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or Marine Corps Reserve and those who are sons
or daughters of career Marines receive appoint-
ment preference.
NAVAL RESERVE OFFICER
TRAINING CORPS (NROTC)
PROGRAM
At the beginning of their sophomore year of
college, selected NROTC midshipmen may elect
the Marine option. This option allows the
midshipmen to pursue specialized courses during
their last 2 years of college. Between the third and
fourth years, Marine option personnel attend
training at Officer Candidate School (OCS),
Quantico, Virginia. Upon successful completion
of their college course of study, naval science
courses, and training at OCS, the midshipman is
appointed a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps
or Marine Corps Reserve. (For a general discus-
sion of the NROTC Program, see chapter 10.)
PLATOON LEADERS PROGRAM
The Platoon Leaders Program is a Marine
Corps officer program for college students
attending regionally accredited colleges. Upon
successful completion of all requirements, they
are commissioned as second lieutenants in the
Marine Corps Reserve.
OFFICER CANDIDATES CLASS
This Marine officer program is open to college
seniors and graduates. Candidates undergo 10
weeks of precommissioning training, followed by
appointment to commissioned grade. Aviation
and law options are available to males; law
options are available to females.
MARINE CORPS ENLISTED
COMMISSIONING EDUCATION
PROGRAM (MECEP)
This program is open to all qualified active-
duty enlisted marines enrolled in an undergraduate
program leading to a baccalaureate degree. A
regular commission is awarded upon graduation.
Noncommissioned officers of the Marine
Corps whose service has been meritorious may be
appointed to commissioned grade in the Marine
Corps Reserve. They must be serving in the
Marine Corps and be recommended by their
commanding officer.
They also must have
established their mental fitness by attaining an
educational level prescribed
of the Marine Corps.
WARRANT OFFICER
by the Commandant
Sergeants and above, with a minimum of 5
and a maximum of 14 years of enlisted service,
may apply for appointment to the grade of
warrant officer, W-1, in the Marine Corps and
Marine Corps Reserve. Selections provide for
advancement to warrant rank in certain admin-
istration and technical fields for marines who
display exceptional proficiency and leadership
potential.
LIMITED DUTY OFFICERS
Permanent warrant officers, W-2 through
W-4, may be appointed to commissioned grades
for limited duty in the technical field in which they
are proficient. They first must have completed at
least 10 and not more than 20 years of active
service.
OFFICER TRAINING
The Marine Corps University at Quantico,
Virginia, is the principal media through which
Marine officers receive their formal education.
Upon entry into the Marine Corps, all second
lieutenants are sent to Basic School (fig. 14-6) for
indoctrination and instruction in fundamental
military subjects. Emphasis is placed on individual
and crew-served infantry weapons instruction.
Other subjects include marksmanship, small-unit
tactics, basic administration, naval law, and small-
unit leadership. Following graduation from Basic
School, most officers attend a follow-on school
in their military occupational specialty (MOS)
before being assigned duty with the Fleet Marine
Force.
Once officers complete initial FMF and non-
FMF tours, they become eligible for assignment
to the Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico
or to another Marine or Army career-level school.
Career-level instruction focuses on training
Marine captains for company-level command and
staff duties at the MEB level. Particular emphasis
is placed on teaching the coordinated employment
of air, naval, and ground elements in amphibious
operations.
When promoted to major, Marine officers
become eligible for assignment to the Marine
Corps Command and Staff College. The purpose
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