Basic Overview

The Marine OCS program (or Officer Candidate School) allows a man or woman in college pursuing an undergraduate degree to graduate after school with not only a diploma but also as an officer in the military.

OCS involves several weeks over three summers of intensive military and officer training. During the school year, the candidate must attend mandatory training at a camp for three days, usually Friday to Sunday, once a month. In addition to the skills one learns during training, the candidate also gets paid during this period.

Basic Qualifications

There is no longer a specific officer candidate academic test for Marine Corps Officer applicants. Those wishing to apply for a commission in the Marine Corps must achieve one of the following minimums: (1) Combined score of 1000 on the verbal and math sections of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

(2) Combined math and verbal score of 45 on the American College Test (ACT), or

(3) 120 (can be waivered to 115) on the Marine Corps EL composite score of the ASVAB. Aviation officer applicants must also take the Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Selection Test Battery.

Other minimum qualification requirements include:

 Minimum of a Bachelors Degree (upon commissioning)

 Must be a United States Citizen

 Age: Between 18 and 28 (no older than age 30 for current enlisted)

 Must Meet Normal Accession Medical Standards  Must Be Eligible for a Security Clearance (Either SECRET or TOP SECRET, depending on the job assignment)  High Moral Character. Applicants convicted of any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude can forget it. History of addiction to any narcotic, illegal drug, or alcohol is disqualifying.