Good evening, ARFCOMMERs. Here is the deal - I'm a 17 year old high school senior, martial arts teacher, and highpower shooter as well as smallbore coach. Recently I have been accepted to North Georgia College & State University, a senior military college. The program there offers plenty of opportunites for a prospective Army officer ( Army ROTC ), as well as FTXs, drill and ceremony, solid academics, as well as a college highpower rifle team.
However, it is my wish to join the Marine Corps. They do not offer NROTC, so during my junior year I will have to take USMC PLC in order to gain a commission ( Have no worries of my physical abilities, gentlemen ).
There are several problems though. I'm looking to be heavily involved ( Due to my total experience in marksmanship now and in the future, as well as the Corps need for a new marksmanship training regimen ) in the Marine Corps Marksmanship Training Unit, Scout/Sniper batallions, range management, maybe even the OIC of the Rifle and Pistol teams. The problem arises when I see nothing but Warrant Officers as COs, range officers ( MOS 9925 ), etc. Here are my questions :
1. Can a 2nd Lt in the Corps be assigned the 9925 MOS?
2. Since the USMC doesn't operate like the Army and give you a choice in MOS selection, how would one go about giving themselves the best chance to get their first or second choices out of PLC?
3. How would an officer go about becoming in command of marksmanship training, small-arms testing, etc.?
4. I accept the reality that I could be called to combat. I promise I will serve the United States honorably - what role does the Marksmanship Training Unit play overseas currently?
5. What level of involvement can an officer expect in the Competition In Arms Program ( CIAP )?
6. The needs of the Corps are more important than mine. Just how badly do they need practical and competitive marksmanship programs?
Thank you. More Chi, Semper Fi, and God Bless America.