Applying For The Marines Platoon Leader Course: Legal Requirements

The Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) is a training program for college students who want to become commissioned officers in the United States Marine Corps. It is an alternative to NROTC or OCS and allows students to pursue a commission without interrupting their academic careers. The PLC offers two training options: two six-week summer training sessions for college freshmen and sophomores, or one ten-week training session for college juniors. The training takes place at the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, and includes rigorous physical, academic, and leadership evaluations. To be eligible for the PLC, students must meet certain academic and fitness requirements, as well as age and citizenship criteria. Those interested in a career in law can opt for the PLC law program, which delays the commission until the completion of law school.

Eligibility requirements for the Platoon Leaders Course

The Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) is an undergraduate commissioning program that allows college students to pursue a commission in the Marine Corps without interrupting their academic careers. The PLC is the most common path to becoming a Marine Corps officer.

To be eligible for the Platoon Leaders Course, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled full-time in any accredited college or university, pursuing a bachelor's degree.
• Be between the ages of 18 and 28.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Pass a physical examination, meeting height and weight standards.
• Have a minimum score of 22 on the ACT, or 1000 on the SAT (math and verbal), or a score of 74 on the AFQT.
• Display good character and moral qualifications, with no record of military or civil offenses.

It is important to note that separate from the PLC program, there are additional paths to becoming a Marine Corps Officer, such as the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) and the Officer Candidate Course (OCC). These programs may have different eligibility requirements and training paths.

Training and evaluation process

The Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) is a demanding training program that prepares college students for becoming officers in the U.S. Marine Corps. The PLC is open to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors enrolled full-time at any accredited college or university. The specific training path depends on the applicant's year in college, with freshmen and sophomores attending two six-week summer training sessions over two years, and juniors attending one ten-week summer training session.

The PLC training takes place at the Officer Candidates School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia. The training is rigorous and physically demanding, with continuous evaluation of the candidates' physical fitness, academics, and leadership skills. The environment is designed to test the candidates' ability to handle stress, with sleep deprivation, military tasks, and memorization being constant factors. The course of instruction mirrors that of the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, ensuring that candidates are well-prepared for the challenges they will face as officers.

During the summer training sessions, candidates are organised into platoons of 250 to 300 students, broken into four to six platoons. The training covers various aspects of military and leadership skills, including physical conditioning, stamina, and academic studies. Candidates are expected to meet the USMC Weight and Fitness Requirements and must be eligible for a Security Clearance.

In addition to the challenging curriculum, candidates are also evaluated on their mental and moral character. This holistic evaluation process ensures that only those with the necessary leadership qualities, judgement, and mindset are selected for officer roles in the Marine Corps. The PLC is designed to identify and develop the next generation of Marine leaders, fostering their resilience and determination to succeed in any challenge they may face.

Upon completion of the PLC and their college degree, candidates are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the USMC. This commissioning marks the beginning of their leadership journey in the Marine Corps, where they will be responsible for leading Marines with resilience and the will to win.

Benefits and financial assistance

The Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) is a commissioning program that allows college students to pursue a commission in the Marine Corps without interrupting their academic careers. The PLC is the most common path to becoming a Marine Corps Officer.

The Marine Corps covers travel costs, meals, textbooks, and lodging during the summer training sessions, and students are also paid for their time.

PLC candidates who have completed at least one summer training session are eligible for a $350 monthly stipend for up to nine months of the school year. In addition, participants can earn up to $2,985 during the training, and most colleges will grant academic credit for the summer training.

Additional financial assistance may be obtained for participation in active duty. Participants may receive tax-free financial assistance of up to $9,400 for Platoon Leaders Class participation. Participants can also receive $2,600 per semester in exchange for additional active duty, payable for up to three years.

For those who accept tuition assistance (up to $15,600 over three consecutive years), there is a four-year military service obligation. A PLC candidate who completes all program requirements but refuses to accept an appointment as a commissioned officer may be ordered to active duty as an enlisted Marine for not more than four years.

Upon completion of the PLC and graduation from college, candidates are offered a commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.

Commissioning process

The Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) is an undergraduate commissioning program that allows college students enrolled full-time in any accredited college or university to pursue a commission in the Marine Corps without interrupting their academic careers. It is the most common path to becoming a Marine Corps Officer. The PLC offers two entry-level paths that lead to commissioning as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps: the Guaranteed Aviation Program and the Ground Officer Program. The latter encompasses all military occupational specialties not directly related to piloting aircraft or guaranteed law.

College freshmen and sophomores attend two six-week summer training sessions over a two-year period, while juniors attend one 10-week summer training session. Training takes place during the summer at Officer Candidates School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia. Candidates receive pay and allowances during these sessions, and lodging, textbooks, meals, and travel costs are paid for by the Marine Corps. Upon graduation from college and completion of the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) at OCS, candidates are offered a commission as a second lieutenant.

To be eligible for the U.S. Marine Corps PLC, students must be enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university, be between 18 and 28 years old, and be a U.S. citizen. They must also meet the moral standards for enlistment/accession, be eligible for a security clearance, and meet USMC weight and fitness requirements. Additionally, students must maintain a C average to be commissioned and cannot be on academic, disciplinary, social, or moral probation.

For those interested in becoming a lawyer, the PLC offers a law program where the commission is delayed until the completion of law school. After graduating from law school, applicants are commissioned in the JAG Corps. To be eligible for this program, applicants must score a minimum of 30 on a 50-point scale, or 150 on a 180-point scale, on the LSAT. They must also be no older than 31 years old as of June 30 of the calendar year they will be commissioned (up to 35 if prior active military service, dependent on the length of service).

Alternative routes to becoming a Marine Corps Officer

There are several alternative routes to becoming a Marine Corps Officer. Here are some of the most common paths:

Officer Candidate School (OCS)

The Officer Candidate School is a training program that aims to train, screen, and evaluate candidates with high leadership potential and commitment. It is a 10-week commissioning program located in Quantico, Virginia, for college seniors and graduates interested in becoming officers in the United States Marine Corps. Upon completion, newly commissioned officers will begin active duty at The Basic School (TBS) as Second Lieutenants.

United States Naval Academy

Aspiring Marine Officers can also attend the United States Naval Academy, a four-year undergraduate university that challenges students physically and mentally while preparing them to become professional officers. Students enrolled in the Naval Academy hold the rank of midshipmen. The training includes intense physical training during the freshman year and summer programs between each year of college. After graduating, individuals will be commissioned as Marine officers.

Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC)

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps is a program that allows individuals to earn a commission in the United States Marine Corps while completing their studies at a participating college or university. It offers a combination of military training and a college education. After successfully earning their bachelor's degree and completing the required Marine Corps courses and training, individuals will be commissioned as Marine officers.

Enlisted Commissioning Programs

Active-duty Marines who possess a bachelor's degree and demonstrate exceptional leadership skills can apply for the Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP). This program allows qualified enlisted Marines to attend Officer Candidate School and receive their commission. For enlisted Marines without a bachelor's degree, the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECEP) offers the opportunity to attend a four-year college full-time while maintaining their active-duty status and pay. After completing OCS, individuals will be commissioned as officers.

Reserve Enlisted Commissioning Program (RECP)

The Reserve Enlisted Commissioning Program is available for Marine reservists who possess a bachelor's degree. This program allows qualified Marines in the Select Marine Corps Reserve Program (SMCR) to apply for assignment to Officer Candidate School and subsequently receive their commission.

Meritorious Commissioning Program Reserve (MCP-R)

The Meritorious Commissioning Program Reserve is another option for Marine reservists who do not have a bachelor's degree. In this program, Commanding Officers can nominate qualified Enlisted Marines in the Marine Corps Active Reserve (AR) for assignment into Officer Candidate School. After successful completion, individuals will be commissioned as officers.

Frequently asked questions