MARINE CORPS OFFICER PROGRAMS for FEMALE COLLEGE JUNIORS, SENIORS, & GRADUATES

             "PLATOON LEADERS COURSE & OFFICER CANDIDATES SCHOOL"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


WHAT IS PLATOON LEADERS COURSE CLASS (PLC) OR OFFICER CANDIDATES SCHOOL?

Many young ladies wait until the months just prior to graduation
before they begin considering the options available to them. 
The time to begin planning for your future is now and the Marine
Corps may be the place where your future begins.

The Platoon Leaders Class & Officer Candidates School are United
States Marine Corps Officer training programs offered to female
college juniors, seniors, and graduates.  It is the necessary
training you need to complete to become a commissioned officer in
either the air or ground components of the Marine Corps.  If you
are eligible for the program you transition from an applicant to
an officer candidate.  As an officer candidates you will attend
one ten week-session at Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico,
Virginia in the summer in which you enroll in the program.  
After successful completion of officer candidate training and
college, you are offered an active duty commission as a Second
Lieutenant. If you are a college graduate, you have the
opportunity to be commissioned a Second Lieutenant on the day
you graduate from OCS.


WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

American Citizens who are enrolled as a full-time student in
good standing with their university and maintaining at least a
2.0 GPA (2.0 equivalent to a "C").  Or a college graduate with
at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA.  For aviation guarantees the
applicant must be less than age 27 1/2 by the time of
commissioning and for ground guarantees, age 30.



WHAT ABOUT PAY?

During the ten week training session pay is approximately $
2,890 for single candidates and $ 3,990 for married candidates. 
The cost of travel to and from OCS as well as room and board are
borne by the Marine Corps.  Below are the projected salaries for
your first four years of active duty service as a single/married
Marine Corps officer based on 1996 dollars:


1996    $ 26,762.04/ $ 28,205.64
1997    $ 31,125.24/ $ 32,568.84
1998    $ 38,001.24/ $ 39,340.44
1999    $ 38,652.84/ $ 39,992.04 

*Note* The only taxable income is base pay.  These salaries do
       not include a Variable Housing Allowance (VHA) which is
       dictated by geographical area or any of the special duty
       pays.

 

LONGEVITY

Pay in the military is based on time in service (longevity). 
Longevity commences from the time a candidate is sworn into a
commissioning program.



WHAT ABOUT DUTIES AFTER GRADUATION?

GROUND:  The initial obligated service is three and one-half
(3-1/2) years of active duty as a ground officer.  The first six
months are spent at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.  The
Basic School prepares all newly commissioned officers to be
provisional rifle platoon commanders as well as how to act and
conduct themselves as leaders.  Assignment to a military
occupational specialty (MOS) is done at The Basic School based
on your overall performance.  There are over twenty ground MOS'
to chose from at The Basic School such as air control, aircraft
maintenance, artillery, communications, data systems,
engineering, financial accounting, infantry, intelligence,
logistics, military police, public affairs, supply, and tracked
vehicles to name a few.





AVIATION:  The initial obligated service is six (6) years for
rotary wing aircraft and eight (8) years for fixed wing
aircraft.  The first six months are spent at The Basic School in
Quantico, Virginia.  Following The Basic School, all naval
aviators conduct initial flight training in Pensacola where they
are assigned to rotary or fixed wing aircraft based on
performance.  Once they complete follow-on training they then
head to the Fleet Marine Force as squadron pilots.  Rotary wing
aircraft are the AH-1T or AH-1W Cobra, the CH-46 Sea Knight,
CH-53D or CH-53E Super Stallion, and the UH-1N Huey.  Fixed wing
aircraft are the AV-8B Harrier, EA-6B Prowler, F/A-18A or
F/A-18D Hornet, and the KC-130 Hercules.



WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS?

	1.  Commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon successful
            completion of the Officer Candidate Course.

	2.  THIS IS A NON-BINDING CONTRACT.

	3.  No active duty requirements if dropped from the
            program voluntarily or involuntarily.

	4.  Qualified naval aviation applicants are guaranteed
            flight school and can receive flight training
            their senior year of college at no cost (see civilian
            pilot training).

	5.  Qualified law school applicants are guaranteed law
            school deferment.

	6.  No required on-campus training, drills, reserve
            meetings, etc.

	7.  Officer candidate training can transfer as college
            credit hours, reducing your course load. 



CIVILIAN PILOT TRAINING

Pilot training is available to seniors who have completed all
pre-commissioning training and are scheduled to attend flight
school.  This training (about 25 hours of flight time) normally
culminates with a private pilot's license, and is given at a
flying school in the vicinity of the college.  All costs are
borne by the Marine Corps.  



FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

	1.  Once you complete your first increment of training
            you are eligible for a stipend of  $200.00 a month
            beginning in 1996 if you enroll in the Financial Aid
            Program.

	2.  Active duty officers are eligible for college loan
            deferments for three full years allowing you to put
            off loan repayment or to pay early strictly on your
            principle.

	3.  Veterans Administration low interest, no money down
            loans for home purchases or to start a business upon
            separation.

        4.  Reduced prices on groceries and shopping items at 
            commissaries and post exchanges.



IN-SERVICE BENEFITS

	1.  Full health and dental coverage.

	2.  Life insurance at reduced rates.

	3.  Thirty (30) days paid vacation annually.

	4.  Sponsored sports programs and recreational facilities.

	5.  World wide assignment.

	6.  Reduced travel fares and access to no-cost government
            flights. 

	7.  When reassigned, family and dependents are moved at
            government expense to include moving vans, hotel
            expenses, meals, and etc.

	8.  Ability to retire after twenty years of service on
            pension with lifetime health and dental care and
            commissary and post exchange privileges.



ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

	1.  Tuition Assistance Program.

	2.  Special Education Program.

	3.  Advanced Degree Program.

	4.  Funded Law Program.

	5.  Montgomery G.I. Bill and Illinois Veterans Block Grant
            eligibility.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL:
-----------------------------

THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS OFFICER SELECTION TEAM AT:

1-312-431-0742 OR 1-800-945-3088

