Difference?

[SNA-Wanna-Be]

I am going to be applying for the Navy's BDCP Program but I will only accept it if I get a SNA slot but here is the kicker... they say that the slots are so few that I might not get one. I was wondering if the Marines had a program like this.

 

[lailoo]

There is a Marine commissioning program called Platoon Leader's Class (PLC):

"This program allows students to complete the requirements for Marines commission without interrupting your academic career. For college freshman and sophomores, PLC is two six-week training sessions at the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Juniors attend a 10-week session. PLC training occurs during the summer months."

-Marines.com

You can get a SNA contract through PLC.

 

[SNA-Wanna-Be]

But in the BDCP program they pay you while your in school. Do the Marines do that?

 

[Taxman2A]

But in the BDCP program they pay you while your in school. Do the Marines do that?

No. The Marines will give you nothing but a shot at being a Marine, and a Shot at being an aviator if you make it.

 

[jbelsha53]

Actually if you make it through PLC, you can apply for two seperate "scholarships" from the Corps - these covered my housing and food costs my senior year of college. The catch is that once you accept money, you can't decline the commission - if you try, they can legally make you a Private and send you on your way to boot camp

 

[NavyOCS]

Actually if you make it through PLC, you can apply for two seperate "scholarships" from the Corps - these covered my housing and food costs my senior year of college. The catch is that once you accept money, you can't decline the commission - if you try, they can legally make you a Private and send you on your way to boot camp

I dont think that is correct. It seems that when I accepted my money the statement said that I would have to pay it back if I did not accept my commission. I got tuition reimburstment plus $1300 to use on whatever. The catch is that the tuition reimburstment adds six months to your obligation. No biggie.

 

[jbelsha53]

I don't know what you signed, but mine said they could enlist me if i declined the commission, in addition to having to pay the money back. My OSO told me that was unlikely even if I decided against the Corps, but I didn't feel like finding out

 

[Taxman2A]

There are 2 different payment programs, MCFAP and MCTAP... can't remember which one is which, but it's important to pay attention to what you are signing-

One pays you actual tuition reimbursement- 7000 (tax free) per year, plus a 300/something a month kicker. The catch? A slight amount more time incurred on your contract, and oh yeah YOUR PAY ENTRY BASE DATE GETS RESET TO THE DAY YOU ARE COMMISSIONED... Big mistake, considering your pay entry base date for PLC starts the day you go to OCS the first time (meaning you will get payed as if you already had 2 or 3 years in when you get to TBS). This translates to gaining 7000 during college so that you can get 12000 less per year throughout your career. Do not take this money. As a note, if you are enlisted you will still retain your previous PEBD, so the only catch for you is the extra time on your contract. And if you are a flight contract, the extra time will no longer be applicable to you.

The other program gives you 300/something a month for the school year, you get to keep your pay entry base date, and you just incur a little more time on the contract. Not a bad way to go. Just make sure you don't sign away your early PEBD.

JBelsha is correct- if you do not take your commission you may pay the money back or go enlisted.

 

[NickPollock19]

here's the deal, if you wanna know the real "difference" go to the boys department, and then the mens department at JCPennies, and you will see the difference.

 

[T-man]

here's the deal, if you wanna know the real "difference" go to the boys department, and then the mens department at JCPennies, and you will see the difference.

ROFL

 

[kray1395]

here's the deal, if you wanna know the real "difference" go to the boys department, and then the mens department at JCPennies, and you will see the difference.

Wow!! That was soooo funny..... and sooooo original!!!

 

[ET-Mike]

Do you guys hang out in the Men's department at Pennie's now?
Are all of the reststop bathrooms full or something?

Just kidding, don't want to kindle the interservice battle.

 

[samadma]

I don't know what you signed, but mine said they could enlist me if i declined the commission, in addition to having to pay the money back. My OSO told me that was unlikely even if I decided against the Corps, but I didn't feel like finding out

Where did you hear this from about being enlisted if you decline your commission? Are you sure you talked to an OSO? Just asking.

 

[Bobcat]

The way it's been explained to me...you can take either the tuition reimbursement which pays you up to $7000 for college AND readjusts your entry date; OR you can take the FAP which gives you $300 a month after PLC Jr.'s and $350 after PLC Sr.'s or the PLC-Combined, and does not adjust your entry date. If you don't choose the Marine Corps you either pay the money back or you enlist for two years. I just did the paperwork for FAP and that is what I understood from reading it, and that is how my OSO explained it to me.

 

[SNA-Wanna-Be]

My OSO said that once I pass PLC for seniors I would qualifiy for the tuition reimbursement and the $400 a month. Nice, I guess. Also I was wondering since I would not be able to take classes in the summer like I need, to will the corps allow me to stay in school for an extra summer semester so that I could graduate?