Unlike a service academy and unlike how it works for the Army, attending an SMC doesn't not guarantee you a commission in the Marines. Of course the best way is to attend USNA or win an NROTC-MO scholarship. If you do those, you're set, as long as you can keep performing well.
Confused here. I know that all NROTC mids not on scholarship must make the bar after their soph yr. (sim. to AFROTC).
Are you saying that there are no MO for rising jrs? Basically, it is a done deal by your freshmen yr? I get soph. because not everyone joins as an incoming freshmen, soph summer would be their 1st chance.
If so, than why would jrs. go?
The Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) Program is for those college freshmen, sophomores and juniors who decide to pursue a Marine Corps officer commission.
Or are you saying you will commission no matter what into the Navy, but not necessarily the Marines?
To me that is 2 different things. Some candidates would love to be in the Marines, but would be happy in the Navy. The way I am reading this post is if they don't get into the MO, they will not even commission at all into the Navy.
Remember, I am an AFROTC Mom, to me the MO is comparable to rated boards. Cadets fight for a rated slot, and may not get it, but they still will commission into the AF, and owe that 4 yrs after they complete their soph. yr summer training.
Just putting it out there that those of us not familiar with the commissioning process for the Marines, could have a pea size brain like me and read it as you must declare right off the bat, and without that scholarship it is already over before you even start.
FWIW, I read alot on other military news forums. I get that the Marines, currently from a fiscal aspect are looking at cutting about another 10% this yr. I would assume, that it will be insanely competitive not only at PLC, but for the Navy MO scholarships, because like any branch, the SA's will get 1st dibs.