PLC - DS signed up for DEP/Poolee

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NovaDriver

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DS, 17, had talked to a recruiter about PLC. He is going to college next year as a freshman out of high school. He met the requirements for NROTC-MO and went through the full process but was not selected. He tells us that he entered the DEP program as a poolee and that he has an August ship date. The guidance we thought he was getting was about PLC as an option, not the Delayed Entry Program. He has an August ship date and now some of his college choices are at issue as he was supposed to start Fall 2021. Can he enter PLC and not ship out in August?
 
No, it sounds like he’s going to boot camp. Marine boot camp. He not yet eligible for PLC.

Recruiters don’t send candidates to PLC. When ready he would speak with an officer selection office or something like that.
 
I'm very curious. Do you feel that your son was duped, or did he make a semi-mature, somewhat rational decision to take a different path?
 
NovaDriver said:
DS, 17, had talked to a recruiter about PLC. He is going to college next year as a freshman out of high school. He met the requirements for NROTC-MO and went through the full process but was not selected. He tells us that he entered the DEP program as a poolee and that he has an August ship date. The guidance we thought he was getting was about PLC as an option, not the Delayed Entry Program. He has an August ship date and now some of his college choices are at issue as he was supposed to start Fall 2021. Can he enter PLC and not ship out in August?
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PLC is for college students. See:

There are designated officer recruiters for the PLC program. If your son thought he was going to an officer commissioning program, he would be talking with an officer recruiter (an “officer selection officer”) about how that would work with his college plans. He would not have a “ship date.”

If he has taken a wrong turn, I suggest he contact an OSO via the chat or other options at the website below, to see what his options are.
www.marines.com

Become a Marine Corps Officer | Marines

Becoming a Marines Corps Officer is about proving your footsteps are worth following. Learn about eligibility requirements & the path to become a USMC Officer.
www.marines.com www.marines.com

The Delayed Entry program (DEP) has one destination, as far as I know:
enlisted boot camp complete with drill sergeants.

The enlisted recruiters in shopping centers have one mission, to recruit qualified candidates to enlist. They may mention the possibility of programs to commission as an officer and opportunities to start on college degrees, but that is after boot camp and down the road, and they have no power to promise anything except to state there are options.
 
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For the record, if he changes his mind, he can back out of any 'obligation' while in the DEP.

If it's not what he felt was discussed/ agreed upon, that'd certainly be an option.

Or, if that's the path he wants to follow, he should do so, just knowing it is...um...slightly different from what he was anticipating.
 
FlyBoy1993 said:
For the record, if he changes his mind, he can back out of any 'obligation' while in the DEP.

If it's not what he felt was discussed/ agreed upon, that'd certainly be an option.

Or, if that's the path he wants to follow, he should do so, just knowing it is...um...slightly different from what he was anticipating.
Click to expand...
Definitely...um...slightly different.
 
Devil Doc said:
No, it sounds like he’s going to boot camp. Marine boot camp. He not yet eligible for PLC.

Recruiters don’t send candidates to PLC. When ready he would speak with an officer selection office or something like that.
Click to expand...
Capt MJ said:
PLC is for college students. See:

There are designated officer recruiters for the PLC program. If your son thought he was going to an officer commissioning program, he would be talking with an officer recruiter (an “officer selection officer”) about how that would work with his college plans. He would not have a “ship date.”

If he has taken a wrong turn, I suggest he contact an OSO via the chat or other options at the website below, to see what his options are.
www.marines.com

Become a Marine Corps Officer | Marines

Becoming a Marines Corps Officer is about proving your footsteps are worth following. Learn about eligibility requirements & the path to become a USMC Officer.
www.marines.com www.marines.com

The Delayed Entry program (DEP) has one destination, as far as I know:
enlisted boot camp complete with drill sergeants.

The enlisted recruiters in shopping centers have one mission, to recruit qualified candidates to enlist. They may mention the possibility of programs to commission as an officer and opportunities to start on college degrees, but that is after boot camp and down the road, and they have no power to promise anything except to state there are options.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the guidance. He is contacting an OSO. He’s gotten into some excellent schools (including VT) and PLC has been a goal if NROTC did not pan out.
 
FlyBoy1993 said:
For the record, if he changes his mind, he can back out of any 'obligation' while in the DEP.

If it's not what he felt was discussed/ agreed upon, that'd certainly be an option.

Or, if that's the path he wants to follow, he should do so, just knowing it is...um...slightly different from what he was anticipating.
Click to expand...
Thanks as well. Been looking at the obligation side of this. Nothing seems as clear on the impact backing out of DEP may have. Seems like there is an opportunity to get permission because he wants to pursue “higher education” and PLC. He wants to be on an officer track. Ultimately, I realize he wants to be a Marine no matter what.
 
@NovaDriver - I urge your DS to consult this Marine Corps Order. https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Portals/61/Docs/FOIA/MCRCO1100.1EPM.pdf

Pay attention to section 4301 "Discharges"

Your DS signed a contract when he joined the DEP. This program is probably the least difficult to exit as far as entry programs go, but there could be downrange consequences. He needs to be fully informed of his rights, crystal clear on the consequences, and firm on the path he wants to pursue.

I agree that consulting with an OSO is a key next step. Page 4-47 cites a reason code for discharge due to pursuing higher education.
Also, Google is full of law firms willing to help one exit the DEP - just not sure if that affects future service opportunities.

Best of luck to your DS.
 
USMCGrunt said:
@NovaDriver - I urge your DS to consult this Marine Corps Order. https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Portals/61/Docs/FOIA/MCRCO1100.1EPM.pdf

Pay attention to section 4301 "Discharges"

Your DS signed a contract when he joined the DEP. This program is probably the least difficult to exit as far as entry programs go, but there could be downrange consequences. He needs to be fully informed of his rights, crystal clear on the consequences, and firm on the path he wants to pursue.

I agree that consulting with an OSO is a key next step. Page 4-47 cites a reason code for discharge due to pursuing higher education.
Also, Google is full of law firms willing to help one exit the DEP - just not sure if that affects future service opportunities.

Best of luck to your DS.
Click to expand...
Very helpful. Thank you for the post and link.
 
When i talked to my recruiter I found the PLC option to be quite awesome. Now that i’ve been eliminated from the NROTC-MO scholarship, i’m enlisting reserves, going to my schools, then applying to college for the spring semester (using the G.I. Bill to pay for all 4 years), then i’ll apply for the PLC. I think its a good choice to have if you truly want to be a Marine first.
 
Sounds like you have it figured out. Do you know the GI Bill eligibility and benefits awarded for reservists?
 
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