USMC OCS (OCC or PLC)

Hey all,

I was a semi-regular on these boards about a year ago, when I was applying to the United States Naval Academy. I was offered an appointment, but through a series of unfortunate events, I could not accept the appointment.

Because of that, I am currently attending a very high-placed civillian college, and following the USMC OCS (PLC) route.

If anyone has any questions about it (High schoolers interested in what the program entails, College students curious about it, or anyone else who wants a first hand account of the process) feel free to post up your questions here and I will either respond to them here or via PM.

This website was an invaluable resource for me while applying, and I want to give some back. Seeing as I am still not Academy-smart, I'm trying to help in the little ways I can!

- TC

PS: The links posted about USMC OCS are amazing, read through those if you have the time, but I'm not one of those people who will get angry if you want to ask a question that has its answers in the links provided.

Hi, I have this doubt
Currently Im studying towards a 3 year bachelor degree (criminalistics) in a university in Mexico, I am an american citizen, and I plan to revalidate my studies in the US, my question is if that would be a problem when applying for USMC Officer Candidate Course?
What are the policies toward foreing university graduates?
Thanks beforehand

TWinter said:

Hey all,

I was a semi-regular on these boards about a year ago, when I was applying to the United States Naval Academy. I was offered an appointment, but through a series of unfortunate events, I could not accept the appointment.

Because of that, I am currently attending a very high-placed civillian college, and following the USMC OCS (PLC) route.

If anyone has any questions about it (High schoolers interested in what the program entails, College students curious about it, or anyone else who wants a first hand account of the process) feel free to post up your questions here and I will either respond to them here or via PM.

This website was an invaluable resource for me while applying, and I want to give some back. Seeing as I am still not Academy-smart, I'm trying to help in the little ways I can!

- TC

PS: The links posted about USMC OCS are amazing, read through those if you have the time, but I'm not one of those people who will get angry if you want to ask a question that has its answers in the links provided.

Click to expand...

Hi,
I'm a candidate for USNA '15 but I am making sure I have solid back up plans that will ultimately get me the same thing, a commission as a Marine Officer. Anyway, what all does the PLC program involve besides the two summer training sessions? Do you PT or do any kind of training with the Marine Corps during the academic year? And most importantly(to me at least), what kind of commission do you receive once you graduate? Is it a regular commission like graduating from the academy where you could stay on active duty for a career if you wanted? Are you offered all the same MOSs at TBS coming from the PLC? Thanks so much for your valuable insight; I've been wondering about this program as an alternative to NROTC.

Thanks for the great post. I think they are all great points, but I especially agree with what you said about ensuring new discussions don’t fail. I think it’s vitally important that you interact with your members and making sure that new members’ contributions are rightfully acknowledged and praised. People appreciate this attention and it makes them more keen to return. I know it does for me.

Home Schooler

TWinter said:

Hey all,

I was a semi-regular on these boards about a year ago, when I was applying to the United States Naval Academy. I was offered an appointment, but through a series of unfortunate events, I could not accept the appointment.

Because of that, I am currently attending a very high-placed civillian college, and following the USMC OCS (PLC) route.

If anyone has any questions about it (High schoolers interested in what the program entails, College students curious about it, or anyone else who wants a first hand account of the process) feel free to post up your questions here and I will either respond to them here or via PM.

This website was an invaluable resource for me while applying, and I want to give some back. Seeing as I am still not Academy-smart, I'm trying to help in the little ways I can!

- TC

PS: The links posted about USMC OCS are amazing, read through those if you have the time, but I'm not one of those people who will get angry if you want to ask a question that has its answers in the links provided.

Click to expand...

I'm in 10th grade (home school). I have been doing extra academic courses (free online college math and science courses) to help prepare for the Naval Academy. I do lots of sports... am athletic and workout everyday (Cross Fit/P90x) However I'm not involved in any actual teams (most won't except home schooled people). Since I'm not involved in Varsity sports teams is that going to effect my getting an appointment? Also I don't really have any school records like no grade lists and stuff like that. I've wanted to go to the Naval Academy all my life, but I'm worried that I have nothing to show for all my hard work.

In USMA, you can select "home schooled" as one of your options AFAIK. Meaning, I am not sure how it works at USNA, however I am sure that you are not the first home-schooled applicant they'll have handled.

To TWinter (or anyone else with knowledge about PLC),

I was wondering if there is current, or tentative, list of application materials we will need? I know the basics: proof of citizenship, social security card, identification materials, etc. I'm mainly looking for application materials such as transcripts, recommendation letters, list of activities, or any other materials that are needed to evaluate the candidate's potential/academic record, etc. Basically, the documents that will land you a slot if you are (based on the materials) "qualified." I know this is best handled by contacting an OSO, but I'd like to have my papers and documents in order first before I contact the OSO, and it seems there are not many sites, even the ones listed in the forum's sticky topics, that seem to post it. I haven't had much luck over google or the official USMC/officer's webpage, either (they really only give you a link straight to an OSO's phone #, whom I did contact). I also need to make sure that I even have the credentials in the first place... A set GPA, certain activities I was supposed to be involved in, sports, or even letters from the proper people. I'm currently a commuter student in NYC and it's been difficult for me to get involved in much with my commute and obscure class schedule thrown in. Right now, I'm intent on enrolling in Fordham AROTC for the MSI classes (for the Fall) with plans to contract later on if I qualify, but I would absolutely love to land a slot in PLC because it would eliminate the need to throw in an even longer commute to Fordham since PLC takes place in the summer.

A really helpful user from the Yahoo! Answers forum led me to this:
http://dcmarineofficer.com/documents.html

and I was wondering if those were really the application materials everybody in PLC needed to submit? In any case, thank you very much for the response.

Vichawk: Unfortunately, I am not as familiar with the Academy as I am with the other commissioning routes, however, I'm sure if you asked in the main USNA section of this website people could help you.

Bsherman92: As usual, TPG is on the ball and correct, they change pretty often. However, one thing to remember is requesting the materials long in advance. I knew I needed a Social Security Card and Birth Certificate, but because I'm on the opposite side of the country from where the originals were stored in a safety deposit box, it was a big hassle getting them all the way to me. It may or may not be as big of an issue, but it is something to look into.