A 17-Year Veteran Marine Corps Officer's Rank

Service in the United States Marine Corps can be a highly distinguished path, especially when one commences their career as a commissioned officer. But how would a person's rank look after 17 years of dedicated service? When considering current federal laws and SECNAVINST guidance, the answer becomes more clear.

Historically, the answers can vary widely. For instance, in the Civil War or World War I, a Marine officer's rank might have been significantly different. However, my response is tailored to the current context. If we interpret the question to mean 17 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, the possible ranks could be Captain (O-3), Major (O-4), or Lieutenant Colonel (O-5).

It's worth noting that it's not impossible to reach the rank of Colonel (O-6) after 17 years of service, but it would be highly unusual. This rank is more attainable in specialized fields such as the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps or the Chaplain Corps. Medical officers, for example, promote more quickly, but they would serve as Navy Officers.

The race for career progression in the Marine Corps involves various milestones. After commissioning as a Second Lieutenant (2ndLt), the typical timeline would be:

First Lieutenant (1stLt): 2 years of commissioned service Captain (O-3): 4 years of commissioned service Majors (O-4): around 10-12 years of commissioned service Lieutenant Colonel (O-5): approximately 15-18 years of commissioned service

Every promotion board designates their own date of rank eligibility, so while there are general patterns, it can vary each year. This means that an officer's exact promotion timeline will depend on their performance, the promotion board's decisions, and various other factors.

Beyond the typical promotion timelines, there are scenarios where an officer might not be promoted on time or, in some cases, might even be non-selected. If an officer mustangs (holds a commission but is not an appointment) and has only 3 years of prior enlisted service, they might get promoted slowly due to minor disciplinary issues. In such a scenario, a timeline might look something like this:

1stLt at 4 years of commissioned service and 7 years of total service Capt at 8 years of commissioned service and 11 years of total service Second non-selection for Major at 16 years of commissioned service and 19 years of total active service Often, this officer might be allowed to serve another year to reach a Captain's rank with 17 years of commissioned service and 20 years of total active service.

In summary, the most likely rank for a 17-year Marine Corps veteran, depending on their career progression, would be a Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) or a Major (O-4). However, it's always advisable to review SECNAVINST guidance and consult with military personnel experts for the most accurate information.

TLDR: Most likely Lieutenant Colonel or Major.