Can I become a USMCR officer without being active duty first?

2020-12-05T01:25:49-05:00

Former Marine, current guardsman here interested in becoming an officer. But I love my career in civilian law enforcement, so I want to stay in the reserves. Can you commission into the USMCR directly through an NROTC? Also will I stuck in my former MOS field or can I reclass? Does the fact that I used a DD368 to transfer into the TXARNG make me ineligible to become an USMC officer after my contract completion? Thanks for all your answers and support!

Response by SFC William Farrell made Dec 5 at 2020 1:37 AM

2020-12-05T01:37:06-05:00

Good Luck to you SPC Private RallyPoint Member and stay safe.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 5 at 2020 6:44 AM

2020-12-05T06:44:20-05:00

Have you contacted a Marine Officer Recruiter?

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Dec 5 at 2020 7:31 AM

2020-12-05T07:31:47-05:00

Your profile doesn't provide enough information to give an informed opinion on most of your questions. Normally NROTC candidates for commissions in the Corps require follow on training in the Corps that would keep you away from your civilian career. Generally, in my experience, your mos as an officer was not restricted, or even related to your enlisted specialty unless you requested such duty. I would recommend talking with a Marine Corps OSO available through your local recruiter.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 5 at 2020 12:34 PM

2020-12-05T12:34:16-05:00

Whatever you do in the Guard won't lock you into a specific job field in the Marine Corps Reserve. As far as the form you asked about you would need to discuss that with an Officer recruiter to get that sorted out. I would suggest doing some research on your part. 5811 is the MOS for enlisted MP's

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2020 1:04 PM

2020-12-05T13:04:31-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Update your profile to include your Marine ranks and duties. You can view my profile to see what items to add to your profile. Are there any Reservists that you currently work with and have you talked to them? Spend the weekend making a list of questions to ask the Recruiter. Please provide an update after talking to the Recruiter.

Response by Sgt Kristin Erler made Dec 23 at 2020 4:46 AM

2020-12-23T04:46:23-05:00

I was a recruiter for the Marines before I got out. Officers in the Marine Corps get assigned at the end of OCS, you don’t get a job choice it is assigned based on the needs of the Marine Corps. You could end up in a job you have never done before or a job you are already qualified for. You can commission directly once you finish 4 years of college or through an ROTC program while in college. If you can pass the MEPS physical, don’t have annotated medical conditions, and you are not over a certain age you can commission. You need to contact whoever the USMC officer recruiter is in your area. They are separate from the enlisted recruiters.

Response by LtCol David Rodgers made Jan 19 at 2021 7:43 PM

2021-01-19T19:43:16-05:00

Yes you can. You will have to be on ACTDU IOT complete OCS, TBS and your MOS School, after that you're off to your unit as a drilling reservist.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2021 1:11 AM

2021-01-28T01:11:09-05:00

Typically yes, Even brothers from my unit who ECP back to our unit still had to do a year PMO prior to returning to our unit. We have also had prior service guys move over after completing NROTC but still had to do a year Active. That being said, even if the year is waived, be prepared for atleast a 3-6 month pipline for 5803 as the school seats tend to fill up fast and its not uncommon to wait 1-3 months for a seat. Like the other gentlemen have said, talk to a recruiter and see what the process is specifically for you.