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Major Dilemma

smustang51

smustang51

Registered User
Ok this is kind of a difficult situation that i have right now and any good advice would be excellent. Here's the deal: I've always wanted to be in the Navy, applied to the academy twice and then BDCP last summer got denied all three times. However, applied to USMC PLC program and got selected with SNA. My ASTB was a 6/6/6 and 53 and my prt was: 20 pullups, 100 sit ups and a 21:45 run. Im due for combined this May, but i have some doubts in my mind as to whether or not I want to be a Marine and all that title entails, especially as I have wanted for my entire life to be in the Navy. My question is: should I go to PLC this summer even though Im going to do the ASTB again and try for the Navy until i graduate. If i dont get the Navy then i'll do Marines, bottom line is that i want to serve no matter what, in whatever branch. Would it be inadvisable to say "no" to the Marines this summer on the chance of getting in the Navy and thereby screwing over my chances in the USMC or could i get back in? Is there some sort of deferral that i can do?? Better yet, would the acceptance by the marines boost my chances with the Navy?? PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!
 
Cordespc

Cordespc

Active Member
None
Contributor
Good on ya for being upfront with this. If you really want to be in the Navy, hold out for the Navy. Young Enlisted Marines and Sailors deserve an Officer whose passion it is to be their leader, nothing less. You can pretty much guarantee yourself that there isn't a Marine on this board who will tell you that it is acceptable to hang onto Marine Corps OCS as a contingency plan. You kinda have to want to be a Marine. That being said, there's nothing wrong with not wanting to be a Marine, you just need to hold out for what suits you, and maybe leave that OCS slot for someone with a little more fire in his belly to lead Marines.

S/F
 
smustang51

smustang51

Registered User
Well, those were my sentiments too. I fully understand the great honor that was extended to me by the Corps, but I definitely want it to be something that I want more than anything, which is why i feel bad about having this hang over my head.
 
usmcecho4

usmcecho4

Registered User
pilot
I always thought the whole point of PLC was that you could bitch out on them at any time for any reason. I went to PLC while still attending AFROTC (non scholarship) and was up front with AFROTC and my OSO and no one had a problem with it. I'm sure once the brainwashing does it's thing you will want to be a Marine over a Squid. Of course in the mean time you will get trashed by everyone on this board that is having trouble getting into PLC but what can you do?

Semper Fi,
usmcecho4
 
Zilch

Zilch

This...is...Caketown!
Good on you for be up front about this. I'm an OCC guy, so it's a bit different. Guys in OCC tend to be a bit older, maybe, like me, on the upper edge of that age limit. Therefore, taking an OCC slot when you aren't really "feeling it" may well end someone's last chance at fulfilling his dreams. I saw this happen and it really pissed me off. One week into OCS, before anything that difficult kicked in, and guys were throwing in their towels. For each one of those guys who left, there was another guy back at home wishing he was at OCS instead of working a stupid job somewhere else who would have made something better of himself for attending.

PLC, though, seems like more people get accepted, though I'm not sure about this. Even so, the same thing applies. I've seen dudes on the PT field bust their asses to get a (sometimes barely) good enough PFT score to apply, guys with heart and drive who you can tell really want to get to Quantico. Some guys run hurt they want to be there so bad. Chances are good that your score is better than theirs, but from what I saw at OCS while I was there, it seemed that guys who had drive, who knew for sure that's what they wanted, wouldn't take "no" for an answer and so on, fared much better (injuries aside.)

Keep this in mind. However, you might find that, should you go for PLC, that you realize that, like me, the Corps is the place you want to be. Before contacting the OSO, I fully intended to apply for Navy OCS as well. However, seeing how the Marines operate, and the utter professionalism I saw at OCS, I wouldn't think for a second about going anywhere else. I can't describe it really, it has to be seen.

Nothing against the Navy, mind you. :) You've got some thinking to do. Also, realize that nobody's living your life but you. Do what's right, in that respect.
 
HAL Pilot

HAL Pilot

Well-Known Member
None
Contributor
Go to the first summer of PLC and see what happens. It will answer the question whether you really would like to be a Marine or if you need to bail and hold out for the Navy.

Either way, it will be a great life experience.

At the same time, apply again for Navy SNA.

THere is nothing wrong with trying to keep all options open.
 
Thisguy

Thisguy

Pain-in-the-dick
HAL Pilot said:
Go to the first summer of PLC and see what happens. It will answer the question whether you really would like to be a Marine or if you need to bail and hold out for the Navy.
Click to expand...

Agree with HAL. I went to Navy OCS with a guy who did the first 6-weeks of PLC, but then decided to go Navy.

Besides, since you want to be in the military one way or the other, PLC sounds like it beats any other sort of summer internship.
 
invictus

invictus

New Member
I was commissioned through PLC Jr/Sr program back in the '80s. My younger cousin, following in my footsteps, went through PLC Jr, but he really wanted an NFO contract. The Marine Corps was no longer awarding NFO contracts to candidates, so while he was still in college -he went Navy.
He decided that he wanted a guarantee for Naval Air, rather than take his chances for selection to SNFO from TBS.
In his case, I think the PLC Jr experience was very, very good. It
prepared him physically and mentally for AOCS, where he did very well.
He had been always very good academically, but needed work physically. He was not a big sports guy in school, but he had big motivation and drive. Preparing for PLC Jr, and the actual PLC experience took him a long way forward in this regard.
He later became a successful EA-6B NFO/ECMO.
 
DocT

DocT

Dean of Students
pilot
I think the shit talking thread referenced above does little to shed any light on the dilemma being addressed here. Smustang, I'd go to OCS and check it out. Then you can wait on that navy slot with a clear conscience knowing a bit more about the Marine Corps philosophy.

You're wise to see that you're in a privelidged place...many people would love to switch places with you. Do all the research you can, ask the right questions, and make the best decision for you. Good luck.

Doc
 
Rustbucket

Rustbucket

New Member
Since the Navy is really what you want to be a part of I gotta agree with the others and tell you to hold out. I've been to Marine Corps OCS before and when you are there, talking to other candidates that aren't sure/don't want to be there, it's a moral killer. Sounds to me that you REALLY want Navy. So here's what you do... Go back to the Navy OSO and have him request the scores from the Marine OSO. They should have no prob sending them over and they want you to be honest with them also as per your intentions. Give it a try.
 
invertedflyer

invertedflyer

500 ft. from said obstacle
As others have said, give it a try. Theres no dishonor in going to juniors and then leaving... the whole purpose of juniors is to weed out the seriously weak-minded, and to let go of people that are better suited in other branches. There was a Sgt. in my platoon that went to juniors when he was a Cpl. ... it just wasn't for him so he stayed enlisted.

However Cordespc has a good point in that the best leaders are the most motivated "I would walk over those coals to be a Marine" types. You may find yourself to be one of those coal walkers after you attend juniors though, its a very motivating experience and gives you a feel for OCS. If its right for you then you'll know. I am definitely one for following my dreams though... I have a friend who is applying for BDCP for his third time... never let it go (unless you find you belong somewhere else). my 2c. Good luck.
 
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