SUMMING IT UP

• One can become a Marine Corps officer through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), the Naval Academy, or the Marine Corps OCS.
• The first officer’s training school at Quantico was established in 1891. The first formal resident school for Marine Officers was the School of Application at Marine Barracks, Washington, DC. In 1918, the school was formalized and titled the Officers Training Camp (OTC).
• The Corps developed the Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) in 1934 for students from colleges that did not have a Reserve Officers Training Corps. During World War II, Officer Candidate Class was established. When the revived PLC program was incorporated into officer candidate training, the combination became the Officer Candidate School.
• The passage of the Women’s Armed Service Integration Act in 1948 enabled women marines to serve for the first time as members of the regular establishment.
• In 1955, the training of women officers, NROTC midshipmen, and PLC candidates was removed from TBS responsibility and shifted to the newly formed Training and Test Regiment. Training of female officers came under the cognizance of the commanding officer of OCS in 1977.
• In return, OCS demands a commitment to be a leader in the Marines, mental and physical preparation, belief in oneself, a clear understanding of the OCS program and its standards and expectations, the ability to learn from mistakes, and the ability to progress from a focus on the self to a focus on the team.
• Each officer candidate is evaluated for leadership qualities, academics, and physical fitness. The leadership grade is based on practical application events, staff observation, and classroom instruction.
• Those who complete training at TBS are selected for various career paths based on the needs of the Marine Corps, class standing, company commander’s recommendation, and personal preference. A special law option allows law school students and graduates to postpone active duty until they are admitted to the bar.
• Applicants for OCS must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of appointment, citizens of the United States, and of high moral character. Each candidate must have excellent sight, a height between 5′ 6″ and 6′ 6″ (male) or 5′ 1″ and 6′ (women), have weight proportional to height, have teeth in good condition, and be in good overall health.
• OCS applicants must have a bachelor’s degree. Marine Corps officer applicants must have particular SAT, ACT, and ASVAB scores. Those applying for flight training must take the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps ASTB. Non-aviation officers are required to serve 3½ years of active duty.