I don't know whether to join the USMC as enlisted and then officer/college or to go to ROTC and then officer?

Question

I am not worried about any written tests involved, and have a sufficiently high ACT score to qualify for OCS. I would consider a career in the USMC, and also to go Officer through the ECP or whatever. It's really a matter of respect once I'm a mustang and possibly having to go to a normal college four years late vs. the civilian respect of having been an officer regardless of good or bad.

I am not worried about test scores, and can qualify for OCS. I don't know whether I even want to be an officer, just that I want to be in the Marines and do what I should without getting a lot of people killed. So what should I do? I don't know whether or not I'd be a good leader, and don't want to freeze in combat.

New to this, stupid undeletable details!

Answer 1

good question. Let me advise you of this however, if you want true opinions on this question, listen to those who have actually been in the military and not just a civilian. Now, as for your dilemma, being a Marine, I can tell you that the difference between being enlisted and officer in the Corps is HUGE. Biggest thing to ask yourself from the get go, how long do you plan to be training and most of all running. Enlisted side, you'll run upto 5 miles at boot camp plus lots of conditioning marches (humps) up and down hills or through the swamp climates. At OCS, you will run a lot more. Reason being, if an enlisted man falls out, its kind of acceptable or understandable because of all the work done during the day or week, etc. However, if an officer falls out of a run and none of his juniors do, a lot of respect and talk will be lost and heard. As enlisted Marines, we expect our leaders (officers anyway) to be able to run forever so we don't have to. Oh and the way we see officers is this, its someone that went to college and probably has some bull degree (underwater basket weaving) and made it through OCS. you won't get any real respect as an officer until after you reach Capt. and if your really lucky a little before you pick up Capt. I, personally, if you want to see both sides of it, go enlisted, pick up sergeant or staff sergeant and apply to be a warrant officer. Oh, and for your final comment on the description, a Marine SNCO gets more respect than the majority of officers in the world. One GSgt of Marines can actually command and lead more Marines than a Colonel and even a General. Its a matter of trust and experience. To be an officer, you don't need a lot of experience. To be senior enlisted, you need a LOT of experience. think about it. Either way, good luck. Semper Fi devil pup. You'll earn your title of Marine and Devil Dog after you graduate. Until then, your only a pup.

Answer 2

There's a million ways to go about being an officer.

If you enlist first then try going to college at the same time and earning a commission via OCS, it could be very difficult. I know many Soldiers (even a few Marines) that had every intent to go to college but they forget that their enlistment is a fulltime job. So they typically end up doing a career enlisted. Not a bad option in itself either.

I went ROTC. I had a 4 year scholarship, every day of college was paid for. Oh, and I received a tax-free stipend of a few hundred every month. Not a bad deal. I was commissioned the day before I graduated and an officer ever since.

Now I don't have the experience the enlisted folks do. That's why they call the enlisted the backbone of the military. But they have a COMPLETELY different job than officers. It's really hard to compare actually because their jobs are 2 different worlds. Enlisted get dirty, carry out the tasks and make things happen. Officers lead. Now the word "lead" encompasses many aspects such as motivation, direct, support, etc. Don't get wrapped around the axles on that one.
The other thing is... Officer pay is nice. I've never been "broke" but I'll never be rich. You can use that as a motivator if you wish, but remember you sign the line you have to do your duty when called upon and remember the lives of your Soldiers/Marines are in your hands and you'd better not let them down.

But do you get what I'm saying? ROTC you come out right into the officer job. OCS, you have to do the enlisted thing first and get that experience. Which do you want?

Answer 3

I wouldn't be so sure you qualify for OCS based on your ACT scores. True at times non college grads have been accepted into OCS...when there is a great need of officers but generally you need a college degree to be accepted. If you go enlisted you run some risks. First of all it is very difficult to complete a significant number of college hours while on active duty in the Marine Corps. There are other programs. You can be selected for the naval academy. There is a big BUT here....if you are selected for the academy from the enlisted ranks you have to go to a very difficult prep school with a high drop out rate. The problem is if you drop out you are still obligated for the extra 4 years you accepted when selected for the academy. I would say your best bet is go to school now. Select a university with an NROTC program. They will pay for your college and you'll have a 4 year obligation once you complete school and OCS.

Answer 4

If you go through ROTC you have benefits, I'm sure they are different then the Air Force one, but I'm sure some may be similar. Like you will immediately be an officer, officer and you will have high pay at the very start, but don't take that as the main reason. Look at the Marine Corps website and see what all the benefits are in doing ROTC. Hope this helps. God Bless!

Answer 5

Getting your degree first is better for you for a couple of personal reasons.... if you go into ROTC they will help pay for your college costs and you will come into the service an officer making more money right off the bat. If you enlist it is tough to be active duty and get a 4 year degree, people do it, but it makes for a very long day and takes a lot longer to achieve while working 12 hour days. Once you get out that degree will give you more earning power, and you may get out unexpectedly due to an injury or family issue you can't foresee.

My son is currently in ROTC and is going to be career Army, but is going all the way through to get his Master's before becoming active duty. I enlisted at 17 and FINALLY got my degree at 28, gawd.... his dad also enlisted at 17 and never got his degree even though he wanted to. Reality of having work obligations.

Best of luck to you and thanks for being there for all of us~

Answer 6

Personally the other Marines and myself(enlisted) had more respect for officers who worked their way up than 'OCS butterbars'
Yeah maybe we shouldnt have thought like that but that fact is we did and we were not the only ones.
Either way you will be respected but more as one who did their time.

Semper Fi

Answer 7

ROTC is the easy way. Joining the USMC & working up is the best way.

Congratulations on making a very mature decision!

Answer 8

Go as an officer. They just have a better standard of living than enlisted.

Answer 9

I would suggest enlisting and working your way up. Knowing what a grunt has to endue will make you a better leader
Which ever you do...thank you for serving.

Answer 10

oohrah, I say you will never amount to anything so why go to college or officer training. Be a jarhead and love it.