Officer Candidate Class (OCC) is designed specifically for college seniors and graduates with ambitions to become Marine Corps officers. Candidates in this program attend a ten-week course at Officer Candidates School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia. Those who graduate from OCS are offered a commission as a Marine officer, and those who accept are immediately assigned to active service and begin attending The Basic School.

WHAT IS A COMMISSIONED OFFICER? 

As a Commissioned Officer, the President of the United States, with the consent of the U.S. Senate, places “special trust and confidence” in you to protect our Constitution. You distinguish yourself as one who possesses the character, leadership, and intellectual capacity to lead America’s sons and daughters in the daily defense of our way of life – and into harm’s way if called upon. On the basis of your commission you, as an officer, are afforded uncommon authority, incredible responsibility, and total accountability. On the basis of this commission, you are also granted special status and privileges in our society.

BUILDING A CORPS OF LEADERS

The common denominator for Marine officers is leadership. Marine officers must lead and are selected based on their potential to lead and to continue to develop as leaders. After selection and commissioning, the Marine Corps devotes nearly an entire year to training new officers before they take charge of enlisted Marines. You’ll be entirely prepared for that moment when you first stand before your Marines and utter the words, “Follow me.” Read on to find out more about our officer programs.

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Candidate Status:

• You will be paid as an E-5 while attending six or ten weeks of OCS

• Approximately $ 2,720.00 for six-week PLC junior and senior sessions

• Approximately $ 4,530.00 for ten-weeks combined course

• Best leadership training in existence

Marine Officer Status:

• Your salary as a Second Lieutenant will exceed $ 43,000.00 per year with pay increases annually.

• Full medical coverage for you and your family

• Full dental coverage and family plan

• 30 days’ paid vacation annually

• 100% Tuition paid for any further education you take on active duty

• Post-graduate educational opportunities

• Retirement after 20 years of active service

• Adventure and daily professional challenge

• Transferable and marketable skills. Inc. Magazine has described Marine Corps officer training as “the best management training in the world.”

• Unmatched camaraderie, pride, and esprit de corps

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the area -- whose face is marred by dust, sweat, and blood… a leader who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause -- who, at best if he wins, knows the thrills of high achievement, and if he fails, fails while daring greatly -- so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
–Theodore Roosevelt

When you apply to the Platoon Leaders Class or Officer Candidate Course, you choose the area that you want to go into. You can apply for one or more options to increase your chance of getting selected. The basic requirements for each program vary so contact us to go over the details. Also, visit our downloads page to get some more detailed information on the various programs we offer.
 

Applications to Officer Candidate Course are submitted through your local Officer Selection Office or OSO. The following is a basic overview of the application and training process. For more detailed information on the application process visit our Application Process page. Request more information or contact us directly if you wish to apply.

Prospect Phase

The first step in the application process is to conduct an interview and basic screening with your OSO. If you pass the initial screening are appear to be basically qualified you may begin the application process.

Applicant Phase

As part of the application process you will undergo a physical examination, background check and possibly some other tests to determine if you meet our physical, mental and moral qualifications. Once the application is complete it is ready for submission.

Candidate Phase

When the application is submitted, it is sent to a selection board made up of Marine Officers. The selection board selects only the most qualified applicants for OCC. If you are selected you become a candidate and you are guaranteed the opportunity to prove yourself at Officer Candidate School. You will continue to prepare mentally and physically for OCS until the day you ship.

Marine Officer Initial Training Phase - All Marine officers begin their active service by attending The Basic School (TBS) for a period of about six months. As the name implies, TBS will give you the basic skills needed to serve as a company grade officer in the Fleet Marine Force. At OCS, you prove that you possess the potential to be a Lieutenant of Marines. Upon graduating from college, you become one. At TBS, you learn how to be an effective lieutenant before assuming your first assignment leading Marines. Upon completion of TBS, you will be assigned to your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) school. Officers with an aviation guarantee will begin flight training in Pensacola, Florida. Officers with a Judge Advocate guarantee will attend Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. Ground officers are assigned their particular MOS near the completion of The Basic School – a decision that takes into account your personal desires, your performance at TBS, and the needs of the Marine Corps. You will attend the appropriate MOS school based on this assignment. Upon completion of your MOS school, you will be assigned to the Fleet Marine Force.

• Upstanding, competitive & physically fit men or women between 18 and 28 years of age

• No felony convictions

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.   

• Currently a college senior or graduate from an  accredited, four-year college or university.

• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

• Must meet Marine Corps Height/Weight Standards

• Must be physically qualified (attain a 225 or better on the USMC Physical Fitness Test)

• Must be mentally qualified  (e.g. meet at least one of the following)   

•   - SAT Score of 1000 or higher (Math & English)

•   - Composite ACT Sore of 22   

•   - AFQT Score of 74 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

• OCC AVIATION ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• No more than 27.5 years when commissioned a Second Lieutenant

• Pass the Navy/Marine Corps Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB)

• Be found medically qualified for flight training

• Minimum vision requirements are 20/40 -- correctable to 20/20
   

• OCC LAW ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Complete law school and pass Bar exam before shipping to OCS

• LSAT score of 150 or better

• Less than 33 years old when transitioning to active duty