NROTC (MO) – When are you "a Marine"?

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OldDog

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My grandson is a "Marine contract" who will be attending OCS at Quantico starting in late May. Although he will not commission until May of 2022, is he considered "a Marine" at completion of OCS in early July?

Thanks.
 
Aren’t you sworn into the Navy Reserve as a cadet at NSI? So, while not a Marine yet, you are in the Navy Reserve starting the summer after high school.
 
I think after competing OCS you're considered a Marine but not a Marine officer yet. I could be wrong though.
 
OldDog said:
My grandson is a "Marine contract" who will be attending OCS at Quantico starting in late May. Although he will not commission until May of 2022, is he considered "a Marine" at completion of OCS in early July?

Thanks.
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My DS went through OCS in 2019. Upon graduation, he received his EGA and was officially allowed to wear U.S. Marines on his uniform, which was never previously authorized.
 
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mgreen said:
My DS went through OCS in 2019. Upon graduation, he received his EGA and was officially allowed to wear U.S. Marines on his uniform, which was never previously authorized.
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What was his rank between OCS graduation and commissioning?
 
mgreen said:
My DS went through OCS in 2019. Upon graduation, he received his EGA and was officially allowed to wear U.S. Marines on his uniform, which was never previously authorized.
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Yes, you are authorized to wear the Eagle, Globe & Anchor as a Midshipman but you are definitively not a Marine yet.
 
... and don't try to wear that EGA prior to OCS. That would bring unwanted attention.
 
MO Midn who attended NSI in the summer of 2019 were issued and wore the EGA on their hats and boards. How does that differ in this question/ conversation thread? Curious.
 
MinnMom said:
MO Midn who attended NSI in the summer of 2019 were issued and wore the EGA on their hats and boards. How does that differ in this question/ conversation thread? Curious.
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NSI? Isn't that a two week program called New Student Indoctrination?

Was this at Quantico? Did they run the Quigley?

Were Marine DIs, SIs at Quantico but are drill instructors, run the indoctrination?
 
Thanks to everyone for replying. However, I sense a split of opinion on my question which boils down to, "can he call himself 'a Marine' after OCS?" Some seem to say yes, others, no.

I appreciate that he will not be a Marine officer until he finishes his last two semesters of schooling. He will be a Naval Reserve midshipman first class on entering OCS and remain so after completion. [His current Common Access Card identifies him as either an E5 or E6 in the naval service, presumably due to his pay while on active duty.]

Over the past three years he has been very careful not to identify himself as a Marine when asked. I just wondered if this will continue.

Thanks again.
 
OldDog said:
Thanks to everyone for replying. However, I sense a split of opinion on my question which boils down to, "can he call himself 'a Marine' after OCS?" Some seem to say yes, others, no.

I appreciate that he will not be a Marine officer until he finishes his last two semesters of schooling. He will be a Naval Reserve midshipman first class on entering OCS and remain so after completion. [His current Common Access Card identifies him as either an E5 or E6 in the naval service, presumably due to his pay while on active duty.]

Over the past three years he has been very careful not to identify himself as a Marine when asked. I just wondered if this will continue.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
The conversation took a few different paths. It was complicated by the EGA discussion. As a clarification, contracted Mids are issued EGA on their uniform at NSI or COTRAMID. It has been this way for a while. Are they Marines after NSI, COTRAMID or OCS - No, they are contracted midshipman. Remember, those rising Seniors that just completed OCS still have 1 more year of ROTC/MS classes to satisfy Commissioning requirements. My opinion is that you are a Marine after completion of boot camp OR following the official commissioning ceremony. Just my 2 cents.
 
@OldDog - This thread got out ahead of me. I had wanted to respond last night but it was Easter...

Your Grandson will not be a Marine after OCS. I am certain he will understand that.

He actually enters a certain "Limbo" after OCS and prior to commissioning. He will have to earn a degree, remain healthy, avoid criminal activity, and complete all required tasks. When he is commissioned he will become a Marine (and a Marine Officer).

There is a point in the OCS schedule where the candidates are presented with the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. It is commonly called the EGA but as Commandant General Gray ordered that acronym abolished. (I think it was Al Gray but could be mistaken). It is an important moment celebrating the completion of a critical step towards becoming a Marine but that alone does not make one a Marine.

Despite some of the above comments, the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, is worn on Marine Option uniforms. The photo shown on the landing page for the Navy Reserve Officers Training page depicts a Marine Option on the far left of the photo. https://www.netc.navy.mil/NSTC/NROTC/

Hope that helps.
 
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