VMI Summer Training Questions

I'll be part of the Rat Mass of 2013+3 and I'll be seeking a USMC commission, though I am not on scholarship, and I was wondering what kind of summer training with the Marines I'll be allowed or required to do. I am under the impression that scholarship cadets attend OCS after their 4/C year, but what about college program cadets?

acoc801 said:

I'll be part of the Rat Mass of 2013+3 and I'll be seeking a USMC commission, though I am not on scholarship, and I was wondering what kind of summer training with the Marines I'll be allowed or required to do. I am under the impression that scholarship cadets attend OCS after their 4/C year, but what about college program cadets?

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There will be no summer training until you win a scholarship or Advanced Standing by your junior year. You are correct that the summer before your senior year will be spent at OCS in Quantico VA. The normal summer training progression for a Marine Option MIDN is CORTRAMID, Mountain Warfare School, and OCS.

I can tell you that its going to be very difficult (but not impossible) to get an OCS/Scholarship slot. You need to be working on your PT scores but most importantly your grades. I was in the NROTC battalion at VMI for 2 years and didnt get either of these options because of how bad my grades were and I able wasnt able to run a 1st Class PFT.

It's real easy to lose your motivation in the first couple of months at VMI in terms of staying on top of everything so just keep that in mind, but if you're in the NROTC battalion you'll be placed on College Program basic (I think thats what its called) and can apply for advanced standing. Also, even if you dont have a scholarship or OCS slot you will be able to do FTXs and PT with the battalion during the school year.

So...no OCS slot, no commission? Or do I do OCS after graduation? All because I didn't get this scholarship?

acoc801 said:

So...no OCS slot, no commission? Or do I do OCS after graduation? All because I didn't get this scholarship?

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Not sure how the MO works specifically.. You do not have to be a scholarship cadet to commission in NROTC but advanced standing is necessary in order to commission. I think MO cadets need advanced standing to make it into OCS between their Junior/Senior years, but it has nothing to do with winning a scholarship.

I will start by saying - you should speak with NROTC unit as soon as possible - if you attended STP matriculation will be easier and thus you may find you have time - all the ROTC units are represented within the hall as you go thru matriculation.
With that said, assuming you are anxious for some info or clarification- my son is at VMI, 4yr NROTC scholarship - but some of his buds are marine so I can tell you what I know -
OCS during "firstclass summer" rising seniors - is attended by all marine option - last spring - junior yr - even the cadets that had been particiapting and expecting a commission, tho not scholarship - seemed to find out by March if they were on commissioning track. I know of one that was dropped( might not be correct term) but his expectations dashed because of asthma - so it looked as tho by junior yr spring - all those wanting commission were seriously worked up - so that the summer they would attend necessary firstclass summer cruise.
VMI historically has a Marine officer as head of NROTC unit and Navy guy for XO - so the marines have a good presence - your desire should garter attention and thus the info you desire - as previously poster said there are many factors that will add up to your commissioning.
If you were using OCS as term for college graduates to seek commissioning ave in Navy (oor I assume marine corps) then that I believe is seperate and after you would graduate from college -
But I think the marine cadets did call their summer cruise this year "OCS".
VMI has a bulldog program they run during 2nd semester of junior yr - its reall intense for workout - designed to help the cadet pass OCS - this is only a marine cadet program - it takes up time during that semester over and above regular VMI cadet corp and academic duties. The cadets I know that did it this past spring - really felt ready in may for marine summer - most wanted to go to quantico as soon as possible to not lose any of their preparations.
I hope this helps - larrys mom

If you cant get a scholarship there is always OCC which is a program that operates after graduation. Either way talk to the NROTC instructors as soon as possible.