336 posts on preparing for — and succeeding at — Marine Corps OCS.
Planning a Marine Commissioning Ceremony You graduated PLC and walked across the parade deck. Now, you’ve graduated college and are ready to officially become a 2ndLt. Unlike your OCC peers, the events, location and timing of your Marine commissioning will be almost entirely up to you to plan. Uniforms Take note, even though uniforms come “tailored” you will need to get them redone by a tailor … C
Thank you to friend of the blog and Nutrition Coach Erin for contributing this guest post. Erin has worked in Afghanistan and the US with military service members and CrossFit athletes working toward optimal human performance. See how her advice and coaching could help you improve your training and your life before you’re stuck with OCS or boot camp food. Don’t just train smart. Eat … Continue rea
Marine Officer Candidate School Graduation is finally here! The day has finally come when you get to see your Candidate walk across the parade deck at Marine Officer Candidate School Graduation! It’s been a long 10 weeks as they have been away in Quantico. Here are our tips for getting the most out of the Family Day and Marine Officer Candidate School Graduation. Most … Continue reading Marine O
Thanks to Emmalyn O’Connor for contributing this article on the USMC Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy. O’Connor is a senior in high school, Commanding Officer of her NJROTC unit, an NROTC Marine Option Scholarship recipient, and a class of 2017 graduate of the USMC Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy. What is the summer leadership and character development academ
Thank you to West Texas+New Mexico OSO Captain Wisotzkey for sharing his advice to candidates who lack the perfect credentials. As an OSO, one of the most common questions I get from applicants is “how do I make myself more competitive for a selection board?” Sometimes this is due to the applicant wanting to crush the competition, but more often than not, it’s because they … Continue reading Help!
This post originally appeared on the Sandboxx blog as History of Women in the Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps has a long and proud history that every recruit will learn about when they begin their journey to becoming a United States Marine. With the founding of the Marine Corps in 1776 it wasn’t until 1918 that women became a part of that history. Since … Continue reading History of Wo
Do you understand the Enlisted vs Officer difference? Our OSO friend shared his story in response to this question: I’m a reservist thinking about going to OCS. What is the main difference between being an officer and an enlisted Marine? Especially on the aviation side of the Marine Corps. My Story So I started out enlisting in the Marine Corps right out of high school, … Continue reading Enlisted
The first salute also called the “Silver Dollar Salute” is one of the most important traditions in a new Marine Officers commissioning ceremony. Who gives the first salute? The first salute lives on as a tradition to honor the enlisted service member who has had the most impact on you. Many candidates choose a Sergeant Instructor they were particularly impressed with or ask a family member or … Co
Thank you to Candidate C, who very graciously volunteered to answer our questions about OCS Medical and the physical challenges of being a officer candidate. How far did you get in OCS? Unfortunately, after completing 5 weeks at OCS, going on the 6th week, I found out I had a stress fracture and was dropped at OCS medical. What did you learn? Throughout my time … Continue reading Q&A With An OCS M
It’s often hard to gain relevant leadership experience before applying to OCS. Pick well-rounded leadership positions to stand out to the OCS Selection Board. This post was written by a candidate who attended OCC in 2016. Tips for Gaining Personal Leadership Experience I coached sports after high school and returned each year to help the team prepare for the regional and national championships. I
This post originally appeared on the Sandboxx Blog: A Marine Mom’s Guide to Boot Camp. Sandboxx is a military communications app that makes it easy to send mail to your recruit or candidate in their basic training. Family members, this is solid information and a great Mom’s guide to boot camp. From the moment that your son/ daughter signs their enlistment contract for Marine Boot Camp it … Continu
Thanks to Candidate X who graduated in the summer of 2016 for this benchmark PFT workout. “There was a MARSOC Captain I met after graduating OCS and he took my OSS through, what he called, a good Benchmark PFT. I would have to agree. It’s very simple, but the cumulative loading effect is what makes this difficult.” Benchmark PFT 5 pull-ups (kip when you can … Continue reading Test Your Physical Fi
Over the past year, these are the most-viewed posts on the entire site. Not all of these posts were written within the past year, although many get regularly updated. From least-viewed to most, here are the top ten posts of 2017: Number 10: Remember a Silver Dollar for Your First Salute The first salute a newly commissioned officer receives is a special moment. Naval tradition … Continue reading O
Thanks to New Mexico/West Texas OSO Capt Wisotzkey for sharing a in depth look at the OCS selection boards. Original post can be found at MarineOCS.com. It was written for OCC-225 which ran from June till August 2017. There are three OCC classes a year – January, May/June, and September. Females only attend the Summer and Fall classes currently. Where does an OSO fit? Your OSO works for … Continue
At OCS, the Sergeant Instructors run the day to day aspects of OCS. For new candidates, they are the Marine Corps in flesh and blood. They demand more from you than anyone else and they demonstrate by their own example. Prior to becoming a Sergeant Instructors at OCS, each Marine must complete a 3-4 year assignment at one of the recruit depots. After this, they return … Continue reading We Make Ma
Thanks to 2ndLt Gleason for sharing her advice and personal story. After OCS, there is still a lot to learn. TBS is the first real step in your Marine Corps Officer career. After OCS TBS was incredibly different from OCS. I feel that the physical standards at OCS don’t really prepare you for the physical expectation at TBS. Hiking was much different; heavier, faster. There are … Continue reading A
Thanks to Caleb Baker, experienced trainer and founder of DynamicU for authoring this post on training with Mother Nature. Coach Baker has trained military personnel from every branch, professional/collegiate athletes, general population, including people suffering from chronic diseases like MS. It’s that time of year again- where the cream rises to the top: the fitness cream. The next few months
Thanks to all the candidates who contributed to our candidate mishaps stories. In compiling these stories, we had one criteria: they must be stories about candidates who were successful at OCS. The #1 rule at OCS: If it can go wrong, it will. Billets (leadership positions) Early in the cycle, I was the Candidate Platoon Sergeant. As Candidate Platoon Sergeant you must report the platoon … Continue
Before I graduated OCS, I tried every one of the commissioning routes, save enlisted to officer. I applied to the Naval Academy twice and spent a year and a half as a Marine Option Midshipman in NROTC. Only after that did I apply for the Platoon Leaders Course and attend the 10 week PLC combined. To be clear, good and bad officers come from all of … Continue reading This Will Make You Rethink Mari
For this post, former Captain Patrick Weeks (active 2009-14) shares the advice he wishes he could give himself as a brand-new Second Lieutenant. Hopefully it helps many of you future and new officers! Dear brand-new Second Lieutenant, First, you just graduated ten weeks of OCS, commissioned on one of the most memorable days of your life, and are headed right to TBS. It was a … Continue reading Dea
Thanks to MIDN 1/C C for sharing his leadership experience and advice for candidates heading to OCS. NROTC Midshipman, utilize the resources you have through NROTC to go prepared to OCS. NROTC preparation I came from Norwich University, a small military college in the middle of Vermont. We, just like every other NROTC unit, have Marine Officer Instructors’s and Assistant Marine Officer Instructors
The Marine Corps birthday has been celebrated each year since General Lejeune himself instituted the tradition in 1921. On 10 November, 1775, the Continental Congress resolved, “That two Battalions of Marines be raised….” in founding our beloved Corps. Marines all over the world celebrate the birthday with a ball (as able), cake, and the reading of General Lejeune’s message. The Marine Corps birth
Thanks to Michael Quinn, Sergeant Major of the Army, for this insightful article. Even though it’s Army-speak, we hope it helps you junior officers understand how Sergeants Major contribute to the mission. This senior rank is very often misunderstood, and deserves significant respect from new Lieutenants. As a Finalist for the White House Fellows program a couple years ago, I spent two days with 2
Thanks to West Texas/New Mexico OSO Capt Wisotzkey for answering your questions about selection, OCS and becoming an officer of Marines. Submit your questions anytime by commenting on a blog post or contacting us through the home page. Tell us about your background. I was born and raised in a small coal mining town in western Kentucky named Madisonville. I decided I wanted to become a … Continue r
Thanks to mustang officer 2ndLt W for answering our questions about the transition from enlisted recruit training/boot camp to a law candidate at OCS. Prior Service Marines Coming from a reserve unit and applying through an OSO, my application process was very similar to the one that civilians go through. Reservists go through a few small formalities with their units to get permission and approval
Thanks to 2ndLt Y for passing along his knowledge and wisdom as a successful Marine Officer candidate at OCS. Life of a Marine Officer Candidate OCS is different from college in every way. As a candidate just be comfortable being uncomfortable. Go in with the attitude that nothing is going to surprise you, that way you don’t have to worry about being surprised. Some things are absolutely … Contin
We’ve created this short video series to share the most important tips for families of OCS candidates to keep in mind. Got any other questions or suggestions? Before OCS Remember to get the Sandboxx app to send support and get the best information and connections! During OCS At the End of OCS Keep an open mind, go crazy with your support, and don’t be surprised … Continue reading Top Tips for Fami
Thanks to 2ndLt A for sharing her insight into OCS as a female Marine Candidate and the challenges you will face there. Regardless of gender, OCS is about mindset. Female Marine candidates, your mentality will be the reason you succeed or fail at OCS. You better be prepared to be a servant. As a female Marine candidate or any candidate, if you aren’t there for … Continue reading Straight Talk from
Thanks to Lt. W for her insight into OCS as a female Judge Advocate candidate. Candidates, learn as much as you can before you go to OCS! OCS is a life changing challenge. It is hard for everyone! However, there are some challenges that are specific to female candidates. Hair is a lot more complicated at OCS! You won’t have a lot of time, and the … Continue reading Advice from a Female Marine Judg
Thank you to Norfolk Virginia’s Officer Selection Officer, Captain Calderon, for sharing her background and advice for future candidates. If you’re around the southern Virginia area, feel free to reach out to her recruiting unit with any questions about joining: 4th Marine Corps Recruiting District. What’s your background? I played Division I soccer all four years of college and graduated from the
Thanks to Mustang Lt. W for answering our questions about the transition from enlisted Marine to a law candidate at OCS. Can you walk us through Law Candidates process/difference in applying for OCS? Applying for a law contract at OCS is just as easy as applying for a ground contract, but you will just have to show proof of a 150 LSAT or above to your … Continue reading Law Candidates, This Will M
Pay at OCS Congratulations, you scored a “paid internship.” Now, how will you receive pay at Officer Candidate School? Pay at OCS is through the standard military pay system (DFAS). Prior to shipping to OCS, candidates will submit direct deposit forms and a voided check to their Officer Selection Office. This will be included in the pre-ship paperwork you will complete with your OSO. Candidates …
Thanks to recent graduate Avery Soong for sharing his perspective on the differences and similarities between Marine Corps PLC Juniors and PLC Seniors. Check out his Youtube channel for more insight on OCS. I often get questions addressing the differences between Marine Corps PLC Juniors and Seniors; thus, I will address the major differences and then share my personal experiences. OCS made a lot
Being a short and skinny candidate at Marine OCS So you have some concerns about being a short and skinny candidate at OCS? I was also a short and skinny candidate at OCS. Height: 5’ 6” and 120 lbs at my lightest point at OCS and the second shortest candidate in the platoon. Here is advice, tips, and straight talk to help you through OCS. … Continue reading The Little End: Lessons from a Short and
Thanks to 2ndLt X for his advice on the challenges that law (JAG) candidates face as they prepare for and complete OCS. The JAG Application Process Coming through the law (JAG) contract pipeline is probably 95% the same as the regular application process. One difference is that here’s a much larger emphasis on one’s LSAT score and law school grades. Further, I would say the … Continue reading JAG
The Muscular Endurance Course (MEC) is a workout candidates will complete 2-3 times during their time at OCS. Many other PT sessions will be similar to the MEC. Complete the circuit twice. Max effort. 1 min 30 seconds per exercise Mountain Climbers 100 Yard Sprint Push Ups 25 Yard Sprint Situps 50 Yard Sprint Lunges 25 Yard Sprint Overhead Press (should be close to 35 … Continue reading Test Your
Take care of those around you. If you don’t like them, remember: it’s not about you. Ductus Exemplo means lead by example. Lead from the front. Keep this in mind as you read my perspective: There are many things at OCS that won’t make sense at the time but will become perfectly clear later. And everyone’s experience at OCS is different. But, everyone’s experience is … Continue reading Ductus Exemp
At OCS, candidates will transition to exercising more with boots and utes (MARPAT Camouflage) as the cycle progresses. This type of workout is epitomized by the Marine Combat Fitness Test (CFT). It is recommended that candidates have some exposure to working out in boots. Realistically, working out in boots is not much different than running shoes, however, there is a mental aspect that makes it …
Hikes (known as humps) at OCS are one of the more difficult training evolutions that candidates will face on Brown Field. Preparation There are a few ways that candidates can help themselves prepare for humps. Most humps will occur before a major evaluation such as the Leadership Reaction Course or Small Unit Leadership Evaluation. You will spend the night in the field before the training evolutio
Blisters are caused by heat, moisture, and friction. Foot care and boot sock choice are important factors in preventing issues with your feet. Taking the extra time to care for your feet is worth losing sleep or gaining the attention of the Sergeant Instructors. Two sock brands that are common at OCS are Thorlos and Fox River. Personally, the Fox River socks are my go-to … Continue reading Know Yo
Thanks to Mustang Lt. S, formerly a SIGINT Sgt, for her insight into female hair and hygiene at OCS. Female candidates, practice before you go so you don’t lose precious sleep time at OCS. Hair and Hygiene Long Hair (Touches the bottom of your collar and longer) Here’s the honest to god truth: If you haven’t figured out how to put your hair up without … Continue reading Reality Check: Female Hair
Welcome Marine OCS Family and Friends! This is your definitive guide (updated for 2017) to navigating OCS Family Day and Graduation from those who have done it before. Think of it as your free travel guide to OCS. The day has finally come after long weeks of separation and it’s time to see your candidate walk across the parade deck at Brown Field. They appreciate … Continue reading The Insiders Gu
Mustang Officer: (slang) A military officer who previously served in the military as an enlisted service member. Most often, Marine Mustang Officers are prior enlisted Marines who commissioned without a break in service. So, they went through OCS via the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Programs, instead of leaving service, going to college perhaps, and then rejoining. In fact, some enlisted Marines
Thanks to SSgt San Miguel, an Infantry Marine and MECEP for answering our questions about the MECEP and OCS from a prior service Marines perspective. As far as the difference between an MECEP applying to OCS and a college student, I am not too sure but I can speak on my process from the MECEP standpoint. I want any Marine applying to the MECEP to … Continue reading From Infantry Sergeant to OCS Gr
What Mail at OCS Means to Your Candidate Mail at OCS is often the highlight of the day. Many candidates enjoy receiving sports scores, newsletters, newspaper clippings, etc.: anything they would have normally kept up with at home. Family and friends are encouraged to share fun stories, summer adventures, or jokes as this keeps candidates grounded and affords a moment of escape from the stress … Co
We have received several messages from the Winter/Spring 2017 OCS graduates, with updates to share for you all. Tape Recommendation Buy Covidien Medical Tape. It’s so strong and waterproof, it will save you hours in marking and remarking your gear. Get Your Z’s You have to be in your rack at 2200, apparently, only with exceptions for head calls. This means you need to be … Continue reading Catch S
What is “Mini-OCS”? OCS Prep Weekend, or “Mini-OCS” is a short, realistic weekend experience to expose candidates to facets of OCS before they ship. It prepares you for OCS, simply enough. We’ve written about it here before: My Mini OCS Experience Video Overview of OCS Prep Weekend Your OCS Prep Weekend Packing List This gear list was shared by a candidate who recently (May … Continue reading Ex
Thank you to Jack and co at FexGear.com for building this detailed guide to the Marine Corps officer uniform regulations for Lieutenants far and wide. Service Alpha Uniform: The Green Ones See the official Marine Corps Uniform Regulations here, MCO P1020.34G W CH 1-5. At present, this guide covers only the Service “A”, aka “alpha” uniform setup for newly-commissioned Marine Corps officers. See a t
iCorps Pocket Reference App iCorps is pocket reference for everything a Marine should know. This is basically the app I wish existed when I was a new Lieutenant. (The app is designed for all ranks.) iCorps allows all past, present, future Marines and any iPhone user to learn about the Corps or just to keep up to date with everything you need to reference on … Continue reading Need a PFT or CFT Cal
Thank you to Lieutenant Schmuckatelli, a new Infantry Officer, who is sharing his journey through OCS and TBS with us. The Basic School: You’re Not at OCS Anymore After 10 weeks of being a high-strung candidate having every waking moment scheduled for me, I was now a Commissioned Officer beginning the Basic Officer Course at TBS. Instead of a squad bay, I had a barracks … Continue reading My Journ
Thank you to Lieutenant Schmuckatelli, a new Infantry Officer, who is sharing his journey through OCS and TBS with us. My OCS: Officer Candidates Course 221 In November of 2015 I learned I would be picking up with OCC 221 in January 2016. Ten years after first stepping into a recruiting station, I had earned my place in order to attempt to earn my place. Now … Continue reading My Journey from Civi
Thank you to Lieutenant Schmuckatelli, a new Infantry Officer, who is sharing his journey through OCS and TBS with us. The year is 2005. As I’m getting ready to graduate high school and head off to college, I can’t help but notice that I’m not as excited as most of the people around me. I was 18 – what do I know about what i … Continue reading My Journey from Civilian to Marine Infantry Officer, P
In the past at OCS, candidates and their families have been totally separated, unable to communicate except through physical USPS mail. That distance and separation have been slowly chipped away over the years due to technology and evolving traditions. Previous Changes Some time ago, Liberty periods enable candidates to call home on many weekends. In recent years, the mobile app Sandboxx enables f
We have a motivating new Marine Corps commercial! It utilizes the new slogan or tagline “Battles Won.” Incredible homage to our illustrious history and values… But do you feel like there’s something missing? Battles aren’t won solely on the field That’s a common misconception Battles are won within Over enemies of fear Enemies of doubt In that place where promises are kept Promises to oneself … Co
By Kristen Schafer Let’s talk about Mental Toughness and running. If you’ve ever trained for a running event then you have probably heard of it before. At the Boston Marathon it is known as “heartbreak hill”, at the 25k national road racing championships it’s called “the green monster”, at the biggest road race in the U.S., Bloomsday, it’s called “Doomsday hill”, but most runners just … Continue r
This post on proposing at basic training originally appeared on the Sandboxx blog, for the general US military audience. It definitely still applies to USMC enlisted or officer basic trainings. It’s flashy, it’s exciting, it’s the combination of two of the most momentous days of your life. But is proposing at your OCS graduation also a decision you will regret? Ryan and Jenny Ryan and Jenny … Cont
Big thanks to Zach B., Marine Corps infantry vet, for sharing some thoughts about how to survive and thrive at Marine Corps Officer Candidates School…in the dead of winter. I recently realized that I departed for OCC (Officer Candidate Course) almost 6 years ago to the day – meaning that somewhere out there some very lucky souls are about to spend the next 10 weeks … Continue reading Tips from a M
Your PFT just got harder! If you somehow missed it in the blitz of Marine Corps Times Physical Fitness Test updates, here are the tables, telling you the PFT scoring by age group. Overview: Updated PFT perfect scores For many of you guys, 23 pullups and 115 crunches are the new max. The perfect run time of 18:00 still applies. Not like you huffing and … Continue reading PFT Scoring: 2017 Updated R
Your OCS letters are a memorable source of encouragement and escape that you’ll likely save for years to come. Encourage your friends and family to write via mail or Sandboxx, but be careful about care packages or snacks. Rules on receiving those vary by unit. Our thanks to Marine Captain Jeremiah for sharing his personal story, originally appearing on the Sandboxx blog here. Military life can be
Welcome to all you aspiring Marine Corps officers. We hope the blog and our social media content helps you achieve your goals. Search for something specific, or browse around the topic of your choice. Don’t miss our unique and sometimes irreverent social media presence, where we interact with you most directly. Lastly, join Sandboxx as an officer candidate to get a tailored advice series of … Cont
Thank you for reviewing our packing list, Second Lieutenant Will. The Fall 2016 graduate shared this update after his commissioning: But something for your packing list, that needs to go NUMBER ONE on the list is Kendall Covidien Waterproof tape. They’ve changed how sleeping works, which puts an absolute premium on night time time management and subsequently, gear markings. That tape, coupled with
I interviewed Marine Corps officer Capt Stoddard, who is the Officer Selection Officer (OSO) for OSS Saint Louis today. We covered the top questions received on the blog and in our facebook page. Feel free to connect with either of us in Sandboxx as well. Note: we shot an hour of supplemental footage, containing advice exclusively available to future Marine Officers in the Sandboxx app. … Continue
Courtesy of the Marine Corps Association, see the old and new versions of the military phonetic alphabet. Made familiar in movies such as Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers (remember “Easy” Company?), this will be your new way to spell on the radio throughout your Marine Corps career. Just make sure you don’t use the wrong words! Continue reading Your New Letters: The Military Phonetic Alphab
Courtesy of the Marine Corps Training Command Officer Candidates School website These would apply whether you are sending traditional mail or the new officially-sanctioned military mailing app Sandboxx. Continue reading Official Dos and Don’ts of Sending Mail to OCS
Throughout history, the road to becoming a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps has generally begun with one of several programs at Officer Candidates School (OCS): Officer Candidates Class (OCC) Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) or The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Each course is designed to educate and train officer candidates in Marine Corps knowledge and skills withi
This program is designed to get you comfortable with longer runs, while also building the speed you’ll need to crush a 3-mile PFT or sprint through an obstacle course. We’ll test your PFT time twice, once at the end of the 3rd week, and again at the end of the 7th week. If you find it difficult to push yourself, try to time this program around … Continue reading The 7-Week OCS Prep Progressive Run
Catch Part I of our Getting to OCS series here Part II: Your First Meeting and Filling out the Rough Application In the last post, we covered the first steps for becoming a Marine Officer. This post will detail what will be covered in your first meeting and provide a few tips to ensure everything goes smoothly. You’ll probably be greeted by a Second Lieutenant, … Continue reading Getting to OCS, P
Part I – First Contact: What to Expect When You Talking to an OSO for the First Time So you’ve decided you might be interested in becoming an officer in the Marine Corps. You’ve avoided the pull of the other branches, and you’ve done at least a little research into what Marine Officers do. What do you do next? If you’re not sure where your … Continue reading Getting to OCS, Part I: Application and
For both candidates and deployed Marines, there are few bright spots to cheer them during the trials they undergo. However, one of the happiest traditional events at OCS, Recruit Training, or overseas is Mail Call. Especially in today’s hyper-connected world, to be without one’s cell phone or any internet access really emphasizes the loneliness. Now a team of former Marines has created a new start
Spouse’s Question We have young kids (3 under the age of 4) and live across the country. Should I plan to bring them to Family Day and the Graduation ceremony, or just go out for it myself? -Sam Our Thoughts Hi Sam, After the insanity of OCS, the first thing your candidate will want is time with family and loved ones (coupled with many hours … Continue reading Should I Bring Kids to Family Day?
The most common injuries at OCS which derail candidates’ performance are shin splints and foot blisters. A combination of excessive running and marching, sweaty or wet feet, and adjusting to combat boots lead to the perfect storm for blisters. Luckily there seems to be real progress made by science on solving this issue–pioneered by Standford scientists who work with runners covering over a marath
Thank you to Candidate C for taking some time to share advice you learned through your long, yet successful, Application! Stay tuned for more parts throughout this week. What was your relationship with your OSO like? I worked with three OSO’s since I started my initial application for NROTC my senior year in college and two for PLC in college. The first OSO really was … Continue reading Applicatio
Thank you to Candidate C for taking some time to share advice you learned through your long, yet successful, Application! Stay tuned for more parts throughout this week. What characterized your own application? Priority Components: The application package you submit to the regional board has many items on it but the main things they look at are: what the OSO thinks of you (from the … Continue read
Thank you to Candidate C for taking some time to share advice you learned through your long, yet successful, Application! Stay tuned for more parts throughout this week. Advice on Applying Apply early and often. I applied for the US Naval Academy my Junior year of high school and continued applying for 2 years after that with all of the baggage that applying to a … Continue reading Application Adv
Thanks so much to USNA or Bust for sharing their extremely valuable and efficient April To Do list for future Annapolis midshipmen! Depending upon where you are in the process, you may have done some of the items on this list. Skip them. Be happy you’re done. Move on to the next First Steps: If you’re serious about attending the USNA or any other military academy, … Continue reading April To Do Li
Many thanks to ArmstrongPullupProgram.com for the below workout, which may in fact be a worthy competitor of the Ultimate OCS Preparation Workout. Armstrong has excellent pullup programs for any experience level, and now with Armstrong 360, a legitimately comprehensive military fitness workout. “Lots of people exercise but aren’t really fit for much.” What does that mean? Well, runners have good c
Thanks to a recently graduated OCC candidate who volunteered to share his advice and thoughts on the physical and mental rigors of OCS! My personal experiences at OCS Every selected candidate on his or her way to OCS will be understandably nervous. Whether that be at the airport when you arrive, when you first meet your sergeant instructors , or when you first get selected in … Continue reading Le
Thanks to Candidate X who recently graduated PLC – Jrs and is willing to share his advice with future candidates! For many future Candidates in the Platoon Leaders Class – Juniors program, this is your first experience in a military setting. Let me tell you right now, it will be an overwhelming six weeks. It will be difficult; it will break you off; you will … Continue reading Letter from a Candid
My Story My first application, which was unsuccessful, was in 2012 with a 273 PFT and with the same exact recommendations/letters/reason-for-joining/waivers/etc. My second visit into the office was March 2015 and it was with a new Captain and Staff Sergeant, but the same civilian secretary. Instantly, the secretary vouched for me and praised me, telling everyone in the office that I was the “perfe
College Student’s Question I’m an incoming college freshman trying to prepare for OCS after college. My question is: What extracurricular activities look best for OCS? Do they even care for extracurricular activities much at all? Do team sports look great or just clubs, or are they all the same in worth to OCS Admissions? Answer Extracurriculars with the following components look very good: Milita
Candidate Question I PT with a GPS watch and I want to know if GPS watches are allowed at OCC. I understand the watches will have to be all black. Thank you for your post and support. Answer No, you cannot use a GPS watch (or usually any watch at all) during OCS. For much of TBS, you cannot use a GPS watch either, just a … Continue reading GPS Watches at OCS and TBS
Courtesy of Walk Like a Butterfly, this infographic should be very helpful for new runners, such as many candidates. Whether you are newcomer to running, an occasional weekend warrior who wants to complete his first 5K road race, or a veteran marathon runner seeking to break the 10K barrier in 40 minutes, or anywhere in between, you got to have the right pair of running shoes … Continue reading Up
Candidate Question I’m a rising sophomore in the NROTC program in addition to being an applicant for PLC as well (not currently on scholarship). This summer, one of my goals has been to gain around five pounds, while not losing any cardio. I’ve been doing a powerlifting program 3x per week and am just starting to use creatine. With this being said, I also want … Continue reading What’s the Best OC
Somebody had to do it. Here’s a permanent page to host any and all pictures of Chesty Puller with his hands in his pockets, out of regs, or generally looking awesome. Lieutenant Chesty with his hands in his pockets while deployed The Battle of Agua Carta was an engagement between the National Guard of Nicaragua and the rebels of Augusto César Sandino in 1932. It was … Continue reading Chesty Pulle
Many thanks to Candidate Cunningham for providing his personal experiences as he begins his career path of Naval Aviator! I’d like to provide my recollection of preparing for my Navy Aeromedical Institute (NAMI) flight physical experience. Please keep in mind that this is just my experience and it may differ slightly from what another Student Naval Aviator (SNA) will encounter. Oh by the way, sid
If you’re in high school and aim to become an officer in the Marine Corps, consider the following discussion and goals for your planning. The Realistic Odds and the Importance of Backup If 1 out of 3 OCS attendees fail (worse odds for females), and less than half of applications are accepted, your odds of becoming a Marine officer are tough even if you’re a qualified … Continue reading Advice for
Candidate’s Question Do new officers have to live on base in the officer’s barracks at The Basic School? Can they stay off-base or rent an apartment nearby? Answer The majority of students at The Basic School will live in barracks on-base. If you are married and living nearby with your spouse, you will get a room on base but be considered a “brown-bagger,” commuting most … Continue reading TBS Hou
Candidate Question What is the pay for an OCS candidate while attending OCS? Is it disbursed once a month? Answer Candidates are considered at the pay grade of a Sergeant or E-5, “or the highest pay grade achieved if” entering… “directly from current service at a pay grade above E-5.” In other words, there’s no pay cut if you’re a prior enlisted Marine attending OCS. … Continue reading How Much Do
This post is aimed directly at the hard-charging future Marine in high school who does not really understand the different implications between the enlisted vs officer paths. First, for a very thorough discussion of how to decide which path is better for you, read the following post on Future Jarheads: Should I Become an Officer or Go Enlisted? Myth #1: Officer prospects must join the military ASA
Candidate Question I’m looking for specific goals to train for OCS. Not the minimum benchmarks or averages, but high goals which would prepare me fully for the physical challenges at OCS. Specifically things like How many pull-ups should I be able to do to excel and not worry? Push-ups? Planks? Run 3 miles? 1 mile? CFT score? Bench? Curl? And any other areas you feel … Continue reading Specific O
Below you can see the overview of the entire Marine Corps Base Quantico. (Gray in the non-satellite or “after” map view) Mainside “Quantico mainside” is to the east of I-95, and contains Officer Candidates School and the bulk of the rest of the support staff and other units at MCB Quantico. [twentytwenty] [/twentytwenty] TBS Location The Basic School is located to the west amidst the … Continue re
Clothes, mainly. When meeting with an Officer Selection Officer (OSO), it would not hurt to dress a little bit more professional–like candidates on liberty. It’s not mandatory, but you want to consistently make a good impression in every interaction with your OSO. Obviously, when coming to the OSO’s office for a PFT or other workout, wear your personal, appropriate workout clothing. Like everythin
Candidate Question I’m afraid of the challenge, uncertainty and high stakes at OCS. Is it wrong to be scared? Discussion You’re absolutely right about OCS being perhaps the biggest challenge of your life. The uncertainty and unpredictability of the outcome, and the impact graduation or failure can make on your whole life plan is incredible. “Fear” may not be the most helpful word, but you … Contin
Candidate’s Question Two questions about the packing list: Is there a specific brand of running shoes they want us to bring to OCS? Is it really necessary to bring two pairs of go-fasters to PLC Juniors or seniors considering they are both only six week segments? Answer First, very moto use of the term “go-fasters.” No need to use that OCS-specific word for “running shoes” … Continue reading Packi
Applicant Question I plan on applying for next year’s OCS summer course. I have contacted an OSO and he’s been helpful. I have a 3.2 GPA, I haven’t done a PFT (not sure when to do that yet) and I am a part of various organizations on my campus in which I have been involved with leadership. I want to make sure that I will get accepted and … Continue reading Six Recommendations to Build a Strong App
Buckle up for some motivation, future jarheads and fans: USMC Commercial: “Wall” First, that awesome deep voice of the Marine Corps reminds us that walls everywhere are no match for the might of our devil dogs: USMC Commercial: “The Land We Love” Secondly, a motivational red-white-and-blue reminder of the awesome Land of Liberty we fight for. For whom do you serve? Continue reading New Marine Co
Candidate Question I’m looking at switching from an Air Contract to a Ground Contract, but I really only want to if I can secure an 0203 Ground Intel Officer MOS (to possibly further go on to Recon). How hard is it to get a specific MOS at TBS? I am in pretty good shape, I can stick with most candidates and run a 285+ PFT … Continue reading Can I Drop an Air Contract for a Guaranteed MOS?
First of all, there’s a difference between “hurting” and “hurt.” Everyone will be hurting. Many will get hurt, or injured. The Best Medicine The first line of defense is prevention. Do everything you can ahead of time to injury-proof your body. Improve flexibility with yoga and stretching. Improve your muscular and skeletal systems with PT and lifting (and drinking your milk?) and address any imba
Candidate Question I’m gluten intolerant. During the application process, they didn’t recognize this as a health issue. I get nauseous, experience mild to severe stomach pain, bloating, and inflammation. How is the food at OCS? Will I have the ability to minimize the amount of gluten I don’t have an option but to consume? Response Like most other things at OCS, your diet is mandatory … Continue re
Many thanks to a gracious Second Lieutenant at TBS who took part in a Q & A session with us to share advice after his recent graduation from OCS. Feel free to follow up with any questions or comments of your own below! How would you characterize your overall experience at OCS? My experience at OCS was that of an up/down adventure. There are good days, … Continue reading Q&A With a Successful OCS G
Your OCS application has many components, but one of the most overlooked is the letters of recommendation. When the board looks at two candidates with roughly equal packages, the letters of recommendation can easily make the difference between acceptance and a rejection letter. The Who Consider a wide variety of people to write your letters of recommendation. The important thing to keep in mind is
Candidate Question: Will getting dropped from OCS permanently disqualify me from enlisted service? Answer: No. Every service is always looking for a few good men and women. You are allowed to enlist, if you really want to, after getting dropped from OCS. However, it’s roughly the equivalent of getting your degree, applying to a white-collar job at some Fortune 500 company’s corporate office, bombi
Applicant’s Question I recently met with an OSO here in New York and began the OCS application process. I have great letters of recommendation, I’m in great physical shape. I’m 28 years old, and I shouldn’t have a problem scoring about 300 on the PFT. However, I have some waivers for a work misconduct firing recently and also a misdemeanor petty theft waiver I’m submitting. I also … Continue readi
Question This spring, I will finish my undergraduate studies as a 23-year old. Someday, I want to do my Masters. If I do it right after I’m done with my undergrad, I’ll be 25 once I’m finished. Is there an age limit to do OCS? What options do I have? Response If you want to do your Masters, we wholeheartedly recommend doing it sooner rather … Continue reading Will My Master’s Studies Take Me Past
OSO: Officer Selection Officer Marine recruiters come in two categories: generic “Recruiters” usually refers to those serving the Enlisted Marine pipeline. An “Officer Recruiter” is an OSO, or Officer Selection Officer. He works out of an OSO…the Officer Selection Office. How to Contact an OSO This is where the confusion comes from. You might find OSO contact information online or at your college,
Candidate Question: As a single parent with custody of my daughter, does a Dependents Waiver hurt my package’s chances? Would the Marines rather select a single guy over me? Personally, I feel more competent now that I am a parent and I have to keep in mind that every man or woman I may potentially serve is someone’s child, brother, sister, husband, or wife. What … Continue reading Know Your USMC
Take a quick moment to watch this year’s birthday message and to reflect on what it means to be a US Marine. May we remember and appreciate the sacrifice and leadership of all our warriors gone before. 239 This year is the 239th Marine Corps Birthday. And it is new Commandant Dunford’s first birthday message to his Marine Corps. “On 10 November each year, wherever … Continue reading Happy 239th Bi
Candidate Question: I am currently enrolled in college, majoring in Computer Science. I have struggled quite a bit in finding a major to stick with, but am now positive this is the right major for me. I currently have roughly a 3.0 GPA and will continue to improve on that as I go. I have always been interested in serving our country. …after personal family … Continue reading Should I Talk to an OS
Thanks to the team at Peace for Centralia, a new online forum on The Basic School, for this guest post! Fact: OCS Is Different from TBS PT is less running, more packing Order writing matters Flexibility in the field, “Be Prepared To Change” Academics are memorization, broad and different on each exam Be efficient with your time; get uniforms before you need them, study, prep … Continue reading Gue
Thanks to an anonymous candidate who shared his recent experience at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) for your preparation and awareness. The Mindset for MEPS I actually really enjoyed MEPS and I think that was because of the mindset I had going in with. Before going I had heard from everyone at my OSO office that it was going to be annoying, boring, obnoxious, and … Continue reading Ad
Candidate Q: I had a question pertaining to having to maybe pull out of the upcoming OCS class. Is that possible? And would I be able to reapply for the next session? I was hit with some major news from a family member and health issues and I’m just not sure if I can mentally focus to do the job that needs to be done … Continue reading Deal With Distractions Before OCS
What is the most hazardous part of the hazing tough training at Officer Candidates School? Obstacle courses? The Quigley? Long marches with heavy packs? Martial arts or pugil stick fights? Nope. The number one performance killer at OCS is Sleep Deprivation In a recent article in the Harvard Business Review, the lack of sleep was identified as a primary hazard to cognitive performance in the … Cont
Female Candidate Question: I will be applying for the OCS class who will enter in June of this year. This is a silly concern- but I’m 5’0 tall-even. I know that everything will be exceptionally more challenging for me considering my size but watching Obstacle Course videos online makes me feel like it will be impossible for me to pass the O course in time … Continue reading Short Female Candidate
Ever hear of MARSOC and their famous MARSOC short card workout? United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is the Marines component of the Joint SOC. They’re basically the baddest of the bad in the Marine Corps fraternity, formed straight from the Recon Marines. See if you can keep up with their awesome workouts. The MARSOC Short Card (sometimes: Recon Short Card) 30 Pus
Candidate Question I am very new to the website and so far it looks pretty good to me. I was sent here from futurejarheads about my path to become an officer in the Marines and I am kind of confused about the commissioning part of becoming an officer. I read you can either do PLC or OCC. Do you get commissioned to 2nd Lt after … Continue reading Candidate Q: Commissioning Timing After PLC and OCC
Thanks to MarineCFT.com for this guest post! CFT Overview CFT 1st Event: Movement to Contact Rules CFT 2nd Event: Ammo Can Lift Rules CFT 3rd Event: Maneuver Under Fire Continue reading CFT Videos
Thanks to the great team at USMC Officer.com for this guest post. Most of you have probably heard about the Marine Corps’ three-tier MOS selection process for placing Ground contract officers in their MOS. It’s a historic system that hasn’t changed for decades. Luckily, The Basic School is changing many procedures to better the development and MOS placement of Marine Officers. The Military Occupat
Courtesy of REI, this infographic should be very helpful for new runners, like many candidates. Much of OCS running is on trails, but they are almost paved they are so flat and beaten down. No need to go for heavy “trail running” shoes just for OCS. Much of the running is now in boots, anyhow. Obviously, running shoes are still important to your own PT … Continue reading How to Choose Running Shoe
Candidate: First off I want to say this blog is fantastic and has so much helpful information on it! -I’m a competitive swimmer, I swim six days a week (meets are on weekends so it can end up being 7) and do weights every Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I want to get in shape but frankly have little to no time to go running, even on … Continue reading Candidate Q: Swimmer’s Running Preparation
Thanks to MarineCFT.com for this guest post. We highly recommend candidates and new Second Lieutenants make their own ammo cans in order to ace the annual Combat Fitness Test. Your CFT score affects your OCS and promotion grades for your whole career. Official CFT Ammo Can Weight 30 pounds according to the official orders. They are easy to make for your own practice. Just follow … Continue reading
Originally seen on Barking up the Wrong Tree by Eric Barker What four psychological techniques did the government use to increase Navy SEAL passing rates? Ever since reading The Warrior Elite: The Forging of SEAL Class 228 I’ve been interested in Navy SEAL training, particularly the psychological aspects. In his blog at Psychology Today, Bakari Akil covers a History channel documentary The Brain a
The Ultimate CFT Preparation Workout is courtesy of Marine CFT.com, your number one source for help on the Combat Fitness Test Overview This workout plan provides for 3 workouts a week with 1 active recovery day. Every training day consists of a warmup, intense workout, and a cooldown. The equipment ideally includes a 35 pound ammo can, dumbbells, and a barbell. For your active recovery … Continue
Candidate Question I’m currently training for the PFT. Unfortunately, I’ve developed some sort of rash on my buttocks and lower back that prevents me from doing crunches effectively. Are there any alternatives to doing crunches that will allow me to exercise the same muscles? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. A: Great question. This is actually very common in candidates as they ramp up thei
If doing full dead-hang pullups, or as a whole, the official Armstrong Pullup Program is too difficult for you, we recommend trying the following workout until your max set is 7-10 controlled, full dead-hang pullups. Best of luck! The Pre-Armstrong Pullup Program Workout Courtesy of Armstrong Pullup Program.com When required, simply pick any bicep curl type exercises (barbell, dumbbell, alternat
Our newest partner provides a very important resource for current and future Marines of every stripe. All Marines are required to read the books appropriate to their rank for professional development. There are categories for recruits and candidates as well. Now, the Commandant has added these additional special interest categories: Leadership Maneuver Warfare Strategic Thinking Counter-Insurgency
This is a recommended modification for a female friend just looking to lose some weight for her wedding by using Marine Corps-style PT. Get some! Instead of PPPA, do a circuit of sets of pushups, crunches, overhead presses, and lastly pullups or curls. So try doing 10 (girl) pushups, 30 seconds rest, 20 crunches, rest, 10 overhead presses, and finishing with pullups or curls, just some … Continue
Candidate Question: I am currently in NROTC at [college omitted]. I am applying for a PLC contract at this time. My question is, my PFT is pretty solid. However, I’m in shape, I’m just not athletic. Things like the O-Course are a serious challenge for me. We hardly ever run it on a regular basis (once every two to three months because we have so … Continue reading Candidate Q: Obstacle Course Tips
Dry Out Boots Overnight After going through wet or muddy courses at OCS, you’ll have to run your boots under a shower to clean off the dirt. Even if you’ve properly applied Camp Dry as instructed in “Wet is the Enemy,” you’ll end up having thoroughly soaked boots eventually. The best way to dry out boots is leave them in dry room temperature air for … Continue reading Three Ingenious Boot Care Tip
Thanks to Candidate Tanner for sharing his perspective! A question I’ve asked and addressed several times is the idea of how different of an OCS experience will I have as a tall, skinny candidate. I am just shy of 6’2” and weigh 145 pounds soaking wet, and I graduated PLC Juniors this past summer, with Seniors approaching this summer, so that’s the perspective I am … Continue reading Guest Post:
EXECUTION OF THE PFT Individual performance on each PFT event will be executed as follows: Pull-up The goal of the pull-up event is for the Marine to execute as many accurate and complete pull-ups before dropping off the bar. The procedures are: (1) This is not a timed event. (2) Sweatshirts will be removed during the conduct of the pull-up event in order to observe the lockout … Continue reading
Thanks to Lt Hee at USMCofficer.com for his great work and this guest post! Check out the most up-to-date information about his OCS and TBS experiences on his site. The most stressful aspect of preparing for OCS is doubting your ability to perform physically. Yes, there are a lot of physical events where you will be required to perform to a certain standard. The PFT and … Continue reading Guest Po
If this doesn’t motivate you, nothing will! Continue reading USMC OCS Video Overview
Candidate: I have two questions. 1- I recently sustained a foot injury from doing too much too soon (went from a lazy couch bum to 3 mile runs every day). The doctor said I need to rest it then ‘ease’ back into running. Summer break is approaching and lasts for 3 months. What is a good way to ‘ease’ back into my running while still … Continue reading Candidate Q: Easing Into Running
These are the top three pullup bars on Amazon.com under the Strength Training Equipment page here. We hope you find a good one and do great things with the Armstrong program! Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar The Iron Gym Workout Bar is the most common indoor pullup bar in use. It’s inexpensive, gets the job done, and is versatile enough for the complete Armstrong Pullup Program. … Continue re
Thank you, Candidate, for sharing a detailed and instructive summary of your experience at “Mini OCS” at Parris Island. Most of you candidates have been to or at least heard of “Mini-OCS.” This article is mainly for those who haven’t been, have yet to go, or need a reason to finally call the OSO in their area (if they haven’t for whatever reason). Mini-OCS is … Continue reading Guest Post: My “Min
Motivated Lecture Series Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, … Continue reading TED T
Candidate’s Question I’m thinking about doing OCC-R in two years once I finish my bachelors. Problem is that I’m 6’2″ and 258 right now. I know I have plenty of time to fix myself and get in regs so I’m not too worried about that right now. I do have some questions though. 1. What is a suitable replacement for Fartlek right now? I’ll be … Continue reading Armstrong Pullup Program Too Much? Customi
The Endurance Course is a 2.5 mile obstacle course through the beautiful woods of Quantico. And passing it in a time limit is a mandatory requirement for completing OCS. Check out this superb run-through of the OCS Obstacle Course and Endurance Course by our good friend and fellow Marine Tyler: Here’s how it works: First, candidates run the Obstacle Course (O-Course) in boots and utes … Continue r
They joked about it. We memorialized it. Now who has the last laugh? As of 25 February, 2014, the Commandant has caved to popular pressure and honorable tradition and is bringing back the iconic sleeve rolls. On 9 March, with the Corps-wide changeover to desert cammies (coinciding with daylight savings time), all Marines will roll their sleeves up. Read the official message from the Commandant … C
Candidate Question: I will be applying for the OCS class who will enter in June of this year. This is a silly concern- but I’m 5’0 tall- even. I know that that everything will be exceptionally more challenging for me considering my size but watching O Course videos online makes me feel like it will be impossible for me to pass the O course in … Continue reading Am I Too Short to Become a Marine Of
I challenge all candidates to achieve these minimum benchmarks before getting to OCS, and using them as training goals. This will put you in decent standing, but not the top of your class if these are your max sets. MALE Pullups: Max set 18 Pushups: Max set 65 Run: 21:00 3-mile Run: 880 meter sprint in 3:15 in boots (2:45 running shoes) Flutterkicks: Max set 60 … Continue reading One Easy Cheat Sh
Q: Hello, I am heading to OCS this summer for PLC Juniors and have been following your blog site for over a year. I am familiar with the suggested “packing list” to bring to OCS on the blog. However, my OSO has told me that the only things I really will need to purchase beforehand is a decent watch and have about $500 of spending … Continue reading Do I Need All That Stuff On The Packing List?
Your entire posture can be influenced just by your head position, which is why the PT reps at OCS will force you to look “up” while in the plank position. This same technique can be used to help maintain proper running form, as well. Avoid looking down at your feet while you run. Let your gaze stay at a natural level, scanning the horizon in … Continue reading Correct Your Running Form: Use Your H
Tactical Strength and Conditioning (TSAC) Conference The National Strength and Conditioning organization’s TSAC Program is an educational program designed specifically to optimize mission/job performance for tactical athletes and tactical facilitators. Dr. William Kraemer, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA, and Tunde Szivak, MA, presented at the 2013 TSAC Conference on the integration of women into the world of
Candidates, there are so many motivators out there who bother me every day with questions like, “What more can I do to prepare for OCS?” that I am debuting a new series of posts. This summer’s posts will give you plenty of ways to use up all your time before OCS to get ready or motivated for your future Marine Corps life. Today’s post: These … Continue reading Recommended Motivation: Films You’ll
Q: Just starting the Armstrong Pullup Program. My max is already 20-25. Should I still start with bodyweight or should i add 5kg’s? A: Definitely add weight if you’re just going to stick with Armstrong. Great rule of thumb is to increase weight per rep if you can do over 12 reps a set. Increase the weight until you can’t quite get 8 reps per … Continue reading When Should I Add Weight to the Armst
Candidate Q: I currently run 3 miles a day, do 200 pushups, 75 pullups, and 200 crunches daily. I also get a lot of heavy loading work because I work as a masonry laborer. I have already run multiple 300 PFTs but I know that is merely a small part of what physical demands are placed upon you at OCS. Any recommendations for what more … Continue reading 300 PFT: Easy. Now What?
The Commandant’s Professional Reading List (also known as the Marine Corps Reading List) is a list of required annual reading for all officer and enlisted Marines, whether active duty or reserve. Any book off this list would be a great gift idea for a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant. Read Gen. Amos’ message to Marines in CMC White Letter No. 4-12: Reading in the Marine Corps… “Thirty year old
From a candidate: My father is a former Marine and has always pounded the fact that leadership experience is a must when looking to enter OCS. The folks down at Quantico don’t just want well-built men with decent brain power. They are looking for the future leaders of their organization. Someone who can gather information, react and drive a path forward in stressful situations. Prove … Continue re
Thanks to the great team over at Future Jarheads, especially on their newly revamped FutureJarheadFitness.com website, for this guest post. Quick Tips For Pullups Find a grip that is comfortable for you, you can do palms facing out, palms facing in, hands close together, or far apart, find what works best for you. Tilt your head back so that your chin extends into the air, … Continue reading How t
“ It doesn’t matter how slowly you go, as long as you don’t stop. ” — Confucius You’ve been hitting the gym every day… Yes.You’ve been eating healthier food… Check. You’ve been drinking more water and getting enough sleep… Si. You’re losing a ton of weight and getting in shape… No… Why not? Tip The First: Turn Up The Intensity Have you ever noticed how almost everyone … Continue reading Guest Po
The Commandant’s Professional Reading List (also known as the Marine Corps Reading List) is a list of required annual reading for all officer and enlisted Marines, whether active duty or reserve. The great thing about the Commandant’s famous reading list is that most of these books are free. Download the other ones on your kindle, and you can easily knock out the required reading for candidates be
This Timex Expedition watch aims squarely at undercutting more expensive and well-known competitors such as the Suunto and G-Shock lines of military watches. The Timex successfully combines all the commonly-desired features into an attractive packaging at a very competitive price, and should be at the top of every new Lieutenant’s wish list. Features Multiple timers and alarms. Hydration reminder
Marines – The Officer Selection Officer The path to becoming an officer begins with the Officer Selection Officer (OSO). The OSO’s duty is to identify those who will be worthy officer candidates. Your OSO will answer questions and help you decide which commissioning program best suits you. Once you have made the commitment to become an officer, your OSO will guide your physical training regimen …
Candidate Question: I am currently pushing for a Marine PLC contract. I have no doubt my pull ups and crunches can be easily improved but the run always gets me. I ran a 21:07 my first PFT and lately its at a 21:30. I have tried doing fartleks and sprint intervals to no avail and generally run anywhere from 4-5 times a week. What I … Continue reading Three Keys to Training for the PFT Run
Preparing for the Combat Fitness Test? Look up workouts, rules, get the guides on gear and scoring at Marine CFT.com, our newest partner website. Continue reading New Partner: Marine CFT.com!
This is a guest post from Chad Howse. Did you wake up with a pumpkin pie-induced hangover this morning, feeling more like a butterball than a man? You’re ready to slough off that tryptophan haze and get yourself moving again. You want to do a full body workout that’s really going to make your muscles burn. But maybe you’re a college student home for the holiday … Continue reading Burn Off That Pie
Perhaps you have a candidate or newly commissioned Second Lieutenant in your family. Here are some gift ideas that will foster motivation or help in training at The Basic School. No need to tell where you got the ideas. Way to look like an expert gift-giver! Also consider items off the OCS Packing List of recommended gear to bring with you to OCS as a … Continue reading Christmas Gift Ideas For a
Candidate Q: I am going to be going to OCS after graduation and I have also found out that my TBS dates are approximately 2 months after I graduate from OCS. Is there any possibility of attending Jump school or any other trainings in between OCS and TBS? OCS Blog: No. Absolutely none. The only thing boot lieutenants can do between OCS and TBS other … Continue reading Jump School Between OCS and TB
We’re on facebook. This will make it easier to share and follow new content, and give an easy forum for asking questions when the Q&A pages and comments area on here gets crowded. So, there you go. Friend the blog on the ‘book and don’t look back. Friend the USMC OCS blog Continue reading Hooray Social Media.
Thank you to Jason at Strength Running.com for this awesome guest post. Check out all the information from his team on their website. Hey, they’re the true professionals and we’re just jarheads.. Are you making these TOP mistakes that I see over and over again? Today I’ll show you how to fix them and start achieving more with your running – more PR’s, more weight … Continue reading Guest Post: 5 R
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 … Con
The Marine Corps birthday has been celebrated each year since General Lejeune himself instituted the tradition in 1921. On 10 November, 1775, the Continental Congress resolved, “That two Battalions of Marines be raised….” Marines all over the world celebrate the birthday with a ball (as able), cake, and the reading of General Lejeune’s message: HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS Washington, November 1
Warmup (3:00) 2:00 Jogging Ten burpees Five pullups Twenty mountain climbers The Fartlek Workout (15:00) Sprint 60 meters Max set of pushups in 45 seconds, alternate diamond and wide hands every 10 1:00 Run, high-tempo Max set of pullups, alternate palms in and out every 4 pullups 2:00 Run, medium tempo 45 seconds of crunches, 45 seconds of flutterkicks 1:00 lunges Max 1 set of dips … Continue rea
Quick answer to a question about who gets recycled to Mike Company The most common reasons are failing at one portion of the period of instruction (POI) or injury. For example, one lieutenant arrived at The Basic School (TBS) and went through the POI, all the while injuring his back. He was then placed in Mike Company, where his role was to support the students … Continue reading Guest Post: Quest
TBS (The Basic School) is backwards day! Your staff intends for you to be frustrated. And you are meant to be stressed to the point of constantly and fruitlessly asking yourself, “WHY????” in the most exasperated tones. Just forget the “why” and do what everyone else is doing. That may not be the path to good leadership, but it’s the way to graduation! After all, … Continue reading Guest Post:
Candidate’s Question: I’m an OCS applicant/poolee and would like to know if there is an appropriate and respectful way to greet my OSO in public or private. I understand that saluting is inappropriate for a civilian but is it appropriate to stand at attention when greeting a commanding officer? A: No need to stand at attention even once you’re a Marine unless it’s truly a … Continue reading How to
Candidate Q: I have been in the application process for quite some time, and I’m finally in the contract stage. My OSO informed me that the last board had a 23% acceptance rate, and some classes are becoming reserve officer only. My OSO told me that it’s not easy moving from reserve officer to active duty, but would it be a better idea to try that route … Continue reading Iffy Active Duty or Certa
The “Candidates’ Curse:” Patellar Tendinitis Many candidates get patellar tendinitis, “jumper’s knee” or runners knee at OCS or while preparing for it. If you are truly injured in your preparation for OCS, you first need to be honest and open with your OSO. If you shouldn’t get sent to OCS, but attempt to “sneak” in, they will find your injury during medical inprocessing or the … Continue reading
Thank you to Candidate Kyle for sharing: There are two types of waivers: medical and moral medical Medical waivers are only considered as you are in the process of being medically qualified to apply for OCS. Once you are deemed medically qualified, review boards don’t see your medical waivers. They only see that you are medically qualified. Moral waivers are any waivers needed for speeding … Conti
The first salute a newly commissioned officer receives is a special moment. Naval tradition holds that the new officer should return the honor of a salute with the special token of a silver dollar. While at OCS, you should think about who you would like to give you your first salute. Who Gives You Your First Salute? Anyone of your choice, basically. Does one of … Continue reading Remember a Silver
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 weathe
Danners Are the Best. That’s the bottom line. Everyone who has Danners loves them. They feel so comfortable and natural from the very first time you put them on. The Danner RAT boots pictured above are now standard issue to every Marine headed on a deployment. Danners are very well cushioned inside, which contributes to the insulation (great in winter, a little hot in summer … Continue reading USM
You’re doing your pullups. You’re memorizing the general orders of the guard. You’re even breaking in your Bates that you were smart enough to buy. But you’re still making crucial mistakes that will cause you unneeded stress while at OCS. You need to control your addictions now. What are you addicted to? We’re not talking about cocaine levels of addiction. What habit is a crucial part … Continue r
Candidate Comment: This is more for peace of mind, than anything else, so feel free to take your time responding. I can run approximately a 275 PFT (I vary from around 270 to 285). However, while working out in a local gym, someone who used to be a Marine told me that I do not have the ‘look’ of a 2nd LT. Not a attractiveness … Continue reading Candidate Q: Skinny Lieutenants: Impossible!
Thanks to shooting expert Manny at 300PFT.com for his guest post sharing his expertise on marksmanship. Check out his website and enjoy! When I was just a young Corporal in the Marines, I had the opportunity to serve as a shooting coach on Camp Pendleton. I was a coach on the rifle range and was later put in charge of the pistol range after only … Continue reading Guest Post: Top 5 Shooting Tips –
Special thanks to candidate Kyle who shares his insight There are two types of waivers: medical and moral Medical waivers are only considered as you are in the process of being medically qualified to apply for OCS. Once you are deemed medically qualified, review boards don’t see your medical waivers. They only see that you are medically qualified. Moral waivers are any waivers needed for … Continu
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 … Conti
What You Need: A motivated buddy Boots and utes (or boots and any pants, like jeans) A pull-up bar Two 30-lb ammo cans (or 30-lb dumbbells) A stopwatch What You’ll Do: Warm Up Start out with a quarter-mile jog then two minutes of easy jumping jacks Mix in high knees and arm circles on the jog The Circuit Alternate with your partner, completing 10 total … Continue reading The Ultimate Marine Corps
Three at home video workout series have exploded in popularity the last several years. Persuasive commercials for P90X, Insanity, and Rushfit bombard TV viewers of the OCS candidate demographic. Many candidates have used these programs before OCS to varying degrees of success, but have you ever seen an academic comparison of these programs and their claims? Now we have one, thanks to Fabio Comana,
When you’re getting ready to join any branch of the military, boot camp is something you’ve got to prepare for— both mentally and physically. While the mental preparation is a bit more of a personal solution, getting your body ready for the stress and challenges of boot camp will require a lot of exercise, with a heavy emphasis on core and stamina training. The physical side … Continue reading Gue
A 2011 study at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government of young officers who had left the military found that their top reasons for doing so were not the high operating tempo or the chance of being maimed but rather two other factors: “limited ability to control their own careers” and “frustration with military bureaucracy.” –Thomas Ricks, The Generals You’re going to enter the Marine Corps … Cont
In many ways, the Marine Corps is fifty years behind the times. The physical fitness habits of many young and old Marines are detrimental holdovers from a less enlightened time. Doing more harm than good, many such habits persist well beyond when science and professional sports have found safer, more efficient, or more effective training methods. A primary example is in stretching, especially befo
What is P90X? P90X is an extremely popular 90-day DVD workout program by the ageless, irrepressible Tony Horton. It consists of hour-long workouts emphasizing bodyweight exercises, pullups, circuit-style workouts, dumbbells, and many, many ab workouts. If you haven’t heard about it, check out reviews on Amazon or Google, or just stop living under that rock. The Good P90X is not easy per se, but it
This tracker was born out of the frustration of one Marine officer. A year since his last Armstrong program participation, he struggled to find a concise and visual reminder of each day’s workout. This is one man’s attempt at a clean, useful one page summation to help guide and track workouts. Feel free to save, print, and share the tracker to your heart’s content. If … Continue reading Printable
Powerlifter Mike Westerdal, owner of http://www.criticalbench.com, has shared some of his most commonly seen symptoms of overtraining with the blog. Overtraining is a very real danger to candidates. Many are training in new exercises for the first time (pullups or running) and pushing themselves too far, too fast in anticipation or fear of the trials of OCS. Overtraining might be over-diagnosed in
Do you wish there was a resource as good as this blog, aimed at what comes after OCS in your career? This handbook is something close to that ideal. The Marine Officer’s Guide should be mandatory reading at The Basic School for all new Second Lieutenants. It has been published for many decades, and updated periodically. It answers many questions that lieutenants may have, or … Continue reading Get
Candidate Question: I’d like to be training for OCS as realistically as possible. What kind of rucksack is currently in use for training? I’d like to get used to carrying some weight around. Training hard now may make things easier later. Reply: The ILBE pack is currently in use but will be phased out over the next several years in the fleet, and eventually at … Continue reading What Pack is in Us
Candidate Question: Currently I am accepted for PLC for the first increment of Summer 2013. I’ve been training hard, achieving a 293 pft score, and been training long/short distance Fartleks; so I feel as though I have established a fine base in getting ready for OCS. My question here is when should I lower my training quantity before my ship date approx. in late May? … Continue reading Candidate
Candidate Question: If you are married when you report to TBS do you have the option to stay with your wife and not in a barracks? Answer: You will get a bunk and space in a barracks room (with other Second Lieutenants) but will be allowed to live out in town with your wife and you will receive BAH while there. I highly recommend living … Continue reading Married at The Basic School
By 2ndLt. Dominic Galante This famous line from the Marine Corps Hymn has its origin in the Barbary War of the early 19th century. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the kingdoms of North Africa, called Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli—today, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, respectively—conducted piracy in the Mediterranean Sea against American and European shipping. In 1785, the U.S. agreed to pay Algier
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 … Continue reading Candidat
Candidate X did well at OCS physically, but ended up dropping with a new appreciation for his own strengths and weaknesses. He has graciously accepted an invitation to conduct an interview with the OCS blog as he prepares for another run at the grueling course. How far into OCS did you get? While I wasn’t able to successfully complete USMC OCS by our end date in … Continue reading Interview With A
Candidates, this is a post in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Tact Definition Tact means that you can deal with people in a manner that will maintain good relations … Cont
Interested in Becoming an Officer in the Marines? The Why – The What – The How The Why: Find your motivation What attracts you to becoming a Marine Corps officer? Before you make a life-altering commitment, you need to examine your motivation and your perception of military life versus the reality. First, let’s consider your motivation. Many things go into possible motivation, and here are a few e
The second component of the Combat Fitness Test is the Ammo Can Lift. To train for this unique exercise, you could use a 30-lb dumbbell gripped with both hands…or you could make your own can! The Can Normal 5.56mm (M-16 ammunition) ammo boxes are generally used, but if you can’t find any on ebay or Amazon, then something close like a .50 cal box would … Continue reading Make Your Own Ammo Can to T
Thanks so much to fitness enthusiast Mike Manning for this guest post–check out his good work on his blog While you probably do a lot of things for your health, chances are that travel isn’t one of them. Sure, it can be relaxing to take a holiday somewhere far from home, but even traveling for pleasure comes with stressors that take a toll on physical … Continue reading Planning for Fitness-Tips f
USMC Life provides an overview of every major Marine Corps base focusing on specific base information, military housing and photos, schools, youth programs and sports, getting to and from each installation and popular links helpful to Marines and their families. Check out their blog for a spotlight on companies they love, insight on base and family life, military news and more. The site also provi
This is great. Armstrong got me from zero pull ups to a steady 15-16 over the last year. I’ve been stuck there for the last few months and hopefully this will help me bust the plateau. On the tendonitis – constant body weight push/pulls and Armstrong over many months was wearing down my left elbow to the point where it was painful to do anything. … Continue reading Recommended Workout: Armstrong A
Candidate Q: I do not have any vaccines except a tetanus shot. My question is: do you recommend getting as many shots as possible before shipping to OCS? How bad would it be to just get them all during the medical in-processing? My problem is that they are expensive and I am running out of time. Thanks very much for your help. A: Do not … Continue reading Vaccine Shots at OCS
Perhaps some of you want to become Marines but are not citizens. Here’s the quick story of one such Marine who actually became a citizen while serving his new country in the Corps! While most Marines are American citizens, it’s possible to become one of the Few as a legal resident. Watch the story of one Marine sergeant born in El Salvador who is a … Continue reading Immigrant Marine to American C
Exercise Related Transient Abdominal pain (ETAP) It’s a “stitch” or side pains. Or side cramp. You’re running and then get an intense pain seemingly next to your diaphragm. Who knows why it happens. Doesn’t matter. Get Rid of It In the moment: stop running, breathe heavily and bend over and touch your toes. This is supposedly a very fast technique to “turn off” the side stitch. … Continue reading
Reservists Marines currently serving in the Marine Corps Reserve may apply for programs such as PLC and OCC through their Officer Selection Officer. Commissioning Programs for active duty enlisted Marines include: Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP) For Marines who have earned a four-year degree before joining the Corps or during active duty Qualified Marines attend Officer Candidates School (OCS
Camp Dry is a godsend for the poor miserable creature known as the Officer Candidate. Wet is the Enemy. Always. It’s snow in the winter or freezing rain in the fall or freak rain showers and saturated, muddy ground in the summer. Next comes swollen, wet, blistering feet or soggy, chafing skin under belts and pack straps. I distinctly remember my whole squad feeling the … Continue reading Wet is th
Future Candidate’s Question: Hi, I’m a high school junior wanting to know what you did for leadership postitions to prepare for your application and as a future officer. I hold a leadership role in a school club and am joining National Honor Society. I know that I’m a few years away from applying, but that leadership is one of the key things that the selection … Continue reading Leadership Advice
Candidates, this post is from a PLC candidate back in the day. He has an excellent leadership recommendation for you that would benefit your unit much if you could implement it at OCS. I went thru PLC when it was still in the boonies at Camp Upshur. One thing happened the first couple of days we were there that I think is still important today. … Continue reading Advice From an Old Candidate
The costs of joining the Marine Corps If you’re on the fence about joining, even after talking to a recruiter or Officer Selection Office, this post will not push you towards the “Join” side. Brace yourself for the dirty little secrets of the unglamorous side of Marine Corps officer life. You will miss your family If you have a close relationship with your family, sorry, … Continue reading Join th
Candidate Question: As a sophomore in High School, how can I better myself…especially at a young age? I can do 90 push-ups, 13 pull-ups, 100 crunches, but I have not done much running. Unfortunately I don’t participate in any sports but I am in some clubs (yet I don’t have any leadership positions). I am very motivated to joining the Corps as an officer, I … Continue reading Candidate Q: High Scho
Candidates, this is my recommended pre-OCS workout. I would do you a disservice if I only laid out a formula to follow. Instead, I’m going to show the process I worked through to generate this plan, so that you can copy the process and get a personalized workout for yourself. First: Rank Your Goals First, I ranked my workout goals: OCS-specific type activities Run for … Continue reading The Ultima
Candidate Question: If selected, I will be 30 years old when I start OCS in October. I am an attorney currently running a 274 PFT. I was just wondering if either my age or being a law contract would affect my OCS experience or get me singled out (either good or bad). Assuming my PT isn’t notably worse than the younger candidates, would there be … Continue reading Candidate Q: JAG Candidates
Female Candidate’s Q: Hi! I’m getting ready to leave for OCS in about 7 weeks. I’m confident about my core and upper body strength, but my run time is not ideal. My max is about 25 minutes. I could use some advice. Should I be doing 3 miles 5 days a week, focusing on hills and sprints, or doing distance? Should I be using weight … Continue reading Female Candidate Q: Running and Lower Body Prepara
Question from family members looking to support their candidate: Should we send food to our candidate? Obviously they could use extra calories and will miss home cooking. Answer: No. They will probably either be forced to throw away the food right away, or put it in a closet until they are released to eat it. The official OCS website says the following: DON’T send items … Continue reading Candidat
According to a 2010 Marines.mil story, “In addition to the already prohibited head and neck, Marines cannot get tattoos or brands on their hands, fingers, wrists or inside their mouths, according to Marine Administrative Message 29/10 released Jan. 15, 2010. Both commissioned and warrant officers are now limited to four tattoos or brands visible when wearing the standard physical training uniform,
Candidate Question: I am considering entering OCS in the summer of 2012, and my biggest question/concern is this. How much strain gets put on your lower back during OCS? I have experienced some slight muscle soreness more often in my lower back over the years, and I’m just concerned that it might be an issue. I really want to get through OCS but also I … Continue reading Candidate Q: Lower Back St
The story of the United States Marine Corps begins before there even was a United States to speak of. The “Birthday” of the Corps The colonial predecessor to the Marine Corps was formed before independence was even declared. On 10th November 1775, the Second Continental Congress authorized the creation of two battalions of Marines. This date has famously become the birthday of the Marine Corps, …
Her Question: Hello I am a college junior and am considering Marine PLC, however, I know that getting acceptance into OCS is extremely difficult for females. What are things that I can do to increase my chances in addition to physical fitness? What other factors would help my application? A: Get leadership on your resume. If you don’t have leadership experience, get some! Join some … Continue read
Hi Sir, I’m in the pre-candidate stage with my recruiter, and planning to attend OCS in January. I am very excited about doing this and have wanted to have a chance at becoming a Marine Officer since I was a kid. Having read a lot of information on your website and in other places while educating myself about the OCS process, I understand that if … Continue reading Candidate Q: Rejecting Your Comm
Hate running? Want Less Train and More Gain? It sounds like a late-night commercial gimmick, but according to recent scientific studies, you can improve health and aerobic performance with less training. Work Smarter, Not Harder They say it’s easy to work hard, but hard to work smart. This is especially true of the community known as “Jarheads” or “Leathernecks”. So how would you increase your … C
Pull-ups In, Flexed Arm Hang Out Finally the long-discussed changes to the female PFT were announced by the Commandant in a message to all Marines last November. Effective 1 January 2014, pull-ups will replace the Flexed Arm Hang (FAH). This change will take place in two phases with phase one beginning 1 January 2013. Phase one will serve as a transition period and is intended to … Continue readin
You will be issued (actually you purchase) bagfulls of uniforms, gear and equipment at OCS. If you make it, you keep all of it. Most of it will be useful to you as a Second Lieutenant at TBS and beyond. Some of it is only suitable for OCS use, however. You don’t want to be that Lieutenant who looks like a candidate instead of an … Continue reading The Unofficial LPA Guide to OCS Gear
Armstrong Pullup Program.com is the newest site in the USMC OCS Blog’s constellation of websites including Becoming an Officer.com. It serves as your simple, clean one-stop shop for the famous pullup workout. Feel free to leave feedback or suggest features or content. Semper Fi! Continue reading New Partner: Armstrong Pullup Program.com
Candidate Question: As a starving college student I have to ask. I know I get paid at OCS Juniors for the time spent there but am I entitled to any sort of monthly pay between then and my next session at OCS? A: You only will get paid for time at OCS until you get to TBS–even if you commission 6 months before TBS! So … Continue reading Candidate Q: Active Duty Pay Between OCS & TBS?
Treatment of Shin What? You hate running. But you’d love to become an officer in the Marines. So you start training for the PFT and when you go from zero to ten miles of running per week, the front of your shins start barking! Shin splints are one of the most common running injuries, and affect a large amount of candidates and would-be candidates every year. … Continue reading Treatment of Shin Sp
Candidate Question: I am seriously considering going through the Aviation path of a Marine Officer, but I have a few questions before I decide: How long will your contract be when being in an Aviation Position? Do you have to have a Pilots License or anything specific before joining? What tests do you have to take to get into an Aviation position? I’m female, will … Continue reading Candidate Q: F
What is Insanity? BeachBody’s Insanity program by Shaun T is a 60 day cardio-intensive at-home DVD workout using no equipment. The Good No need for lots of expensive equipment or a gym. When you work out at home, there’s less time wasted and fewer hurdles to getting your workout in, so you probably will stick to the program better. Insanity basically ensures you have … Continue reading Insanity
The United States Army graduates its new Second Lieutenants from Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia. The following round OCS logo is used only by the Army’s OCS, not the Marine Corps’: The Marine Corps’ Officer Candidates School is the topic of this blog–the 10-week or two 6-week courses based in Quantico, VA which commissions new Second Lieutenants in the Marine Corps. The below …
Candidates, this is a post in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Endurance Definition Endurance is the mental and physical stamina that is measured by your ability to withsta
We found him! As Terminal Lance explains, This is the Lance Corporal responsible for everything wrong in the Marine Corps, he’s the very reason every regulation exists–because Lance Corporal Schmuckatelli went out into town and fucked it up for everyone else. For those of you outside of our little secret club here, Schmuckatelli is a generic name used by higher-ups to describe any hypothetical Lan
The Marine Corps birthday is an amazingly motivating tradition. At my first Marine Corps birthday while still at OCS, I couldn’t even believe that candidates were given steak and lobsters at the chow hall for lunch that day! Oorah! Continue reading Happy 237th Birthday, Marine Corps!
Candidates, this is a post in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Loyalty Definition Loyalty means that you are devoted to your country, the Corps, and to your seniors, peers,
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: What is the class time to ‘work’ time ratio? Will you spend most of your time in the classroom or doing physical … Continue readin
Candidates, this is a post in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Knowledge Definition Knowledge is the understanding of a science or art. Knowledge means that you have acquir
Candidate, er, future Chaplain, Question: I was wondering if you would be willing to assist me in tailoring your OCS prep workout to my schedule. I am currently a seminarian studying to become a priest. My goal is to be ordained and then join the Navy so that I may be placed as a chaplain with the Marines … I figure if I am going … Continue reading Pre-OCS Workout for the Busy
Candidates, this is a post in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Courage Definition Courage is what allows you to remain calm while recognizing fear. Moral courage means havi
It has been one year since that fateful day. Butterbars everywhere are able to talk about the Marine Corps “back in my day.” Candidates “these days” don’t stay up for hours at night folding and refolding their sleeves. Tattoos are hidden. “Guns” earned in hundreds of hours in the gym are covered up. Welcome to the sad era of no sleeve rolling. One year ago … Continue reading A Moment of Silence fo
Family Day Orientation December 13, 2012 10:00 A.M. Graduation December 14, 2012 9:00 A.M. Commissioning December 14, 2012 1:00 P.M. Stay tuned to https://www.trngcmd.usmc.mil/OCS/default.aspx for periodic updates for families. Continue reading Family Updates: Family Day, Graduation, Commissioning Dates for OCC-211
Candidates, this is a post in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Unselfishness Definition Unselfishness means that you avoid making yourself comfortable at the expense of oth
Candidate Q: I’m leaving next summer to go to OCS. The only issue I have is my weight. I’m 5’10″ 235. I have to be at 192 to ship out. I also need to get my PFT up. My 3 mile is 27:45. Obviously if I lost the weight I would be able to do this with greater ease. I just don’t know how to … Continue reading Trying To Lose 50 Pounds In A Year For Marine Corps OCS
Candidates, this is a post in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Bearing Definition Bearing is the way you conduct and carry yourself. Your manner should reflect alertness, c
Candidates, this post serves just as a single page to share gouge on the recent trends in PFT scores. The below are real life candidates who have shared their stats in the last month: Candidate 1, Aviation Contract: “300 pft 3.78 GPA 8/8/8/58 ASTB 2 Yrs men’s intercollegiate Volleyball Lots of volunteer service including leadership experience Age waiver- I’m 27 Nonselect ..Not a whole lot … Contin
Candidates, this is a post in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Enthusiasm Definition Enthusiasm is defined as a sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of your d
Candidate Question: Upon graduating college in 2009 I began the Army OCS and Air Force OTS application. At the time I knew very little about the various service branches and what life as a military officer would be like. Around October of 2009 I received a job officer to work with an alumni for a military non-profit in the Washington, DC area. At that point … Continue reading Candidate Q: Not Comp
Candidates, this is a post in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Integrity Definition Integrity means doing the right thing when nobody is looking. Integrity means that you a
In Marine speak a hike is known as a “hump,” and to carry a soldier’s load on your back while hiking is known as “humping” whatever gear it is. At OCS and also TBS, conditioning hikes are used as PT and boy do can they get rough! The longest will be in the neighborhood of 12-15 miles. Your packs could be 60-80 pounds and the … Continue reading Nine Tips for Marine Corps Humps
Candidate Question: During OCS and TBS, would my wife be provided housing in Quantico? A: Fantastic question! Very important–for OCS you will not be provided any type of housing for her at all. You should get a reduced BAH to help cover your rent but don’t count on it. At TBS you will live in the barracks (Bachelor Officers Quarters) and she can live in … Continue reading Candidate Q: Spouse housi
This question is from a few weeks ago but should help clarify the thinking of the many applicants who have not been selected this year. Candidate’s Question: I had a few questions about being selected for OCS. I am 21. I contracted twice for the PLC program and was not selected because of my PFT run time which was 25:40 the first year and 23:30 … Continue reading Enlist First, Try to Commission La
Candidates, this is the fifth in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Decisiveness Definition Decisiveness means that you are able to make good decisions without delay. Get all
Candidates, this is the fourth in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Initiative Definition Initiative is taking action even though you haven’t been given orders. It means mee
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
Candidates, this is the third in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Dependability Definition Dependability means that you can be relied upon to perform your duties properly.
How to reduce weight and bulk before a hump or field exercise by field-stripping an MRE. Awesome MRE Nicknames Courtesy Wikipedia (MRE) “Mr. E” (mystery) “Meals Rejected by Everyone” “Meals, Rarely Edible” “Meals Rejected by the Enemy” “Morsels, Regurgitated, Eviscerated” “Mentally Retarded Edibles” “Meal Ready to Expel” “Meal, Ready to Excrete” “Materials Resembling Edibles” “Morale Reducing Elem
Candidates, this is the second in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Judgment Definition Judgment is your ability to think about things clearly, calmly, and in an orderly fas
In follow-up to the example application that Got Accepted to Marine OCS in 2012, we are publishing a letter sent in from a candidate with a strong resume who was unfortunately not selected this time around. My OSO sent in 13 books for 211. Only 1 was accepted, and that was a reserve spot. I was not selected. In case anyone is curious, here are … Continue reading How I Got Rejected to Marine Corps
USMC Push-up Rules Pushups. Starting position is lying on your stomach with hands shoulder width apart, toes on the deck, and elbows, back, and knees straight. On the first and third count, lower the chest to the deck; bend the elbows to at least 90 degrees (1/3). On the second and fourth count, extend the arms back to the starting position (2/4). This exercise conditions the … Continue reading Wh
Candidates, this is the first in a series of leadership posts relating specifically to the Marine Corps Leadership traits–the most basic introduction to the Corps’ philosophies that you will learn about at OCS. Study the leadership traits and other lessons ahead of time on our academics page. Justice Definition Justice is defined as the practice of being fair and consistent. A just person gives co
Our Leadership Philosophy Previously, we discussed our Leadership Philosophy and explained why although 50% of the grade at OCS is Leadership, this blog has remained relatively silent on the topic. If you don’t belong in the Marine officer ranks, OCS should weed you out. Any “help” we could give you to cheat the leadership tests would harm the system, and your future Marines by watering … Continue
Candidates, This site’s original goal was to educate candidates about what to expect at OCS. The goal has slightly shifted from merely describing OCS to publishing content which helps to actively prepare candidates for both OCS and the demands of USMC officer life. Regardless, no information “giving away secrets” about OCS leadership tests has been published. The idea is to ensure nobody shows up
Candidate Question: Hi, I’m a high school junior wanting to know what you did for leadership postitions to prepare for your application and as a future officer. I hold a leadership role in a school club and am joining National Honor Society. I know that I’m a few years away from applying, but that leadership is one of the key things that the selection officer … Continue reading Candidate Q: Develo
The following information is compiled from multiple places on the web, including the official USMC OCS page, and is cleaned up a little with directions added and so forth. If it leaves any question unanswered, please leave a comment on the bottom of the page and we will update! Family Day and Graduation take place on the last two days of training. Family Day gives … Continue reading Marine OCS Fam
From a helpful candidate with a sparkling resume. Friends, this is how you let your resume speak for itself to the board! “I was on the board for October OCC. I was very uneasy about what my results would be since I knew how competitive thing have gotten over the last year or two. I was fortunate to be selected. Here were some of my … Continue reading How I Got Accepted to Marine Corps OCS in 2012
Candidates, there is no sure thing when it comes to applications and the boards right now. We have heard of good candidates with 300 PFTs not getting selected. Work as hard as you can to have an airtight application, and do not hesitate to APPLY EARLY AND OFTEN. One current Second Lieutenant applied several times over a time period of about a year before being … Continue reading Extremely competit
USMC Crunches: PFT Rules MCO P6100.12 MARINE CORPS PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST AND BODY COMPOSITION PROGRAM MANUAL Abdominal Crunch. The goal of the abdominal crunch event is for a Marine to execute as many proper and complete crunches within the prescribed time limit. The procedures are: (1) 2-minute time limit. (2) On a flat surface, Marines will lie flat on their back with shoulder blades touching …
In just 90 seconds, this little mash-up tells you what it takes to become an officer of Marines. Enjoy. Youtube description: Interested in leading the few, the proud? Learn more athttp://www.becominganofficer.com and get ready for USMC OCS athttp://officercandidatesschool.com Yes, this video is an homage to the 2012 Dodge Dart commercial campaign. Beats from “No Church in the Wild” by Kanye West a
Does this sound like you? Before I joined the Marine Corps, I hated running. A whole lot. But I needed that 25 minute three mile to get a lot closer to 18:00! Creating the habit of following a disciplined running program was extremely difficult. I really didn’t know how to efficiently form new habits, or even how habits worked. I wish I had had this … Continue reading Book Review: The Power of Hab
If you’d like to be alerted whenever a new post specifically relating to Female candidates is published, you can read or subscribe via the links below: Subscribe in a reader Read all posts in the category Multiple subscription options Subscribe to OCS Blog » Females Subscribe via email Enter your email address to subscribe only to the Female-specific OCS posts:Delivered by FeedBurner Continu
Did you know that Marine Corps silkies are the best, lightest, most inexpensive, and most beloved underwear+running short in the world? And did you know that the Marine Corps is trying to ban them? Never fear. They are still for sale last I checked on Amazon, and we can only hope that they will never go away! There is currently a quiet revolution among all … Continue reading Marine Corps Silkies
Candidates, please follow the great things former servicemember Dale Wilson is doing at COMMAND PERFORMANCE LEADERSHIP, his wordpress blog. Enjoy this example of his recent work: Last week, Don Gomez, of the blog Carrying the Gun, posted The Junior Officer Reader – two down. The post was a plea to fellow bloggers and readers for titles of books written by junior officers or soldiers about their m
Click the picture for Google driving directions to OCS for Graduation or Check in Officer Candidates School is located on Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico. Quantico is located in Northern Virginia, near Prince William County. It is accessible from Interstate 95 of HWY 1. Quantico is South of Washington D.C. and north of Fredericksburg, Va. There are two exits on both North and Southbound lanes … C
Shin splints are one of the most common problems that athletes experience. Whether you have been walking and jogging daily or you have overexerted yourself on your way to the office, you may feel shin splints at any time. The characteristic signs of shin splints include aching and throbbing in the shins. Although the condition often heals itself, severe cases of shin splints can lead … Continue re
According to a recent Marine Corps Times story, “Record number of OCS candidates booted amid cheating allegations“, twenty-one candidates were kicked out of OCS in one day for Integrity Violations. Ten additional candidates were suspected of benefiting from or having knowledge of cheating, but were allowed to stay and were put on probation. What Happened on LandNav The incident in question occurre
Candidates, we highly recommend you support the good work of this charity which helps our enlisted brothers and sisters and their families. Learn more at www.usmcgrad.org About the Marine Graduation Foundation: The men and women who choose to serve our country as a United States Marine endure more in one day of boot camp than most of us will ever experience in a lifetime and they … Continue readin
Firstly, for all of the supportive families of OCS Candidates and new Second Lieutenants, thank you. It means so much for candidates to receive mail and encouragement while pushing through OCS, and to have family members present when they graduate or commission. To put all the relevant information in one place, we have created a whole new category just for OCS Families. If you have … Continue read
Heavily plagiarized from the Officer Candidates School official OCS Family Orientation Guide The following information will give you an idea of what your loved one is going through while at Officer Candidates School, give you some tips that will help you and your candidate adjust, and list helpful tips that will ease your transition as a family member of a candidate undergoing Marine Officer train
Thanks so much to physical trainer and civilian Marine Manny at 300PFT.com, a wonderful Marine-friendly fitness website for this guest post. Educate yourself at his great website! Muscles aren’t built in gym while exercising. They don’t grow in real time. They’re built in bed while sleeping and recovering. They’re built through the recovery process that your body undergoes when it is healing from
I’ve heard of many candidates who rocketed from less than 5 pullups to a max set of 10-15 using the Armstrong Pullup Program. The improvement came fast and strong at first. Everything was great. And then, staying disciplined, working out, and keeping optimistic…surprise: Plateau “Plateau: [Verb] to stop increasing or improving after a period of development.” You gained one, two, three pullups a we
We are proud to announce a superb resource for all your high schoolers who are considering becoming an officer in the Marine Corps or Navy. USNA or bust is a great source of information on the how, the what, and of course, the why of attending Annapolis. The Naval Academy is a great pipeline to becoming a Marine Officer. Any questions you have about Annapolis can … Continue reading New Partner: US
Semper Fi Parents was the Military Parent Blog Of The Year 2012 winner. For good reason, too. These folks love their Marine and they love the Marine Corps. They would be a great resource for candidates’ families, and some of their (recruit-focused) pre-boot camp advice would nonetheless apply to those attending OCS as well. Check out the great work they’re doing and send the link … Continue readin
Some of you have expressed an interest in example workouts. A Fartlek is a very simple workout to understand, and is a staple of Marine OCS. Fartleks rock because you can completely tailor it to your own body and needs. Maybe this flexibility leads to analysis paralysis for some? Anyways–get your butt off the couch and try this one out! Each workout station is separated … Continue reading Burn som
Candidate Question: Question about boot sizes. How much toe room should one have in the boots? And if there is too much room what happens? A: Brian, have just enough room for a bootsock liner (just use a dress sock) and a thick, cushioned bootsock. If there is more than just a little extra room, your foot will slide forward and back while running and … Continue reading Candidate Q: Boot sizes
We hope you see and enjoy the new look and feel for the site. We are finally escaping the restrictions of wordpress.com and are out on our own wordpress.org-powered website. All the same content and comments are still here, just better organized. Feel free to comment, participate, and share on our new page. Don’t forget to like our new facebook presence as a “page” instead … Continue reading New F
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. A Sailor’s Question: I am currently enlisted in the Navy and have three and a half years left in my contract. My first question … Continue reading A C
Candidate Question: I’m getting ready to have my initial interview in a couple of days and have been working on a list of questions to ask my OSO. I want to stand out as much as possible and come fully prepared, like everyone else I’m sure. Any advice on “must ask” questions or being prepared in general? A: Firstly, are you married or engaged? If … Continue reading Have You Prepared Your OSO Inter
When I started increasing my running mileage in training for OCS, I remember how sore my calves and shins got. Hydration and ballistic stretching helped in my recovery, but the greatest boost to recovery and pain relief was massage. Now, 30 minute sessions can go for $50 in some places, so I was on a mission for a cheap and effective alternative. Solution: Self-Massage Made … Continue reading The
Note–“gouge” is Marine Corps speak for getting the low down on a topic. Check out one candidate’s story which might change the way you think about how the OSO system works. I’m from a certain state west of the Mississippi and am contracting on Thursday for OCC-211. After a recent sitdown with my Captain, he mentioned offhand that my region (three total states) were each … Continue reading OSO Trad
This guest post courtesy of our friends at Marine OCS Guide. I would highly recommend you study all the great information they have up, and of course, send the below to your friends and family! While at Officer Candidates School, receiving mail is often one of the most enjoyable moments of any candidate’s day. However, there are certain thing that should and shouldn’t be done as … Continue reading
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: Do you know how heavily an applicant’s academic history plays into their application? I had a rough start to college, took time …
Candidate Question: I am a female hoping to go to OCC this summer. I was hoping you might have some insight as to why so many more women get dropped than men? I have a competitive PFT score, but, presumably, so did all the women that got dropped from your OCC class. I have been trying to focus a lot on upper body strength since … Continue reading Candidate Q: Female drop rate?
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 readi
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, @MarineOCSBlog! And don’t forget we’re on Facebook as well. Continue reading The OCS blog now on Twitter
Candidates, we are beginning a new 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: How does the transition from OCS to TBS work? Are those that graduate from OCS typically able to enter TBS immediately? … Co
Do you feel like you have so much information about OCS that you don’t want to be any better prepared? Of course not! Check out this real training schedule for OCS in 2008. While this is a few years old, I bet a 1989 OCS schedule would still be nearly identical to one today. Regardless, if you’d like to get into the precise events that … Continue reading Officer Candidates School: Sample Schedule
Candidates, we are beginning a new 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’m in the process of applying for active duty OCC next fall and have been doing monthy PFTs on campus with … Continue readi
So your goal is a 300 PFT, and OCS success on the way to becoming an officer. You know you should be doing a few hundred pullups a week, and get up to that 20 pullup set with confidence–but you’re not. Are you. Mhmm. Well, with an indoor pullup bar, you’ll have no excuse since a set of pullups will be closer than your TV, … Continue reading What’s the Best Piece of Gear for Becoming an Officer?
Set your new Second Lieutenant up for success at The Basic School! Reader and Marine Spouse Jill S had some great ideas for gifts that will definitely come in handy at TBS: I got my husband a JetBoil stove and a Leatherman to use at TBS. My husband also suggested some other practical things to use at TBS. For example: a Kindle or other reading … Continue reading TBS Gift List
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: Could you give an example of a typical crunch/flutterkick workout for this program? Many thanks. A: Certainly. Doing several sets
Candidates, we are beginning a new 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: Do you recommend CrossFit to prepare for Marine Corps OCS? A: Crossfit is a great workout program and might help some … Cont
Candidates, if you need to mix up your cardio circuits or need some ideas for a no-frills bodyweight workout, you will love the 1-2-3 Bodyweight Workout. Since there’s no running or lower body involved, you could combine it with some or else use it on your alternate days. Either way, it requires no gym or weights, so you could do the whole thing at home … Continue reading Pushups, Pullups, Crunche
Fantastic new Marine Corps marketing campaign stays true to our fighting spirit. Check it out! This was filmed on the beaches of Camp Pendleton with Marines from I MEF. Continue reading Awesome new Marine Corps Commercial: Towards the Sound of Chaos
Candidate Allison shares her advice, having completed OCS last year. I just graduated in the summer form OCS as a female. And I left with a fractured foot after graduation. Luckily I was PLC so it didn’t mess with my TBS date and I was thankful that I didn’t have to repeat OCS. The 12-mile hike was what caused a stress fracture. It was extremely … Continue reading Guest Post: Advice for USMC OCS F
This list has been around forever but still is good advice. Although you’ll learn all these at OCS, any mistakes you make along the way to your new knowledge will be painful! It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the following “do’s and dont’s,” but don’t get too bogged down in the specifics of them. You will pick them up quickly once at … Continue reading Do’s and Dont’s of Marine Corps
Candidates, we are beginning a new 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 have a question about the PFT and the CFT. Are the events (like pull-up, 3 mile run and crunches) back … Continue reading
It’s been said that 80% of the Marine Corps is stationed in the Camp Lejeune, NC area, Camp Pendleton, CA area, or on Okinawa, Japan. The largest organization of a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), the Marine Expeditionary Force, is stationed at each one. I MEF in California II MEF, Lejeune, NC area III MEF in Okinawa Basic Structure of the Big Three These … Continue reading Marine Bases
OCS Candidate’s Mom’s Question: Can I mail my son at OCS one or two books regarding Marines? -Candidate mom A: Candidate Mom, Please don’t send him unrequested books at OCS. He won’t be able to read them–candidates are usually so busy they only get 2-4 hours of sleep at night. Really. He will send you a letter with his address when he gets one. I’d … Continue reading Candidate’s Families Q: Send B
The following is from a recently graduated Second Lieutenant. I asked her to share anything about challenges that surprised her at OCS. I hope her point of view will be valuable, both in seeing things from the female perspective and in having such fresh thoughts. My classes started out with 58 females and finished with 28, which is pretty good compared to some classes before … Continue reading Gue
Note: It has recently come to the attention of the blog that the near-mythical Major Armstrong, of the famous Armstrong Pull-up Program, was a real historical figure, and of course, a Marine, as the legend claims. He died this summer in Texas from cancer. His career spanned from 1966 all the way until 1991, and the pull-up record was his at one time. The following … Continue reading RIP Major Char
Candidates and friends, The Marine Corps Times story last week confused many of us and led to many discussions over on the facebook page. I, the blog author, have been in contact with the writer of the story, who helped clear up the issue. See the correspondence below. From the Marine Times writer: This was a confusing story precisely because there is no MARADMIN on … Continue reading The Final Tr
Candidates, there are so many motivators out there who bother me every day with questions like, “What more can I do to prepare for OCS?” that I am debuting a new series of posts. This summer’s posts will give you plenty of ways to use up all your time before OCS to get ready or motivated for your future Marine Corps life. From an applicant: … Continue reading Recommended Motivation: Extra Credit
Henry Talmage “Hammerin’ Hank” Elrod (September 27, 1905–December 23, 1941) was a Marine Corps aviator. He was the first aviator to receive the Medal of Honor during World War II, for his heroism in the defense of Wake Island. The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to CAPTAIN HENRY T. ELROD UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in
Candidates, I am very excited to present a guest post today from the excellent blog, The Art of Manliness. I hope the manly principle of Sacrifice helps you consider what you are willing to dedicate to your pursuit of success as a Marine Corps officer, and inspires you to be thorough and disciplined in your approach. Semper Fi. The Law of Sacrifice Last month, James … Continue reading Guest Post:
Have a great Fourth of July in the greatest country on earth. Freedom isn’t free. Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one. Benjamin Franklin Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom. Albert Einstein Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men … Continue reading Ha
Candidates, there are so many motivators out there who bother me every day with questions like, “What more can I do to prepare for OCS?” that I am debuting a new series of posts. This summer’s posts will give you plenty of ways to use up all your time before OCS to get ready or motivated for your future Marine Corps life. The Commandant’s Professional … Continue reading Recommended Motivation: Are
This guest blog post by http://300pft.com. If you’re struggling with the PFT, get their 300 PFT guide. “No equipment, no fees, no excuses!” Anyone who has ever attempted to complete the Marine Corps PFT will tell you that it is no easy task. Completing the test is challenging enough by itself, let alone attempting to earn a perfect 300 PFT score. To earn a perfect score, … Continue reading Guest P
In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with … Continue reading Memorial Day: Take a Moment
Every new Marine Corps officer makes this oath. Just like you will someday. Enjoy the motivation: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; … Continue r
A candidate asked me the following question. Since it’s an important question, I’m making a post out of it to have higher visibility for everyone to see where I”m coming from Candidate Jessica’s Question: Hi! I am shipping out on May 20th! I am very excited but super nervous! I am not worried about the academics or physical training, as I am in very good … Continue reading The Ultimate OCS Mental
“Help! How can I beat the tough odds at OCS for females? If you’ve wondered that, than your not alone. In my graduating class, less than 20% of females were remaining. Most of these went immediately to a delay at TBS due to injury. Scary figures, right? If you are intimidated or discouraged by these facts, STOP! The odds are tough but just let that … Continue reading Top Fears for Females–Conquere
The female candidates who read this blog will hopefully forgive me for my lack of knowledge concerning the female-specific aspects of OCS. What can I say? I’m a male. We didn’t even have a female platoon in our company. But one of the things I can straighten out is that all pull-ups in my PFT discussions now apply to males and females. Women now do … Continue reading Female Physical Fitness Test
Before each PT workout begins, the “form for PT” chaos must go down. The platoons must form themselves in perfect ranks to do robotically operated stretches to yelled commands with proper shouted responses. No infractions are allowed–for example, wearing a watch to PT, bringing a pen in your pocket, or not being loud enough. For most all of OCS, if everything operates perfectly smoothly, somehow …
With all the humps (forced marches) at OCS, and running in boots, and in wet conditions, my feet never looked worse than as a candidate. Here is my back and forth with an applicant who is getting a pre-OCS practice hump scheduled right after he overdid it in his boots: How can I heal a blister overnight? I am going on a mandatory hike tomorrow … Continue reading What You Need to Know When a Bliste
How do I get faster in my running for my Marine Corps PFT? I am an OCS Applicant. I did a PFT Saturday which did not go well. I did 20 Pull Ups, 99 Crunches (I can hit all 100 easily, but not sure what happened) and I ran a 23:39 3 Mile (cut off for OCS candidates is 23:59). A score 265. Captain said … Continue reading PFT: Run. Your Most Pressing Questions, Answers
Enjoy. Now go PT. Continue reading Motivating new Marine Corps commercial
Fartlek is a word that translates into “speed play”. The basic concept of this system is to train the body using different intervals of rest and speed. Normal Fartlek sessions tend to consist of about 3 to 4 miles, running about ¼ mile or more then resting before doing it again. The course you are going to familiarize yourself with at OCS is a twisted … Continue reading Great Pre-OCS Workout: F
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 Ne
I am simply revisiting a correspondence with a young OCS graduate, nearing his TBS ship date, with several questions and answers about TBS. TBS Questions Gearing up to head to TBS here in October, and had a few questions I was hoping you could answer: 1-Should I bring my desktop or just a laptop? Read as… how much space is in the barracks? 2-What’s liberty … Continue reading The Basic School (TBS)
“What should I get a graduating or commissioning candidate?” is a question asked by many family members unfamiliar with the Corps. The following were my favorite gifts when I graduated OCS and commissioned (on the same day). If you have a new Second Lieutenant en route to The Basic School, check out our TBS gift guide. 2nd Lieutenant Challenge Coin This coin pays tribute to … Continue reading The
This is a great stretching workout I do all the time. It hits your entire body, and is adapted from the famous P90X Stretch-X DVD workout program. Stretching is key in injury prevention, so don’t miss this component of your pre-OCS workouts! Neck Stretch Reach one arm behind body, grab wrist of that arm with other hand and pull while tilting your head in opposite … Continue reading Stretching Pr
This is a great stretching workout I do all the time. It hits your entire body, and is adapted from the famous P90X Stretch-X DVD workout program. Stretching is key in injury prevention, so don’t miss this component of your pre-OCS workouts! Neck Stretch Reach one arm behind body, grab wrist of that arm with other hand and pull while tilting your head in opposite … Continue reading Stretching Pr
Although much of the time at OCS is spent in classroom time, and academics are 25% of candidates’ final grades, tests are probably one of the easiest challenges to overcome at OCS. Academic failures do send some candidates home, but in my experience leadership and physical fitness send more. Academics takes a very routine process at OCS, not unlike in the rest of the Marine … Continue reading How
Once you can do between 10 and 20 deadhangs, do this work out! An important piece of equipment that you might want to buy, if your gym doesn’t have one, is a dip belt. It looks like a weight-lifting belt with a long chain attached to it. Set #1 – Do 5 slow warm-up pull-ups! Take a short rest, 1-2 minutes! Set #2 – Using the dip-belt add … Continue reading A Simple Pull Up Program To Get Over 20
To do a correct Marine Corps crunch, lay on your back with your feet flat on the deck, and your butt close to your heels. Your arms should be crossed on your chest or your stomach. They cannot come off of your chest/stomach during the PFT. To do a correct crunch, raise your upper body off of the deck until your forearms touch your thighs. Go back down … Continue reading Quick N Easy PFT Crunche
Do you know how to climb a rope? If not, you will have to learn in a high-stress environment while dog-tired, with DIs yelling at you the whole time at OCS. Learning how to climb a rope before OCS will help you on the obstacle courses, and help mentally prepare you for the training. You can see a Marine demonstrate great form here: Rope Climbing … Continue reading OCS Rope Climbing
I don’t remember where I got this, but a friend emailed me this great list. I hope it helps you out! It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the following “do’s and dont’s,” but don’t get too bogged down in the specifics of them. You will pick them up quickly once at OCS. The important thing is to get in the mindset of … Continue reading Do’s and Dont’s of USMC OCS
How are you doing in preparation for the PFT? This site has a great, simple calculator to give you a PFT score: USMC.PFTcalculator.com. I know it helped motivate me to work out to see how much one extra pullup or a few seconds off my run would help my score. Set some goals to help you work out! It also includes a link to the … Continue reading PFT Calculator
This is a popular training program for the crunches part of the PFT. While it is a good program to help you get to and past 100 crunches, remember that it crunches are a one-dimensional component of fitness and are not a substitute for a full core workout. OCS is much more than just the PFT. Day 1 Do three maximum effort sets. Rest 60-90 seconds between each set. As … Continue reading Killer Crunc
Courtesy of Armstrong Pullup Program.com: I received this awesome workout from my recruiter. Many of the former candidates, current officers, I know use this, so hopefully some of you will see success with it. I know it’s a long read, but well worth it. Enjoy. First…do you have a pullup bar? If you want to succeed at OCS–get yourself that piece of gear! If your … Continue reading Armstrong Pull Up
I just made a great find on OCS academics. These are real scans of chapters out of the 2009 (I think) Student outlines book, which you will call your “Knowledge” while at OCS. This is the real curriculum. If you are a motivator and want a leg up, having this stuff memorized would put you at a HUGE advantage when you get there. I remember … Continue reading Academics vs Sleep: The Math