Search Results for: boots

The Basic School

Guest Post: The Tragic Result of Using New(er) Boots During Week-Long Patrols at TBS

Patrol FEX Your Patrol FEX (field exercise) will most likely consist of four 4-6 hour long patrols through dense brush and vegetation with a full combat load.  So it’s a lot of walking.  I am normally extremely careful with my feet–even to the point of regularly applying preventative moleskin before strenuous physical events to avoid the creation of hot spots or blisters. Here, I put on that … Continue reading Guest Post: The Tragic Result of Using New(er) Boots During Week-Long Patrols at TBS

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Gear Reviews

USMC Boot Review: Bates Boots

The Bottom Line: Reasonable Boots for Every Occasion Bates are generally the least expensive of the small number of officially approved USMC boots. Anecdotally, they seem to be the most widely-worn brand in the fleet. There are several different models, so don’t get confused: Bates E30501 Men’s USMC DuraShocks Hot Weather Boot This is the temperate or hot weather boot offering by Bates. Hot weather boots of … Continue reading USMC Boot Review: Bates Boots

Marine OCS Blog9 Comments
OCS Tips & Training, Q&A

Candidate Q: OCS Boots

Candidate Questions: Great website, it is very helpful! I am hoping to go to OCC in January, but I have a question about boots. You mentioned that getting a pair beforehand would be a good idea. Can you take those boots with you to OCC once you have broken them in? What brand do they issue you at OCC? You mention jungles, would you recommend … Continue reading Candidate Q: OCS Boots

Marine OCS Blog1 Comment
Bates lights on Amazon
General OCS Advice

Bates Lights boots at OCS

A short primer 2009–Yes Bates Lights were used and were “kosher” for any and all events when I attended OCS. They were especially useful for the E-Course, but were disallowed or discouraged on the O-Course since they have terrible traction on the rope. 2011–Banned? Bates Lights were disallowed from OCS totally, according to multiple sources. “I am going to OCS on May 27 this year. … Continue reading Bates Lights boots at OCS

Marine OCS Blog13 Comments
General OCS Advice, OCS Tips & Training

Confused Boots: What You Need to Know

A reader brought up a few good questions about boots.  Since your boots are so important, I’m going to make an entire post just about boots.  If I get any new boot-related questions, I will just keep updating this same post. Candidates are issued a pair each of jungles and ICBs. ICB stands for Infantry Combat Boot, and is a good heavier duty boot with … Continue reading Confused Boots: What You Need to Know

Marine OCS Blog6 Comments
Sticky post
OCS Tips & Training, The Basic School

The Most Ingenious Gear and Tips (or gift ideas!) for OCS and TBS

The Marine Corps seems to embrace difficulties in an extreme way, but at the end of the day, there’s nothing wrong with working harder rather than smarter. Here are the best tips from our fans for equipment and mindset approaches to help you succeed at OCS and TBS. Avoid blisters and chafing with vaseline “Using vaseline during night was a lifesaver. I had candidates from … Continue reading The Most Ingenious Gear and Tips (or gift ideas!) for OCS and TBS

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OCS Tips & Training

The Ten Commandments of Foot Care at OCS

Blisters, hotspots, fatigue and pain affect most candidates’s feet at OCS due to the incredible amount of stress and limited recovery time afforded, on top of breaking in new boots in often-wet environments. Don’t forget–wet is the enemy! We surveyed successful candidates on their top tips for foot care at OCS, and curated the top ten suggestions we heard again and again. Get yourself some … Continue reading The Ten Commandments of Foot Care at OCS

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OCS Preparation Workouts

The Misty Posey Pull-up Plan

LtCol Misty Posey is a Marine Corps fitness legend. If you haven’t heard of her, you’re missing out. Her work might just change your life Even though Misty was never an athlete growing up, and never lifted weights until her thirties, she has led a fitness movement within the Marine Corps over the last half decade-plus. She’s also the world record holder for deadlift for … Continue reading The Misty Posey Pull-up Plan

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Females, JAG Candidates

How I Succeeded at OCS as a Female JAG Candidate

The female attrition rate at OCS is higher than the males. Let me just lay that out there to start. In addition, PLC Law candidates are a very small number. My platoon started with 68 candidates, we graduated 36, and we had a higher success rate than normal. Of the 68 in my platoon, 5 of us were PLC Law and 3 of us made … Continue reading How I Succeeded at OCS as a Female JAG Candidate

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USMC-OCS-PFT-Pullups
Fitness

How to Train Before OCS to Minimize Your Injury Risk

How can you prevent injuries and stay out of medical while at OCS? One of the many questions that you might have before stepping onto Brown Field is in regards to injury prevention and staying out of medical during your time at OCS. My name is 2ndLt Aegerter and I graduated from OCS in the summer of 2019. In addition to going through OCS myself, … Continue reading How to Train Before OCS to Minimize Your Injury Risk

The Maine Mindset - Officer Candidates School Blog2 Comments