United States Marine Corps Benefits


Marine Benefits


"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." -President Ronald Reagan, 1985

Leadership and personal character are among the greatest benefits to becoming a Marine. These traits not only assure your success within the Corps – they ensure success throughout life.

In addition, you and your family members are well provided for with a competitive salary and benefits, as well as medical and dental insurance coverage. Upon enlistment, you will receive a regular Marine Corps salary, scaled according to your rank. During recruit training, your salary will be calculated at the Private level.

You and your family will have medical insurance for as long as you remain in the service of the U.S. government. If you remain in the Marine Corps through retirement, your medical benefits will extend throughout your lifetime and that of your spouse.

You will receive 30 days of paid vacation each year. On-base shopping is tax-free at shopping outlets with substantial discounts on name-brand items. In addition, the bases have fitness centers, swimming pools and recreational facilities. Life insurance is provided to all Marine personnel.

Housing on base is included as a part of the compensation package. If you are married and would like to live off base, a monthly housing allowance will be provided. The Marine Corps pays all travel and expenses for required moves.

A generous retirement plan is available for those who qualify. For instance, a 20-year career in the Marine Corps will often result in retirement in your 40s. In addition to continuing commissary and post-exchange privileges, military members are often eligible for low interest loans by many banks.

In addition, browse through options for various educational benefits.




Educational Opportunities


Financial Assistance

If you are interested in continuing your education with the help of the Marine Corps, there are several education benefit options available to help you with tuition and related costs.

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is available during active duty, no matter where you are stationed. The program provides financial assistance at accredited colleges and universities, and participating in the program often means you earn bonus points toward a promotion. The only requirement is that you maintain a C average or better.

If you leave active duty after completing a contract of at least 36 months, you will be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill. The Montgomery GI Bill is the primary educational funding option available to Marines who have completed at least 36 months of active duty. It allows you to receive up to $28,800 for your education.

The Montgomery GI bill is for both part-time and full-time students, and can be used for vocational or technical training – as well as college. You can use the funds up to 10 years after release from active duty and the assistance is tax-free.

If you complete an active duty contract of at least 48 months, you may become eligible for the Marine Corps College Fund. In combination with the Montgomery GI Bill, it provides almost all of the funding necessary for your college education. Recipients of the fund have virtually all college expenses covered.

A smart Marine is a good Marine, and The Marine Corps is dedicated to helping Marines continue to cultivate their minds. From the time you enter the Corps, there is college money available to you – and it remains available long after your active service has ended.

Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship

Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship The NROTC Program was established to educate and train qualified young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the Marine Corps Reserve. As the largest single source of Marine Corps officers, the NROTC Scholarship Program fills a vital need in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Marine Corps. The program also includes a four- and two-year option for existing Marine Officers.

The four-year option covers full tuition and certain selected colleges and universities. The scholarship also includes the cost of educational fees, a stipend for textbooks, uniforms and a subsistence allowance for each academic month for which a student is enrolled.

The two-year option covers costs of tuition, fees, textbooks, and uniforms for the final two years of college. This option is open to all college students having completed their sophomore year or third year of a five-year program. The students enrolled under the two-year option must complete eight years of military service, four of which must be in active duty.

For more details and information, visit the NROTC Scholarship Opportunities and Application web page.

Other Key Education Programs

The Marine Corps Base Education Center gives Marines the opportunity to complete most or all requirements for a college degree without leaving the military base.

Service Members Opportunity for the Marine Corps is a program that provides flexibility for Marines who desire to study in a college campus atmosphere. This is a large network of colleges and universities that understand and accommodate education during your military service.

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education is a program designed to help active-duty Marines earn college course credit through correspondence courses, independent study, external degree programs and examinations.







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