Expert: Jason Grabill - 2/24/2005

Question
Alright, I want to join the Marines.. However in doing so, I would like to be an officer.. All 3 colleges I have access to have Army ROTC, and I'm not sure if that would help me in my Marine career.. You see, after I join I'm marrying my Fiance' (Because I've always wanted to have a Marine wedding).. And I might decide to go to Okinawa or wherever.. I've heard officer base housing is much much better, and I want to take advantage of that (for her), and I would like to be a leader on the field as well. If I were to take Army ROTC in one of these colleges I wanted to attend, They would pay for my college, with their scholarships, not to mention the Army pays of $60,000 in student loans.. But that wont stop me from doing what I can to be a Marine.. It's been my lifelong dream, and I've ran into this problem.. Besides all that, How is on base living? I've heard there are some slum bases, and I would like to try and avoid those. I want my wife to have a nice place to live.. I suppose if I absolutly cannot become an officer in the Marine Corps, I'll just take the Army ROTC and attempt to become an Army Ranger or something, I don't know.. Are there any Marine academys I could go to? I had bad grades in high school up until 11th grade, then I had a 4.0 until this year (my 12th grade year).. I straightened up, but my GPA suffers because of my early disobediance I suppose. I'll probably be carrying a 1.75 or 2.0 overall, even though I'm in Honors classes now.. I've got a 26 on my ACT, which I would like to improve.. I just don't know where to go.. I want to be an officer in the USMC, not the Army or Air Force..
Also, could I just go to a community college and come in and take OCS or soemthing? Or do I need a 4 year.. I'm a bit worried about trying to be an officer AFTER I join, I've heard from my brother that people get held off for years and years trying to become an officer..

I'm sorry this was so poorly typed, I have to wake up in 3 hours for school, and I've been really stressed over this for some time, I found this site and thought messaging you would make some of that pressure dissipate..

The 2 MOS's I always wanted to have.. (Don't know if it's called an MOS in USMC) I've eaither wanted to be Special Forces, or a Pilot (I'm sure thats everyones dream).. Marines are Special Forces in my opinion.. But, if I cannot obtain a officer rank in the USMC, I'm afraid I'll HAVE to resort to the Army, as much as I don't want to do it, I want to take care of my Fiance'.. And the pay differences/living benifits are something I can't ignore..

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this..

Gratefully,
Jesse Lewis

Answer
Jesse:

  Officer life and housing is much better than that of the enlisted.  So, if that is the path you want, by all means, go for it.  However, officers don't get to pick which career field they get assigned....you could end up a supply officer.  If you qualify for Harriers/Jets/Aviation, (which you very well might, you won't know until you try), then you'll be set.  

 You could go to a community college and with a 4 year degree, apply for Marine officer programs.  That is easily done.  

 Your brother is right in regard to being held off for years after you join.  It would take several years (at least 2) to go to OCS, even with the 4 year degree, if you go in as an enlisted man.  

 It is called MOS in the Marines...

 One thing, if you go Army SF, I assure you, you won't see your fiancee/wife very much.  They are typically deployed for 10 months of the year.  And, that is after all the training courses you have to take, and the pre deployment workups.  They have the highest divorce rates in the military (higher than the Marines, except for Force Recon).

 No worries on the typing, much, much, better than most folks, I assure you.  

Semper Fi!

Sgt G