<p>I'm looking at joining the Marines, that is after I have completed college and the NROTC program. I have be told that the only way into the Marine option of NROTC is through a scholarship. One question I have is: do I need to enter the DEP (Delayed Entry Program) to apply for the scholarship? Is there anyone on here who has applied for the NROTC scholarship through the marines and received it? What would improve my chances of receiving the scholarship?</p>
<p>I'm currently the Salutatorian of my graduating class. I was valedictorian for the past three years and know with out a doubt that I can regain the position.
I am also the Band Captain, Brass Captain, and Baritone/trombone section leader. I've held a leadership in band since my sophomore year, section leader since freshmen year. Our band program is rigorous and I'm currently 4th in the district on my instrument. I'm also active in our sect of NHS, currently acting as parliamentarian. </p>
<p>Anyone currently involved in the NROTC program... what would you say my chances are.</p>
<p>You want NROTC - Marine option. Go here:
<a href="https://www.marines.usmc.mil/G3/Officer/nrotc.htm%5B/url%5D">https://www.marines.usmc.mil/G3/Officer/nrotc.htm</a></p>
<p>A MC option scholarship is less competitive and may be easier to get that a NROTC scholarship. Also, with the war ongoing, there is a higher demand for Marine officers than for Naval officers. I don't think all NROTC schools have the MC option. Check carefully.</p>
<p>You do NOT enter through the DEP - that is enlist.
You don't say what your SAT scores are or if you have any athletics. You will need to pass a fitness test and a physical.</p>
<p>Besides NROTC-MC option or the Naval academy, there is the option of PLC and OCS. The platoon leaders course and OCS happen in the summers only. You don't do ROTC so you can go to any college you want. There is some money available but it likely won't be a full tuition scholarship.
I say if you want to be a Marine Corps officer apply for the ROTC scholarship now. The earlier you apply the better your chances.</p>
<p>What is an MC option Scholarship? Would that be when you have already entered NROTC and are seeking to change to Marine option?
From what my recruiter told me, OCS is for those already in NROTC. Once again, as informed by my recruiter, any school with NROTC should have the marine option. I know that my two major choices, Cornell and Georgia Tech have it.
I'm currently working on the application now. I'm just awaiting contact information from my teachers and my mother.</p>
<p>DEP, OCS, and ROTC are VERY DIFFERENT!
DEP--enlisting
OCS--Officer Candidate School, for those who have already graduated college.
ROTC--college program to be commissioned as an officer.</p>
<p>Marine Option is part of Navy ROTC...that is one way to become a Marine officer.</p>
<p>I realize that they are different. According to my recruiter, should I get the NROTC scholarship, I would be attending OCS in the summers between college, entering active duty upon graduation. Once again, my recruiter, and his commanding officer, told me that in order to apply for the NROTC scholarship, I would have to enter the DEP. </p>
<p>I realize that Marine option is a part of NROTC. I also know that the only way into the marine option is through scholarship. Should I enter NROTC as a navy midshipman, I would still have to apply for the scholarship to enter the Marine Option. </p>
<p>All of those questions are based off of what my recruiter has discussed with me. This is what HE has told me. I'm double checking the information.</p>
<p>James,
when you apply for the nrotc scholarship you designate whether you are applying for the Navy or the Marine corps option. Only difference is that after you complete the NROTC program you will be commissioned as an officer in the Marine corps instead. If you want, you can apply for both but it is two separate applications. If a school has a NROTC program, you can do MC option there. During your college years, every NROTC participant is a midshipman. only difference is AFTER you graduate, if you are a marine option, you will attend TBS and OCS. not sure about navy. you will decide which branch you will follow before college i believe, not sure about changing</p>
<p>Thanks Scotty,
The only thing is, since the Marine Corps has fewer officers, scholarship opportunities aren't as numerous as those choosing the navy option. According to my recruiter, perhaps 7 in the state will receive the scholarship. That's why I was also checking to see if any could give me an opinion of my qualifications.</p>
<p>You are correct about fewer Marine option scholarships. You do not enter the DEP if you intend to apply for a NROTC scholarship. You do not attend OCS in the summers if you are in NROTC. If you go the PLC route, you do train in the summers only but that is a whole diff. program than NROTC</p>
<p>Your Sal. status certainly speaks to your academic abilities. I would say some involement in sports might help your chances. </p>
<p>Also, a NROTC scholarship doesn't get you into your chosen college. It's a totally separate process. Be sure you put schools that you are pretty confident of being admitted to as your top choices when you fill out the NROTC app.</p>
<p>I understand that the NROTC scholarship does not guarantee admission. As far as sports goes, I have no time to add sports. Between academics and band, my time is very limited. I know it sounds like a poor excuse... but trust me it's not. Our school currently has two marching bands, one competitive and one just for football games. Unfortunately in order to be in the competitive band, we must also be in the other, which means more practices. Members of the competitive band are not allowed are not allowed any sports taking place during the 1st semester. Unfortunately, those are the only sports I would have a chance in. AS a result, I'm increasing the rigor of my band experience. I'm trying to convince my band director to add more running into our practices, and I have started a run club. After practice we do laps around the courtyard. Btw, our courtyard is large enough to hold at least 4 football fields. As of right now, the band's football field is in the courtyard. </p>
<p>Thank you packmom.</p>
<p>BtoneJames,</p>
<p>I will be a freshman this year in a NROTC battalion, I've been through many of the hoops the application process involves. If you have not already, I suggest you begin to fill out the application at <a href="https://www.nrotc.navy.mil%5B/url%5D">https://www.nrotc.navy.mil</a>. Once you begin to do this, you will most likely be contacted by an enlisted person who serves as a sort of NROTC recruiter. Mine was helpful throughout the entire process, from finishing the application to setting up my officer interview. If you are serious about going into the Marine Corps. option (I'm in Navy), I suggest you find some way to fit athletics into your schedule. Marching band is a good booster to the application, but a strong background is preferred in sports, especially because the Marines spend more time doing PT than Navy (at least where I'm going they do) and the overall focus of the Marines is to be more physically prepared than academically, which is why Navy makes a bigger deal about choice of college major than Marines. If you have any questions, PM me.</p>