Evaluate my plan

LCpl Lamm · 08-31-2005, 08:05 PM

Alrighty, all of you that know me, know that I am going to join the Corps, become an Enlisted Marine first and then an Officer of Marines. I am thinking of two ways of which to carry this out, although I know there are many other ways, these are the only two I want to do.

First plan-(I think this one is the best one, overall)
Graduate High School, enter and graduate college, enlist and stay enlisted for atleast one to two years, ( I've read that ECP requires you to have served atleast one year already, also I've heard you have to have served atleast 2 years), get into ECP, head off to OCS.

The time spent as an Enlisted Marine would put me behind the people in my generation that are going to graduate college and head off to OCS straight out of college. But, I can finish college in 3 years, no sweat ( I'd take 5 classes per term, three terms a year, not including summer school), plus I started school early, I'm 16 years of age and am a Senior in High School, birthday is in September though. But being behind my generation that headed off to OCS right out of college doesn't matter at all anyhow.

Second Plan-( I would like this more, but I know the consequences of it)-
Graduate High School, enter USMC Reserves, go to college, finish college and apply for OCS.
Not the best plan for obvious reasons, deployment. I wouldn't mind it obviously, but I figured it'd be best for one to go through college all at once, without any interruptions.

Anyhow, if you would, evaluate those plans, especially the first one. I already know I'm not going to do the second one, unless WW3 breaks out or something of the sort happens. I know I already made a post similar to this one a while back, but I'd like to hear all your opinions again, things change.
Thanks.
Lamm

SpongeJuan · 08-31-2005, 09:54 PM

Well, reserves are being activated a lot now. Just go to college and then become an officer. you don't have to be a mustang to be a good officer.

LCpl Lamm · 08-31-2005, 11:17 PM

I know I don't need to be a mustang to be a good Officer of Marines. I'm not doing it because I think it'll make me a hotshot or better than other 2ndLts. I have many reasons for wanting to become an Enlisted Marine first.
Thanks.
Lamm

SpongeJuan · 09-01-2005, 03:08 AM

Why do you want to be an officer? Why not stay enlisted?

**Covertness** · 09-01-2005, 04:13 AM

high school, college, ROTC, commission.

**SGRock** · 09-01-2005, 07:35 AM

I agree with Covert!

Grimmy · 09-01-2005, 07:44 AM

No plan survives contact unchanged.

If being an officer is your goal and you really believe you have it in you to be an officer...go the college rout. If you want to be an enlisted Marine then join up. Dont join up enlisted witht he belief that you'll go officer. Reality rarely gives much of a damn what you wanted to happen or what you had planned to happen.

IF you feel you can not be satisfied with being enlisted...dont enlist.
Also, you've yet to make it thru boot. That's about as far as you should let yourself plan. Whether officer or enlisted...plan on going to the initial training...from there on it's all "to be determined".

USMCRET6391 · 09-01-2005, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamm

Alrighty, all of you that know me, know that I am going to join the Corps, become an Enlisted Marine first and then an Officer of Marines. I am thinking of two ways of which to carry this out, although I know there are many other ways, these are the only two I want to do.

First plan-(I think this one is the best one, overall)
Graduate High School, enter and graduate college, enlist and stay enlisted for at least one to two years, ( I've read that ECP requires you to have served at least one year already, also I've heard you have to have served at least 2 years), get into ECP, head off to OCS.

Why in God's name would you want to graduate from college then go enlisted before going to OCS? If you graduate from college you aren't eligible for the ECP program, which is designed solely to get an enlisted Marine a college degree before going to OCS.

Quote:

Second Plan-( I would like this more, but I know the consequences of it)-
Graduate High School, enter USMC Reserves, go to college, finish college and apply for OCS.
Not the best plan for obvious reasons, deployment. I wouldn't mind it obviously, but I figured it'd be best for one to go through college all at once, without any interruptions.

If this is your biggest worry then you should either enlist as soon as you can and become a Marine, or wait until you are out of college (do the ROTC thing while you are there) and go the OCS route.

In my mind you are making this way to hard. Stop over studying what you want to do and go the route that is most advantageous to you if you are planning on making the Corps a career.

LCpl Lamm · 09-01-2005, 10:26 AM

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)

ECP would be the route I would want to go if I enlisted with a four-year degree. This is not hard on myself at all. Yes, things change and I'm prepared for any changes. I'm not over studying anything. I figure its best to know what one is getting him/herself into, no matter what it is.
Like I said before I have many reasons for wanting to become an Enlisted Marine first, there are also many reasons I want to become an Officer of Marines. If anyone would like to hear 'em, post saying you do and I will gladly explain. I'm asking first because I don't want to waste anyone's time or waste any space on the forum.
Thanks,
Lamm

USMCRET6391 · 09-01-2005, 10:43 AM

Looks like ECP has changed since I was Active. I knew several Sgts who went the ECP route, and while they had some College or an AA degree, they went to school full time to get their BA or BS then became officers.

LCpl Lamm · 09-01-2005, 11:01 AM

I won't go to college while in the Corps for reasons y'all already know. For one I probably won't be able to, giving I want to go Infantry.
So, sounds like ECP would the route to take.
Thanks,
Lamm

USMCRET6391 · 09-01-2005, 11:53 AM

I did some checking because what you posted just didn't sound right to me and I think you or I have have (it's probably me, I'm getting old you know) mixed the requirements for two different programs up. The Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (which is what I am referring to) is not designed for Enlisted Marines who already have a Baccalaureate Degree.

The Following websites will give you a batter feel for what the program does,

Marine Corps Service Information on Enlisted Occupations

Officer Programs

Of course none of this answers my initial question, why would you want to go Enlisted if you already have the qualifications to enter the Corps as an Officer?