Becoming an Officer: Questions

[Marxman]

Hello everyone. I've got some more questions I'd appreciate some help with. I've been looking into joining the Marines (as an officer) through various routes from the Platoon Leader's Course to the Officer Candidate's Course to the NROTC doing research on my own. I talked to a recruiter and let him know I was interested in a 4 year degree (by itself) and a commission through the Platoon Leader's Course (during/after). He referred me to alternate routes through the NROTC or by joining the reserves. After a long conversation about different specialties I gave him my information, he gave me his card, and we parted ways. He didn't offer to sell me any bridges, and seemed quite honest and informative which really prompted me to renew my inquiries. Now for the questions:

What in your mind is the most logical way to go? Should I attempt to take my courses on scholarships and student loans, finish school, and attend OCC? Take the Juniors/Seniors program while in college? Should I join the reserves, continue through school and join through NROTC or the PLC with some financial aide from the Marines? Does anyone have firsthand experience? Pros/Cons?

What is the process like when you are becoming an officer, or actively seek a commission? I've read the process from an Army Officer's perspective, but I'd like any information anyone can provide. Any horror stories?

Does anyone have more information on the reserves, or attaining a commission through the reserves? Transferring out of the reserves? This is probably the area I know the least about.

I'm sure I will periodically update my question list and I thank anyone who answers/attempts to help in any way. While I don't quite feel overwhelmed by the information having extra analysis always helps a ton. I have a couple other considerations: I want to be on active duty, I want to specialize in Intelligence (MOS 0203 most preferably), I don't want a desk job (funny, I know), and the degree I'm pursuing is in science (if it matters - I know its a more competitive field for the NROTC). If for some reason becoming an officer doesn't pan out I have absolutely no reservations about enlisting, and I will still pursue the same 4 year degree.

Thanks for taking the time to read/consider this.

[chris]

a frontal labotomy is required.

[haiedras]

Lol, not quite, you have to make Major first before the lobotomy happens.

I personally went the OCC route, so I got nothing in terms of financial assistance for college, but I still have the GI Bill sitting around if I ever get to grad school, or just decide I want to get my pilot's license. :P At 10 weeks of OCS, it's probably the smoothest and shortest method to a commissioning.

There are guys I knew that went through the service academies and through NROTC. Pros: College gets paid for, and depending on where you get accepted for the NROTC route, you get a good education too.
Cons: You don't get to be lazy in college, you're basically PTing and doing military stuff at 0600 every day. So not so much on the sleeping in, late classes, etc. Also you get either no GI Bill, or less of the GI Bill(Post 9-11 from what I remember)

PLC is if you're in college, and you get 6 weeks over your 2nd and 3rd year summers. Pros: You get to try out the life in short phases, so if you decide it's not for you after the 1st session, if I remember, you can DOR(drop on request) without any negative results.
Cons: You get to spend two summers in Quantico. And it sucks.

Reserves: If I'm reading this correctly, you enlist in the reserves, and do your part-time thing while attending college. Most likely after graduation, you apply through the Enlisted Commissioning Program since you have your degree already, and go active duty.
Pros: You get to experience life in the Corps, and get paid a little while you're in college.
Cons: You experience life in the Corps, and can be called up to active duty per the needs of the service. So you might not get to finish college in a timely manner.

For the record, if you're dead set on the Intel field, I'd honestly look more at the Army. Seriously. Ground Intel sounds stupidly awesome...until you realize there are only so many Scout Sniper platoons in the division, and you either spend time as an assistant S-2 somewhere until a slot opens up, or if you're lucky, get a rifle platoon either in a battalion or a LAR company. Once you hit Captain, all the intel fields dump into the MAGTF Intel Officer MOS, so like it or not, you will more than likely spend the rest of your career as a desk jockey.

This is not to say that you can't get into Recon, Force, MARSOC, or all the HSLD stuff, just remember that you're also competing with the 0302s, and there are a LOT more of them.

Anyway, this is long-winded, and from the best of my knowledge. I'm sure I forgot some stuff here and there.

[bondmid003]

Most guys that didn't go to school on a ROTC scholarship or attended the Academy go the OCC route. It's probably your best option

[Marxman]

Hey everyone. I've been talking to my recruiter about NROTC and gathering information in my spare time. I think I will apply for NROTC considering my grades should be conducive or beyond the requirements and my course material wouldn't be considered basic (I actually have calculus and calculus based physics this year which, IIRC, are two requirements for the NROTC [though they are not required for the Marine option.]) Does anyone have any advice on NROTC admissions? How should I treat the requirements and the application process? Is it like a job interview or college admissions - what's my bearing on applying. Any general or procedural information would be greatly appreciated. Any other information relating to becoming an officer would be extremely appreciated.

[doughboy334]

go Army ROTC

[coyote43g]

Being an officer usually entails being behind the desk. Hate to break it to ya there. Doesn't matter if you are intel, infantry, tanks, armor, arti, etc. As long as you are an officer, you will be forced to be behind the desk at one point or another. Good luck on your future endeavors!

[aquamark]

Thank you for considering joining the Marines during time of war. Semper Fi. Mark

[Marxman]

After talking to officers from different branches I'm considering a third option - joining as a reservist and going through college with or without NROTC backing (the reserve status supposedly increases chances of NROTC acceptance.) After I finish I'd either attend TBS through the NROTC option, or complete the juniors/seniors program while still in college and then attend TBS. The major advantages of this route seem to be that I would receive training in an area I could transfer to as an officer (there are intelligence, recon, and infantry areas available - I'd like to go recon to see if I could steer an intelligence position towards field work,) I will receive tuition assistance even if NROTC rejects my application, and I'll have more hands on experience as an officer. As always any input would be most appreciated, but I think this might be the right option for me.

[MRX9989]

That was back when they could deprive of sleep, which is no longer done.

That's kind of surprising to me. Sleep deprivation is alive and well in Army OCS.

[aquamark]

That is a great option. You may be able to get a guarantee Intel slot (in writing of course) enlisting as a reservist. You will also get to do a pump over in the sandbox, as you will most likely be in a unit that goes active for a year or so. Those experiences will give you an enormous leg up if you decide to go the officer route later on.

[aquamark]

That's kind of surprising to me. Sleep deprivation is alive and well in Army OCS.

Well at least they "say" they don't do it anymore... :-)