Military Careers, commissioning programs - Marine Corps Times

Commissioning programs: Marine Corps

The Marine Corps’ regular enlisted to officer commissioning programs:

Enlisted Commissioning Program

Leathernecks ages 21-30 on active duty or in the Active Reserve “who have demonstrated exceptional leadership potential” may qualify for a commission through the Enlisted Commissioning Program, according to Marine Corps Recruiting Command. Candidates must meet eligibility requirements listed in Marine Corps Order 1040.43A; requirements include having a bachelor’s degree and being a U.S. citizen “of officer caliber.”

Selected Marines will receive assignment to Officer Candidates School and subsequent commissioning in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Meritorious Commissioning Program

Leathernecks ages 21-30 with at least 75 semester hours of college coursework and an acceptance letter from a college with a Naval Reserve Officer’s Training Corps program may be eligible for the Meritorious Commissioning Program. Enlisted Marines considered for the program must be able to complete their bachelor’s degree within 18 months. Marine Corps Order 1040.43A and Marine Administrative message 278/02 list eligibility requirements and the application process.

Selected Marines will receive assignment to Officer Candidates School and subsequent commissioning in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Reserve Enlisted Commissioning Program

Leathernecks ages 21-33 with a bachelor’s degree serving in the Selected Marine Corps Reserve may apply for the Reserve Enlisted Commissioning Program. Marine Corps Order 1040R.10L includes eligibility requirements and the application process.

Selected Marines will receive assignment to Officer Candidates School and subsequent appointment to unrestricted commissioned officer grade in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program

The Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program is “designed to provide outstanding enlisted Marines the opportunity to become Marine Corps officers,” according to Marine Corps Recruiting Command. Leathernecks ages 20-26 serving on active duty or in the Active Reserve may apply for the program. Eligibility criteria and information on the application process for the program is listed in Marine Corps Order 1560.15L.

Upon completion, Marines in the program will receive a bachelor’s degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Reserve.

Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training

Enlisted Marines ages 19-25 on active duty and in the Active Reserve may qualify for the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training program, a 10-month academic improvement course that includes remedial high school and college prep instruction. BOOST is designed to provide “education enhancement” for enlisted Marines seeking a college education and a commissioning program — including the Naval Academy, MECEP and the Marine-option NROTC scholarship program. Eligibility is listed in Marine Corps Order 1560.24D.

Warrant Officer (regular, Reserve, gunner and recruiter)

Marines ranked sergeant or above and considered technical experts in their military occupational specialty may qualify for the Warrant Officer Program. Candidates with at least eight years of active naval service and no criminal offenses must be recommended by their commanding officer for appointment to warrant officer on active duty or in the Active Reserve. The program requires additional service and rank minimums for Marine gunner and career recruiter. Marine Corps Order 1040.42A includes eligibility requirements and application procedures.

Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps

The Marine Option Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps’ four-year scholarship program educates and trains candidates for careers as commissioned officers.

Each Marine Corps Recruiting District screens and selects applicants for the program. Selected candidates receive full tuition, books, fees and a monthly stipend at a college or university that hosts the program.

Upon graduation and successful completion of required training, a midshipman is appointed a second lieutenant.

Enlisted Marines compete with civilians for selection for the program. While attending a university as a scholarship student, active-duty Marines selected as scholarship recipients are released to the Individual Ready Reserve and do not receive pay and allowances.

https://www.mcrc.usmc.mil/• Naval Academy/Naval Academy Prep School

Active-duty and Active Reserve leathernecks may apply for nomination and appointment to the Naval Academy. Candidates must be single and 17-23 years old. Naval Academy Preparatory School accepts Naval Academy applicants who “could profit from an additional year of academic preparation,” according to the USNA Admissions Board. Marine Corps Order 1530.11G includes eligibility requirements.