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brush

(58,022 posts)
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 04:05 PM Nov 2022

Just watched a Marine Lt Col note that she attended the Naval Academy.

Last edited Fri Nov 11, 2022, 04:57 PM - Edit history (1)

I never thought about it but this being Veterans Day, is that the case with most Marine Corp officers?

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Just watched a Marine Lt Col note that she attended the Naval Academy. (Original Post) brush Nov 2022 OP
Yep USAFRetired_Liberal Nov 2022 #1
At the Academy, how are some routed to the Marines and most to the Navy? brush Nov 2022 #3
I suspect most of it is personal choice. Aristus Nov 2022 #5
As AF brats we got confused about the marines. Irish_Dem Nov 2022 #14
I would say no although I knew a couple who did. GP6971 Nov 2022 #2
That's Officer Candidate School. Aristus Nov 2022 #6
That is one way to be a USMC officer sarisataka Nov 2022 #4
The leader of my tank platoon in the Gulf was a Mustang. Aristus Nov 2022 #7
IME they made the best officers sarisataka Nov 2022 #9
So it's rare for mustangs to advance past captain? brush Nov 2022 #12
Most don't become generals sarisataka Nov 2022 #13
Not unusual. The Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy. rsdsharp Nov 2022 #8
Marine corps birthday was Yesterday MyMission Nov 2022 #10
A Naval Academy graduate can accept a commission from any branch of the service. Chainfire Nov 2022 #11
Thanks. I didn't know that. And is the Space Force sort of part... brush Nov 2022 #15
Yep USAFRetired_Liberal Nov 2022 #16

Aristus

(68,617 posts)
5. I suspect most of it is personal choice.
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 04:15 PM
Nov 2022

I don't think the Marines would want anyone to serve with them who didn't want to be a Marine.

Irish_Dem

(59,696 posts)
14. As AF brats we got confused about the marines.
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 06:15 PM
Nov 2022

We always thought they looked like Army but then we would be reminded to think
of marine meaning wet ocean and then we would remember they were navy.

We would argue with our mother about it, we were sure she was wrong and the Marines were army.

They looked nothing like the sailors we saw all the time since they lived next to our AF base when
we stationed on a tiny South China Sea island during the VN war.

We saw the marines get on the LSTs headed for Viet Nam. I often think about those guys and hope
they all made it back home.

GP6971

(33,403 posts)
2. I would say no although I knew a couple who did.
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 04:10 PM
Nov 2022

The Marines have a officer program run out of Quantico. Not sure of the details though.

Aristus

(68,617 posts)
6. That's Officer Candidate School.
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 04:16 PM
Nov 2022

People who obtained their college degrees somewhere other than the Academies, and want to train as officers. In the case of Quantico, the Marine Corps.

sarisataka

(21,268 posts)
4. That is one way to be a USMC officer
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 04:14 PM
Nov 2022

After graduating Annapolis an officer may select the option to go to the Marine Corps.

There is also a Marine ROTC program and a person can attempt to join directly as an officer if they have completed college.

Also is is possible for an enlisted Marine to apply for, or be offered, a spot in Officer Candidate School. Such an officer is referred to as a mustang.

I do not know what the percentages of each are but the Corps does have more that go the mustang route than other services.

Aristus

(68,617 posts)
7. The leader of my tank platoon in the Gulf was a Mustang.
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 04:18 PM
Nov 2022

He was slightly older than his fellow Second Lieutenants, but he brought with him the experience accrued as an enlisted man. To say that the tankers in our platoon adored him would be an understatement.

sarisataka

(21,268 posts)
9. IME they made the best officers
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 04:28 PM
Nov 2022

As you saw, their experience was invaluable when they became leaders.

I am proud to have had three of my Marines make the jump over the years. Twice I was offered the chance but decided to keep my stripes. I knew I wouldn't have advanced past company grade.

sarisataka

(21,268 posts)
13. Most don't become generals
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 06:12 PM
Nov 2022

But will get to field grade. I've known a Colonel and a few LTCs that started as enlisted.

For myself, it was a combination of my age and the politics to move up the officer ranks. I knew I would only get to Capitan, Major at best.

MyMission

(2,000 posts)
10. Marine corps birthday was Yesterday
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 04:47 PM
Nov 2022

November 10th. I always acknowledge my USMC friends on that date. One day before veterans day.
They were born of the US Navy.

 

Chainfire

(17,757 posts)
11. A Naval Academy graduate can accept a commission from any branch of the service.
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 05:21 PM
Nov 2022

The Marine Corps does not have an academy. Naval Academy usually choose either the Navy or Marine Corp but they could go into the Army, Airforce or become a Space Cadet....

To answer your question more specifically, most of the officers in any of the service branches to not attend the service academies. However, an Academy ring nearly assures rapid promotion and good assignments. It is a fraternity that looks after its own, and many times regardless of the fitness or ability of the graduate.

brush

(58,022 posts)
15. Thanks. I didn't know that. And is the Space Force sort of part...
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 06:17 PM
Nov 2022

of the Air Force like the Marines are part of the Navy?

USAFRetired_Liberal

(4,321 posts)
16. Yep
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 08:21 PM
Nov 2022

But I would say they are part of the Dept of the Air Force, not the Air Force service branch….

There are six armed service branches

There is the U.S. Army that falls under the Dept of the Army
There is the U.S. Air Force and U.S Space Force that fall under the Dept of the Air Force
There is the U.S. Navy and U.S Marine Corp that fall under the Dept of the Navy
The three aforementioned Departments fall under the Dept of Defense

Then there is the U.S. Coast Guard that falls under the Dept of Homeland Security

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