Alabama Marine Corps Officer Programs

Alabama- Mississippi- Georgia
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Frequently Asked Questions 
 
 
I want to finish college before joining. Can I just wait?
What if I decide to change my mind?
Are there any women in the Marine Corps?
What are my chances of getting deployed?
Can I make this a career? When do I have to decide?
What exactly is the mission of the Marine Corps?




Q:  I want to finish college before joining? Can I just wait?
A: Absolutely. You will apply for the OCC program. The Officer Candidates Course is designed for college seniors and graduates. It allows them to complete the training in one 10 week increment and, upon (proof of) degree completion, earn a commission in the Marines. It is obvious that the OCC program is much more competitive due to the limited slots. Most are filled by PLC candidates. The Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) is available to college freshman, sophmores, and juniors and can be advantageous in many ways - less competitive, earn money for college while enrolled in college, attend OCS in two 6 week increments instead of one 10 week increment during the summers, allow you to see if the Corps is right for you, and afford you the opportunity to earn more pay initially upon commission.
Q: What if I decide to change my mind but already started the program?
A: Obviously, we look for individuals that want to be Marines above all else. However, circumstances do change and we understand that. The PLC program allows you to complete Officer training while still in college. You can disenroll at any time and elect not to receive your commission upon successful completion of a degree. During training, you receive pay so all is not lost and the experience you receive is invaluable.
Q: Are there any female Marine Officers? 
A: Check these statistics out. The Marine Corps is the smallest branch; hence, the Few and Proud. There are approximatley 189,000 active duty Marines. Now, out of that, 10 percent are Marine Officers. Take that 10 percent and about 1 percent are women. Women Marines are highly regarded because they have met and overcome the same challenges the men faced in their quest to earn the title of Marine. Women Marine Officers are truly a cherished team member in the Marine Corps community and are highly respected both, in the Corps and in the civilian sector. Outstanding leadership qualities, prowess, ingenuity, professionalism, and above all else, pride of belonging to an elite organization.
Q: What are my chances of getting deployed?
A: We are the United States Marine Corps. A true expeditionary force in readiness. The most feared military branch in the world. We are feared because the enemies of the world have felt our wrath. There is always the possibility of deployment. That's what our young men and women train for everyday. There are Marines who have never deployed and some that have deployed the majority of their career. The only true median is that we are all ready to deploy whenever we are called upon to do so. That's why America has its Marines.
Q: Can I make this a career? When do I have to decide?
A:  All Marines are afforded the opportunity to make this a career. Officers go through a probationary period during their first tour of duty. After they have fulfilled their obligation, they can elect to request augmentation and stick around for a specified period or leave our ranks and positively influence the businessess of America.
Q: What exactly is the mission of the Marine Corps?
A:  The Marine Corps is expeditionary. We are a self-supporting branch of the military capable of providing their own air, land, and sea components. These components make up a MAGTF (Marine Air Ground Task Force) and provides the United States with an effective means of rapid deployment of military personnel to trouble spots in the world, which in turn, gives the United States time to mobilize the other components of the military. While the Marine Corps does not necessarily fill unique combat roles, only when combined do the Army, Navy, and Air Force overlap every area that the Marine Corps covers. As a force, the Marines consistently use all essential elements of combat (air, ground, sea) together. the Marine Corps' ability to permanently maintain integrated multi-element task forces under a single command provides a special ability to respond to flexibility and urgency requirements.