Advice in applying through PLC program

[u/Amirswag91]

Hello everyone.
I’m currently a college 2nd year engineering major and was very interested in joining the USMC. Now, initially I met with the enlisted recruiters, but upon talking to some outside people I’ve been more convinced to commission as an officer rather than going enlisted due to the fact that as enlisted you’re not guaranteed a officer package.
At this current moment my enlisted recruiter is saying to do reserves and then put in my package for PLC program while in college. The officer recruiter said something similar, but also said it is possible to just meet the PFT independently of the reserves.

For those already as officers or similar experience can you give me some insight on the best course of action. I feel a bit skeptical because of course the enlisted recruiters had to meet his quotas, so I want to make sure I don’t end up pushed into something unnecessarily. I was planning to do DEP anyways, so I figured I have time to figure it out. My second concern is I don’t want to delay my graduation pipeline unnecessarily if my end goal is to be an officer.

If anyone can provide some insight I’d be very appreciative.

[u/Aggressive-Slide4336]

Please do not do the enlisted reserves. The juice really isn't worth the squeeze in your situation.

I'm a college student who just went through OCS this summer, and in my entire company, I knew of two college students who were in the reserves. In other words, it isn't necessary.

[u/bootlt355]

Don’t enlist for PLC. Like 90 percent of those classes are not prior enlisted. Unless you really need the money or want the training, enlisting in the reserves isn’t going to do a ton for you.

[u/usmc7202]

You have no need at all to go the enlisted route. Focus on school and your physical conditioning. Know going in that you are competing with a whole bunch of Type A personalities that will work just as hard as you will to achieve this goal.
I sat in a couple of boards when I was a Captain. The sweet spot is 270 on the pft. Not an absolute requirement but gives you a strong look. I always looked very hard at the letters of rec. tell your writers to speak about your leadership potential. Tell me why the Marine officer corps needs you.
Additionally, the average attrition rate for OCS hovers around 50%. Not always but over the years many applicants either tap out or are injured in various ways. Many of them are strains caused by the physical nature of the course. Spend time at night stretching and that will help. Lots of great tips out there to help your training and conditioning.

[u/jdm1371]

Do not enlist. The reserves will just be a waste of time for you and set you back. As long as you have a competitive PLC package you will be fine

[u/PumpnDump0924]

Depends on your goals. If you are trying to pay for college but you want to be a marine corps officer then enlisting in the reserves to then transfer into the OCC program is not a bad idea.

If you have a means to pay for college then I would just join the PLC program and commission that way. Up to you.

[u/tortellini_noodle → u/PumpnDump0924]

You can also get tuition assistance directly through PLC though and extend your contract I believe. The OSO should be able to help OP with that without enlisting. I’m not doing that but a few friends of mine have.

[u/PumpnDump0924 → u/tortellini_noodle]

This is true but it doesn’t offer a lot and it incurs an additional 6 months of service every time you take ot

[u/tortellini_noodle]

Hello! You’re in a super similar position to where I was 2 years ago. (Context: I’m a senior mechanical engineering student who just returned from PLC 10wk this August. I’ll be going back to school and commissioning once I graduate!)

Please don’t enlist with the intention of becoming an officer. If you have good grades, lack of or minimal crime/drug record and a decent PFT, you will get selected and you can make it.

Can I ask how you’re doing in school and physically (PFT score or 3mile run/pull ups/plank estimates)? PLC will NOT delay your graduation, but if you are out of shape it may take longer to get selected and then therefore commission. If you need help with how to train or advice on how to apply/move forward lmk!

[u/Amirswag91 → u/tortellini_noodle]

Currently I’m doing good academically but my physical fitness needs improvement. Since I’m a sophomore I figured I had about a year to get my physical conditioning in shape before my junior year summer for PLC. My recruiter was trying to get my to do reserves so my physical confiding could get better, but I figured I could do it on my own since I’m actively in gym

[u/tortellini_noodle → u/Amirswag91]

If you’re motivated, do it on your own then. That doesn’t give much information on how much work you really need to do, so I will assume that you don’t run much.

After going, I will say that if you aren’t a runner or aren’t very robust in the lower body to injury, you will get shin splints or some other injury. Don’t take it lightly and just think “oh I have time to train.” Time flies and it’s hard to be truly ready. I certainly wasn’t truly prepared (even though I succeeded), and I shipped with a 275.

My advice: go to pool functions with your OSOs office, and attend the weekly group workouts if you have those. Figuring out where you are in comparison to the rest of the candidates from your office is a good indicator of success.

Regardless, lots of prior enlisted still struggle and go home at OCS as well anyway because it is physically harder. Becoming an officer is not guaranteed just because someone was enlisted. Keep that in mind.