Is friend getting tricked? Bootcamp requirement for PLC?

[phrogpilot73]

If you're wondering why the recruiters are trying to/going to try to sell you on the Reserves, it's because the Marine Corps is in the process of growing by 20,000 people. Most of those people AREN'T going to be officers. They've got a tough job, and if they can get someone to sign up, then so be it. They're generally good Marines that are in a tough spot. I've seen guys careers ruined for not "making mission", and a lot of them will do what they have to to keep their careers intact...

 

[wink]

There is a lot of room for misunderstanding here. Recruiters try to dumb things down or use language that a civilian might understand. Likewise, the civilian applicant might not understand the military jargon. ie. For PLC you technically do enlist. You raise you hand and swear. But you are only in the standby reserve or some such thing until you go to OCS. Boot Camp-OCS, same same to many people. Reserves can be inactive (essentially on paper only), weekend warriors or selected reservists on active duty for many months to complete required training. This is why AW is a great place to sort things out. Still, if you are talking to a commissioned Marine with Officer Selection Officer on his door you can be pretty damn sure you are going to be treated right. Otherwise, be very careful.

 

[CaseyL90]

Okay, I just called the Sacramento OSO.

He gave me very straightforward answers, and was extremely helpful. You do not HAVE to enlist, but it can perhaps help your chances getting in. There is still NO guarantee though.

Even if it might help you, if you still have a 2.1 GPA and a 1010 combined score with, and no involvement in school or community you still most likely won't get in.

From my own personal experience talking to people from the Boat School, and the NROTC application, it seems these guys weigh leadership ability more so than grades. President of clubs or school, Captain of sports, Varsity athletics, community service, etc

I can't apply for the PLC until I'm actually enrolled in the college is what he said. I think that sounds right, and I think I read it on this site before.

You need a minimum 2.0 GPA, and 1000 combined SAT with reading and math. Average GPA is 3.0 he said.

Alright I still got like 8 months before I am eligible to apply.

Edit: When that Srg calls me asking to set up that meeting on Sat @ 3, I'll get this straightened out. I'll ask him why recruiters are saying I have to enlist to go to PLC, when OSO's say different. I'll ask him if this is just an attempt to lure more people to fill quotas, or for recruiters to boost their numbers. If this is just a plan to raise the number of Marines by 20,000. Think he will get mad? Well I don't really care if he does, it's an honest question, and for something as big as the Marine Corps, these people really need to be giving honest answers.

 

[usmarinemike]

My friend, you have been screened, and you are now about to go to a follow-up which is where you'll probably be scheduled for MEPS to ENLIST. I'll bet, nay GUARANTEE, that by the end of that appointment you will be jumping up and down screaming "I WANNA BE A MARINE" and swearing that the blood in your veins is green.

Let me know what your top 3 benefit tags are.

There is a lot of pride in being enlisted. I absolutely love it. But by God, if you want a Dodge, and you go to a salesman that only sells Fords, you shouldn't be talking to him because if you do he WILL sell you a Ford.

FWIW, the day I enlisted I knew I was going to be in MECEP eventually. It is the exact path I chose, and of my own volition. Eyes wide open.

Look at the bright side...You passed the enlisted prescreening so you're that much closer to knowing that you are mentally, morally, and physically qualified.

 

[CaseyL90]

Oh but I don't think I'll actually go to the office. I'll ask him the questions and say I got everything I need from the OSO.

Also, I'm 17, so even if I did sign papers, I do not think it would be legal anyways, right?

 

[usmarinemike]

.

Edit: When that Srg calls me asking to set up that meeting on Sat @ 3, I'll get this straightened out. I'll ask him why recruiters are saying I have to enlist to go to PLC, when OSO's say different. I'll ask him if this is just an attempt to lure more people to fill quotas, or for recruiters to boost their numbers. If this is just a plan to raise the number of Marines by 20,000. Think he will get mad? Well I don't really care if he does, it's an honest question, and for something as big as the Marine Corps, these people really need to be giving honest answers.

There's no reason to do that. In fact, DONT DO IT.

It will do you no good to be a tool to a man who believes in what he's doing. The best thing that can come of it is that he doesn't care. He probably won't because he has deal with Code Pink nutjobs all the time.

The worst thing that happens is that he actually calls the OSO, who is probably a pretty cool guy who loves his Corps and the Marines in it, and he sympathizes with the Sgt about how much of a friggin tool you are and you don't get into the Marine Corps.

No matter how hard the recruiter brings the sell, the OSO doesn't need your ass. He's probably 75% of the way to his quota for FY 08 already and it just started in October.

 

[SemperGumbi]

If you aren't in college yet you still have P-L-E-N-T-Y of time to figure all this out. Don't feel rushed. Once you are in college you can begin the PLC process. No NEED to get stuff done right now. Good on you for being super proactice, but I am just saying don't stress it too hard now. And don't go signing stuff.

It seems pretty clear that you want to go straight to the officer route. Sweet! You know exactly what you want. Don't let anyone dupe you into thinking you need to become an enlisted Marine before getting a contract to be an officer. (Yes, technically speaking, you are enlisted while at OCS, but that aside...) More simply, your first stop on the Marine Corps train should be Quantico, Va. You will go there for OCS. Do not pass Paris Island or San Diego, do not collect 200 dollars...

Further, I know a lot of guys who were enlisted prior to going the officer route, and they had a MUCH harder time getting a contract to go to OCS than I did. It was explained to me this way one time--and this seems to make sense, although I don't know how much actual truth is behind it:

"If the Marines take an enlisted Marine and make him an officer, they need to train 2 new Marines. They have to train that guy to be an officer, and they have to train a replacement for his previous position. If they take a kid fresh out of college who was never in the Marines, they only have to train that one guy to be an officer. Fiscally it is smarter to take non-enlisted personell and send them to OCS."

He was a Yoda-type prior Staff Sergeant, and had to jump through a few hoops to get his slot, even though he had S.H. letters of rec.

Press on, Casey!

 

[SemperGumbi]

There's no reason to do that. In fact, DONT DO IT....

I agree 100%.

Poking a tiger is a baaaaaad idea, even if you are asking "honest" questions, you are clearly asking them in a pointed way.

Go forth to the OSO with the knowledge you have.

 

[skim]

Agree with Marinemike. Im not going to be a Marine, but being a little older and wiser, trying to sound that you have been tricked or mislead by the recruiter can't be good. Just call them back, or if you get contacted, tell them that you are not interested in enlistment at this time and that you have spoken already with an OSO regarding PLC. I still occasionally get called by Navy recruiters. Once I mention my goals of attending OCS it usually ends with a "Good Luck". Just be courteous and respectful.

 

[CaseyL90]

Okay, thanks for the responses guys.

I won't ask him anything then, I'll just say I got what I need and need nothing more.

But I do still thing it is wrong for recruiters to be saying that kind of dishonest things to people. I mean, where's the honesty in something prestigious?

Then again, it's the world we live in, and you have to be proactive and on-the-ball to get what you want.

Anyways, veering off subject, keep on track.

 

[usmarinemike]

One more saved round, just to clear up where the recruiter is coming from...

It expands on my car buying analogy. Go into a Ford dealer, and say "crap, I thought this is where they sold Dodges." If the salesman is worth anything, he'll try to hook you and get you to buy a Ford by any means necessary. That's what salesmanship is. It's not underhanded or unscrupulous and it is entirely legal. It's not exactly what a choir boy would do, but what Marine anywhere would do what a choir boy would do?

 

[red_ryder]

There's no reason to do that. In fact, DONT DO IT.

It will do you no good to be a tool to a man who believes in what he's doing. The best thing that can come of it is that he doesn't care. He probably won't because he has deal with Code Pink nutjobs all the time.

The worst thing that happens is that he actually calls the OSO, who is probably a pretty cool guy who loves his Corps and the Marines in it, and he sympathizes with the Sgt about how much of a friggin tool you are and you don't get into the Marine Corps.

No matter how hard the recruiter brings the sell, the OSO doesn't need your ass. He's probably 75% of the way to his quota for FY 08 already and it just started in October.

Ha, I made that mistake in the beginning. My recruiters kept showing me NUPOC because of my engineering degree and because it's such a good deal, and I asked them if they weren't just trying to push me to that instead of pilot. BIG mistake. I could tell it hurt their feelings. Now that I know better and when I make it in, I think I'm going to apologize. :icon_tong

 

[CaseyL90]

Well the Srg just called me and asked me what I was aiming towards, and I said officer, and the PLC program.

He asked if I had any specific questions and I asked if it was a requirement to enlist and become a reservist, and he said no, it was not a requirement.

He also brought up the name of my buddy who said you HAD to enlist.

It's a funny world we live in.



Anyways, I scheduled a meeting with him tomorrow after school, I figured I go since I don't have anything major to do, and he said he can help answer some questions about PLC since he supervisors all the people in my area. I think it's nice just to get a whole bunch of opinions...and it probably will only take like 30min.

He's going to show me how the 92 day-reservist works. I asked on phone if you are just reserved for 92 days, but he said it's more complicated than that.

it's all a learning experience

Yes, not signing anything though.

I'll ask him what % get jets

 

[HeyJoe]

Anyways, I scheduled a meeting with him tomorrow after school, I figured I go since I don't have anything major to do, and he said he can help answer some questions about PLC since he supervisors all the people in my area. I think it's nice just to get a whole bunch of opinions...and it probably will only take like 30min.

He's going to show me how the 92 day-reservist works. I asked on phone if you are just reserved for 92 days, but he said it's more complicated than that.

it's all a learning experience

Yes, not signing anything though.

I'll ask him what % get jets

Tell 'em you've got a network behind you and it's called AW

 

[usmarinemike]

Guarantee you're gonna want to be an enlisted reservist before tomorrow is over. Don't forget to tell us your top 3 benefit tags cuz I guarantee he'll whip'em out.