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Officer Candidate Class (OCC) is designed specifically for college seniors and graduates with
ambitions to become a Marine Corps officer. 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.
Pay and Benefits
Candidate Status:
Marine Officer Status:
Program Options
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.
OCC Ground - As a ground officer, you will have over 20 military occupational specialties to choose
from. Infantry, logistics, air defense, artillery, intelligence are just a few examples of the fields you
can specialize in. See the MOS Guide for more details on each military occupational specialty. Make
sure to visit our Officer Programs Downloads page for more information about being a Marine
Ground Officer.
OCC Pilot - This is the only program of any service that will guarantee you a pilot slot as early as
your freshman year in college if you qualify. Contrary to popular belief you do not need almost
perfect vision to become a pilot. If you make it through OCS and take your commission as an Officer
of Marines you are guaranteed to go to flight school in Pensacola, FL to become a Marine pilot. The
Marine Corps has the world's fifth largest air force consisting of most technologically advanced
fighter and attack jets, helicopters and cargo aircraft. Check out the Marine Corps' equipment page
to learn more about our aircraft. See the MOS Guide for more details on each military occupational
specialty. Make sure to visit our Officer Programs Downloads page for more information about being
a Marine Aviator.
OCC Naval Flight Officer - As a Naval Flight Officer you are guaranteed to fly in a high
performance jet provided you pass flight school. As a Naval Flight Officer in an F-18 or EA-6B you
will be responsible for the deployment of all on board weapons, sensing and navigation systems and
assisting the pilot with his duties. See the MOS Guide for more details on being a Naval Flight
Officer. Make sure to visit our Officer Programs Downloads page for more information about being a
Marine Aviator. Also, for more NFO information, visit this page.
OCC Law/Judge Advocate - This program is open to third year law students or law school
graduates. If you have scored at least a 150 on the Law School Admissions Test and will graduate
law school by next summer you may qualify to become a judge advocate for the Marine Corps. After
completing a ten-week session at OCS, and six months at TBS you will report to the Naval Justice
School in Newport, Rhode Island. Then you will serve as a Judge Advocate (attorney) for the Marine
Corps. Once you graduate Naval Justice School you will receive a constructive service credit for your
three years in law school that will count towards accelerated promotion and higher pay. This
program is extremely competitive and requires you to be an exceptional applicant. See the MOS
Guide and our downloads page for more details on being a Judge Advocate.
OCC Reserve - This program is designed for someone who desires to be a Marine Officer in a
reserve unit. After completing OCS, TBS, and MOS school, the OCC-R officer would report to a
reserve unit. The officer would have the normal reserve commitment of one weekend per month and
two weeks per year instead of the full time commitment of a regular active duty Marine officer.
Additional benefits include MOS choice and choice of where they would drill. Contact the office for
more information regarding this program
Officer Program Process
Applications to Officer Candidate Course are submitted through your local Officer Selection Officer
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 the OSO invites you to apply for OCC, 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.
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.
ambitions to become a Marine Corps officer. 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.
Pay and Benefits
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
Program Options
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.
OCC Ground - As a ground officer, you will have over 20 military occupational specialties to choose
from. Infantry, logistics, air defense, artillery, intelligence are just a few examples of the fields you
can specialize in. See the MOS Guide for more details on each military occupational specialty. Make
sure to visit our Officer Programs Downloads page for more information about being a Marine
Ground Officer.
OCC Pilot - This is the only program of any service that will guarantee you a pilot slot as early as
your freshman year in college if you qualify. Contrary to popular belief you do not need almost
perfect vision to become a pilot. If you make it through OCS and take your commission as an Officer
of Marines you are guaranteed to go to flight school in Pensacola, FL to become a Marine pilot. The
Marine Corps has the world's fifth largest air force consisting of most technologically advanced
fighter and attack jets, helicopters and cargo aircraft. Check out the Marine Corps' equipment page
to learn more about our aircraft. See the MOS Guide for more details on each military occupational
specialty. Make sure to visit our Officer Programs Downloads page for more information about being
a Marine Aviator.
OCC Naval Flight Officer - As a Naval Flight Officer you are guaranteed to fly in a high
performance jet provided you pass flight school. As a Naval Flight Officer in an F-18 or EA-6B you
will be responsible for the deployment of all on board weapons, sensing and navigation systems and
assisting the pilot with his duties. See the MOS Guide for more details on being a Naval Flight
Officer. Make sure to visit our Officer Programs Downloads page for more information about being a
Marine Aviator. Also, for more NFO information, visit this page.
OCC Law/Judge Advocate - This program is open to third year law students or law school
graduates. If you have scored at least a 150 on the Law School Admissions Test and will graduate
law school by next summer you may qualify to become a judge advocate for the Marine Corps. After
completing a ten-week session at OCS, and six months at TBS you will report to the Naval Justice
School in Newport, Rhode Island. Then you will serve as a Judge Advocate (attorney) for the Marine
Corps. Once you graduate Naval Justice School you will receive a constructive service credit for your
three years in law school that will count towards accelerated promotion and higher pay. This
program is extremely competitive and requires you to be an exceptional applicant. See the MOS
Guide and our downloads page for more details on being a Judge Advocate.
OCC Reserve - This program is designed for someone who desires to be a Marine Officer in a
reserve unit. After completing OCS, TBS, and MOS school, the OCC-R officer would report to a
reserve unit. The officer would have the normal reserve commitment of one weekend per month and
two weeks per year instead of the full time commitment of a regular active duty Marine officer.
Additional benefits include MOS choice and choice of where they would drill. Contact the office for
more information regarding this program
Officer Program Process
Applications to Officer Candidate Course are submitted through your local Officer Selection Officer
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 the OSO invites you to apply for OCC, 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.
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 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.
Basic Qualifications
- Composite ACT Sore of 22
- AFQT Score of 74 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
OCC AVIATION ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
OCC LAW ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
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.
Basic Qualifications
- Upstanding, competitive & physically fit men or women between 18 and 27.5 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)
- 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 20/400 -- 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
