Candidates, we are running a series of small posts which answer specific candidate’s questions. Feel free to submit questions as blog comments. If the information could help others, the question may be answered as a blog post under the Q&A category.
Candidate Question:
I am a recent graduate from college and have been feverishly training (physically) for OCS for about a year now.
I’ve done a ridiculous amount of research on it (paralysis-by-analysis type research) but haven’t really seen too much on the simple and basic things for someone with no experience (like me) with the military. For instance: Protocol, Language and Terminology, Rank Structure and Addressing specific Rank Structure, Salute, Third Person Referrals, Drilling, Customs and Courtesies. Essentially, Phase One of Boot Camp.
In a nutshell, do they teach and instruct these basic things at OCS for a civilian like myself who has no military experience?
A:

Wow, what a great question–I haven’t written on that at all. Basically, they teach you by less-than-friendly means. They pound it in to you. Like they’re programming a robot. Watch the first half of Full Metal Jacket. VERY LITTLE has changed. If you can memorize the rank structure and all the academics I have posted on here, you will pick up the rest in no time.
For drilling, you will drill for seeming hours a day. It sucks but everyone can do it great by the end, so don’t worry about that ahead of time.
Candidate Q: How do I learn the basics before OCS?
I’m a former Officer Selection Officer, please buy the following DVD which is entitled, Making of a Marine Officer, Making of a Marine Officer DVD
http://www.mil-mall.com/products/Making-of-a-Marine-Officer-DVD.html
additionally watch the following video:
22:18 clip about OCS
Full Metal Jacket isn’t really applicable to OCS
R/S,
Jim Haley, Jr.
Former Captain of U.S. Marines
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jim-%22hailstorm%22-haley-jr/27/a61/1a1
You gotta start somewhere !!!