How to Join the Marines as an Officer

Committed to service

One pathway to achievement for ambitious young people is to become a U.S. Marine officer. Marine officers lead troops in difficult situations throughout the world to support the objectives of the United States. There are three ways to become a Marine officer. Some officers choose the Marines after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. Most Marine officers, however, go to the Platoon Leaders Course during college or Officer Candidate School after graduating college. Whatever route is chosen, becoming a Marine officer is extremely challenging.

Things You'll Need

• High school or college diploma
• Good health

Instructions

1. Attend the Naval Academy and make the choice to serve in the Marine Corps. The Naval Academy has slots available for graduates to choose to serve in the Marine Corps. Most military academy attendees are nominated by their representative in Congress or their senator. This application process must start in the junior year of high school and it is extremely competitive.

2. Complete the Naval Reserve Officer Training Course (NROTC) at a selected university as an alternative to the Naval Academy. In this course a young officer candidate completes military courses in addition to a standard college curriculum. At the end of the senior year successful candidates are commissioned into the Marine Corps as officers.

3. Instead of completing NROTC, attend college and complete the course for platoon leaders during the summer between college semesters. The course for platoon leaders is split into two sessions. One session is completed between the freshman and sophomore year or the sophomore and junior year. The second session is completed between the junior and senior year. At the end of the senior year, the successful candidate is commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps.

4. Complete college and then attend Officer Candidate School. The school consists of a 10-week course and successful candidates are commissioned as Marine Corps officers at completion.

5. All Marine Corps officers must complete the Basic School to finish their general training. Young lieutenants train at Quantico, Virginia, to learn how to lead troops in combat and on other difficult missions.

6. Complete advanced training. After completing the Basic School, all Marine officers complete additional training in their specialty. For example, Marine officers who hold a specialty as a pilot will go on to acquire further pilot training.

Tips & Warnings

• Each candidate for any school must also successfully complete physicals and acceptance tests.

• Marine officers can be expected to serve in dangerous locations anywhere in the world.

References

• Steps to Be a Marine Officer
• Being a Marine Officer
• Officer Candidate School

Resources

• Getting into Annapolis