Mco 1040 43A Form – Fill Out and Use This PDF

MCO 1040.43A 2 May 00

3.Summary of Revision. This order updates the application format to include submission of tattoo photographs and Service Record Book (SRB) page 11 entry regarding fraternization. In addition, waivers will be permitted for the maximum age and minimum test score requirements. The minimum academic requirement has been raised to 75 semester hours. There are other minor administrative changes throughout the order.

4.Information

a.These programs are intended to provide an opportunity to gain commissioned status as unrestricted reserve officers. These programs also provide an aviation option to qualified applicants. These programs are not intended to serve as a commissioning program for Marines who are better suited to serve as warrant officers.

b.Deadline

(1)All applications will be submitted for consideration to selection boards convened by direction of the Commandant of the Marine Corps to select the best qualified for commissioning.

(2)Selection boards convene a maximum of three times per year. An annual selection board schedule will be released by MARADMIN announcing the application deadlines, board convening dates, and training periods. Female applicants will not be considered for the winter OCS class due to non-availability of training facilities.

(3)Applications will be mailed to:

Commanding General

Marine Corps Recruiting Command (OE)

3280 Russell Road Quantico, VA 22134-5103

c.Those Marines selected to attend OCS receive a

commission after successful completion of OCS. Subsequent to commissioning, the new officer will be ordered to attend The Basic School.

5.Eligibility. Marines applying for assignment to an officer candidate class under the provisions of this order must meet the following requirements in addition to those listed in enclosures

(1) or (2):

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a.General Qualifications

(1)Be a citizen of the United States.

(2)Be of unquestionable moral integrity and have no record of conviction by a general, special, or summary court-martial, nor have any record of conviction by a court for any offense, other than minor traffic violations. The term "conviction" includes a finding of guilt or other pretrial adjudication (including a conditional dismissal of charges, pretrial diversion, plea of nolo contendre, etc., by a Federal, state or foreign court, whether or not a sentence was imposed, the conviction was later expunged, or the record of the court's disposition was sealed. Consult MCO P1100.73B for detailed guidance regarding disclosure of criminal offense dispositions.

(3)Not have previously failed to complete any military

officer program. Applicants dropped at their own request or for physical reasons during training must reapply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if recommended for return by the Commanding Officer, OCS. Additionally, aviation applicants must not have previously failed any military flight training program.

(4)Have executed a waiver of rights, if entitled to a restrictive assignment as defined in reference (a).

(5)Must have attained a passing score on the most recent physical fitness test (PFT) per reference (b).

(6)Must possess one of the following aptitude test

scores:

(a)Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) - minimum combined Math and Verbal score of 1000; or

(b)American College Test (ACT) - minimum combined Math and English score of 45; or

(c)Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) - a minimum converted score of 115 on the Electrical Composite (EL). Previous forms of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) may still be used, provided they are not older than

14 November 1976. Only EL scores in the Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS) listed on the Basic Training Record (BTR) or test score screen will be accepted.

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(7)In addition to one of the above, aviation candidates must attain a minimum converted score of 4/6/4 on the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB).

(8)Ground candidates must be at least 21 years of age

and less than 30 years of age on date of appointment to commissioned grade. Aviation candidates must be at least 21 years of age and less than 27 1/2 years of age on date of appointment to commissioned grade. Waivers up to the legal limits of age 35 will be considered on exceptionally well qualified ground applicants. Waivers for aviation applicants will be considered up to age 29 as of the date of commissioning.

b.Academics

(1)Must possess a high school diploma (or a GED certificate issued by a state department of education).

(2)MCP applicants must have satisfactorily earned an associate level degree or completed 75 semester hours or more of unduplicated college work at a regionally accredited college or university. Nontraditional credits given for tests (i.e., CLEP, DANTES, etc.), service schools, or MCI courses cannot be included in the initial minimum requirement, unless they are included into an associate level degree. Waivers will be considered on a case-by-case

basis down to 60 semester hours for highly qualified nominees. Subsequent to commissioning it will be incumbent on the Marine to continue progressing toward a 4-year baccalaureate degree to be competitive for augmentation and promotion.

(3)ECP applicants must have satisfactorily earned a baccalaureate level degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to applying for the program.

(4)Enlisted Marines possessing a 4-year degree are not eligible

for MCP.

c.Physical

(1)Ground Officer Applicants. Must be found physically qualified for appointment to commissioned grade in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve per the standards set forth in reference (c). Waivers may be considered under the policy described in paragraph 15-3 of reference (c).

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MCO 1040.43A 2 May 00

(2)Naval Aviator Applicants. Must be found physically qualified and aeronautically adapted for duty involving actual control of aircraft and qualified for appointment to commissioned grade under paragraph 5c(1) above. See paragraph 20 of this order for additional guidance on physical qualifications.

(3)Naval Flight Officer Applicants. Must be found physically qualified and aeronautically adapted for duty as a Naval Flight Officer and qualified for appointment to commissioned grade under paragraph 4c(1) above. See paragraph 20 of this order for additional guidance on physical qualifications.

(4)Commanding officers must closely review the medical forms to ensure correctness and completeness. Enclosure (3) contains a list of the most common items overlooked or misunderstood.

d.Service Requirement

(1)Marines on active duty must have completed a minimum of 1 year active Marine Corps service and have at least 12 months remaining on current enlistment or extension on the date of application. The minimum active duty requirement may be waived for exceptionally well qualified recruit training graduates based on the recommendation of the commanding general of the recruit depot.

(2)Marine Reservists serving within the AR Program are eligible to apply provided they are willing to accept release from the AR Program.

6.Tattoos, Brandings, piercings

a.The Marine Corps takes a conservative approach to personal appearance. Uniform regulations stress that personal appearance is to be conservative and commensurate with the high standards traditionally associated with the Marine Corps. No eccentricities in dress or appearance are permitted because they detract from uniformity and team identity.

b.Per reference (d), the Marine Corps uniform regulations prohibit tattoos or brands on the neck and the head. Additionally, any tattoo that is gang, racist, sexist, or drug related is prohibited. In other areas of the body, tattoos or brands that are prejudicial to good order, discipline, and morale, or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Marine Corps, are also prohibited.

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c.tattoos, body piercing, and non-dental tooth crowns are identified as body art, and commanders are tasked with upholding current regulations regarding eccentric appearance.

(1)Four criteria will be used to evaluate tattoos and brands to see if they comply with Marine Corps standards. These criteria are content, location, size, and effect of associating the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps uniform with the tattoo or brand.

(2)In order for the selection board to evaluate the tattoos and brands, the Marine must provide appropriate color photos which clearly identifies the tattoo, or brand, along with a description detailing location, size, and number of tattoos. In cases where the tattoo is

in a private area, a written description will suffice.

d.Commanders must screen all tattoos to ensure they meet the above criteria. The commander must state in the first endorsement, "I have viewed the applicant's tattoos or brands (photos and/or description) attached as enclosure (xx) and they are within the Marine Corps standards per the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations."

7.Precommissioning Training Agreement. Approved candidates are

required to participate in officer candidate training for a minimum of seven weeks before any voluntary request for disenrollment will be considered. Reference (e) authorizes the Commanding Officer, OCS, to effect involuntary disenrollment for cause during any phase of officer candidate training.

8.Security Investigation. Per reference (f), candidates must have a current National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check (NACLC), or higher level security investigation prior to commissioning. In view of the short training period, the following action will preclude administrative delays in the acceptance of a commission.

a.If there has been a security investigation conducted

during the current contract, reenlistment, or extension, no further action is necessary. Include evidence of the investigation as an enclosure to the application if it is not indicated on the Basic Training Record (BTR).

b.If a security investigation is not current, initiate a personnel security investigation per reference (f).

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c.If an investigation request has already been initiated, the commanding officer should indicate the date the request was initiated in the endorsement of the application.

9.Fraternization

a.The Marine Corps has had great success with "grow-our-own" enlisted-to-officer programs. These successful programs give the Marine Corps a broad-based, highly experienced officer corps. One unintended consequence of this success, however, relates to fraternization.

b.Navy Regulations, Chapter 11, General Regulations, Section 5 (Rights and Restrictions) par. 1165 (Fraternization Prohibited) states, "Personal relationships between officer and enlisted members that are unduly familiar and that do not respect differences in grade or rank are prohibited. Such relationships are prejudicial to good order and discipline and violate longstanding traditions of the Naval Service." Fraternization may be charged as an offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The only exceptions are familial relationships, defined as marriages that occur prior to the date of commission or appointment and relationships between parents and children or between siblings.

c.To prevent fraternization or the appearance of fraternization,

it is imperative that our enlisted Marines are briefed on the Marine Corps guidelines relating to fraternization. Therefore, commanders are required to ensure that each Marine applying for an enlisted to officer program reads and understands the Marine Corps policy on fraternization. Each Marine must sign the following SRB, page 11 entry and submit a certified true copy as part of the application:

"I have read and understand the Marine Corps policy on fraternization. I understand that, as a commissioned or warrant officer, I will be required to conduct myself as an officer with respect to all enlisted personnel, of any service, at all times. Specifically, I understand that I may have to make significant changes in my current personal relationships with other service members if I become an officer. I also understand that fraternization is an offense under the UCMJ, and that the prohibition of fraternization does not make an exception for preexisting relationships other than marriages that took place prior to my date of commission or appointment to warrant officer or other family relationships, such as that between parents and children or between siblings."

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10.Selective Reenlistment Bonus Payment (SRBP). An application for an enlisted-to-officer commissioning program is not a bar to bonus entitlement for either the initial payment or the anniversary installment payment. Generally, upon appointment as an officer, further payments cease, but recoupment is not required. Reference

(g) provides further definitive guidance and should be consulted directly.

11.Submission of Applications. Submit applications (ORIGINAL ONLY) using the sample formats and forms contained in enclosure (1) or (2). Include a current photograph following the guidance in reference (h) regarding promotion photos.

12.Action of Commanding Officers

a.Commanding officers are responsible for exercising close and continuous supervision over these programs while ensuring all eligible enlisted Marines are afforded the opportunity to apply for ECP. MCP presupposes a nomination of a highly qualified Marine and nomination packages should not be forwarded unless the Marine is highly recommended.

b.Should a commanding officer desire to modify the original endorsement, immediately notify the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command (OE).

c.Subsequent to submission of an application, should a weight gain or loss, injury or illness occur that may affect the individual's physical qualifications for appointment to commissioned grade, obtain a medical consultation and forward the results immediately to the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command (OE).

d.If, at any time after submission of an application, an applicant (pending or approved) is the subject of an investigation or disciplinary action, notify the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command (OE) immediately.

e.The maintenance of a strong motivation for commissioned service and a high state of physical fitness for approved candidates awaiting assignment to OCS is essential. Enclosure (4) provides information and material for use by commanding officers in preparing candidates for transition to an officer training environment. Imaginative use of enclosure (4) will enhance the professional attitude and enthusiasm of candidates reporting to OCS.

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13.Interview Board. Upon receipt of an application, the commanding officer in the chain of command having special court-martial convening authority will convene an interview board. The board will consist of a minimum of three officers. If available, at least one member of the board will be an officer of the same sex as the applicant being interviewed.

If available, a minority officer will be a member of the board interviewing minority applicants. The board will interview the applicant and make an appropriate recommendation to the convening authority concerning the applicant's potential for commissioned service, characteristics, communicative skills, and motivation for flight training. Appendix E

of enclosures (1) and (2) contain a sample Interview Board Report.

14.Transfer of Pending Applicants

a.Marines undergoing temporary duty under instruction (TEMINS), whose applications have been completed and forwarded, will not be placed in a hold status by the field command pending final disposition of the application by the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.

b.If an applicant receives permanent change of station orders after submission of an application and prior to notification of final disposition by the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, the commanding officer will request resolution by message (NAVGRAM during MINIMIZE) to the Commandant of the Marine Corps (MMEA) and info the Commanding General, MCRC (OE).

15.Withdrawal of Application

a.Applicants must submit written notification of withdrawal of application to the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command (OE), should they no longer desire consideration.

b.Candidates in receipt of orders to officer candidate training who desire to withdraw may do so, but only prior to executing their orders. Commanding officers will advise the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command (OE) of such withdrawal by message followed by correspondence enclosing the applicant's signed and witnessed withdrawal statement.

16.Selection/Nonselection. Applicants will be notified of the action taken on their application by MARADMIN. Ineligible applications will be returned without further action.

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17.Approved Officer Candidates

a.Marines selected for these programs will be assigned to a specified 10-week officer candidate class conducted at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC), Quantico, Virginia, on the dates prescribed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

b.Marines selected for these programs must ensure all remediation of dental defects, to include correction of caries, partial plates, caps, root canals, and extractions are completed prior to reporting to training.

18.Appointment to Commissioned Grade

a.Candidates who successfully complete OCS and who are recommended by the Commanding General, MCCDC, Quantico, Virginia, will be appointed to the grade of second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. All newly appointed officers will be further assigned to The Basic School for commissioned officer training.

b.Per the specific ECP/MCP Service Agreement, the officer is required to serve at least eight years in the Marine Corps Reserve from the date of appointment to commissioned grade. Any portion of this eight- year period not served on active duty will be served on inactive duty as a member of the Marine Corps Reserve. A resignation of a reserve commission submitted prior to completion of this eight-year period will normally be rejected and, after this period, may be accepted or rejected by the resident as the needs of the service may then require.

19.Unsuccessful Candidates. Candidates who do not complete precommissioning training will be reassigned per reference (e). Active duty personnel will be required to complete their current service obligation. Former AR enlisted Marines will remain in an Individual Ready Reserve status. A former AR enlisted Marine will not be returned to active duty with the AR Program unless subsequently selected by an AR selection board.

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