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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
“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