Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) is a program designed specifically to provide college sophomores and juniors enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university with the opportunity to earn a Marine Officer’s commission. All training is conducted during the summer so participation in PLC does not detract from your studies – or from your college experience. After summer training at Officer Candidate School (OCS), you will return to campus and enjoy your time at college just like every other student.

Once accepted into PLC, the only obligation you incur is to attend OCS. If you successfully graduate from OCS , you’ll have a big decision to make during your senior year. “Do I accept my commission and begin serving as a Marine Officer, or do I decline my commission and pursue another path after college?” Participating in PLC allows you to earn the option of becoming a Marine Officer after you graduate from college. It also provides the Marine Corps with the chance to assess your leadership during the summer in order to determine whether or not you have what it takes to lead Marines. Both you and the Marine Corps have the opportunity to evaluate your choice to become a Marine Officer without either of us incurring any future obligation.

In this program sophomores attend two six-week summer courses at Officer Candidates School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia. Juniors attend one ten-week course. Upon graduation from OCS, you will return to school. There are no military requirements during the school year. You simply stay in touch with your Officer Selection Office, keep up your academic standing, and maintain good physical condition. You’ll be paid during your summer training, and once you have completed one summer of OCS (first 6-week session for freshmen and sophomores; 10-week session for juniors), you will also become eligible for financial assistance.

Candidate Status:

• You will be paid as an E-5 while attending six or ten weeks of OCS

• Approximately $ 2,863.00 for six-week PLC junior and senior sessions

• Approximately $ 4,700.00 for ten-weeks combined course

• Financial Assistance Program and College Tuition Assistance Program for candidates who complete their first 6-week (or combined 10-week) summer at OCS.

• No obligation to serve in the military after training. You decide.

• Transportation, uniforms, and textbooks provided.

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the area -- whose face is marred by dust, sweat, and blood… a leader who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause -- who, at best if he wins, knows the thrills of high achievement, and if he fails, fails while daring greatly -- so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
–Theodore Roosevelt