MacLarenKD
Member
I didn't see any information for active duty (reservists go through the OSO) Marines interested in transitioning from the black collar club to the dark side, so I figured I'd put some info out there.
The two main programs are ECP/MCP and MECEP. I was an ECP guy, so that's what my experience was with, but the applications for both are very similar. The orders can be found in all their horrifyingly detailed, yet somehow vague, glory on the USMC.mil site under Marine Corps Orders. The search function doesn't work very well, so sometimes it's easier to just scroll down until you find what you're looking for. Also this provides an opportunity to see other random orders that might strike your interest.
Before we get started, it needs to be made absolutely clear that YOU will have to do all the leg work on the application. My OpsO at the time made a point of telling me that that's actually part of the application process, to see if you have the organizational skills and discipline to put the package together. People are happy to help with little things, but by and large you'll do all the work. It's not that bad, it's just a bit of a grind.
ECP/MCP: If you already have a degree, bachelors or associates, you should probably start with MCO 1040.43A, the ECP/MCP program. The order breaks the two programs out by whether you have a degree (ECP) or degree of completion (MCP). The order itself is fairly straightforward, but because it has a lot to it, I highly recommend breaking it up into chunks in order to aid in digestion. The requirements, more or less, are as follows: You must be a citizen
Not a habitual NJP collector or convicted felon
Not have previously FAILED an officer program (getting dropped for breaking your leg doesn't count)
Not have failed any military aviation training (NA or NFO types)
Have a passing score on your latest PFT (I don't think anybody in my OCS class who was ECP or MCP had lower than a 275 or so)
SAT above 1000 (based on the old two part SAT; I assume that it would be 1500 now), 45 on the ACT, or above 115 on the EL score on the ASVAB
Minimum of 4/6/4 on the ASTB (again, hopeful aviator types)
Age: 21 to 30 at time of commissioning for ground side, 21 to 27.5 for wing side
Aviation applicants require a full flight physical (make sure you make this ABSOLUTELY clear when you go into medical, otherwise you will spend months trying to unf**k your package. You'll probably spend a lot of time fighting with medical, anyway)
The application is broken into 12+ (depending waivers or supplemental information) enclosures, each of which can be treated as a distinct project. Here they are:
Cover letter: This is where you will request waivers. It's also the first thing they look at, so make a good impression
1. Application form: Pretty straightforward; answer everything fully and honestly, is my recommendation. If you need waivers for something, that will be dealt with between the cover letter, endorsements, and supplemental enclosures. This isn't like walking in off the street, if you have a good record since you've joined, they'll let an awful lot slide.
2. Data sheet
3. Academic Certification Form: You'll have to mail this off to your college and then harass them about it until they send it back to an address you can access. I had mine sent to my SNCOIC at the unit address and that worked out ok, although the mail spent some time in purgatory in S-1 before it found its way over to our shop.
4. Official Transcripts w/ Evidence of Degree: same as above
5. SF 88, SF 93, and Support Documents: They don't really use these forms anymore! They're the forms for your physical (flight or otherwise). This is absolutely vital that you make sure you're getting the correct forms filled out. And if people at Medical give you a hard time about it, don't be afraid to elevate it up the chain as far as you need to. This was my biggest source of headaches.
6. Report of Interview Board Report: Try not to interview with your OIC, your AAMO, and a random 1stLt. It looks bad. Really it should be convened by at least your BN or SQN OpsO (hopefully XO or CO).
7. Handwritten Statement: If it's handwritten it must be true, right?
8. Service Agreement: Just sign them
9. Photograph: Make sure to bring somebody with you to ensure that you look your best in your chucks. Former drill instructors are typically very good at this.
10. SRB, pages 3, 8a, 11, and 12: Not all of these pages are actually really still in your SRB; Admin will help you out.
11. MCTFS Screens BIR, BTR, ROS, and EDU
12. Supplemental enclosures. Enclosures 12 through whatever are where I put my letters of recommendation, SAT and ASTB official score reports, and security clearance adjudication.
MECEP: The order for MECEP is MCO 1560.15L and it runs essentially the same way as the ECP/MCP order. There are major differences in the way that the programs work, though. For MECEP you will have to also apply to colleges with NROTC programs. You will receive your normal pay and allowances, but not TA and you won't be able to access all of your MGIB (apparently they're working on trying to fix this). In addition to being a student, you will be simultaneously a staff member and a part of the NROTC program. That's my understanding, anyway. Unlike ECP/MCP where your application defines whether or not you'll go air, you will select through the NROTC program. Another difference is when you go to OCS; ECP/MCP candidates go directly to the 10 week OCS from their units, whereas MECEP candidates may do a full year prior to attending the six week Bulldog version of OCS. I believe that you will also be expected to finish your degree within three years.
There are a few differences in requirements, like this one (my favorite): Marital Status: Must be either married or single. You'll also need to track down information from your high school, which I'm sure can be painful. If you have not yet taken the SAT or ACT, you will need to do so. Keep in mind that you are essentially applying both to a college and to the Marine Corps to pay you to be there.
The order makes mention of the BOOST program in Newport, RI. The rumor mill has it that they're shutting that program down, but I don't know what they might be replacing it with.
There are fewer enclosures in the MECEP application, but it looks like it's mostly the same idea as above.
Hope all this helps.
The two main programs are ECP/MCP and MECEP. I was an ECP guy, so that's what my experience was with, but the applications for both are very similar. The orders can be found in all their horrifyingly detailed, yet somehow vague, glory on the USMC.mil site under Marine Corps Orders. The search function doesn't work very well, so sometimes it's easier to just scroll down until you find what you're looking for. Also this provides an opportunity to see other random orders that might strike your interest.
Before we get started, it needs to be made absolutely clear that YOU will have to do all the leg work on the application. My OpsO at the time made a point of telling me that that's actually part of the application process, to see if you have the organizational skills and discipline to put the package together. People are happy to help with little things, but by and large you'll do all the work. It's not that bad, it's just a bit of a grind.
ECP/MCP: If you already have a degree, bachelors or associates, you should probably start with MCO 1040.43A, the ECP/MCP program. The order breaks the two programs out by whether you have a degree (ECP) or degree of completion (MCP). The order itself is fairly straightforward, but because it has a lot to it, I highly recommend breaking it up into chunks in order to aid in digestion. The requirements, more or less, are as follows: You must be a citizen
Not a habitual NJP collector or convicted felon
Not have previously FAILED an officer program (getting dropped for breaking your leg doesn't count)
Not have failed any military aviation training (NA or NFO types)
Have a passing score on your latest PFT (I don't think anybody in my OCS class who was ECP or MCP had lower than a 275 or so)
SAT above 1000 (based on the old two part SAT; I assume that it would be 1500 now), 45 on the ACT, or above 115 on the EL score on the ASVAB
Minimum of 4/6/4 on the ASTB (again, hopeful aviator types)
Age: 21 to 30 at time of commissioning for ground side, 21 to 27.5 for wing side
Aviation applicants require a full flight physical (make sure you make this ABSOLUTELY clear when you go into medical, otherwise you will spend months trying to unf**k your package. You'll probably spend a lot of time fighting with medical, anyway)
The application is broken into 12+ (depending waivers or supplemental information) enclosures, each of which can be treated as a distinct project. Here they are:
Cover letter: This is where you will request waivers. It's also the first thing they look at, so make a good impression
1. Application form: Pretty straightforward; answer everything fully and honestly, is my recommendation. If you need waivers for something, that will be dealt with between the cover letter, endorsements, and supplemental enclosures. This isn't like walking in off the street, if you have a good record since you've joined, they'll let an awful lot slide.
2. Data sheet
3. Academic Certification Form: You'll have to mail this off to your college and then harass them about it until they send it back to an address you can access. I had mine sent to my SNCOIC at the unit address and that worked out ok, although the mail spent some time in purgatory in S-1 before it found its way over to our shop.
4. Official Transcripts w/ Evidence of Degree: same as above
5. SF 88, SF 93, and Support Documents: They don't really use these forms anymore! They're the forms for your physical (flight or otherwise). This is absolutely vital that you make sure you're getting the correct forms filled out. And if people at Medical give you a hard time about it, don't be afraid to elevate it up the chain as far as you need to. This was my biggest source of headaches.
6. Report of Interview Board Report: Try not to interview with your OIC, your AAMO, and a random 1stLt. It looks bad. Really it should be convened by at least your BN or SQN OpsO (hopefully XO or CO).
7. Handwritten Statement: If it's handwritten it must be true, right?
8. Service Agreement: Just sign them
9. Photograph: Make sure to bring somebody with you to ensure that you look your best in your chucks. Former drill instructors are typically very good at this.
10. SRB, pages 3, 8a, 11, and 12: Not all of these pages are actually really still in your SRB; Admin will help you out.
11. MCTFS Screens BIR, BTR, ROS, and EDU
12. Supplemental enclosures. Enclosures 12 through whatever are where I put my letters of recommendation, SAT and ASTB official score reports, and security clearance adjudication.
MECEP: The order for MECEP is MCO 1560.15L and it runs essentially the same way as the ECP/MCP order. There are major differences in the way that the programs work, though. For MECEP you will have to also apply to colleges with NROTC programs. You will receive your normal pay and allowances, but not TA and you won't be able to access all of your MGIB (apparently they're working on trying to fix this). In addition to being a student, you will be simultaneously a staff member and a part of the NROTC program. That's my understanding, anyway. Unlike ECP/MCP where your application defines whether or not you'll go air, you will select through the NROTC program. Another difference is when you go to OCS; ECP/MCP candidates go directly to the 10 week OCS from their units, whereas MECEP candidates may do a full year prior to attending the six week Bulldog version of OCS. I believe that you will also be expected to finish your degree within three years.
There are a few differences in requirements, like this one (my favorite): Marital Status: Must be either married or single. You'll also need to track down information from your high school, which I'm sure can be painful. If you have not yet taken the SAT or ACT, you will need to do so. Keep in mind that you are essentially applying both to a college and to the Marine Corps to pay you to be there.
The order makes mention of the BOOST program in Newport, RI. The rumor mill has it that they're shutting that program down, but I don't know what they might be replacing it with.
There are fewer enclosures in the MECEP application, but it looks like it's mostly the same idea as above.
Hope all this helps.
