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Basic Overview
Applications to Platoon Leaders Class or Officer Candidates Course are submitted through your local
Officer Selection Officer (OSO). The first step in the application process is to conduct an interview
and basic screening with your OSO. If you pass the initial screening the OSO will give you the
opportunity to apply for the Officer Program.
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. You
will also have to complete the application form and submit required medical, academic and legal
documents as necessary. Once the application is complete it is ready for submission. The application
process for the Marine Officer Program typically takes about one month, but can last a few months.
The length of time it takes to complete an application is usually a direct result of how proactive or not
an applicant is in submitting required paperwork and meeting established deadlines.
Once the application is submitted, their application is sent to a selection board made up of Marine
Officers. The selection board meets a few times a year to select the best qualified candidates for
Officer Candidates School. It usually takes a couple of weeks after the board convenes to find out if
an application has been selected.
Once selected you become a Candidate and you will be required to maintain certain moral and
academic standards in order to remain in the program. You will continue to prepare mentally and
physically for OCS until the day you ship.
If you apply, but, are not selected you may re-apply as many times as you wish. Re-applications
generally reflect positively on you, but if you don't improve yourself between applications it will reflect
very negatively on you.
Application Process in Detail
Prospect Phase - During this phase, you will gather information in order to make a well-informed
decision. Once who have decided to interview with the OSO you will conduct an interview and basic
screening with your OSO. If the OSO invites you to apply for the Marine Officer Program, then you
may begin the application process. It is important to note that your first meeting with the OSO will be
an interview. So, it is important to come prepared. When you first meet with the OSO it is important to
come professionally dressed. It is also important to prepare for the interview by being prepared to talk
about your college and leadership experience, why you want to be a Marine Corps Officer and what
experiences have shaped you as a leader and why they are important to you. Married prospects are
encouraged to bring their spouse to the interview(s).
Information about Marine Officer Programs can come from a variety of sources, but the best source,
by far, is the Officer Selection Officer. Other resources include publications, pamphlets, and
brochures, insights provided by current and former Marine officers, Marine Corps Officer Programs
DVD, and the Marine officer web-site: www.marineofficer.com. Your goal should be to learn as much
as you can about our programs and what Marine officers do in order to make a sound decision about
whether to pursue an application for one of our programs.
Applicant Phase - During this phase, you will apply for acceptance to a Marine Officer Program. You
will choose which option (Ground, Pilot, Naval Flight Officer or Judge Advocate) you want to apply for,
but keep in mind that some options are much more competitive than others. The process consists of
several different steps, to include mental testing (as required), a physical exam, a physical fitness
test, a background check, and gathering your academic credentials. This phase can be accomplished
in a short period of time for applicants who meet the qualification standards. At times, an applicant will
not initially meet the standard in a particular area. Through dedicated time and work, these prospects
can rise to meet the standards for qualification.
The Marine Corps is looking for the applicant who is willing to demonstrate dedication and
determination. This phase culminates when the applicant’s “package” is sent before the National
Marine Officer Candidate Selection Board for review and competitive consideration. The Board
convenes several times throughout the year to select the most highly qualified applicants.
Whole Person Concept -The Marine Corps not only evaluates test scores but also considers external
activities such as community activities, school activities, sports participation, and work experience to
select those candidates who will attend Officer Candidate School. Once selected, you become a
Marine Officer Candidate.
Candidate Phase - This phase is broken down into three stages: pre-OCS, OCS, and post-OCS.
During the pre-OCS period, you continue to learn what will be expected of you at OCS and prepare
yourself to meet those expectations. The Officer Selection Office will continue to prepare you both
mentally and physically for the rigors of OCS. Our preparation page will assist you in preparing
mentally and physically for the challenges of Officer Candidate School.
Applications to Platoon Leaders Class or Officer Candidates Course are submitted through your local
Officer Selection Officer (OSO). The first step in the application process is to conduct an interview
and basic screening with your OSO. If you pass the initial screening the OSO will give you the
opportunity to apply for the Officer Program.
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. You
will also have to complete the application form and submit required medical, academic and legal
documents as necessary. Once the application is complete it is ready for submission. The application
process for the Marine Officer Program typically takes about one month, but can last a few months.
The length of time it takes to complete an application is usually a direct result of how proactive or not
an applicant is in submitting required paperwork and meeting established deadlines.
Once the application is submitted, their application is sent to a selection board made up of Marine
Officers. The selection board meets a few times a year to select the best qualified candidates for
Officer Candidates School. It usually takes a couple of weeks after the board convenes to find out if
an application has been selected.
Once selected you become a Candidate and you will be required to maintain certain moral and
academic standards in order to remain in the program. You will continue to prepare mentally and
physically for OCS until the day you ship.
If you apply, but, are not selected you may re-apply as many times as you wish. Re-applications
generally reflect positively on you, but if you don't improve yourself between applications it will reflect
very negatively on you.
Application Process in Detail
Prospect Phase - During this phase, you will gather information in order to make a well-informed
decision. Once who have decided to interview with the OSO you will conduct an interview and basic
screening with your OSO. If the OSO invites you to apply for the Marine Officer Program, then you
may begin the application process. It is important to note that your first meeting with the OSO will be
an interview. So, it is important to come prepared. When you first meet with the OSO it is important to
come professionally dressed. It is also important to prepare for the interview by being prepared to talk
about your college and leadership experience, why you want to be a Marine Corps Officer and what
experiences have shaped you as a leader and why they are important to you. Married prospects are
encouraged to bring their spouse to the interview(s).
Information about Marine Officer Programs can come from a variety of sources, but the best source,
by far, is the Officer Selection Officer. Other resources include publications, pamphlets, and
brochures, insights provided by current and former Marine officers, Marine Corps Officer Programs
DVD, and the Marine officer web-site: www.marineofficer.com. Your goal should be to learn as much
as you can about our programs and what Marine officers do in order to make a sound decision about
whether to pursue an application for one of our programs.
Applicant Phase - During this phase, you will apply for acceptance to a Marine Officer Program. You
will choose which option (Ground, Pilot, Naval Flight Officer or Judge Advocate) you want to apply for,
but keep in mind that some options are much more competitive than others. The process consists of
several different steps, to include mental testing (as required), a physical exam, a physical fitness
test, a background check, and gathering your academic credentials. This phase can be accomplished
in a short period of time for applicants who meet the qualification standards. At times, an applicant will
not initially meet the standard in a particular area. Through dedicated time and work, these prospects
can rise to meet the standards for qualification.
The Marine Corps is looking for the applicant who is willing to demonstrate dedication and
determination. This phase culminates when the applicant’s “package” is sent before the National
Marine Officer Candidate Selection Board for review and competitive consideration. The Board
convenes several times throughout the year to select the most highly qualified applicants.
Whole Person Concept -The Marine Corps not only evaluates test scores but also considers external
activities such as community activities, school activities, sports participation, and work experience to
select those candidates who will attend Officer Candidate School. Once selected, you become a
Marine Officer Candidate.
Candidate Phase - This phase is broken down into three stages: pre-OCS, OCS, and post-OCS.
During the pre-OCS period, you continue to learn what will be expected of you at OCS and prepare
yourself to meet those expectations. The Officer Selection Office will continue to prepare you both
mentally and physically for the rigors of OCS. Our preparation page will assist you in preparing
mentally and physically for the challenges of Officer Candidate School.
Upon completion of OCS, you will return to school if you are in the PLC program. OCC and PLC
Law applicants will receive their commission upon graduation from OCS and either begin active duty
immediately or go to law school if accepted to one of our law programs. Approximately four to six
months prior to earning your Bachelor’s Degree, you will make the decision to accept or decline
your commission. If you accept your commission, you will be appointed to the rank of Second
Lieutenant and assigned to active duty (ground officers and lawyers for four years; aviators for six
to eight years upon graduation from flight school).
Marine Officer Initial Training Phase - All Marine officers begin their active service by attending
The Basic School (TBS) for a period of 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.
Law applicants will receive their commission upon graduation from OCS and either begin active duty
immediately or go to law school if accepted to one of our law programs. Approximately four to six
months prior to earning your Bachelor’s Degree, you will make the decision to accept or decline
your commission. If you accept your commission, you will be appointed to the rank of Second
Lieutenant and assigned to active duty (ground officers and lawyers for four years; aviators for six
to eight years upon graduation from flight school).
Marine Officer Initial Training Phase - All Marine officers begin their active service by attending
The Basic School (TBS) for a period of 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.
The OCS period starts when you “ship” from the Officer Selection Station to
Quantico, Virginia. You will attend OCS for either two six-week sessions or one
ten-week session, depending upon when you enter the PLC program. OCC
applicants attend a 10-week course that is offered in January, June, and
October. OCS is designed to test you to ensure that you possess the physical
capabilities, character, intellect, and leadership potential required of all Marine
Officers.
Quantico, Virginia. You will attend OCS for either two six-week sessions or one
ten-week session, depending upon when you enter the PLC program. OCC
applicants attend a 10-week course that is offered in January, June, and
October. OCS is designed to test you to ensure that you possess the physical
capabilities, character, intellect, and leadership potential required of all Marine
Officers.
