NEW YORK MARINE OFFICERS
THE PROGRAMS
The two most common paths to becoming a Marine Officer are the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC), which candidates may attend during summers while they’re in college, and the Officer Candidate Course (OCC), which candidates who have already earned a college degree attend. These paths represent the first step to earning a commission as a Marine Officer. Under both programs you can apply for a reserve contract, an active duty ground contract, an air (pilot) contract, or a law contract.
ACTIVE DUTY GROUND
Ground officers can end up throughout any portion of the Marine Corps; from a Finance Officer to an Infantry Officer. Upon completion of Officer Candidate School, the ground officers will attend The Basic School (6 month school) where they will compete for their job (Military Occupational Specialty).
For more info, see the MOS Handbook
AIR (PILOT)
Marine Corps Pilots provide air mobility and support that allow Marines the freedom to operate on the ground. Whether performing close air support or antiair warfare, or flying a fixed-wing, rotary-wing or tilt-rotor aircraft, these Marine Officers are an important gear in the fighting machine that enables Marines to be victorious.
RESERVE GROUND
A Marine Officer in the Reserve must meet the same qualification process required of all active-duty officers, and upon completion, he or she will be assigned to a reserve unit, often near his or her hometown. As one of the Few in the Marine Reserve, you will forever be known by the title you earn—United States Marine. The training commitments of Marine Officers in the Reserve are one weekend a month and two consecutive weeks every year. It is a 4 year commitment following the completion of MOS school.
LAW
Judge Advocates provide legal advice and support to commanders, Marines, Sailors, and their families to promote the readiness of the force and contribute to Marine Corps mission accomplishment. As company grade officers, Judge Advocates ordinarily serve as Litigators, Legal Assistance Attorneys, Victims’ Legal Counsel, Assistant Review Officers, or Command Legal Advisors. Litigation opportunities exist as trial, defense, and victims’ legal counsel in courts-martial; as Special Assistant United States Attorneys in United States Federal Court; and as recorders, counsel for the respondent, or victims’ legal counsel in administrative discharge boards. Judge Advocates either conduct or supervise investigations into claims for and against the United States and other matters required by regulations. Judge Advocates provide command legal advice on matters including military justice, administrative law, civil law, standards of conduct, ethics, operational law, and international law.
