Change of Heart: Army ROTC to Marines: Advice and Help w/ the Process

[teufelj1]

Good Afternoon All,

In the last few weeks, I’ve have a big change of heart. I am in Army ROTC right now. I am currently a non scholarship Army ROTC cadet (MSIV), who is currently set with a reserve contract. I am however, interested in pursuing a commission through Marine Corps PLC. I would like to see what that would look like if I were to go this route, if possible. I also want to go aviation (fixed wing, jets are my dream).

I have already completed cadet summer training at Fort Knox in the Army side of things, and I am also exploring how to request a DD-368 form to apply for the marine PLC from Army ROTC.

I have been doing extensive research, however some guidance on the actual process or insight would be much appreciated to see if this is actually possible. I graduate next year in the Spring. I am at Texas A&M.

Thanks in advance, everyone.

 

[NavyHoops]

Not sure how things work on the Army side. I would say the release from that will be your biggest challenge. Reddit under USMCocs is decently active and gives lots of good info about getting selected, OCS, TBS and general officer life. If you are this close to graduation, OCC is probably your path instead of PLC. Find your your local OSO and reach out to them. Research the USMC PFT and start preparing for it.

 

[severn]

Good Afternoon All,

In the last few weeks, I’ve have a big change of heart. I am in Army ROTC right now. I am currently a non scholarship Army ROTC cadet (MSIV), who is currently set with a reserve contract. I am however, interested in pursuing a commission through Marine Corps PLC. I would like to see what that would look like if I were to go this route, if possible. I also want to go aviation (fixed wing, jets are my dream).

I have already completed cadet summer training at Fort Knox in the Army side of things, and I am also exploring how to request a DD-368 form to apply for the marine PLC from Army ROTC.

I have been doing extensive research, however some guidance on the actual process or insight would be much appreciated to see if this is actually possible. I graduate next year in the Spring. I am at Texas A&M.

Thanks in advance, everyone.

I went through this with my son, USNA Mid Firstie last semester who wanted to interservice transfer to ARMY due to Special Forces (SF) opportunities; decided to remain and try Navy spec ops.
I looked at your background: MS-IV Army ROTC, Army Reserve Contract, Completed Summer Camp, Spring Graduation, Reporting Date to Army Reserve Unit - 8 April 2026.
Do everything you can to facilitate this move before 8 April. As a 2LT in the Reserve, you will have so much tasks that it will occupy your young existence. Now talk to your S1-Adjutant about the transfer. They are experts in personnel matters. Army Regs have chapters for it. Talk to Marines Officer recruiters (not Enlisted). Ok, since you're locked to an Army Reserve Contract, I would stay in the Reserves but be high speed; low drag. Call the local Reserve SF Commander and volunteer to join. SF units are always looking for officers. Most likely you will attend Jump School within 90 days after reporting. And weekend training is always exiting. Now start preparing your Army Flight School application. Take the ASVAB, must score 100. Retake if not 100. Library has practice book. Let's say 5-6 years in U.S. Army Reserve, then make a move for USMC. Also, stay low profile in the next 120 days. Don't bring unnecessary attention to yourself. Hope this helps.

 

[Devil Doc]

OCC is probably your path instead of PLC. Find your your local OSO and reach out to them.

Agree that OCC will be the way. My son's OSO and the office gunny and civilian lady were awesome.

Let's say 5-6 years in U.S. Army Reserve, then make a move for USMC.

So the OP would go to TBS as a captain?

I am at Texas A&M.

Lots of Marine officers are Aggies including the commandant. Currently watching them winning against Mizzou.

 

[NavyHoops]

Do not believe they wouldn’t go to TBS as a Captain. They would start over. OCS and the whole nine yards if they move over from the Army.

 

[teufelj1]

Do not believe they wouldn’t go to TBS as a Captain. They would start over. OCS and the whole nine yards if they move over from the Army.

this is what I have been suspecting might be the outcome if I switched over. I think I’ll see the army through then if that’s true and then after my time in service (a few years from now) I will see what my options are.

Quick question: after said time in the army after I serve the time I signed for in the army, how would I still go about doing this? It’s not ideal, however I was thinking of becoming a marine the enlisted way after the army. Who knows. Could be another option, although I would forfeit my commissioned officer status and probably be a way lower enlisted rank. To be honest though, I’d love to see both sides of the spectrum. From leading individuals, to being with them.

Would love to know y’all’s thoughts!

 

[NavyHoops]

There isn’t a need to enlist after your Army time. Go see a Marine OSO. Discuss options. There was a story from a year or so ago of an Army officer who enlisted in the USMC after his time in the Army. They went to boot camp and started over. That is the Marine Corps way.

 

[teufelj1]

There isn’t a need to enlist after your Army time. Go see a Marine OSO. Discuss options. There was a story from a year or so ago of an Army officer who enlisted in the USMC after his time in the Army. They went to boot camp and started over. That is the Marine Corps way.

Will do. Thanks so much for the input!

 

[severn]

Reserves 11th and 12th Special Forces Groups were both deactivated in 1995. Most of its ODAs transferred to the current NG's 19th and 20th SF Groups. Check with your S1 how to transfer to the NGs. Since you're in Texas, the 19th SF Group will be your best option. I trained with those folks in Thailand. On the way to Fort Lewis, our aircraft would drop to jump altitude at 1200 feet, open the door, and off they went; aircraft continued flying to McGuire AFB.
I say stay in the Reserves, apply for Army Flight School, and Apply for American Airlines Cadet Academy to become a commercial pilot. AA hub is DFW Airport.

 

[Devil Doc]

Do not believe they wouldn’t go to TBS as a Captain. They would start over. OCS and the whole nine yards if they move over from the Army.

I know. I was wondering if I'd get an answer to the 5-6 years as an army reservist. Surely the OP would be a captain by then. The most senior officer I know of going to TBS is a first lieutenant law dog. I think he was promoted while a student because of some lawyer type of a reason.

Let's say 5-6 years in U.S. Army Reserve, then make a move for USMC.

There was a story from a year or so ago of an Army officer who enlisted in the USMC after his time in the Army. They went to boot camp and started over.

I remember the army officer story. You must be crazy, people probably told him. Said he wanted to be a Marine. Wanted the title. I still think he might have been a little crazy.

 

[NavyHoops]

We had two 1stLts in my TBS company. One was a law dog and the other was a USNA guy who had gone to Europe for post grad.

Oh I think that guy is crazy. He could have gone officer. The Marine Corps isn’t hurting for officers, but isn’t taking everyone. From what I am seeing from selection boards, decent stats are still getting selected. One of the Reddit threads for enlistment is full of prior enlisted seeking info to enlist in the USMC. Every reply is basically Marines saying, what is wrong with you?

 

[Devil Doc]

Everyone wants to be a Marine until they get to Parris Island.

 

[teufelj1]

Thanks everyone for the information. I’ll definitely take all of it into account.

Thinking about my previous comments, that was dumb to say I would enlist in the marines after my time in the army. Anyways…I am currently talking with an OSO recruiter right now. I will keep yall updated if I can remember to come back here and share my findings.

Thanks again!

 

[DTT!FSA!]

...Take the ASVAB, must score 100. Retake if not 100...

Given that the highest possible score on the ASVAB is 99, this would seem to be an unattainable goal.

 

[obsessedcadet]

Given that the highest possible score on the ASVAB is 99, this would seem to be an unattainable goal.

The commentor is most certainly referring to the GT score. A 100 or 110 GT score on the ASVAB is a requirement for a few popular MOS's.

 

[GrilledCheese94]

I'll echo what others have posted - track down your local USMC OSO immediately. If you're competitive, they'll do their best to get you through the process. Don't get discouraged if you can't get a Naval Aviator/Naval Flight Officer guarantee up front; plenty of guys in my TBS company got slots during MOS assignment about 2/3 of the way through TBS - some were even drafted because they passed the AQT/FAR & a flight physical prior to TBS.