Candidate Question:
I am 6 feet tall and 200lbs at approximately 15% body fat. I’d like to maintain the definition in my arms and shoulders (chest shouldn’t be a problem considering the amount of pushups done during OCS). Is there any place I can train with weights during Liberty?
A:
Imagine if you weren’t so obsessed with your own appearance and were instead focused on learning and living “combat fitness” instead of what is known in the Marine Corps as “vanity lifting.” I recommend looking into bodybuilding or another career like that.
What a perfect answer! Love it
I’m a powerlifter, and it took me a while to come to grips with the fact that my fitness goals need to be rearranged (at least temporarily). I’ve lost a little weight, my strength isn’t really going up, but my PFT score skyrocketed and I consequently got selected. It’s 10 short weeks of your life (or 6 and 6), you can go back to bodybuilding right after you graduate OCS and you’ll have more freedom to lift at TBS and in the fleet. Suck it up, realize it’s only temporary, and focus on becoming an officer.
Exactly right–it’s a temporary but unavoidable reality!
I currently compete in bodybuilding shows in the men’s physique dividion. I am now over my max weight. I am 5’9 at 188lbs under 10% BF. After OCS I committed myself to how officers should represent themselves as #scholarathletes. My instructors looked like everything i imagined a Marine should be and i knew if i was ever going to be given the opportunity to earn their respect, i first needed to be better than them in all areas. We sign that contract to lead Marines and set the example. Focus on becoming a Marine Corps Officer and that means hold yourself to the highest level in all areas both mentally and physically. I don’t want to be led by a frail weak looking leader #lookthepart #actthepart #notnewtothistruetothis. So eat everything given to you at OCS. I dieted my ass off eating over 200g of protein a day with carb cycling to get in shape for OCS because i needed my body to be at its best for it was going tested to break down. On liberty i would eat 5 meals a day all clean and healthy with all the necessary supplements to allow my body to recover the next week. You will be cal deficient but you body will survive. #tested
Superb first-hand information. Thank you for sharing!