Any Marine Officers here? (Would like advice please)

[slateman]

Ever since I was six I have wanted to be a Marine (I've flirted with other occupations but that one has always been the constant). Well, I'm 20 now, and i have just gotten my Associates Degree and have realized that I need to make certain steps in order for this goal to become a reality.

I want to be an officer, or as the recruitment book says, "to command the smartest, toughest, most elite military force in the world." There are other reasons but that is the main one.

So I took one of the first steps, I asked for information. They [the Marine Corps] sent me stuff and now I have questions. I don't wanna ask the recruiters because, frankly, I get that used-car-salesman-vibe from them (nothing personal to any recruiters).

What are the differences (if any) between Platoon Leaders Class, Officer Candidates Class, and Officer Candidates School (besides when they are taken)?

Is there any special test that I would have to take to qualify for those classes/school?

If I go through PLC, am I still, for lack of a better term, allowed to finish getting my degree (including a possible semester of summer school-I want to get a minor)?

I'm sure I'll have other questions, but these will have to do for now.

Thanks for the info!

[pbzmag]

You can try www.military.com or military.about.com. If you do decide to join, don't let them to tell you to lie at MEPS. Espicially life threatening medical conditions. I believe that you need to have a Bachelors degree to attend Officer school for any branch. Since you have your Associates degree, get your Bachelors and check to see if there is a ROTC class at your college. For anyone else considering joining the military, you can join under the direct commission if you have an Engineering or Law degree, or are a Clergyman for any Religion.

[mag-hatter]

doy ou know if they let you in if you have had pas experiences with drugs but you dont do them anymore?

[ttoad4000t]

Originally posted by mag-hatter
doy ou know if they let you in if you have had pas experiences with drugs but you dont do them anymore?

If you got arrested for it, i would bet money you couldnt be an officer...

[pbzmag]

You must disclose any illegal drug use. I'm not exactly sure but I think any hard drug use besides Mariguwana(sp) disqualifies you. With mg, I think you must have not used it for six months. They will do a drug test at MEPS. Depending on the individual, you will need to get waivers for any disqualifiers but is subject to individual cases. Some waivers were given out one week only to be denied the next week for the same waiver. For me, I need to get a waiver for asthma and flat feet. I found out at meps that I have flat feet and a waiver is being considered. If you think they can't find out about your past history, think again. If your MOS requires any type of clearance, they can find anything about your past. Sealed records can be opened by the military.

[slateman]

I've never done any illegal narcotics. A friend's Dad told me that if you test positive once they kick you out, so I decided that I didn't want to become addicted to it.

I just transfered to a 4 year university and they have an ROTC program. The problem is that its for the Army and for the second two years they require a commitment to the Army.

My mother keeps telling my ankles look swollen. I never broke them and they've been like that for as long as I can remember. Is this gonna be a problem?

[pbzmag]

Here is a link of the Military Medical Standards:

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/intmedstandards/blintmedstandards.htm

Enlistment Standards:

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/aa082701a.htm

Sorry if I don't answer some questions. I'm also going through the process and don't know all the answers. The best thing to do is ask on the forums of the sites I listed earlier. There are recruiters who answer most questions and won't give you BS answers. You can also go to your local recruiter but be prepared to be told to lie about almost anything. There have been less than honorable recruiters who are only looking for numbers.