<p>Threads like this already exist but they're dead, so I started a new one.</p>
<p>The curse of a lengthy DoDmerb process has become a blessing, as I have more time to accept or decline my appointment.</p>
<p>At the moment I can go to the USNA and try to be among about 1/4th of mids. who go Marine Corps in 2011.</p>
<p>I can go to a civlian college (Santa Clara U.) close to home and do Army ROTC.</p>
<p>or I can do PLC, go to Camp Pendleton for boot this summer, and come out an enlisted reservist in the crotch and studying at Santa Clara until I graduate and go to OCS.</p>
<p>Disregarding army rotzee altogether at the moment, what's the advantage of USNA over PLC for getting to a Marine Corps commision?</p>
<p>BTW my mom doesn't want me to go PLC because she thinks I could e yanked out of college and deployed as an enlisted Marine, is this true?</p>
<p>I believe the "PLC" you are describing is really joining the reserves. Your Mom might be correct in that you could get called out of college. The PLC I researched for my son didn't require going to boot as an enlisted man. A young man/woman out of high school would go to college and after the first quarter/semester be able to attempt to get into PLC (success at college and high personal fitness score required). </p>
<p>If allowed in to PLC, the summers between the freshman/sophomore year would be spent at OCS in Quantico as would the summer between the junior/senior year (unless you joined later than a person would only go to one OCS summer session of longer duration) If joining this method vs the reserves you suggest in your post--I don't believe you can be called up for active duty--so your Mother would like this option better.</p>
<p>If you look at the general officers in the Marine Corps, many came from OCS or PLC. An advantage of PLC is that your service entrance date for time in the service starts when you sign up for PLC so as a 2nd L you could be making about $7 grand more per year than the Rotc or Academy grad 2nd L . If you don't take college funding assistance, you actually aren't committed to the Marine Corps after you graduate from college--but if you haven't met the Corps expectations, they don't have to offer you a commission. The downside to PLC is that you are on your own for the cost of college. </p>
<p>So, if you like the choice of any school in the country--no on campus participation required--a job for two summers--cost of college not a problem--then PLC can be an excellent way at becoming an Officer of Marines with a significant early benefit in pay. Be aware that you most likely have been talking to an enlisted recruiter--talk to the college officer candidate recruiter instead.</p>
<p>The United States Naval Academy is the absolute best way to become a marine corps officer, if you can make the cut.</p>
<p>I believe that most marines would tell you that the best way is to enlist and become a mustang.</p>