Marine Corps Officer
- Thread starter CVBear
- Start date
Prior to Service Selection, at the beginning of senior yr, midshipmen submit their preferences. You have options of Navy Surface Warfare Officer (SWO), Subs, Navy pilot, Marine Ground, Marine Air or EOD/Special Warfare etc. If you want to become a Marine Officer then put it at the top of your list.
You'll be evaluated based off of your performance in academics, leadership, physical performance, conduct, military skills etc as the board goes through and determines where you would best serve the Navy and Marine Corps. They'll keep in mind what your preference is, but if you're obviously not a fit, then don't plan on getting that service.
There are things you can do to boost your chances with the Marine Corps during your time at the Academy, aside from just performing well in general. Attend the summer training options that give you greater exposure to the Marine Corps, like Leatherneck or MCTRAMID. Express your desire for the Marine route to your Company Officer and Senior Enlisted Advisor and continue to seek their advice.
There isn't a separate process at the Academy for the different services. Everyone has the same opportunities for training throughout your time at USNA regardless of the service you're trying to get. After graduation, while Navy Pilots go to flight school, Sub officers go to Nuke School and SWOs go straight to the fleet, Marine Officers go to The Basic School for 6 months to learn how to be a Marine Officer, as the saying goes "Every Marine a rifleman, every Marine Officer a rifle platoon commander". Then they go to their MOS school to learn how to do their job.
When it comes to life in the Corps, in my opinion it's great. I'm a 1stLt in the Marine Corps, a logistics officer, and am currently deployed. I've had a blast. You'll have many choices for occupational specialty in the Corps, but you can learn about that at TBS. As a logistician, in garrison my job has had me planning battalion logistics, training Marines on running convoys as a Motor-Transport platoon commander, and even spending a month training foreign nationals on convoy operations. Deployed I've managed battalion logistics for distributed operations and lead dismounted patrols. If you have any questions about life in the Corps don't hesitate to send them my way.
Semper Fi
You'll be evaluated based off of your performance in academics, leadership, physical performance, conduct, military skills etc as the board goes through and determines where you would best serve the Navy and Marine Corps. They'll keep in mind what your preference is, but if you're obviously not a fit, then don't plan on getting that service.
There are things you can do to boost your chances with the Marine Corps during your time at the Academy, aside from just performing well in general. Attend the summer training options that give you greater exposure to the Marine Corps, like Leatherneck or MCTRAMID. Express your desire for the Marine route to your Company Officer and Senior Enlisted Advisor and continue to seek their advice.
There isn't a separate process at the Academy for the different services. Everyone has the same opportunities for training throughout your time at USNA regardless of the service you're trying to get. After graduation, while Navy Pilots go to flight school, Sub officers go to Nuke School and SWOs go straight to the fleet, Marine Officers go to The Basic School for 6 months to learn how to be a Marine Officer, as the saying goes "Every Marine a rifleman, every Marine Officer a rifle platoon commander". Then they go to their MOS school to learn how to do their job.
When it comes to life in the Corps, in my opinion it's great. I'm a 1stLt in the Marine Corps, a logistics officer, and am currently deployed. I've had a blast. You'll have many choices for occupational specialty in the Corps, but you can learn about that at TBS. As a logistician, in garrison my job has had me planning battalion logistics, training Marines on running convoys as a Motor-Transport platoon commander, and even spending a month training foreign nationals on convoy operations. Deployed I've managed battalion logistics for distributed operations and lead dismounted patrols. If you have any questions about life in the Corps don't hesitate to send them my way.
Semper Fi
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- Feb 11, 2007
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- 243
CVBear, while you're @ USNA, obsess on fitness. Seriously, work on those pull-ups. Run. My 1/C Mid tells me a lot of his peers do the min. DO THE MAX.
08Marine can tell you way more than anyone else can (thank you for your service, 08Marine), but as a parent of a USMC-selectee who was nearly recruited for sub's, you'll have a smoother route to Marines if your PT is indisputable.
Good luck.
08Marine can tell you way more than anyone else can (thank you for your service, 08Marine), but as a parent of a USMC-selectee who was nearly recruited for sub's, you'll have a smoother route to Marines if your PT is indisputable.
Good luck.
armystrong2015
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2010
- Messages
- 86
USMC from USNA
If I were to go to the USNA, I would want to become a Marine Corps officer after graduation. In general, what percentage of USNA grads become USMC officers? And how competitive is it to obtain a USMC plot?
If I were to go to the USNA, I would want to become a Marine Corps officer after graduation. In general, what percentage of USNA grads become USMC officers? And how competitive is it to obtain a USMC plot?
2015: The percentage of USNA grads that are commissioned into USMC is regulated. Up until a few years ago (Class of 2008, I think), only ~ 16-20% went USMC. The past few years the percentage has been more like 25%, so that ends up being roughly 250 slots out of a class of ~1000.
It does seem to be fairly competitive to get a slot, but remember that 80-90% of USNA grads get their 1st choice in service selection, so the odds are in your favor. There are a lot of things that you can do to help yourself. As NorCalMom said, make sure you are ready to max your PRT scores every semester. By Firstie year, be ready to max out the USMC PFT and CRT. PFT is similar to the standard USNA PRT, but it has a timed 3 mile run versus 1.5 mile. The CFT includes overhead weight (ammo can) lifts and the obstacle course.
Show interest in USMC by participating in the Semper Fi association. Almost every USNA company has either a USMA Company Officer or Senior Enlisted Leader (Gunnery Sergeant). Let them know your interest. Make sure you sign up for the Leatherneck summer training during your Firstie summer.
Good luck!
It does seem to be fairly competitive to get a slot, but remember that 80-90% of USNA grads get their 1st choice in service selection, so the odds are in your favor. There are a lot of things that you can do to help yourself. As NorCalMom said, make sure you are ready to max your PRT scores every semester. By Firstie year, be ready to max out the USMC PFT and CRT. PFT is similar to the standard USNA PRT, but it has a timed 3 mile run versus 1.5 mile. The CFT includes overhead weight (ammo can) lifts and the obstacle course.
Show interest in USMC by participating in the Semper Fi association. Almost every USNA company has either a USMA Company Officer or Senior Enlisted Leader (Gunnery Sergeant). Let them know your interest. Make sure you sign up for the Leatherneck summer training during your Firstie summer.
Good luck!
usna1985
15-Year Member
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- Jun 9, 2006
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The percentage has been increasing from 16 2/3% in my day to closer to 25% today. USNA has said that it may reach 33% within a few years.
As a general rule, if you're interested in USMC and do well at Leatherneck and related activities -- and aren't in the bottom of your class, you have a good shot.
armystrong2015
5-Year Member
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- Mar 6, 2010
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- 86
Thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate it.
peskemom
10-Year Member
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- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 147
I am only the mom, but I can tell you from 'the other side' that once you put on that USMC uniform and are Commissioned as a 2ndLt....your 'former life' as a USNA grad means nothing. Now I don't mean that in every sense, but it is important to realize before you join the Corps that it not about what you were, but what you just became....At TBS, which every Marine Officer attends regardless of Commissioning source - being USNA is just your past life ( and from many reports, not just my own former mid - it's not always the best reputation in the eyes of some of the higher ups) and to think of yourself as a USNA Marine will NOT serve you as a Marine. And in the Commissioned Officer service - especially in the lower ranks - roughly 25% of Officers come from Service Academies so you suddenly find yourself in the minority of common experiences from day 1. So all of you wonderful young adults who are USNA Midshipmen - be proud - real proud of the path you chose to get to your career in our USMilitary. But most of all - if you become a Marine, remember that THAT is what you are.
Thanks 08Marine for weighing in on the site - I know it means alot to families to have the voice of experience-current provide positive reporting. Hoorah!
Thanks 08Marine for weighing in on the site - I know it means alot to families to have the voice of experience-current provide positive reporting. Hoorah!
AF6872
15-Year Member
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- Mar 4, 2007
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Thanks 08Marine. Great insight. Other than being a "Ring Knocker" the new second lieutenant evaluation and reputation starts all over again. Then it starts again with their assigned unit after MOS. And again, and again, and again with each new assignment! Semper Fi!
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