Paths to become an Officer

This interactive tool provides information on the various paths to earn a commission as a Marine Officer. From educational
requirements to training specifications, this tool outlines the journey for those who will pursue the calling to be a leader of Marines.

Possess a BA/BS
The journey to becoming an officer begins here. Choose the path that is right for you.
4 Year
College
For students who are attending a four-year college in pursuit of their bachelor's degree or college graduates
U.S. Naval
Academy
To enroll in the U.S. Naval Academy, students must receive a nomination by a member of Congress or the President of the United States. Tuition for midshipmen is fully funded by the Navy in exchange for an active duty service obligation upon graduation.
Enlisted
to Officer
For Enlisted Marines who desire to become a Marine Officer, there are four programs. You will be able to choose the program that is right for you based on your education and Active Duty or Reserve status.
Select the year you would like to begin your marine officer journey.

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior
Senior/
Graduate
Indicate your desired military status after commissioning.
Active Duty
Reserve
Select Officer Candidates School or NROTC to continue your marine officer journey at an accredited, four-year college.
OCS
The first proving ground for many future Marine Officers takes place at Officer Candidates School (OCS). The mission of OCS is to train, screen and evaluate candidates, who must demonstrate a high level of leadership potential and commitment to success in order to earn a commission.
NROTC
NROTC is a four-year, military scholarship program. College students in the NROTC program will hold the rank of midshipman. Students attend class, receive military education and participate in Marine Corps training courses, while working toward their degree.
Select Officer Candidates School to continue your marine officer journey at an accredited, four-year college.
OCS
The first proving ground for many future Marine Officers takes place at Officer Candidates School (OCS). The mission of OCS is to train, screen and evaluate candidates, who must demonstrate a high level of leadership potential and commitment to success in order to earn a commission.
Do you possess a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college?
YES
NO
Commissioning
For those who successfully complete training, the next step is to accept their commission.
The Basic School
Once a candidate is commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, he or she will attend six months at The Basic School (TBS).
INDICATE YOUR MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS). NOTE: This will be assigned based on the needs of the Marine Corps.
GROUND MOSs
Officers with a ground contract will compete for a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) during The Basic School (TBS). They attend training specific to their particular expertise, and these programs last from six weeks to 24 months, depending on the level of technical proficiency.
AIR MOSs
Officers with an air contract have a guaranteed Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and attend rigorous training prior to being designated as Marine Corps Pilots or Naval Flight Officers.
LAW MOS
Officers with a law contract have a guaranteed Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of Judge Advocate and attend the Naval Justice School (NJS) after The Basic School (TBS).
4 YEAR
COLLEGE
U.S NAVAL
ACADEMY
ENLISTED
TO OFFICER
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior/Graduate
ACTIVE DUTY
RESERVE
OCS
NROTC
Possess a
BA/BS
Do not possess a
BA/BS
COMMISSIONING
THE BASIC SCHOOL
GROUND MOSs
AIR MOSs
LAW MOS
OFFICER CANDIDATES SCHOOL
PLATOON LEADERS CLASS
The first proving ground for future Marine Officers is Officer Candidates School (OCS). The mission of OCS is to train, screen and evaluate candidates, who must demonstrate a high level of leadership potential and commitment to success in order to earn a commission. The Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) is the path through Officer Candidates School (OCS) for college freshman, sophomores and juniors.
Requirements
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Physically qualified to meet Marine Corps standards
Age to Apply
Open To
  • Currently enrolled four-year college students and four-year college graduates
Commissioning Requirements
  • Complete OCS
  • Earn a BA/BS
Commissioned As
Second Lieutenant (2ndLt)
Location
Training Pillars
Leadership
Academics
Physical Training
Length of Training
  • Two six-week courses
  • One ten-week course
OFFICER CANDIDATES SCHOOL
OFFICER CANDIDATE COURSE
The first proving ground for future Marine Officers is Officer Candidates School (OCS). The mission of OCS is to train, screen and evaluate candidates, who must demonstrate a high level of leadership potential and commitment to success in order to earn a commission. The Officer Candidate Course (OCC) is the path through Officer Candidates School (OCS) for college seniors and college graduates with ambitions to become a Marine Corps Officer.
Requirements
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Physically qualified to meet Marine Corps standards
Age to Apply
Open To
  • Currently enrolled four-year college students and four-year college graduates
Commissioning Requirements
  • Complete OCS
  • Earn a BA/BS
Commissioned As
Second Lieutenant (2ndLt)
Location
Training Pillars
Leadership
Academics
Physical Training
Length of Training
  • One ten-week course
NROTC
MIDSHIPMAN
As a college student in the NROTC program, you will hold the rank of midshipman. You'll be attending class, receiving military education and participating in Marine Corps training courses, while working toward your degree. Upon successful completion of your bachelor's degree and the required Marine Corps courses and training requirements, you will be commissioned as a Marine Officer.
Requirements
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Physically qualified to meet Marine Corps standards
Age to Apply
Open To
  • High school seniors and high school graduates who compete for appointments
Commissioning Requirements
  • Complete NROTC
  • Complete Officer Candidates School (OCS)
  • Earn a BA/BS
Location
  • Any approved NROTC college or university
Training Pillars
Leadership
Academics
Physical Training
Length of Training
  • NROTC: six-weeks at Officer Candidates School (OCS) and four years in NROTC program
Commissioned As
Second Lieutenant (2ndLt)
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
MIDSHIPMAN
To enroll in the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), students must receive a nomination by a member of Congress or the President of the United States. As a student at the U.S. Naval Academy, you will hold the rank of midshipman. Training begins with the Plebe Summer, seven weeks of physical training, naval education, and moral and ethical development. After graduation, you will be commissioned as a Marine Officer.
Requirements
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Physically qualified to meet Marine Corps standards
Age to Apply
Open To
  • High school seniors and high school graduates who compete for USNA appointments
Commissioning Requirements
  • Graduate from USNA
  • Earn a BA/BS
Commissioned As
Second Lieutenant (2ndLt)
Location
Training Pillars
Leadership
Academics
Physical Training
Length of Training
  • Seven weeks during Plebe Summer and four years in USNA
ENLISTED TO OFFICER
ENLISTED COMMISSIONING PROGRAM
Enlisted Marines who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a desire to always advance may talk with their Chain of Command about becoming a Marine Corps Officer. The Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP) allows qualified Enlisted Marines to apply for assignment to Officer Candidates School (OCS) and receive a commission as a Marine Officer.
Requirements
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Physically qualified to meet Marine Corps standards
Age to Apply
Open To
  • Active-duty Enlisted Marines who possess a BA/BS
Minimum Service Requirements
  • One year of active Marine Corps service completed
  • One year remaining on contract
Commissioned As
Second Lieutenant (2ndLt)
ENLISTED TO OFFICER
MARINE CORPS ENLISTED COMMISSIONING EDUCATION PROGRAM
Enlisted Marines who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a desire to always advance may talk with their Chain of Command about becoming a Marine Corps Officer. One of the most common programs Enlisted Marines use to transition from enlisted to officer is the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP). MECEP offers qualified, active-duty Enlisted Marines the chance to go to a four-year college full-time, while maintaining active-duty status and pay.
Requirements
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Physically qualified to meet Marine Corps standards
Age to Apply
Open To
  • Active-duty Enlisted Marines
Minimum Service Requirements
  • Three years of active Marine Corps service completed
  • Corporal or above
Commissioned As
Second Lieutenant (2ndLt)
ENLISTED TO OFFICER
RESERVE ENLISTED COMMISSIONING PROGRAM
Enlisted Marines who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a desire to always advance may talk with their Chain of Command about becoming a Marine Corps Officer. The Reserve Enlisted Commissioning Program (RECP) allows qualified Enlisted Marines in the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) Program to apply for assignment to Officer Candidates School (OCS) and subsequent appointment to a commissioned officer grade in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Requirements
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Physically qualified to meet Marine Corps standards
Age to Apply
Open To
  • Active-duty Enlisted Marines
Minimum Service Requirements
  • 36 months continuous service in SMCR or served on active duty three or more years
  • Corporal or above
  • Enrolled in Selected Marine Corps Reserve Program (SMCR) with a four-year bachelor's degree
Commissioned As
Second Lieutenant (2ndLt)
ENLISTED TO OFFICER
MERITORIOUS COMMISSIONING PROGRAM RESERVE
Enlisted Marines who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a desire to always advance may talk with their Chain of Command about becoming a Marine Corps Officer. The Meritorious Commissioning Program Reserve (MCP-R) allows Commanding Officers to nominate qualified Enlisted Marines in the Marine Corps Active Reserve (AR) Program, who have demonstrated exceptional leadership potential, for assignment to Officer Candidates School (OCS) and subsequent commissioning in the Marine Corps Reserve.
Requirements
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Physically qualified to meet Marine Corps standards
Age to Apply
Open To
  • Active Reserve Enlisted Marines
Minimum Service Requirements
  • Selected Marine Corps Reserve Program (SMCR) with an Associate level degree or 75 credit hours of actual college work
  • Must have completed 12 months of reserve service in the Selected Reserve
  • At least 12 months remaining on current reserve enlistment or extension on date of application
Commissioned As
Second Lieutenant (2ndLt)
COMMISSIONING
One of the proudest moments in the life of an Officer Candidatea midshipman is the day they receive their commission. From that moment until the end of their service, Marine Officers are entrusted to lead Marines in service of our nation. On the day an officer receives his or her commission, the transformation from civilian to Marine Officer is complete.
The Officer Eagle, Globe and Anchor
The Officer Oath of Office
I, [NAME], DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM) THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION; AND THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ON WHICH I AM ABOUT TO ENTER. SO HELP ME GOD.
THE BASIC SCHOOL
Following completion of Officer Candidates School, newly commissioned officers head to The Basic School (TBS) to learn the basic tactics of an Infantry Platoon Commander. Guided by the mentorship of experienced Marines, new officers develop the leadership, knowledge and esprit de corps that define the Marine Corps.
Location
Training Pillars
Leadership
Principles
Platoon
Leadership
Combat
Order
Curriculum
Curriculum
  • Marine Corps Martial Arts
  • Combat Intelligence
  • Water Survival
  • Marine Corps History & Traditions
  • Military Law
  • Navigation
  • Communications
  • Aviation Support
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Logistics
  • Patrolling
  • Field Engineering
  • Infantry Weapons
  • Vertical Envelopment Operations
  • Supporting Arms
  • First Aid
  • Drill, Command and Ceremonies
  • Marine Corps Organization and Staff Functions
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
GROUND SCHOOLS
If you are assigned a ground Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), you will train at an MOS school to develop your particular expertise. View details for information on the primary training locations for ground MOSs.
Infantry Officers Course
Quantico, VA
Training
  • Infantry, ground intelligence, and light armor roles
Combat Service Support School
Camp Johnson, NC
Training
  • Personnel administration, logistics, financial management and supply roles
Communications-Electronics School
Twentynine Palms, CA
Training
  • Training for aviation command and control roles
Locations
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
FLIGHT SCHOOLS
Newly commissioned officers with an aviation Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) attend rigorous training prior to being designated as Marine Corps Pilots or Naval Flight Officers.
Pre-Flight Training
Pensacola, FL
Training
  • Six weeks of basic aviation training in aerodynamics and turbine engines, and essential flight rules
Primary Flight Training
Pensacola, FL
Training
  • Officers are selected to specialize in one type of aircraft: jets, helicopters, tilt rotors or turboprops
Advanced Training
Pensacola, FL
Training
  • After completing Primary Flight Training, report to designated Advanced Training Naval Air Station to train on a specific aircraft
  • Log actual flight hours in the cockpit and flight simulator hours
  • Training is completed and Marines are designated as Pilots or Naval Flight Officers
Location
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
NAVAL JUSTICE SCHOOL
After initial training at The Basic School, Judge Advocates attend the Naval Justice School (NJS).
Naval Justice School
Newport, RI
Training
  • Basic aspects of military law
  • Uniform Code of Military Justice
  • Criminal Law and Procedure
  • Operational Law
  • Trial Advocacy
  • Administrative Law
Location