The WO Program in the Regular Marine Corps will be used to provide
both technical and non-technical officer specialists who perform duties
that require extensive knowledge of a particular MOS and who can be
assigned to successive tours of duty in their primary MOS.
The Marine WO Appointment Process
To be appointed as a Marine WO, you must first
meet the eligibility requirements, submit the WO application in accordance
with SECNAVINST 1120.11a, and finally be selected by the WO Selection
Board.
The Basic Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply for the WO Program, and appointment as a WO
in the Regular Marine Corps, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Be a citizen of the United States.
Be serving on active duty (other than active duty for training)
in the Regular Marine Corps and meet the following grade and time
in service criteria, as applicable:
(1) For the Technical WO program, minimum
grade of sergeant and have not less than 8 or more than 16 years
of active naval service.
(2) For the Non-technical (Marine Gunner) WO program,
minimum grade of gunnery sergeant and have not less than 16
or more than 23 years of active naval service.
Have no record of conviction by a general, special, or summary
court-martial, nor have any record of conviction by a civil court
for any offense, other than minor traffic violations.
Be a high school graduate or possess the service accepted equivalent
as prescribed by existing directives.
Be of good moral character and of unquestioned loyalty to the
United States. Meet the requisite physical standards for appointment
as a WO prescribed by the Manual of the Medical Department, Chapter
15. Selectees who fail to meet the minimum physical standards
for appointment may be appointed upon the recommendation of the
Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and waiver of the standard(s)
by CMC (MR).
Have passed the physical fitness test as outlined in MCO 61OO.3J.
Must meet such additional eligibility criteria as may be prescribed
by CMC (MR) in an annual Marine Corps bulletin (1040 series) soliciting
applications for the WO Program.
Be favorably recommended for appointment
by the commanding officer.
Technical WO program must possess one
of the following aptitude test scores:
An Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Electrical
Composite (EL) standard score of 110 or higher.
A combined math and verbal score of 900 or higher on the
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT); or
A combined math and English score of 39 or higher on the
American College Test (ACT). Note: SAT/ACT test scores
must not be older than 4 years from date of application. Applicants
submitting SAT or ACT test scores will submit a certified
copy of the test report.
Marine Gunner WO program, must have a GT score of 110 or
higher (score may be based on either the ASVAB or ACB-61).
WOs perform duties that require extensive knowledge of a particular
MOS.
The Application Process
For the technical WO program, the MOSs for which application is made
shall be listed in order of preference. An applicant may apply for
appointment in not more than three MOSs for which qualified. Applicants
may also indicate a willingness to accept appointment in any MOS in
which considered qualified by the selection board in lieu of a third
choice. The MOSs for which application is made will be prescribed
by CMC (MR) in an annual Marine Corps bulletin (1040 series) soliciting
applications for the WO Program.
Eligible enlisted members must submit a written application for appointment
as a WO per SECNAVINST 1120.11a and the annual Marine Corps bulletin
soliciting applications for the WO Program. All applications for appointment
as a WO will use the format shown in enclosure (5) of SECNAVINST 1120.11a.
Command Endorsement
Commanders shall ensure that only applications from those who meet
all of the eligibility requirements for appointment contained in SECNAVINST
1120.11a and in the annual Marine Corps bulletin (1040 series) soliciting
applications for the WO Program are submitted.
In this regard, commanders shall certify in their endorsement to the
application that the applicant meets all of the eligibility requirements
for appointment. If a waiver of certain eligibility requirements is
requested, commanders shall address the waiver request in their endorsement.
In addition comprehensive recommendations by commanders in the endorsing
chain of command are a vital part of the application as a real time
evaluation of an individual’s performance and potential as a WO and
are of great value to the board. Recommendations based on personal
interviews are strongly encouraged. Use one of the following in the
recommendation:
Recommended with enthusiasm.
Recommended with confidence.
Recommended with reservation.
Not recommended.
The Selection Board Process
Appointments as WOS under 10 U.S.C. 555, or 5596 shall be made only
upon approval of a report submitted by a board of officers appointed
by precept of CMC to recommend eligible personnel for such appointments.
The convening date of the board will be prescribed by CMC (MR) in
an annual Marine Corps bulletin (1040 series) soliciting applications
for the WO Program.
Each board shall consider eligible applicants for appointment in the
MOSs that the applicants have requested. The board, however, may recommend
the individual for appointment only in an MOS for which best suited
for service as a WO.
Each board will submit one or more written reports signed by all members
and the recorder(s). Each report shall certify that, in the opinion
of at least a majority of the members, the applicants recommended
therein are qualified for appointment as WOS and are the best qualified
for appointment as WOS in the considered MOS for which recommended
of all the appilicants by the board.
The WO Appointment
Selectees shall be permanently or temporarily appointed by SECNAV
in the grade of warrant officer, W-1 in the Regular Marine Corps,
under 10 U.S.C. 555 or 5596, as specified in an annual Marine Corps
bulletin (1040 series).
Upon successful completion of the Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC)
they will incur a 3-year obligation from date of appointment. Those
who fail to successfully complete the WOBC will be reverted to their
previous enlisted grade.
