Commissioning Programs for Current Enlisted
The U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School. The Preparatory School, located at Newport, R.I., accepts applications from active duty and inactive reserve enlisted members of the Marine Corps. The Naval Academy admissions board considers applicants for the Naval Academy Preparatory School. Application is made to the Naval Academy. If someone is not selected for admission to the academy, they could be selected for the Naval Academy Preparatory School.
Entrance requirements are based on the whole person“ evaluation of overall abilities and potential, and are similar to those of other prep schools.
Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST). BOOST offers active duty enlisted men and women between the ages of 18-24 the opportunity to receive 10 months of extensive academic preparation in order to become more competitive for selection to the Naval Academy, Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program and Navy/Marine Corps ROTC scholarship programs. BOOST participants attend school at the Naval Education Training Center in Newport, R.I. If not selected for either a Navy/Marine Corps ROTC scholarship, MECEP or appointment to the Naval Academy, BOOST students fulfill their service obligation to the Marine Corps in the enlisted ranks.
Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP). ECP provides enlisted Marines with a four-year degree from an accredited school the opportunity to become commissioned officers. ECP is open to Marines with a minimum of one-year active duty experience and at least 12 months remaining on their current enlistment contract.
This program provides selected enlisted Marines, ages 20 to 26, with an opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree by attending a college or university full-time. After obtaining a degree and completing officer candidate school, MECEP graduates are commissioned reserve second lieutenants, provided they are no older than 30.
Meritorious Commissioning Program. MCP provides a commissioning opportunity for enlisted Marines with two-year degrees, 75 semester hours or more of college work, which have demonstrated rare leadership qualities, and would ultimately better serve the Marine Corps as an officer.
Unlike other commissioning programs where the applicant initiates the application process, MCP requires that applicants be nominated by their commanding officers. Marines must have the same basic qualifications for MCP as ECP. Marines are given a reserve commission and serve on active duty.
