MARINE CORPS OFFICER PROGRAMS for COLLEGE SENIORS & GRADUATES

                 "OFFICER CANDIDATE COURSE"
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WHAT IS OFFICER CANDIDATE COURSE (OCC)?

Officer Candidate Course (OCC) is a U.S. Marine Corps Officer
training program offered to college seniors and college
graduates.  A selected candidate attends ten weeks of training
at Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia.  After
successful completion of this training, he/she is offered an
active duty commission as a Second Lieutenant.



WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

American Citizens who are enrolled as a full-time student in
good standing with their university and maintaining at least a
2.0 GPA (2.0 equivalent to a "C").  For aviation guarantees the
applicant must be less than age 27 1/2 by the time of
commissioning and for ground guaruntees less than age 30.



WHAT ABOUT PAY?

During the ten week training session pay is $ 2,898 for single
candidates and $ 3,991 for married candidates.  The cost of
travel to and from OCS as well as room and board are borne by
the Marine Corps.  Below are the projected salaries for your
first four years of active duty service as a Marine Corps
officer based on 1996 pay and allowances:



                    Basic Allowance for Quarters   Basic Allowance for   Total Annual Pay   Total Annual Pay
Year     Base pay    Single rate / Married rate        Subsistence           (Single)           (Married)
----     --------    --------------------------    -------------------     -----------        ------------
1996   $ 20,106.00   $ 4,039.20 /  $ 5,482.80          $ 1,796.04          $ 25,941.24        $ 27,384.84
1997   $ 20,926.80   $ 4,039.20 /  $ 5,482.80          $ 1,796.04          $ 26,762.04        $ 28,205.64
1998   $ 25,290.00   $ 4,798.80 /  $ 6,138.00          $ 1,796.04          $ 31,884.84        $ 33,224.04
1999   $ 30,387.60   $ 4,798.80 /  $ 6,138.00          $ 1,796.04          $ 36,982.44        $ 38,321.64 

*Note*  The only taxable income is base pay.  These salaries do
not include a Variable Housing Allowance (VHA) which is dictated
by geographical area or any of the special duty pays.

 

LONGEVITY

Pay in the military is based on time in service (longevity). 
Longevity commences from the time a candidate is sworn into a
commissioning program. 

 
WHAT ABOUT DUTIES AFTER GRADUATION?

GROUND:  The initial obligated service is three and one-half
(3-1/2) years of active duty as a ground officer.  The first six
months are spent at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.  The
Basic School prepares all newly commissioned officers to be
provisional rifle platoon commanders as well as how to act and
conduct themselves as leaders.  Assignment to a military
occupational specialty (MOS) is done at The Basic School based
on your overall performance.  There are over twenty ground MOS'
to chose from at The Basic School such as air control, aircraft
maintenance, artillery, communications, data systems,
engineering, financial accounting, infantry, intelligence,
logistics, military police, public affairs, supply, and tracked
vehicles to name a few.

AVIATION:  The initial obligated service is six (6) years for
rotary wing aircraft and eight (8) years for fixed wing
aircraft.  The first six months are spent at The Basic School in
Quantico, Virginia.  Following The Basic School, all naval
aviators conduct initial flight training in Pensacola where they
are assigned to rotary or fixed wing aircraft based on
performance.  Once they complete follow-on training they then
head to the Fleet Marine Force as squadron pilots.

-Rotary wing aircraft are the AH-1T or AH-1W Cobra, the CH-46 Sea
 Knight, CH-53D or CH-53E Super Stallion, and the UH-1N Huey. 
 Fixed wing aircraft are the AV-8B Harrier, EA-6B Prowler,
 F/A-18A or F/A-18D Hornet, and the KC-130 Hercules.



WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS?

	1.  Commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon successful
            completion of Officer Candidate Course.

	2.  This is a non-binding contract.

	3.  No active duty requirements if dropped from the
            program voluntarily or involuntarily.

	4.  Qualified naval aviation applicants are guaranteed
            flight school.

	5.  Qualified law school applicants are guaranteed law
            school deferment.



FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

	1.  Active duty officers are eligible for college loan
            deferments for three full years allowing you to put
            off loan repayment or to pay early strictly on your
            principle.

	2.  Veterans Administration low interest, no money down
            loans for home purchases or to start a business upon
            separation.

	3.  Reduced prices on groceries and shopping items at camp
            commissaries and post exchanges are but a few.



IN-SERVICE BENEFITS

	1.  Full health and dental coverage.

	2.  Life insurance at reduced rates.

	3.  Thirty (30) days paid vacation annually.

	4.  Sponsored sports programs and recreational facilities.

	5.  World wide assignment.

	6.  Reduced travel fares and access to no-cost government
            flights. 

	7.  When reassigned, family and dependents are moved at
            government expense to include moving vans, hotel
            expenses, meals, and etc.

	8.  Ability to retire after twenty years of service on
            pension with lifetime health and dental care and
            commissary and post exchange privileges.



ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

	1.  Tuition Assistance Program.

	2.  Special Education Program.

	3.  Advanced Degree Program.

	4.  Funded Law Program.

	5.  Montgomery G.I. Bill and Illinois Veterans Block Grant.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL:
-----------------------------

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS OFFICER SELECTION TEAM:

1-312-431-0742 OR 1-800-945-3088

