Cross Commission

D. Robinson

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2010
Messages
20
After reviewing what both USMA and USNA have to offer, I feel that West Point better suits what I wish to accomplish in several aspects.

However, I still desire to become a Marine Corps officer. I have a long line of family history serving in the USMC, and it also offers an MOS I'm interested in that the Army does not.

Does anyone have any experience in successfully being commissioned into another branch? Specifically, how difficult was the process and what was done to secure a cross commission?
 
What MOS is that? Something so specific may not be available to you.

As for the cross-commission, it involves a lengthy review board. There must be a USNA mid who wants to commission in the Army in order to allow a "swap." The numbers are small, and there are no guarantees.
 
I find it weird how you say West Point better suits what you want to accomplish when you want to to be in the Marine Corps.

I obviously have no experience but cross commissioning is not common. You can't count on it at all. I believe that you need to find someone who wants to switch into the service you're trying to switch out of from the service you want - essentially swapping.

I did a search and here's some threads where it has been discussed before.
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=6045&highlight=cross+commission (this one's long)
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=13448&highlight=cross+commission
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=12244&highlight=cross+commission
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=3377&highlight=cross+commission
 
Scoutpilot, the MOS is a Ground Intelligence Officer (0203).

AKH, it's funny you brought up what I had said considering I had trouble myself selecting which word I wanted to use. I used "accomplish" because of USMA offering a major I am considering and military training such as jump school that isn't offered as much to Midshipmen. "Participate" could have been used however due to the activities I'm interested in.

I do understand, however, that cross commissioning is nearly impossible and serving in the Army is something that I would not mind. Personally, I'm just not a fan of the possibility of having to serve in the Navy. I just wanted to see if anyone in the community had accomplished such a feat and what he/she had done.

Thank you for your replies and information.
 
Scoutpilot, the MOS is a Ground Intelligence Officer (0203).

.

Job Description: Ground intelligence officers are trained as the primary platoon commanders in division reconnaissance companies, infantry battalion scout/sniper platoons, and other ground intelligence assignments to include: Battalion, Regiment, and Division Staffs; Marine Logistics Group and Intelligence Battalions. Ground intelligence officers serve as commanders of the reconnaissance companies within division reconnaissance battalions, and are responsible for the planning, deployment, and tactical employment of ground reconnaissance units. They are also responsible for the discipline and welfare of their unit's Marines.

AKA: US ARMY CAVALRY/INFANTRY OFFICER (O1-O3). Benefit, you don't have to be an intel officer as a Major/LTC/COL in the US ARMY CAV. SCOUTS OUT.


HOOAH!!!:thumb:
 
Job Description: Ground intelligence officers are trained as the primary platoon commanders in division reconnaissance companies, infantry battalion scout/sniper platoons, and other ground intelligence assignments to include: Battalion, Regiment, and Division Staffs; Marine Logistics Group and Intelligence Battalions. Ground intelligence officers serve as commanders of the reconnaissance companies within division reconnaissance battalions, and are responsible for the planning, deployment, and tactical employment of ground reconnaissance units. They are also responsible for the discipline and welfare of their unit's Marines.

AKA: US ARMY CAVALRY/INFANTRY OFFICER (O1-O3). Benefit, you don't have to be an intel officer as a Major/LTC/COL in the US ARMY CAV. SCOUTS OUT.


HOOAH!!!:thumb:

Kind of sounds like a few career paths could follow that. Based on the description, it strikes me as a mix of things you would find the Army dividing between infantry officers (LRS-D companies, Pathfinder companies, BN Scout platoons) and intelligence officers (intelligence at the battalion/brigade/division staff level). There's always the MI w/ Infantry branch detail route as well. It's hard to fully describe because a lot of those buzzwords ("tactical employment of ground reconnaissance units") have different meanings to different services, and depending on what asset is being employed.
 
Kind of sounds like a few career paths could follow that. Based on the description, it strikes me as a mix of things you would find the Army dividing between infantry officers (LRS-D companies, Pathfinder companies, BN Scout platoons) and intelligence officers (intelligence at the battalion/brigade/division staff level). There's always the MI w/ Infantry branch detail route as well. It's hard to fully describe because a lot of those buzzwords ("tactical employment of ground reconnaissance units") have different meanings to different services, and depending on what asset is being employed.

MECH BN scout platoon are Armor/Infantry Officers, same for CAV Troops.

Rest of the job description for the Marines:

"To fulfill these responsibilities they analyze and evaluate intelligence; estimate the operational situation; and formulate, coordinate, execute appropriate plans for offensive/defensive maneuver, reconnaissance, and fire support. Ground intelligence officers also plan for operations in nuclear, biological, chemical defense, and directed energy warfare environments. Additionally, they are responsible for their unit's communications capabilities, operational logistics, and maintenance."

Definitely leans more to the maneuver platoon leader versus the intel officer (BIC or BN S2) (the execute appropriate plans for offensive/defensive maneuver" etc. As is supposed to happen in a maneuver BN (Infantry, Army, AV) scout plt ldrs gathered intel should make its way to the BN S2 to assist the CDRs decision points.

Regardless, I wonder if the applicant is interested in the intel analysis or the intel gathering portion of the job description.
 
I'm definitely interested in the intelligence gathering portion.

For some background information, I'm primarily leaning toward intelligence because I hope to start a career in the CIA after service. I realize HUMINT may be better for this career path, but I've always wanted to experience the infantry officer side as well.
 
I'm definitely interested in the intelligence gathering portion.

For some background information, I'm primarily leaning toward intelligence because I hope to start a career in the CIA after service. I realize HUMINT may be better for this career path, but I've always wanted to experience the infantry officer side as well.

I recommend going Combat Arms and learning Leadership skills preparing for and leading Soldiers/Marines in combat.

CIA will teach you all you need to know about how THEY do the intel game.
 
If I go Army, I could take a branching detail into the infantry like scoutpilot said. Plus, I have a feeling if I attend USMA, I'll have no desire to enter the Corps by the time of graduation. lol

Once again, thank you for the replies. They are very helpful.
 
Plus, I have a feeling if I attend USMA, I'll have no desire to enter the Corps by the time of graduation. lol

Once again, thank you for the replies. They are very helpful.

Not always a bad thing.

At 17 and 18, we don't always know what we really want, or what's really best for us, but 4 years down the road we should have a better idea.
 
Not always a bad thing.

At 17 and 18, we don't always know what we really want, or what's really best for us, but 4 years down the road we should have a better idea.

LOL...yeah, you should. 12 years later, I'd like to think I do.
 
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