Joining the Marines

• What is the U.S. Marine Corps?
• How are the Marines different from the Army?
• What are the qualifications to join the Marine Corps?
• What is the ASVAB?
• What are some benefits of joining?
• Is infantry the only job in the Marine Corps?
• Can certain training schools or duty stations be guaranteed to me upon enlistment?
• Do the Marines take people with prior service?
• What about if I am not a U.S. citizen?
• Can the Marine Corps help me obtain U.S. citizenship?
• What about if I live overseas?

Basic Training

• How long is boot camp?
• Where is boot camp?
• What is boot camp like?
• Should I do anything before I go to boot camp?

Becoming an Officer

• How do I become an officer?
• What if I want to go to a service academy?
• How do I apply to the Naval Academy?
• What is Officer Candidate School?
• How do I apply for OCS?
• What about ROTC?
• What about promotions to officer rank?
• Are there medical opportunities in the Marines?

The Reserves

• What Reserve opportunities are in the Marine Corps?
• What qualifications are there to join the Reserve?
• What training will I receive?
• Is my employer obligated to keep me?

Aviation

• Are there pilots in the Marine Corps?
• What do Marine pilots fly?
• How do I become a pilot?

Next Steps

• Can I talk to someone in the service?
• What should I ask my recruiter?
• Where do I get more information?

The Marine Corps is one of the most elite fighting forces in the world. The Marines are a part of the Department of the Navy and operate in close cooperation with U.S. Naval forces at sea. The Marine Corps' mission is unique among the services. Marines serve on U.S. Navy ships, protect naval bases, guard U.S. embassies, and provide an ever-ready quick strike force to protect U.S. interests anywhere in the world.

To perform the many duties of the Marine Corps, approximately 174,000 officers and enlisted Marines fly planes and helicopters; operate radar equipment; drive armored vehicles; gather intelligence; survey and map territory; maintain and repair radios, computers, jeeps, trucks, tanks, and aircraft; and perform hundreds of other challenging jobs.

The following are the basic requirements for joining. You must:

• To enlist, you must be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien.
• Meet exacting physical, mental, and moral standards.
• Be between the ages of 17-29. Seventeen-year olds need parental consent.
• Have a high school diploma.
• Take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test.
• Pass a Military Entrance Processing Station medical exam.
• Women are eligible to enlist in all occupational fields, with the exception of combat arms specialties: infantry, artillery, and tank and amphibian tractor crew members.

• Take a practice test.

• Steady Income:  You are paid twice a month, on the 1st and 15th, every month, based on your pay grade and service requirements.
• Advancement:  You are promoted based on job knowledge, your performance, time in pay grade and service requirements.
• Paid Vacation:  You earn 2.5 days paid vacation per month for a total of 30 days each year up to 60 days. 
• Training:  You choose your career path based on your aptitude, physical abilities, security clearance, motivation and determination.
• Health Care:  While on active duty, you will receive complete medical and dental care at no cost.
• Life Insurance:  Active duty members select up to $200,000 in term life insurance for $18 per month.
• Allowances:  You may also receive additional tax-free money for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) if government housing is not available; Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), if government food facilities are not available in the area you are stationed; and a uniform allowance (for enlisted personnel only) to help maintain your uniform.
• Tax Advantage:  Only your basic monthly pay is subject to Federal or State income tax. 
• GI Bill:  The Montgomery GI Bill will help pay for college education or vocational training. 
• Tuition Assistance:  While on active duty, you may continue your education, and may be helped in defraying the cost of college-accredited courses.
• Additional Benefits:  There are exchange and commissary privileges, moving allowances, temporary lodging expenses, travel, survivor benefits, Veterans Administration home loans and more.

Although the Marine Corps says that "every Marine is a rifleman," infantry units comprise no more then 15% of the service's total force. You will be able to work in one of 35 career fields which offer over 300 different jobs.

Some specialty fields available to you:

• Aircraft Defense
• Aircraft Maintenance
• Armor
• Broadcasting
• Combat Engineer
• Communications
• Computer Operator/Technician
• Electronics
• Intelligence
• Supply

Use our job matcher to explore careers that match your interest.  

Yes. The Marine Corps accepts prior-service people. 

Only U.S. citizens or foreign nationals legally residing in the United States with an Immigration and Naturalization Service Alien Registration Card ("Green Card" -- INS Form I-151/551) may apply. Applicants must speak, write and read English fluently.

No. The U.S. military cannot assist foreign nationals in obtaining admittance into the United States. 

Regulations prohibit the forwarding of recruiting information through international mail, even to U.S. citizens living in foreign countries. Use our online form to reach a recruiter electronically.

Boot camp is 13 weeks, followed by three weeks of either the School of the Infantry or Marine Combat Training. 

Boot camp is located at Parris Island Recruit Depot, SC on the east coast and San Diego Recruit Depot, CA for those on the west coast. All women will attend recruit training at Parris Island.

Recruit training is rigorous, demanding, and challenging. The overall goal of recruit training is to instill in the recruits the military skills, knowledge, discipline, pride and self-confidence necessary to be a United States Marine.

In the first several days at the recruit depot, a recruit is assigned to a platoon, receives a basic issue of uniforms and equipment, is given an additional physical, and takes further assignment classification tests. Each platoon is led by a team of three Marine drill instructors. A typical training day for recruits begins with reveille at 0500 (5:00 a.m.), continues with drill, physical training, and several classes in weapons and conduct, and ends with taps at 2100 (9:00 p.m.).

Yes. Ask your recruiter if you can get a copy of Recruit Regulations. During recruit training you will use the book when told to "study your knowledge." Pay particular attention to the list of items you cannot bring to boot camp, the 11 General Orders and the Position of Attention.

We cannot stress enough how important it is for you to prepare yourself for running and physical fitness training. It is recommended that you enter recruit training with the ability to run three miles in less then 24 minutes.

For tips on how to get yourself into shape for Boot Camp, see military fitness guru Stew Smith's articles.

How do I become an officer?

There are a number of ways you can become an officer in the Marine Corps. In almost all cases you will need a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Sources of commissioning:

• Service Academy
• ROTC
• OCS
• Enlisted Commissioning Program

All Marine officers will complete The Basic School (TBS) upon receiving their commission. TBS is six months and will cover leadership, land navigation, weapons qualifications, small unit tactics and communications.

A portion of Naval Academy graduates go into the Marine Corps. While at Annapolis, midshipmen have the opportunity to see firsthand the various fields open to them.

Officer Candidate School is offered to college graduates or those in the process of receiving their Baccalaureate degree who want to become commissioned officers in the Marine Corps.

The Marine Corps offers two programs for those who qualify - Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) and Officer Candidates Class (OCC). Training at both programs is at Quantico, VA.

PLC - For Freshmen, Sophomores, or Juniors in College. Candidates will complete either two six-week courses or the 10-week course before receiving their Baccalaureate degree.

OCC - Seniors or those who have already received their Baccalaureate degree will attend a 10-week course.

Both programs occur in the summer and do not interfere with your academic studies.

The 10 or 12 weeks of officer training is intended to measure your leadership potential, you must prove yourself. Upon graduation you decide whether to accept an appointment as a Marine Corps Officer.

We suggest you contact an Officer Selection Officer (OSO). The application process includes receiving a minimum combined score of 1000 on the SAT or a 45 on the ACT or a 115 on the Electronics Repair composite of the ASVAB. You must also pass your physical given at a MEPS. Your application package will also include an essay written by you and written statements of your references. The completed package will be submitted to a board, who will select the top candidates from the packages they receive.  Please visit the OCS Home Page.

You can also receive a commission in the Marine Corps by joining Naval ROTC. Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NROTC) program offers tuition and other financial benefits at more than 60 of the country's leading colleges and universities. Two-year and four-year subsidized scholarships are offered. Participants receive a monthly cash allowance. Two-year and four-year nonsubsidized NROTC programs are also offered. These are referred to as college programs and provide for monthly cash allowances during the junior and senior years.

Yes.  The Marine Corps has a number of opportunities to become a "Mustang" - someone who is commissioned from the enlisted ranks.

The Enlisted Commissioning Program
This program provides the opportunity for enlisted Marines with two years of college to apply for assignment to the Officer Candidates School and subsequent appointment as unrestricted commissioned officers.

Enlisted Commissioning Education Program
The Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program provides to selected enlisted Marines (who have had no college experience) the opportunity to earn bachelors degrees by attending a college or university as full-time students. Marines in this program who obtain their bachelors degrees and subsequently complete officer candidate training are commissioned as second lieutenants.

The Warrant Officer Program
Warrant officers are technical specialists who are assigned to duties only in their area of expertise. All other officers are said to be "unrestricted" and are assigned to a wide variety of assignments during their career. The Warrant Officer Program provides for the selection and appointment to permanent warrant officer those qualified applicants who are in the grade of sergeant or above at the time of application.

The Marine Corps actually receives their medical support (doctors, corpsman, nurses) from the Navy.

Yes. The Marine Corps Reserve is a part-time force of specially trained people who serve with the Marine Corps one weekend a month and two weeks every year.

You will have to complete the 12 weeks of boot camp but you will have the opportunity to train for one of over 300 different jobs.

The qualifications to join the reserves are the same as joining the active duty. You must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen or a resident alien.
• Meet exacting physical, mental, and moral standards.
• Be between the ages of 17-29. Seventeen-year olds need parental consent.
• Have a high school diploma.
• Take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test.
• Pass a Military Entrance Processing Station medical exam.
• Women are eligible to enlist in all occupational fields, with the exception of combat arms specialties: infantry, artillery, and tank and amphibian tractor crew members.

Depending on the program, you will attend boot camp and training for your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Weekend or weekday drills are considered training. Active Duty for Training (ADT) is 12 days of active duty is required annually.

By law, as a member of the Reserve, you must, upon request, be granted a leave of absence to satisfy a requirement for military training. The Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act requires employers to provide Reservists with time away from their jobs to perform military duty. However, you must notify your employer that you intend to take military leave. You must be reemployed after completion of your military duty and return to your job within a reasonable time. You must be treated as though you had never left employment, including scheduled pay raises, promotions or credit for longevity or vacation. Your employer only has to hold a job open for 60 months if you accept voluntary orders.  For additional information, see the Marine Corps Reserve Home Page.

Yes. Aviation is a key component in the Marine Corps' Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF).

Qualifications:

Flight school candidates are officers who must pass a naval flight physical. Dental exam will check for cavities and other problems that may be affected by changes in air pressure during flight.

Vision requirements are also very stringent. Eyesight should be 20/20 or correctable to 20/20, no exceptions. Uncorrected visual acuity must be better than 20/200 in either eye. There are other limitations imposed based on the type and strength of the lens prescription. In addition, normal color perception, depth perception and field of vision are required.

• F/A-18 Hornet
• AV-8B Harrier II
• EA-6B Prowler
• AH-1 Super Cobra

When applying for a commission in the Marine Corps, you can opt for a guaranteed aviation slot. This means if you complete OCS and pass your flight physical, you will be guaranteed a seat at Naval Flight School after you complete The Basic School.

Flight school will last from 18-24 months depending on the type of aircraft you are assigned. After flight school, you will then spend time qualifying on your assigned aircraft before being assigned to your squadron. Becoming a pilot takes a lot of work and dedication. Do not go down this career path unless you are serious about becoming an aviator.

Sure.  Visit the Military.com Recruiting Discussion Board.

Marine recruiters must present an accurate picture of basic training. You should be aware of all aspects of the military lifestyle. Be sure you fully understand the enlistment contract. You should ask about:

• Details and qualifications for each specialty.
• The current Enlistment Bonuses.
• Films or videos about training and duties. 
• Boot camp.
• Special enlistment programs if you have completed Junior ROTC or Navy Cadet training.
• Overseas assignments, remote and long duty.
• Haircut and grooming standards.
• Off-duty education and educational benefits.
• Guaranteed training programs.

Complete this form and we'll get a recruiter in touch with you.