Career Marines

[Sir_Krahn]

I know of a recruiter in my school who has been in the Corps for about 15 years. He is a gunnery sergeant and he went to college for two years while he was in the Corps after serving for eight years, then he went back in to the action as an active marine. Now I understand that you need a degree to become an officer in the marines and he has one but didn't get it before he joined the Corps. Now here is the question, do guys that join the Marines after high school, just like my recruiter, have a shot at becoming an officer or will they be destined for higher rankings in the enlisted men? I mean at some point in time after he got his degree would he be offered the opportunity to become an officer or what?

[USMCRET6391]

Originally Posted by Sir_Krahn

I know of a recruiter in my school who has been in the Corps for about 15 years. He is a gunnery sergeant and he went to college for two years while he was in the Corps after serving for eight years, then he went back in to the action as an active marine. Now I understand that you need a degree to become an officer in the marines and he has one but didn't get it before he joined the Corps. Now here is the question, do guys that join the Marines after high school, just like my recruiter, have a shot at becoming an officer or will they be destined for higher rankings in the enlisted men? I mean at some point in time after he got his degree would he be offered the opportunity to become an officer or what?

This has been covered several times in the forums, although I guess it has been a while.



Here a few links you can go to for information. You can also take a look at the Sticky Thread on Marine Warrant Officers in the Marine Note Book

http://www.ncsu.edu/navy_rotc/marines/mecep.php

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/marin...smcofficer.htm

http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/2dmardiv...r_programs.htm

[Bronco1986]

isn't a 4 year degree required anyways?

[USMCRET6391]

He was asking about paths to become an officer from the Enlisted Ranks.

[Vulture6]

If you look at the "PLC, OCS, and Officer Programs" thread in the Marine forum, you'll find information there on enlisted to officer programs.

[USMCRET6391]

Originally Posted by Vulture6

If you look at the "PLC, OCS, and Officer Programs" thread in the Marine forum, you'll find information there on enlisted to officer programs.

Thanks Vulture, I knew it was there somewhere, I just couldn't remember which thread.

[cincymarsdad]

To note, plenty of enlisted Marines have college degrees. That in itself does not equal "officer". There are myriad and somewhat confusing (to me at times) routes to becoming an officer, pretty well spelled out in the link above.

[Sir_Krahn]

Yea thanks for the links and threads, I understand it now.

[SpongeJuan]

Just because you have a degree doesn't mean that you will be an officer. You need to prove yourself. Also, I heard that a high PFT is required.

[SGRock]

Originally Posted by SpongeJuan

Also, I heard that a high PFT is required.

Marine Officers lead from the front.

[Vulture6]

They are all right - a college degree no more makes you an officer of Marines than enlisting makes you a Marine before going to Parris Island. A lot goes in to selection and qualification. A college degree is a good idea for any Marine who can find the time, regardless of their desire to seek a commission.

[cincymarsdad]

Just to note "another" route ... the Navy has a fair number of NROTC scholarships available. My kids' high school has two winners of those (out of a class of about 450), so they are not something that "no one" can earn. If you are a good student with SAT scores around 1300 or so, you should be competitive. These are pretty much "full scholarships" to around 66 schools - including places like Stanford, UNC-CH, Northwestern - and lead to commissioning following participation in NROTC/OCS/etc. There also are the AROTC equivalents. As I recall, the active duty commitment is 5 years (could be 4, don't remember specifically).

Your local recruiter would have the information and you should start the application process in the latter part of your junior year in HS.

To note, the NROTC s-ship has a Marine option, so you can select either ensign or 2nd LT for your gold bar. To define one approach as the "best approach" is impossible without knowing the particulars, but this one - to me - looks like one of the best available, and not that well known.