO
OCS IN QUANTICO, VA TO ATTEND THE APPROPRIATE OCC.
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF OCS, AN RECP PARTICIPANT WILL BE
COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE AND
ASSIGNED TO THE NEXT AVAILABLE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION AT THE BASIC SCHOOL
(TBS). UPON GRADUATION FROM TBS RESERVE LIEUTENANTS WILL BE ASSIGNED TO
THEIR APPROPRIATE MOS SCHOOL BASED ON MOS DESIGNATION.
(4) MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY ASSIGNMENT. CMC(RA), IN COORDINATION
WITH TBS, WILL ASSIGN RESERVE LIEUTENANTS THEIR MOS BASED ON INPUT TAKEN
FROM THE APPLICATION PACKAGE, INTERVIEWS WITH/OBSERVATIONS OF THE
LIEUTENANT DURING TRAINING, AND FINAL VERIFICATION OF UNIT/BILLET
REQUIREMENTS.
(5) SMCR UNIT ASSIGNMENT. CMC(RA), IN COORDINATION WITH TBS, WILL ASSIGN
RESERVE LIEUTENANTS TO THEIR INITIAL SMCR UNIT BASED ON THE SAME
CRITERIA AS LISTED IN PARA 3A(4) ABOVE.
(6) SELECTED RESERVE (SELRES) SERVICE OBLIGATION. THE SELRES SERVICE
OBLIGATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 4 YEARS (48 MONTHS) OF COMMISSIONED
SERVICE (FROM DATE OF COMMISSION) VICE 3 YEARS. THIS INCREASE IS TO
ENSURE EQUITY OF SERVICE OBLIGATION LENGTHS TO ALL SMCR UNIT OFFICER
ACCESSION PROGRAMS: RECP, MCP-R, AND OCC-R. TIME SPENT IN TRAINING AT
TBS AND MOS SCHOOL WILL COUNT TOWARD THE 48 MONTH REQUIREMENT.
B. MCP-R IMPLEMENTATION. THE MCP-R PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED FOR ENLISTED
MARINES, AC AND RC, POSSESSING AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE OR REQUISITE NUMBER
OF SEMESTER HOURS, TO APPLY FOR A RESERVE COMMISSION AND FOLLOW-ON
SERVICE IN AN SMCR UNIT UPON COMPLETION OF ALL REQUIRED TRAINING: OCS,
TBS, AND AN APPROPRIATE MOS SCHOOL.
MCP-R PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS WILL MIRROR THOSE LISTED IN REF (C) FOR THE
AC MCP WITH THE EXCEPTIONS BEING COMMISSIONING DATE AND COMPONENT IN
WHICH APPOINTMENT IS MADE.
(1) ELIGIBILITY.
(A) MCP-R ALLOWS COMMANDING OFFICERS TO NOMINATE HIGHLY QUALIFIED
MARINES, RC AND AC, WHO DO NOT POSSESS A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE BUT WHO
HAVE DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL, FOR ASSIGNMENT TO
OCS AND SUBSEQUENT COMMISSIONING IN THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE.
(B) MCP-R APPLICANTS MUST HAVE SATISFACTORILY EARNED AN ASSOCIATE LEVEL
DEGREE OR COMPLETED 75 SEMESTER HOURS OR MORE OF COLLEGE WORK AT A
REGIONALLY ACCREDITED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. COURSES WILL NOT BE COUNTED
MORE THAN ONCE TOWARDS THE CUMULATIVE TOTAL REQUIREMENT MINIMUM
(MULTIPLE COURSE HOURS WILL NOT BE COUNTED FOR COURSES THAT ARE
REPEATED).
(C) RC APPLICANTS MUST HAVE COMPLETED 12 MONTHS OF RESERVE SERVICE IN
THE SELRES OF THE MARINE CORPS READY RESERVE AND HAVE AT LEAST
12 MONTHS REMAINING ON THEIR CURRENT RESERVE ENLISTMENT OR EXTENSION ON
THE DATE OF APPLICATION. PRIOR SERVICE ENLISTED MARINES MUST HAVE
COMPLETED A MINIMUM OF 12 MONTHS OF RESERVE SERVICE IN THE SELRES OR
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE IN THE AC WITH 12 MONTHS REMAINING ON THEIR CURRENT
RESERVE ENLISTMENT OR EXTENSION ON THE DATE OF APPLICATION. AR MARINES
WHO APPLY AND ARE SELECTED WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE IRR OF THE READY
RESERVE PRIOR TO ASSIGNMENT TO ACTIVE DUTY FOR TRAINING AT OCS AND WILL
BE ASSIGNED TO AN SMCR UNIT UPON COMPLETION OF ALL TRAINING. FORMER AR
MARINES MAY RETURN TO AN AR STATUS UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR COMMITMENT
TO THEIR RESPECTIVE SMCR UNITS AND COMPETITIVE SELECTION BY AN AR
OFFICER ACCESSION BOARD.
(D) AC APPLICANTS MUST HAVE COMPLETED A MINIMUM OF 12 MONTHS OF ACTIVE
DUTY SERVICE BEFORE APPLYING FOR A RESERVE COMMISSION VIA MCP-R. AC
APPLICANTS MUST HAVE AN EAS DATE WITHIN 1-YEAR OF THE OCC FOR WHICH THEY
WISH TO ATTEND. MARINES MAY SEEK A CONDITIONAL RELEASE VIA THEIR AC
CHAIN OF COMMAND IF THE DESIRED OCC COURSE CONVENING DATE OCCURS PRIOR
TO THE MARINES ACTIVE DUTY EAS. AC MARINES WHO APPLY AND ARE SELECTED
WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE IRR PRIOR TO ASSIGNMENT TO ACTIVE DUTY FOR
TRAINING AT OCS.
(2) APPLICATION PROCEDURES. MCP-R APPLICATION PROCEDURES WILL BE THE
SAME AS THOSE LISTED IN PARA 3A(2) ABOVE.
(3) COMMISSIONING CRITERIA. UNLIKE AC MARINES PARTICIPATING IN THE
CURRENT MCP, MCP-R APPLICANTS WILL BE COMMISSIONED AS SECOND LIEUTENANTS
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION AND GRADUATION FROM OCS PER TITLE 10 U.S.
CODE, SECTION 12205. RESERVE OFFICERS COMMISSIONED VIA THE MCP-R PROGRAM
WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT BEYOND THE RANK OF FIRST LIEUTENANT
UNTIL THEY HAVE COMPLETED ALL BACCALAUREATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.
(4) TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. MCP-R TRAINING REQUIREMENTS WILL BE THE SAME
AS THOSE LISTED IN PARA 3A(3) ABOVE.
(5) MOS ASSIGNMENT. MOS ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE SAME MANNER
AS PRESCRIBED IN PARA 3A(4) ABOVE.
(6) SMCR UNIT ASSIGNMENT. SMCR UNIT ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE
SAME MANNER AS PRESCRIBED IN PARA 3A(5) ABOVE.
(7) SELRES SERVICE OBLIGATION. MCP-R MARINES WILL INCUR A 48 MONTH
(4-YEAR) SELRES SERVICE OBLIGATION FROM THE DATE OF COMMISSIONING.
TIME SPENT IN TRAINING AT TBS AND MOS SCHOOL WILL COUNT TOWARD THE
48 MONTH REQUIREMENT.
C. OCC-R IMPLEMENTATION. THE OCC-R PROGRAM IS FOR QUALIFIED CIVILIAN
COLLEGE SENIORS OR GRADUATES WHO MAY APPLY FOR A RESERVE COMMISSION AND
FOLLOW-ON SERVICE IN AN SMCR UNIT UPON COMPLETION OF ALL REQUIRED
TRAINING; OCS, TBS, AND AN APPROPRIATE MOS SCHOOL.
OCC-R PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS WILL MIRROR THOSE LISTED IN REF (D) FOR OCC
WITH THE EXCEPTION BEING THE COMPONENT IN WHICH APPOINTMENT IS MADE.
(1) ELIGIBILITY. THE OCC-R PROGRAM IS AN ADDITIONAL CATEGORY OF THE
OVERALL OCC PROGRAM AS FOUND IN REF (D). THE OCC-R PROGRAM IS A
COMMISSIONING PROGRAM FOR COLLEGE SENIORS AT, OR GRADUATES OF, AN
ACCREDITED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. MEMBERS OF THE READY RESERVE ARE NOT
ELIGIBLE FOR OCC-R AND SHOULD APPLY FOR COMMISSIONING VIA RECP OR MCP-R.
FEMALE APPLICANTS WHO APPLY FOR OCC-R, AND ARE ACCEPTED, WILL BE
ASSIGNED TO THE APPROPRIATE TRAINING COURSE OF PRESCRIBED DURATION AT
OFFICER CANDIDATES SCHOOL (OCS). FEMALE CANDIDATES ATTEND OCS IN THE
FALL OR SUMMER ONLY.
(2) APPLICATION PROCEDURES. OCC-R APPLICATION PROCEDURES/REQUIREMENTS
ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH REF (D).
(3) COMMISSIONING CRITERIA. IN ACCORDANCE WITH REF (D).
(4) TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. MARINES SELECTED FOR OCC-R WILL BE ASSIGNED
TO OCS IN QUANTICO, VA TO ATTEND THE APPROPRIATE OCC.
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF OCS, AN OCC-R PARTICIPANT WILL BE
COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE AND
ASSIGNED TO THE NEXT AVAILABLE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION AT TBS.
RESERVE LIEUTENANTS WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE APPROPRIATE MOS SCHOOL BASED
ON MOS DESIGNATION.
(5) MOS AND UNIT ASSIGNMENT. AS PART OF THEIR SERVICE CONTRACT OCC-R
CANDIDATES WILL COMPLETE NAVMC 11534 ANNEX C WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE
OFFICER SELECTION OFFICERS TO CHOOSE MOS PREFERENCE, CITY/STATE
PREFERENCE, SMCR UNIT PREFERENCE, AND IDENTIFY PRIORITIZATION OF MOS OR
GEOGRAPHIC/UNIT SELECTION. FINAL MOS AND ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE DETERMINED
IN THE SAME MANNER AS PRESCRIBED IN PARAS 3A(4) AND 3A(5) ABOVE.
(6) SELRES SERVICE OBLIGATION. OCC-R MARINES WILL INCUR A 48 MONTH
(4-YEAR) SELRES SERVICE OBLIGATION FROM THE DATE OF COMMISSIONING.
TIME SPENT IN TRAINING AT TBS AND MOS SCHOOL WILL COUNT TOWARD THE
48 MONTH REQUIREMENT.
4. Post ENTRY LEVEL Training Opportunities. ALL NEWLY cOMMISSIONED
LIEUTENANTS IN THE AFOREMENTIONED PROGRAMS WILL BE AFFORDED THE
OPPORTUNITY TO ACCEPT UP TO twelve (12) CUMULATIVE MONTHS OF ADDITIONAL
POST TRAINING ACTIVE DUTY VIA CMC (RA) FUNDED ACTIVE DUTY FOR SPECIAL
WORK (ADSW)/ACTIVE DUTY FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT (ADOS) ORDERS IN ORDER
TO FACILITATE OFFICER LEADERSHIP SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN EITHER THE
OPERATING FORCES OR THEIR PARENT SMCR UNIT. MCP-R LIEUTENANTS WHO HAVE
NOT COMPLETED THEIR DEGREE REQUIREMENTS AS IDENTIFIED IN PARA 5c ABOVE
WILL ONLY BE ASSIGNED ORDERS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE SMCR
UNIT/INSPECTOR-INSTRUCTOR/SITE COMMAND IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THEIR
CONCURRENT BACCALAUREATE DEGREE COMPLETION. ALL NEWLY COMMISSIONED
RESERVE LIEUTENANTS WILL be available for activation as required to meet
operational REQUIREMENTS REGARDLESS OF COMMISSIONING SOURCE.
5. THE AFOREMENTIONED PROGRAMS WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE APPROPRIATE
REFERENCES.
6. QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS MARADMIN CAN BE DIRECTED TO CAPTAIN J.
SCHUMACHER (JOSEPH.SCHUMACHER@USMC.MIL) AT (703) 784-9136/37/38,
DSN: 278-XXXX.
7. THIS MARADMIN APPLIES TO THE TOTAL FORCE. //

[Hurdle88]

I am in the DEP and want to do the 92 day reserve option so I can do PLC. I am already accepted at a university but does anyone know what other requirements there are to do this option? Is there a certain number of slots or does every college student qualify?

[maysoon]

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How do you think your platoon would think being commanded by an Englishmen? I would imagine only Canadians up north would be flattered by it.

[maysoon]

Is it this 92 day PLC that the term "90 day wonderers" came from during the vietnam era? Where many freshly minted 2nd lieutenants had the average life expectancy of 20 minutes?" Why did they only have 20 minutes? Is this true, or just hollywood exaggerations? I want to get accurate info from actual veterans who were physically there in combat. If you like, you can either PM me about it or respond here.

[devildoghopeful]

How do you think your platoon would think being commanded by an Englishmen? I would imagine only Canadians up north would be flattered by it.

I have no idea whether it would be a problem or not. Remember, I am only English in accent (which may actually change naturally if I move to the States permanently). Hopefully the Marines in my Platoon will judge me on whether I am a good leader and a worthy officer of Marines rather than my British accent.

[Hachiro]

Hopefully the Marines in my Platoon will judge me on whether I am a good leader and a worthy officer of Marines rather than my British accent.

Dude dont worry about they will judge you for who you are and not the way you talk. Shoot in my old platoon back in the day......from "The" D.I. all way down through the ranks of recruits there had to be at least 40 of us that couldn't understand a damn word of what the other person was saying over the course of an average training day.



THe only person we really had to understand was the D.I. and if we didn't, well that's what "bend's and thrusts" were all about too.

[devildoghopeful]

Thank you sir, it sure is reassuring to hear that.

[grodunt]

Great info here. good work.

[This Recruit]

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.

Best advice I have ever heard. You truely give the Corps a good name because you aren't one of the sterotypical Marines that civilians think of when they think Marine Corp.

3 questions I have though.

-When they say "drill", does that mean training in your specific job? Mine is logistics and another guy who did the 92 day split has the same job and that is what he told me you pretty much do.

-One of my OSO's told me that if you choose to do so after completing OCS successfully and except your commission, you can choose to become a reserve Officer before you go to TBS. Is this true because I have no reason to think that it is a lie?

-Do you know what jobs are commonly chosen after completing TBS and which ones are the most popular with Officers?

ex.

I have heard Infantry is one of the most popular, while Logisitics is pretty wide open, and so on.

[sirmess1]

LivinSoFree, I think we were in the same OCC class, OCC-192, I was in C Co.
I wanted to do the 92day reservist thing. "Wanted",I enlisted in late 2002, then the whole war started, so my recruiter told me that I couldn't do the 92day anymore, or something. Me being a poole back then, I didn't question it because I wanted to be a Marine so bad. I went straight through with boot, mct, and comm school. Came back for a semester and then went back out to the box for OIF2. I graduated college 2 years late, but it was worth it. The experience I have is something most people will never get.

[devildoghopeful]

Ok, since we've got at least three people here who have been through OCS, I thought that I'd ask for some advice on how to prepare physically, mentally, and academically. Personally I've got a while until I'm eligible to attend OCS, I graduate High School in a couple of weeks and am going to college in Virginia (I'm expecting quite a culture shock having come from the UK!). I know I'm not the only one on these boards who is considering taking the officer route, so any tips on how to prepare/get accepted into PLC/OCC/when to apply etc. would be much appreciated by all.

Thank you gentlemen!

[WannabeMustang]

Hey there everyone. I'm not sure if anyone was mulling this over or not, but I noticed that in the original post by livinsofree he said the following:

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.

Now, I'm a reservist myself, torn between going the officer route or augmenting active after school. Word on the street is, my unit's going in Nov. or Dec. to the sandbox. (The battery GySgt., when I asked him if we were going, said "We're going. When? I don't ****in' know."

My unit is an artillery unit, and when I was at artillery school I met a few 92-day reservists who were with my unit, and had gotten there to complete their MOS school training.

Artillery is not, as far as I know, widely used in Iraq anymore because of its tendency to produce civilian casualties when used in highly populated areas. I would assume that this MOS would not be designated as a critical MOS for deployment for this reason, but all the same our 92-day reservists are going with us.

My understanding is that you deploy when your unit deploys. 92 day reservist, 135 day reservists, everyone goes when the unit goes. When my recruiter called the OSO shortly before I went to bootcamp, the OSO said that PLC candidates in the reserves are deployable, and that they would not consider holding them back from deployment unless they had finished their training and were close to graduating from school.

All this to say that if you are considering the 92 day option as a way of keeping non-deployable status, it's unlikely to work, in my experience. However, I don't pretend to be wise in the way of the Corps, so comments and corrections are welcome.

(Final Note: The only thing that might have affected my particular MOS is the fact that artillery is a 'combat-arms' MOS. It might possibly be classified a "critical" MOS simply for that reason...but that's only a guess.)

[JCam0331]

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?

Dude, if you get through OCS, you will not fail TBS, don't worry about it. I've never heard of a Lieutenant failing TBS in my life. They may roll you back and recycle you, but you'll pass.

[JCam0331]

Best advice I have ever heard. You truely give the Corps a good name because you aren't one of the sterotypical Marines that civilians think of when they think Marine Corp.

3 questions I have though.

-When they say "drill", does that mean training in your specific job? Mine is logistics and another guy who did the 92 day split has the same job and that is what he told me you pretty much do.

-One of my OSO's told me that if you choose to do so after completing OCS successfully and except your commission, you can choose to become a reserve Officer before you go to TBS. Is this true because I have no reason to think that it is a lie?

-Do you know what jobs are commonly chosen after completing TBS and which ones are the most popular with Officers?

ex.

I have heard Infantry is one of the most popular, while Logisitics is pretty wide open, and so on.

Drill is the two or three days you serve out of the month with the Marine Corps Reserve.

Infantry is very popular yes, but I've heard many Lieutenants that were gung ho infantry out of OCS change their minds at TBS when they realize how much grunt work sucks lol

[rvillac2]

Hey there everyone. I'm not sure if anyone was mulling this over or not, but I noticed that in the original post by livinsofree he said the following:

My unit is an artillery unit, and when I was at artillery school I met a few 92-day reservists who were with my unit, and had gotten there to complete their MOS school training.

Artillery is not, as far as I know, widely used in Iraq anymore because of its tendency to produce civilian casualties when used in highly populated areas. I would assume that this MOS would not be designated as a critical MOS for deployment for this reason, but all the same our 92-day reservists are going with us.

My understanding is that you deploy when your unit deploys. 92 day reservist, 135 day reservists, everyone goes when the unit goes. When my recruiter called the OSO shortly before I went to bootcamp, the OSO said that PLC candidates in the reserves are deployable, and that they would not consider holding them back from deployment unless they had finished their training and were close to graduating from school.

All this to say that if you are considering the 92 day option as a way of keeping non-deployable status, it's unlikely to work, in my experience. However, I don't pretend to be wise in the way of the Corps, so comments and corrections are welcome.

(Final Note: The only thing that might have affected my particular MOS is the fact that artillery is a 'combat-arms' MOS. It might possibly be classified a "critical" MOS simply for that reason...but that's only a guess.)

Ok, a Sergeant's foremost duty is to correct young PFC's. So, here's the scoop.

There are Marine artillery units in Iraq. All from the active duty regiments and only a very few batteries at that.

Artillery reservists are not likely to deploy to Iraq AS ARTILLERY. However, you are still Marines and every Marine will get into the fight according to CMC. The 5th Battalion 14 Marine Artillery Regiment (Reserve) deployed in 2004 as detention companies. Not everyone went, but those that did went as Marines who pulled guard duty, construction/engineer duty, and IED locating duties (this was a joke).

No Reserve Marines will deploy unless they have graduated from their MOS school. This means that 92day'ers that have only completed Recruit Training are not eligible to be deployed. However, once they complete their training in the 2nd summer, they are deployable just like everyone else.

Reserve Marines who are PLC candidates are simply Reserve Marines. PLC is a program that lets college students attend OCS in stages. They are on active duty during those stages but are then discharged afterwards. They are not under any contract. If they are ALSO reservists, they are obligated to their Reserve contract and deployable. A college senior may REQUEST to be excused from deployment if they are very close to graduating and declare their intention to receive their commission and enter into a service contract. They would only be excused from duty if the command approves and they do so on a case by case basis.