Pay At OCS

Pay at OCS

Congratulations, you scored a “paid internship.” Now, how will you receive pay at Officer Candidate School?

Pay at OCS is through the standard military pay system (DFAS). Prior to shipping to OCS, candidates will submit direct deposit forms and a voided check to their Officer Selection Office. This will be included in the pre-ship paperwork you will complete with your OSO.

Candidates are paid at the pay grade of E-5 (Sergeant pay grade), “or the highest pay grade achieved if” entering… “directly from current service at a pay grade above E-5.” This means you will be paid at least as an E-5, but current Marines will not get a pay cut. Candidates, being paid as a E-5 does not make you a Sergeant. Do not make that mistake.

OCS Pay Chart

Current Pay Chart (2017) can be found here.

Beware

I highly recommend setting up recurring bills such as rent, car payments, credit cards, etc on autopay. This will give you more peace of mind at OCS and might save you some late fees.

Gear issue will be several hundred dollars. Additionally, I would recommend saving $300 as a safety cushion for OCS. It’s not unusual for pay issues to occur.

Tax Time

When tax time comes, create an account with DFAS and you will get leave and earnings statements.

MECEP/ECP

Prior Service Marines, there have been issues with pay at OCS. Submit required paperwork with your S-1 and monitor your pay while at OCS. As usual, any issues will be routed through the Training Company First Sergeant.

Candidates, what questions do you have about pay at OCS?