U.S.
Marine Corps
Advanced Rank Upon Enlistment
Certain categories of recruits may receive advanced rank when enlisting in the United States Marine Corps:
| If an applicant | then grade upon enlistment will be: | Notes: |
| has prior service (other service) with 6 or more months of active duty to include class continuous active duty training | Private First Class |
Only if individual was last discharged as a PFC or higher. Consult the provisions of the Prior Service (Other Service) Enlistment Incentive Program contained in MCO 1130.55. Under this Order, an applicant may be eligible for appointment to a higher grade. |
| is a high school graduate and has evidence of successful completion of a 2-year Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC) | Private First Class | |
| is a high school graduate and has evidence of successful completion of 2 or more years of a Junior Reserve Officer Training Course (JROTC) | Private First Class | Completion of 2 years or more at a service academy satisfies this requirement. |
| enlists in the DEP or SMCR awaiting IADT and refers two applicants who subsequently enlist | Private First Class | The individual making the referrals will be eligible for the higher appointment only if the referrals enlist into the DEP or directly into the Marine Corps or SMCR (including awaiting IADT) prior to the individual's graduation from recruit training. |
| has completed the junior and senior course of the Platoon Leaders Class or the male or female Officer Candidate Course | Private First Class | |
| has evidence of completing 12 semester hours/18 quarter hours, college level courses with a course number of 100 or greater and attained a minimum grade point average of C+ (2.3 or better on 4.0 scale). College hours do not have to be completed in the same semester or quarter | Private First Class | applicants must have completed the 10th grade in a traditional high school to be promoted under this rule. |
| enlists under the provisions of the Quality Enlistment Program/College Enlistment Program (QEP/CEP) contained in MCO 1130.60 (excludes the 4-year QEP) | See MCO 1130.60 | |
| enlists under the provisions of the Musician Enlistment Option Program contained in MCO 1130.54 | See MCO 1130.54 | |
| is an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America or a Girl Scout Gold Award in the Girl Scouts of America | Private First Class | The individual must present full documentation, e.g., official Boy/ Girl Scout certificates awarding Eagle/Gold Award status, Naval Sea Cadet Corps promotion/service certificates, etc. |
| attained grade E-3 or completed at least 24-months in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps | Private First Class | The individual must present full documentation, e.g., official Boy/ Girl Scout certificates awarding Eagle/Gold Award status, Naval Sea Cadet Corps promotion/service certificates, etc. |
| enlists for duty with the U.S. Marine Band staff sergeant only | Staff Sergeant | |
| Young Marines must achieve the rank of E-5. | See MCO 5000.20. |
Grade determinations for prior service Marines who have completed Marine Corps recruit training will be made per MCO 1130.58 or MCO 1130.63. Recruits who did not complete recruit training will be enlisted in the grade of private unless otherwise qualified per this table.
Documents must clearly substantiate eligibility for the higher appointment.
The effective date of all grade appointments is the date the individual enlists into the Marine Corps to commence active duty, or the SMCR to commence IADT. There is one exception: Category P SMCR enlistees will be promoted to PFC with an effective date of rank of the second day of the month following the date of the enlistment of the second referral (see Note 4 below). Even though in a pay status, these enlistees are not authorized to wear the grade insignia until completion of recruit training.
Individuals appointed under the provisions of this table who are required to attend recruit training will be advised that they cannot wear the grade insignia until successful completion of recruit training (this includes Category P SMCR enlistees).
