How does the PLC program work in comparison to OCC

Bulldogsam17

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Im a little confused as to when a person seeking a comission as a Marine Officer approaches the OSO for information , I currently am a high schol senior and want to immediately get a head start towards being a PLC contract and attenting PLC junior after freshman year of college . Thanks!
 
Im a little confused as to when a person seeking a comission as a Marine Officer approaches the OSO for information , I currently am a high schol senior and want to immediately get a head start towards being a PLC contract and attenting PLC junior after freshman year of college . Thanks!

I would say it's never too soon to ask for information. I would also expect a key question would be "When can I apply?"
 
Nothing wrong with talking to an OSO now. They may say "Come back next year," but should at least give you a heads up with what they're looking for in potential candidates so when you do come back you're good to go.

To address the question in your post (PLC v. OCC), PLC is definitely a better bet right now. To put it simply:

PLC: Attend during college, commission on graduation and go to TBS....sometime. Here's the BIG negative of PLC: you are on the bottom of the totem pole for getting to TBS. I know a couple guys here at TBS with me who waited a year or more to go...without pay, so they had to get civilian jobs.

OCC: Attend after college, commission, go straight to TBS. The biggest downsides with OCC are that the AD classes are getting majorly cut and competition is tough. The recruiting environment may change significantly by the time you'd be eligible for OCC, but I'd be surprised if it got better.

If you're curious about more Marine stuff, check out http://www.marineocs.com...there's a lot of good gouge on there about PLC, OCC, OCS in general, and TBS.
 
This is a recent post at www.marineocs.com, the OCS Foundation web site:

The second annual 1-week summer seminar at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia is occurring 21-27 July 2013.
This event is being sponsored by the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, and is designed to prepare high school students who are interested in applying for a Marine Option NROTC scholarship or pursuing other paths to becoming a leader of Marines. Applicants must have completed their sophomore year and be 16 when the academy starts on July 21st.

The website below has all the details. The deadline for application is 25 March. The application is somewhat lengthy and includes a doctor-signed physical. This Academy is FREE.

lead contact for this event, LtCol Bell at SLCDA@Marines.usmc.mil

The website for SLCDA, which has a link to the application:
http://www.mcrc.marines.mil/unithome/slcda.aspx

LtCol Adam Greer / reserve support recruiter / RS Frederick MD
 
Just so happens my DS is in the process now. He has applied for NROTC MO scholarship but did not receive it during first board. We are waiting on results for second board. He did get a few more rec. letters to add to his package etc. but that is, or has been his plan A. PLC seems to possibly be becoming the new plan A as he has gotten into it. He is also a senior in HS. He met with the OSO right after we received the news he did not get chosen in the first board. The OSO explained the program and gave him a rough application to fill out. It was very similar to the NROTC app. but not quiet as in depth. PLC is also a program you have to be chosen for, (contracted) and is also very competitive. The main difference is that the OSO has much more input into you getting selected. According to the OSO the PFT score is the most crucial of all factors. Not that the others don't matter but PFT is the most weighted. The averages seem to be around 280+ for PLC at Texas Tech. The PLC program has some great advantages over NROTC in our opinion as well. First of all as soon as he graduates high school, he can take the ASTB (flight exam). If he scores well enough, (4/6) he will be guaranteed a flight slot. Not what aircraft he will be flying, but a flight slot. This is the only military program that does this. Especially so early in. Second of all when you go to the first six week session of OCS, (one of two) the summer between your freshman and sophmore year, you start your time of service. You are not paid from that time forward, just time is counted. You are paid E5 pay while at OCS. That means when you graduate college, receive your commission, and finish TBS (school after OCS) you are not only a 2nd LT, but a 2nd LT with 3 to 4 years of service pay scale. That make quiet a difference. The NROTC advantage is obviously having college paid for. In our situation, we have saved for DS's tuition and he may receive some scholarship monies for the other. We won't know that for a few more weeks. One more point. There is no obligation to the PLC program. At any time before commissioning the candidate can drop. Also at any time before commissioning the Marine Corps can drop. The only time I think that happens is if a candidate can't cut OCS. Anyway seems like a great plan B if not a plan A. Do contact your OSO ASAP. With PLC the earlier the better. Also a thank you to Kinnem for your scholarship advice, and driving the point of a plan B, Thanks
 
You're more than welcome but a plan B is just common sense and it's what everyone here reiterates over and over so don't give me too much credit. :smile:
Glad to see a plan B is proceeding. I've always thought PLC was a great program and it was our plan B at one time... and could have become plan B again if things with NROTC MO went south. I do think you can lock in a flight slot with NROTC as soon as sophomore year if not sooner. Just something to keep in mind if NROTC MO comes through for your DS. Ain't nothin' better than NROTC MO unless it's USNA going Marines, right Hurricane? :biggrin:
 
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