What makes a marine corps officer

Dwight Eisenhower once said, "Plans are useless, but planning is indispensible," and that's true--but there comes a time when it's time to act. Momentum is its own reward; besides, no battle plan actually survives first contact with the enemy and no business plan survives contact with the market.

As a leader, you wind up with both privileges and responsibilities -- but the biggest thing you need to remember is that it's really not about you. Instead, your organization is about the people you lead. The classic manifestation of this is that in the Marines, leaders only eat after everyone else has. That tradition reminds us, and sets the tone. Every Marine learns our history and traditions.

Chesty Puller was one of the most heroic Marines--awarded the nation's second-highest awards for valor six times five Navy Crosses, plus the Army's Distinguished Service Cross.

This rhetorical question is about making sure the current Marine Corps lives up to his standard. You can adapt it easily to civilian leadership. Think of your mentors and heroes: What would they think of the way you're leading your team?

Top Stories. Top Videos. Getty Images. Sponsored Business Content. The final option in becoming an officer is to switch from an enlisted Marine to an officer. There are two different ways this can be accomplished, one for active duty Marines and one for reservist Marines. Active Duty: First for active duty Marines who possess a bachelor's degree and show exceptional leadership skills can talk to their chain of command about the Enlisted Commissioning Program ECP. MECEP offers qualified, active duty enlisted Marines the opportunity to go to a 4 year college full time, while maintaining their active duty status and pay.

After completion of OCS the Marine will be commissioned as an officer. Reservist: Reservists will have a similar path to active duty but with different names for their programs.

First, if a Marine reservist possesses a bachelor's degree they will approach their chain of command about their eligibility for the Reserve Enlisted Commissioning Program RECP. Second, if a Marine reservist does not possess a bachelor's degree they will have to talk to their chain of command about the Meritorious Commissioning Program Reserve MCP-R.

He is a combat veteran. Total service commitment ranges from four to six years. Robert Settle: The biggest reason why I was drawn to the Marine Corps was because growing up, I always liked the challenge. And the Marine Corps was supposed to be the ultimate challenge. Christopher Vogt: I first became interested in serving in the Military, especially in the Marine Corps, probably when I was five years old. Akhil Iyer: As I got into high school, I was looking for ways to serve.

I knew I wanted to go to college as well, and saw the ROTC program as a way to not only go to college and find a way to pay for school, but ultimately to have an opportunity to serve and to lead Marines.

Kaitlin Nickelotte: I chose to do it because I wanted to lead Marines. I wanted to make a difference in their lives. I wanted to focus more on the personal aspect of that. But I also believe that anybody who wants it bad enough can do it. You need to want to do it. Akhil Iyer: What excites me to be in the Marine Corps and to be an infantry officer is honestly the people around you.

To become a Marine, an individual must be between 18 and 29 years old 17 with parental consent and have a high school diploma. This training is an intense mental and physical process that shapes recruits against the core Marine Corps values of honor, courage and commitment.

A Marine is primarily a warrior, skilled in the art of warfare.