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For those of you out there who are thinking about enlisting, and then earning a commission to become an Officer of Marines, I wanted to lay out the basic programs for you. Those of you on active duty go to your S-1 shop and pull the orders. Those of you in the pool thinking about it, here is an overview:

Just a thought to consider, these programs are very competitive, and there are no guarantees that if you meet the criteria that you will be selected. All require command endorsements. These programs will get you to OCS, and do not guarantee a commission. Once you are at OCS, the rest is up to you. Failure at OCS will return you to the fleet.


ECP – Enlisted Commissioning Program
The Enlisted Commissioning Program allows qualified enlisted Marines in the Regular Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Active Reserve (AR) Program to apply for assignment to Officer Candidates School (OCS) and subsequent appointment to unrestricted commissioned officer grade in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The policy, eligibility criteria, and application process are contained in MCO 1040.43A.
Must:
• Have a 4 year baccalaureate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university or college
• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Be of Marine Officer caliber
• Possess good moral character and integrity
• Not have previously failed ANY officer programs
• Have at least: AFQT >= 74 or SAT >= 1000 or ACT >= 45

There is an aviation option available (Student Naval Aviator / Student Naval Flight Officer)


MCP – Meritorious Commissioning Program
The Meritorious Commissioning Program allows commanding officers to nominate qualified enlisted Marines in the Regular Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Active Reserve (AR) Program, who have demonstrated exceptional leadership potential, for assignment to Officer Candidates School (OCS) and subsequent commissioning in the Marine Corps Reserve. The policy, eligibility criteria, and application process is contained in MCO 1040.43A, with changes listed in MARADMIN 278/02.
• Marines With At Least 75 Semester Hours Of Actual Coursework
• A Letter Of Acceptance From an NROTC Affilliated College/University
• U.S. Citizen
• Be Of Officer Caliber
• Good Moral Character And Integrity
• Not Previously Failed Any Officer Programs
• At Least 21 But Not Older Than 30
• AFQT => 74 or SAT=>1000 or ACT=>45
NO WAIVERS OF TEST SCORES WILL BE CONSIDERED.




MECEP – Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program
The Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) is designed to provide outstanding enlisted Marines the opportunity to become Marine Corps Officers. MECEP is open to all active duty Marines and Marines in the Active Reserve (AR) program who meet the eligibility requirements. Marines successfully completing the program receive a Baccalaureate Degree and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Selection is based on an individual's potential for commissioned service as demonstrated by their service record, previous academic record, and evidence of career and academic self-improvement.

The basic eligibility requirements for the program are as follows:
Corporal or Above
At least 20 years of age but less than 26
Ranked in the Top 50% of high school class or GED score of 75
SAT score of 1000 or ACT of 45 or AFQT of 74.
(In FY 2003, 255 Marines applied and 109 were accepted into MECEP. Their average SAT scores were 1086 and their average ACT was 46. Of those who applied, 2 were GySgts, 43 were SSgts, 145 were Sgts, and 65 were Cpls)


BOOST - Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training
The Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) program provides an educational enhancement opportunity for those eligible enlisted Marines that desire to seek a college education and enter a commissioning program. These programs include The U.S. Naval Academy, Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP), and the Marine Option Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship program (NROTC). BOOST is a demanding 10-month academic improvement course providing remedial high school and college preparatory level instruction. BOOST is open to all enlisted active duty Marines and Marines in the Active Reserve (AR) program who meet the basic eligibility and academic requirements.

The basic eligibility requirements for BOOST are as follows:
Active Duty or Active Reserve
Lance Corporal or above
1 year of active duty completed after recruit training
19 years of age, but not more than 25
High School Diploma or GED
SAT score of 900 or ACT score of 40 or EL score of 110
(In FY 2003, 67 applied and 46 were accepted)


Marine Option – Naval ROTC
The purpose of the Marine Option Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program is to educate and train highly qualified young men and women for careers as commissioned officers in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Option NROTC units are located at selected colleges and universities throughout the United States. Upon graduation and successful completion of required courses and training, a Midshipman is appointed a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. While attending a university as a scholarship student, active duty Marines who are selected as Marine Option NROTC scholarship recipients are released to the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) and do not receive pay and allowances.

The Marine Corps conducts two selection boards per year. The Early Board in November, and the National Board in February. Selected applicants for the Marine Option NROTC Scholarship Program are awarded scholarships through a highly competitive national selection process, and receive full tuition, books, fees and other financial benefits at many of the country's leading colleges and universities.

The general eligibility requirements for the program are as follows:
• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Be 17 years of age by September 1 of the year starting college and less than 23 on June 30 of that year. Applicants must not have reached their 27th birthday by June 30 of the year in which college graduation and commissioning are anticipated. (Applicants who have prior active duty military service may be eligible for age adjustments for the amount of time equal to their prior service, on a month-for-month basis, for a maximum of 36 months, provided they do not reach their 30th birthday by June 30 of the year in which graduation and commissioning are anticipated.)
• Be a high school graduate or possess equivalency certificates by August 1 of the same year entrance into the four-year NROTC Scholarship Program is anticipated.
• Be physically qualified by Navy or Marine Corps standards.
• Have no moral obligations or personal convictions that will prevent conscientious bearing of arms and supporting and supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic.
• Have no record of military or civilian offenses.
• Apply for and gain admission to NROTC colleges. (Admission to an NROTC institution is not required during the selection process. However, notification of admission must be received before the scholarship can be activated.)
• Achieve qualifying scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of 1000 composite, or the American College Test (ACT) of 45 composite. Both the SAT/ACT math and English scores must be from the same test. Applicants cannot combine their best math score and their best English score to achieve the qualifying score for application.