Overview of Officer Paths

If you are interested in learning how to lead, shouldering enormous amounts of responsibility and developing analytical and interpersonal skills that are crucial to executive management, consider becoming an officer in the United States Marine Corps. You’ll find rewards, challenges, and excitement that few other careers can match.

WHAT IS A COMMISSIONED OFFICER?

As a Commissioned Officer, the President of the United States, with the consent of the U.S. Senate, places “special trust and confidence” in you to protect our Constitution. You distinguish yourself as one who possesses the character, leadership, and intellectual capacity to lead America’s sons and daughters in the daily defense of our way of life – and into harm’s way if called upon. On the basis of your commission, you, as an officer, are afforded uncommon authority, incredible responsibility, and total accountability. On the basis of this commission, you are also granted special status and privileges in our society.

Unlike the other American armed services, the Marine Corps does not have its own service academy. We prefer to find potential leaders among America’s college and university undergraduates and graduates.

The Marine Corps officer programs are designed to bring out the best in you by putting you through the toughest training and evaluation you have ever faced. We make no apologies for the fact that our Officer Candidate School is extraordinarily challenging. It has to be. Marine Officers take on responsibilities well beyond their years. The training will force you to search your own desire and commitment to succeed in the face of extreme adversity. To excel, it takes someone who is a self-starter, reliable—someone who doesn’t settle for second best or for a job half done. “What sets the Marine Corps apart from other training institutions—and in particular, from an MBA program…is that it unabashedly favors breeding generic, high-speed chaos-proof leadership. Experts and specialists are a dime a dozen. What the world needs is someone who can grasp the workings of an entire organization, understand people, and motivate them.” -Inc. Magazine, April 1998

Marine Officer Programs afford college students and graduates an opportunity to earn a Presidential Commission through a challenging leadership internship at Officer Candidates School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia. Undergraduate men and women (freshmen, sophomores and juniors) enroll in the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) while seniors and graduates enroll in the Officer Candidates Course (OCC). The PLC and OCC Programs are designed to screen and evaluate candidates for the leadership, physical, mental and moral attributes necessary for service as Marine Officers. This is a competitive program and applicants must first complete the application process and then be selected by a board of Marine Officers. Those who pass the selection process will be given the opportunity to prove themselves at OCS and earn the title Second Lieutenant of Marines. Make no mistake, the process is tough, but for those who pass the test, there is no greater feeling of pride.