Ranger,
There are a couple of things he can do:
Apply for an NROTC scholarship
Apply to the Academy
Go to College and participate in PLC (Platoon Leaders Class)
Go to college and participate in NROTC
If he enlists, he can apply for MECEP -
+ They pay you as an active duty E-5 while in the MECEP program
+ The time you spend in the program counts as active duty time
- Very competetive program, easy to qualify for, but that means that Marines are competing against each other, not the standard - makes it much more difficult.
Meritorious Commissioning Program -
+ Sort of like MECEP, but harder to qualify for, so a little less competative
- Have to have 75 college credits to apply
- Have to complete degree before commissioning
Enlisted Commissioning Program -
+ If he gets his degree while on active duty, he can apply to simply go to OCS
+ Degree can be in any area from any accredited college
- Has to have the degree in hand
In some ways, it is easier for a Marine to get to OCS than Joe Grabasamich straight out of college - but in many ways, it is much, much harder. As an example, the Marine Corps (and really, all the services) has Tuition Assistance and there is the GI Bill. But depending on a Marine's job requirements, they may have to wait before taking advantage of them.
I hope this helps, at least a little...
MCM