The Army has West Point. The Naval Adademy is at Annapolis. The Air Force Academy is in Colorado.Is there an academy for the Marine Corps, where you have to be nominated by a Congressman to get in? I found a Marine Corps University at Quantico, but I'm not sure it is of the same type as the others. And there's a Coast Guard Academy.
The proper term is not "both", but should be "either" Navy or Marine Corps .... until one-sixth of the graduating class has opted (according to class standing) to serve as Marine officers. From that point, all remaining Mids will serve as Naval officers.
Marines graduate from the Naval Academy. Historically, the Marines were the land fighting force of the US Navy.
The United States Coast Guard Academy is in New London, Connecticut. The Coast Guard used to be part of the Department of the Treasury, but was moved to Homeland Security (after a brief stint in the Department of Transportation). In wartime, it operates under US Naval command.
The Air Force Academy also commissions new lieutenants for the Space Force (if you need that)...
Actually, yes, the Marines are considered, nominally, as part of the Navy, and thus attend the Naval Academy. However, the Marine Corps University at Quantico is akin to the Senior War College in the Navy (i.e. teaching Command techniques for active engagements with highly focused, intense training).
My father, a Naval Chaplain, actually attended, once he reached the rank of Captain—which incidentally, meant he could no longer serve on any Naval ship other than an Air-Craft Carrier, as then he'd be the same rank of the ship's captain, which isn't allowed, due to the potential of the one Captain potentially undermining the active ship's captain.
By the way, my father, an avid hunter, also was eligible for multiple awards, including a purple heart and the Merit of Honor Award (he was providing services for the native Vietnamese U.S. forces during the Tet Offenses and thus ended up being the first to return fire, allowing the rest of the corp to grab their weapons and regain control), but due to pressure from the Chaplaincy, was forced to turn it down, as it sends a conflicting signal about the role of Chaplains as official Peace Keeping forces during time of war. Oh, he also was nominated as an Active Combat helicopter gunner, since he flew so many times during his two tours there.
Then again, when he option to testify against he son being Court Marshaled for being gay, the entire Chaplaincy Corp and EVERY single chaplain he'd ever worked with turned the backs on him for being loyal to his own son and testifying honestly about his character (My brother's case was combined with Matlovich's, and resulting in the Supreme Courts' overturning of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. So they both make their own history in slightly different ways.
Though both died young, my father as a result of Agent Orange exposure and my brother due to AIDS (the 'gay' disease). He was the most promising of the initial treatment protocol until he wasn't (he died a week later, due to his body rejecting the mediation).
But as they say, the good die young. By the way, Space Force is just another way of saying, the militarization of the previously free access of space exploration policy of most nations. Now there's a widespread to 'claim' as much space as each nation can. But alas, the Pres' long claimed 'laser-attacks from space' were merely a pipe dream, never proving practical.
One thing about the military, they absolutely refuse to learn anything from history. ;)
The United States Naval Academy, at Annapolis, Maryland, is what I think you are thinking about. Historically, a very few Marine officers were educated at the US Military Academy at West Point, New York. How officers get their Commissions can be quite convoluted. Truth may be stranger than fiction, but it is hard to write fiction that people are unlikely to believe, even if true.
Most officers come from ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) at select universities and colleges.
Norwich College is another location, a 'private' military academy; along with five other select Officer Training programs that are a bit more than typical ROTC. As I recall, graduates from Norwich get the same Date of Commissioning as West Point, a privilege not granted any other program. The Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M is larger than all of the military and naval academies combined.
There is also OCS (Officer Candidate School) for the promotion of Enlisted men (and women) to officers.
Direct Commissions are still granted, although extremely rarely; most often for special knowledge, such as medical doctors, or lawyers; although most of those come from ROTC programs, or programs related to ROTC. Notoriously Hunter Biden, son of the then VPOTUS, was granted a Direct Commission...
There is a Marine Corps University at Quantico, it is for continuing education. Marine officers may also attend the Naval War College, various US Army courses, such as the Command and General Staff course, the Army War College, etc.
There is misinformation in this thread.
There are no paths to direct commisioning in the USMC that would not require the same 'basic' training. Whether it be JAG or any techincal MOS. They all go through OCS or PLC. OCS is not intended to be a 'boot camp'. It is a (very long) interview of officer candidates by drill instructors and Marine officers to see if they want you to be leading Marines. The enlisted instructors are adept at 'encouraging' officer candidates, that they consider ill-suited to lead them, to drop from OCS or PLC.
You are commisioned after PLC/OCS, then go to TBS, before any specialty schoolhouse. Every marine officer is trained to be a rifle platoon commander, whether a pilot or lawyer or whatever.
The Naval Academy offers the Marine 'option' to midshipmen. They typically go to 'basic' training during the summer, after their third year at the academy, if the school's Marine reps so approve the candidate.
It is also possible to go the West Point and request a commision in the USMC, but this is atypical.
Navy Chaplains are NOT Marine officers, and recieve a rather simplistic orientation prior to service within the FMF.
The USMC is part of the Department of Navy, and the USMC commandant reports to the Secretary of Navy. Prior to end of WW2, the USMC was part of the USN, and the commandant reported to the CNO. The commandant now sits on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
I am not aware of any such thing as a 'Merit of Honor Award' by the Defense Department.
A chaplain of any rank can be billeted on any USN vessel, regardless of the rank of the ship's commanding officer. A chaplain is not a line officer.
Leonard Matlovich was not subject to the 'DADT' policy. That did not become established until the 1990s. He was not part of any DADT adjudication, but did establish awareness for gays in the American military.
Chaplains are, in some cases, issued sidearms. They are generally discouraged from taking up arms as they have minimal training in USMC tactics.
There is no such billet as "Active Combat helicopter gunner". And airmen and Marine aircrew would be subject to NJP (article 15) if a chaplain was allowed to participate in routine combat activities.
The USMC requires all enlisted and officers to read and study history. Q.V., the Commandant's Reading List.
OCS is not for the "promotion of enlisted men". OCS or PLC is for anyone, whether or not prior enlisted, that aspires to be a Marine officer.
Enlisted to Officer programs are not uncommon for the USMC. The most common being ECP and MECEP. Prior to being accepted into a commisioning program, enlisted personnel must pass OCS.
There are no doctors, or any medical personnel, in the USMC. The Navy provides medical personnel to the USMC.
There are no paths to direct commisioning in the USMC that would not require the same 'basic' training. Whether it be JAG or any techincal MOS.
While I agree with you that there probably shouldn't be a Direct Commission for a USMC officer; it is still possible, however, unlikely.
I haven't read through the regulations for some two decades, but as I recall: a Direct Commission is not only for civilians with specific needed skills, when there is not time to train them to be a military (or naval) officer. Direct Commissions are also what are sometimes called "Battlefield Commissions" which were given only to experienced NCOs (albeit only a couple of years service, and perhaps only days of combat experience, in some extremely rare circumstances).
Admittedly, some of my previous post referred to all branches. Other parts refer to events going back to the founding of the USMC, and the nineteenth century.
Recently some individual were granted commissions at very high rank based upon some specific technical knowledge, the Security Clearances they needed to perform their duties, and the perceived need to pay them at a level appropriate to their qualifications. I don't believe any were made Marines. However, if TPTB (The Powers That Be) decided to do so, they could make Direct Commissions into the USMC.
What is a fact, no matter how improbable, doesn't mean that it would be a good idea to do in a fiction story. Suspension of disbelief can be a challenge. If your story is supposed to be serious, putting in elements, even if truthful, but extremely unlikely, makes it more difficult for some readers to suspend disbelief.
>Direct Commission for a USMC officer; it is still possible, however, unlikely.
Not possible within the USMC. There is no such path currently allowed, structurally or legally; nor am I aware of any such regulation or ALMAR within the previous 50 years that would allow this.
>Direct Commissions are also what are sometimes called "Battlefield Commissions"
Non sequitur. 'Battlefield' commission is not the same as 'direct' commission. In any case, there has been no legal or procedural means to effect USMC battlefield commissions since Vietnam.
Another tip for writers wanting to pretend authoritative knowledge. USMC Battlefield commissions were temporary upon cessation of war, or withdrawl from hostile area, unless the individual subsequently meets education (4-year degree) and passes OCS.
Another tip for writers wanting to pretend authoritative knowledge. USMC Battlefield commissions were temporary upon cessation of war, or withdrawl from hostile area, unless the individual subsequently meets education (4-year degree) and passes OCS.
The same was generally the case in the Army.
Commissions like that were as "Reserve Officers". The same way that "Battlefield Promotions" were "Reserve promotions" as they did not go through the traditional promotion system (which for officers requires Senate approval). And once the conflict ends and the military starts to draw down, those who elected to stay in Active Duty often had to agree to being reduced back to either enlisted, or a lower commissioned rank in keeping with their time in service.
I had a great-uncle that rose from Staff Sergeant to Major during WWII, and after the war ended he accepted a reduction to Sergeant First Class so he could stay in. And he eventually retired as a Sergeant Major, but his ID and pension showed his highest rank which was Major.
And that is in no way unique. George Custer was given a battlefield promotion to Brigadier General during the Civil War, but after the war ended he was reduced to Lieutenant Colonel. The rank he still held when he was killed 12 years later. But if he had not died in 1876, when he retired he would have been listed as at least a Brigadier General as that was the highest rank he had achieved.
FWIW, in WW2 all pilots, navigators, bombardiers, etc. in USAAF who did not graduate from college were initially given the rank of Flight Officer. Those who graduated college were 2nd Lt. In early 1944 the Flight Officers were bumped up to 2nd Lt. and the others to 1st if they had not been promoted.
Upon separation at the end of the war the 2nd Lts. they were then given NCO ranks in the inactive reserve. I forget what grade of sergeant.
Those who graduated college were 2nd Lt. In early 1944 the Flight Officers were bumped up to 2nd Lt. and the others to 1st if they had not been promoted.
Upon separation at the end of the war the 2nd Lts. they were then given NCO ranks in the inactive reserve. I forget what grade of sergeant.
The same was true in the Marine Corps, where before WWII a lot of pilots were actually NCOs. Known as "Flying Sergeants". they were quite literally Sergeants who had gone through Flight School and were authorized to fly airplanes.
This changes as you said in the "Flight Officer Act of 1942", where Congress passed a low where all pilots had to be Officers. Flight Officer was a way around that, something the Army brought back during Vietnam with allowing Warrant Officers to fly helicopters.
Once the realm of very senior NCOs who were subject matter specialists of various fields, this allowed the Army during Vietnam and afterwards to give "Warrants" to huge numbers (even kids just out of High School) of Soldiers, so they could become pilots and work around the 1942 law that all pilots had to be officers.
In the "regular Army", it is exceedingly rare to see a Warrant Officer under 35. But among helicopter pilots seeing them 24 and under is amazingly common.
I've often wondered if the Flight Officer Act was due to the British habit of strictly separating enlisted and officer ranks. My father's inborn distaste for the British (my grandfather and great uncles were all veterans of the Irish War of Independence) was solidified by his time in England during and after the war.
I've often wondered if the Flight Officer Act was due to the British habit of strictly separating enlisted and officer ranks.
Actually, it was a law created to solve an issue in the Army Air Corps. They had already required pilots to be officers in the 1920s, and many in the Army were worried that a return to enlisted flying would dilute the importance of officer pilots.
And one effect is that it also impacted the Navy and Marine Corps as they had long had Sergeants and Petty Officers as pilots. But after that act, the Navy or Marines generally made them Reserve Officers.
DBactive,
Common misconception, about the Air Force. FYI, the Air Force was not created until I think it was 1951 or 1952, my memory is terrible. During the war the Army had a group known as the Army Air Corp. That may be the group you mentioned. Thanks for sharing the information. My Dad was Army Air Corp and later transferred to the Air Force, when it was created.
REP
Thanks to Wikipedia.
The United States Air Force became a separate military service on 18 September 1947 with the implementation of the National Security Act of 1947.
And the next year in the Key West Agreement.
I had long joked that was the "Divorce Decree" between the Army and Air Force. In it differing areas for each service were agreed upon, and limits and requirements on each.
Part of it was that the Army would not operate "Armed Aircraft", which a decade later became a bone of contention between the two as the Army stated that their armed helicopters were not in violation as the agreement said nothing about helicopters and only covered fixed winged aircraft like fighters and bombers.
That's why I wrote "USAAF" not "USAF."
The Army Air Corps was subsumed by the US Army Air Force in 1941 and was essentially its combat arm.
Army Air Corp and later transferred to the Air Force
Even before WWII many officers in the US Army Air Corps, and some outside, were trying to establish an independent US Air Force. During WWII the US Army Air Corps became the US Army Air Force(s) as in 8th Air Force, 11th Air Force, etc. Together they were termed the US Army Air Force.
The change from US Army Air Corps to US Army Air Force has confused many writers, and more than a few historians.
In my opinion, many within the US Air Force (or the then US Army Air Force) deliberately contributed to the confusion as part of the effort to create an independent Air Force.
I have read statements to the effect that if the civilians, and in particular the members of Congress get accustomed to an (army) Air Force, then it would be significantly easier to get the Congress to Authorize an Air Force. There are many more implied indications of such intentions.
education (4-year degree) and passes OCS
I believe you are mistaken on one or both parts.
It is required to have the equivalent of a Bachelors Degree, not 4 years of education. During WWII, and at other times, both Annapolis and the USMA at West Point have graduated officers with three years or Less education, but still granted a degree and an Active Commission.
I was in ROTC, and for both persona;/family reasons, and sensing the coming downsizing of the armed forces in the 1990's, I opted to go into the National Guard, after serving on Active Duty, and then a couple of years of ROTC. Most of my peers reverted to NCOs by the end of the 1990's. Several like me reenlisted after September 11th, 2001, and fought in the GWOT as NCOs (including several Marines). A couple of my peers were (again) Commissioned/restored to their Rank as an officer. One had been denied a Commission in the 1990's do a nit noid incident as an Enlisted Man; was reduced from Sergeant to Corporal, and transferred to the IRR; he was involuntarily recalled to active Duty as a First Lieutenant! He later received further promotions for his good service. He never received an explanation for his Commissioning...
Did you mean the OBC Officer Basic Course for Infantry (or Artillery, etc.) when you typed OCS (Officer Candidate School)?
OCS is for Enlisted personnel who have been selected for an opportunity to become an officer, should they graduate from OCS.
The OBC is for graduated of the Service Academies, OCS, and ROTC programs.
Names of particular schools in the various branches of the armed services change over time, and sometimes change back.
For example: when I was a first in the US Army the initial school for prospective Sergeants (and sometimes Corporals) was the BLC: Basic Leadership Course. Then it became PLDC: Primary Leadership Development Course, and then it was termed the WLC: Warrior Leadership Course.
Edit: After some more research, the USMC has 3 Different OCS programs. 4 Weeks for graduates of the USNAA (US Naval Academy Annapolis) {Marine Option}. 6 Weeks for graduated of an ROTC {Marine} program [the US Army typically has a 6 to 8 week OBC Officer Basic Course for Infantry, or Armor, or Artillery, Engineers, etc. similar to these 'abridged' USMC OCS Courses.] and 10 Weeks for select Enlisted personnel; similar to the US Army OCS program. It seems odd to me that they, the USMC, uses the same name for three significantly different programs. But then the Marines call a Floor a "Deck" and other oddities. [end edit]
Also, as I mentioned in an earlier post, just because a thing has not been done in a long time, doesn't mean that it could not be done. However, if you include it in a story, even if it is possible, it may strain plausible disbelief.
While no one in the US armed forces has received a "Battlefield Commission" since the conflict in Vietnam, it is still possible for that to be done.
Direct Commissions have occurred, recently. In addition to the Commissions granted to some cyber-security / "AI" experts c.2024; also during the administration of POTUS Biden, his son was granted a Direct Commission to O-3 Lieutenant in the USN (or, perhaps O-2 LT jg; I have read both in various sources).
Actor (and former SSG USMC) R. Lee Ermy was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, and several Cartoon Characters have officially been granted Official Ranks in the USMC.
In one of his novels Tom Clancy had a USCG CPO granted a Direct Commission. According to what I have read that hasn't happened since WWII, but it is possible, however, unlikely. In the novel a US Congressman (or Senator?) is responsible for pushing the authorization through. (To O-3 Lieutenant, as "it would be silly to make such an experienced sailor an Ensign") {In WWII numerous veteran NCOs were promoted to O-3 Captain in the US Army.}
In a story I have written, I went down the "rabbit hole" of Warrant Officers in the USAF. As I recall the last one retired in the early 1980's, and there very few in the 1970's. The USAF was getting rid of Warrant Officers in the 1960's. It seems, but I have seen no "official" proof, that it was a response to the US Army having WO pilots for helicopters. The pay grade and Rank(s) exist, authorized by Congress, but the USAF hasn't assigned that rank to anyone in decades.
There are several ways that Congress, or POTUS, or the Secretary of the Air Force could grant such a rank to a member of the USAF (or directly upon a civilian). Not likely in opposition of the "unified" opposition of the senior Generals of the USAF. But possible.
If I was unclear in earlier posts, I apologize. As far as I know, no one in some fifty years has received a Direct Commission in the USMC (outside some cartoon characters, and they may have gotten NCO ranks; I will check later.)
Largely because most such Direct Commissions are granted for Chaplains, Doctors, Lawyers, or other technical experts, that the USMC tends to get from the USN; although, in the past, some were given to people for Combat Arms.
Again, however unlikely, the Congress, POTUS, or the civilian leaders of the Pentagon, could force the USMC to accept an individual (or multiple people) with a Direct Commission.
In 1903 POTUS Roosevelt wanted Captain Pershing (a Major of Volunteers in Cuba) Promoted to the rank of full Colonel; but the senior Generals of the US Army demurred. In 1905 Captain Pershing married the daughter of Senator Francis Warren (R) Wyoming (also a recipient of the Medal of Honor in the Civil War); later that year POTUS Roosevelt Promoted Captain Pershing to the permanent rank of Brigadier General.
POTUS Roosevelt also Promoted Major Tasker Bliss, as well as Captain Leonard Wood (who had commanded the 1st Volunteer Cavalry aka "Rough Riders" that "Teddy" had been the XO of the Regiment), and Captain Albert Mills; all to the rank of Brigadier General(s).
In the early stages of WWII LTC Dwight D. Eisenhower was promoted to the (temporary) Rank of Brigadier General of the Army of the United States (effectively a "Reserve" rank); he was finally granted the Substantive Rank of Brigadier General by Congress in September 1944 (in recognition for the success of Operation Overlord on June 6th 1944, and the subsequent breakout in early August).
In the 1990's the Governor of the State of Washington, promoted his friend (and a substantial campaign Donor) from the rank of Major in the US Army National Guard, to Brigadier General, and made him the Adjutant General of the State of Washington. The Pentagon did not approve of the promotion, but POTUS Clinton, as Commander in Chief, did not oppose it. So, the fellow remained the Adjutant General, and wore the Star of a Brigadier General; but the Pentagon and much of the Active Duty US Army regarded him as a Colonel... It resulted in several awkward situations on Fort Lewis, and other facilities (McChord and Fairchild AFBs, and the Yakima Training Center) where he was conducting his official duties as AG, and wearing the rank of BG...
So, what is Possible, is not necessarily plausible.
Direct Commissions are also what are sometimes called "Battlefield Commissions" which were given only to experienced NCOs (albeit only a couple of years service, and perhaps only days of combat experience, in some extremely rare circumstances).
Those are also pretty much ancient history and are likely not to be repeated short of WWIII.
The last battlefield commissions were actually all the way back in the Vietnam War. And since then, the regulations about getting a commission have increased big time. In the modern era, our forces simply do not spend enough time overseas for that to become needed. In the early 2000s a lot did do 1 year tours, but by the 2010s six month tours (or less) largely became the norm.
Which made it easier for replacements to be brought in, and time to return to the states so replacements could join a unit. Unlike in previous wars like WWII or Korea where once deployed from the US they tended to remain overseas "for the duration".