Expert: Rod Powers - 12/5/2007

Question
I am a high school junior who plans on majoring in Aerospace Engineering in college, and I plan on becoming a Marine Corps officer through Naval ROTC.  I am wondering what I can do in the Marine Corps with an Aerospace Engineering degree and what are the descriptions and requirements of Marine Corps MOS's that deal with Aircraft maintenance and/or Engineering?

Thank you.

Answer
Hi Margaret,

For the Marine Corps, the college degree really doesn't make all that much difference when it comes to officer jobs, with the possibly exception of JAG (Military Lawyer), with requires graduation fro law school.

For other Marine Corps officer jobs, there aren't any specific degree programs required, and Marine officers are not selected for their jobs, based on their college degree major.

Selection is based on three primary factors (1) Qualifications (for example, a female cannot be an infantry officer), (2) desires of the applicant, and (3) (and most important), the needs of the service. For example, in the Marine Corps, one can have an "Aerospace Engineering" degree, and be commissioned as a Supply Officer. Conversely, one can have a degree in History, and wind up as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. Having an Aerospace Engineering degree would likely increase your chances of an aircraft maintenance officer job (the selection board isn't stupid, it's just that they have limited jobs to fill and try to make the best match possible, based on qualifications, applicant preferences, and available "slots"), but there are certainly no guarantees.

For a listing of Marine Corps officer jobs, see my site at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marinejoin/l/bloffjobs.htm

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com