Any helpful advice for Enlisted vets that are in the process of commissioning?

2018-10-05T12:03:21-04:00

Greetings everyone,

I am a USMC vet currently 1.5 years away from my bachelor's degree and then I'll hopefully be going to OCS. I wanted to know from anyone that has experience and/or solid advice that could help me achieve my dream. I will return to the Marines one way or another, if I cant commision for any reason I will return as enlisted. All information is welcomed and appreciated.

Thank you

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2018 12:16 PM

2018-10-05T12:16:43-04:00

Have you looked into ROTC? If your school doesn't offer it you may be able to contract at a nearby school. It would be easier than OCS and once you graduated, you'd commission. If Navy ROTC works like the Army though, you need 2 years of ROTC. So you might have to stay in school another semester. But you get paid for being in ROTC and it would be time you'd spend at OCS (at least partly) so there's worse things that could happen. Good luck.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 5 at 2018 12:37 PM

2018-10-05T12:37:42-04:00

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-application-process-for-the-United-States-Marine-Corps-Officer-Candidate-School-like

What is the application process for the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School like?...

Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (OCS) is the primary means of training and commissioning officers in the Marine Corps. While Marine officers are also commissioned via the Naval Academy at Annapolis and through Naval Reserve Officer Training detachments at specific colleges and universities, a far larger number of officers enter the Marine Corps through via OCS.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2018 1:35 PM

2018-10-05T13:35:56-04:00

So let me say this as a former Devil Dog. I love the USMC. I served from 94-98 got out for school and did same thing to commission but there are way more officer opportunities in the Army than Marines. And depending on ur age when u finish that could also be a factor as well. My love for the Corps is deep but i also understood that goals and outcomes vary so i had to make a decision to join the Army instead. I’m just as happy now also so i don’t want anyone to think I’m downplaying the US Army. So keep this mind as you move forward. There may come a time when u have to make a decision you never thought u would have to make. In order for u to realize ur goals however, u just might have to go a different route and nothing wrong with that.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2018 7:20 AM

2018-10-06T07:20:43-04:00

The first step is talking to your local Officer Selection Officer (OSO). From what I have heard, the process is pretty competitive now. I came back in in 2011 and it was competitive then so I can imagine how tough it might be now. That being said, your GPA, SAT, ASVAB, PFT, CFT, and ect. matter. If you are competitive in most categories and you have drive, you're a Marine so I'm sure you do, then you can get there. As I said in the beginning, the first thing you need to do is to talk to your OSO and begin attending PT sessions/meetings. It is very much like the Poolee/DEP program. Other than that age and some tattoos are waiverable. Good luck Marine and Semper Fi.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2018 5:51 PM

2018-10-06T17:51:58-04:00

Go all in as an officer. Prior service can be an advantage initially but don’t rest on it. Learn to be part of the Officer team and work hard to be accepted by your peers. Do Not Say I’m prior service. Let your actions and discipline speak for your self. I have seen quite few Officers struggle to make the transition. Being an Officer is political. If you don’t. make the transition you will eventually top out sooner
than you realize.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2018 10:19 AM

2018-10-07T10:19:59-04:00

Keep up with PT!! Boot camp at 21 was so much easier than OCS at 28. I made it through, but wished I had prepped more. (I was working 55+ hours a week for 5 months leading up to OCS, so that didn’t help... I should have made it more of a priority) Like some of the others said, don’t count on your prior service. Use the lessons you’ve learned enlisted side to better yourself and others along the course. Trust me, the instructors will know you are prior and that already makes too many people knowing.
If you are already close to bachelors, do the OSO route and get that process rolling. They are normally just like every other recruiter, so you have to pay attention. Stay on top of what needs to be done with your package and be proactive to get it finished as early as possible. Mine said I was good for 3 months, then 3 weeks before the board he came back and said I needed an additional tattoo waiver (for only one tattoo) and of course I couldn’t get the person to sign off on it in those weeks so I got pushed back to the next board which meant OCS in January.

The process and effort is worth it. It really makes it even more special when you get handed that second EGA... you know you didn’t just take the common route right out of college to become an officer.

Good luck and Semper Fi brother.