I think this is the proper place to put this sort of question, so I put it in here now to avoid a move later. I'm contracting with the Marine Corps tomorrow, spent the past month getting all the paperwork and sources set, and ran a 250 on my pft today. I'm applying for the PLC program, under the ground section, and would like to go for the first OCS session this summer. I just missed the December board, so I've only got one or two review boards and chances to get this worked out. I'm hoping I'm good, pft could be better, but I've got high SAT scores, gpa, and would be a third-generation Marine. For those who've been through similar situations, I'd greatly appreciate any help in answering a few questions my OSO hasn't been too reliable in answering. What are the results of financial aid and stipend acceptment? I've heard that the aid is binding and requires an extended commitment of six months and from another source two years, wihile the stipend is strangely non-binding. Since my desired MOS is infantry, is this truly as close to a guarantee out of the basic school as you can get? Thank you for your time.

An officer makes a very open-ended committment. Hundreds of retired officers have recently been recalled to service to make up for recruitment shortfalls, and a retired USAF JAG lawyer told me today that it can go on until 30 years have passed from the officer's entry into active duty. Our conversation was prompted by an article in today's paper about a 70-year old physician who retired in 1980 from the Army and two years ago from private medical practice, who is serving in Afghanistan. He is a volunteer who is reusing skills he learned in Viet Nam, but younger men have been involuntarily recalled to duty.

If you are a lifer, none of this will bother you. Otherwise . . .

Just remember when you get out, if you don't want to be recalled, resign your commission. Apperantly if you don't you are not really out even after completing any reserve commitment.

I think this is the proper place to put this sort of question, so I put it in here now to avoid a move later. I'm contracting with the Marine Corps tomorrow, spent the past month getting all the paperwork and sources set, and ran a 250 on my pft today. I'm applying for the PLC program, under the ground section, and would like to go for the first OCS session this summer. I just missed the December board, so I've only got one or two review boards and chances to get this worked out. I'm hoping I'm good, pft could be better, but I've got high SAT scores, gpa, and would be a third-generation Marine. For those who've been through similar situations, I'd greatly appreciate any help in answering a few questions my OSO hasn't been too reliable in answering. What are the results of financial aid and stipend acceptment? I've heard that the aid is binding and requires an extended commitment of six months and from another source two years, wihile the stipend is strangely non-binding. Since my desired MOS is infantry, is this truly as close to a guarantee out of the basic school as you can get? Thank you for your time.


I can speak for myself. I am a former Armor Officer. I have heard that I am a bot too old to be recalled although there are those who have been based on their MOS. Typically these are logistics types. My wife works at Darnall Army Hospital at Fort Hood, Texas. There are a lot of "older doc's" there with a variety of health issues on active duty. They are doing their job quite well. Some are or have been deployed to the Sand Box. Some have not been. There are Doc's from all of the services there (Army, Navy, and Air Force). Some older, some as residents.

The bottom line at Fort Hood. If you have resigned your commission, you are done (although there may be caveats that can change that). Otherwise you do remain available. The casualty rate is such that lots of warm bodies are needed. Many of casualities are logistics types and cocmbat arms folks doing infantry work.

I was in an infantry job in Vietnam as an Armor Officer. Loss rates in MOUT Ops will remain quite high, especially for those in Infantry jobs. Be very careful!