Category: General OCS Advice

General OCS Advice

1st Annual Holiday Pull-up Challenge

The pull-up challenge begins at midnight Thanksgiving and ends December 8th, with the winners announced December 10th.  All proceeds go to the non-profit, Irreverent Warriors. The MISSION of Irreverent Warriors is to bring veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and prevent veteran suicide. How the challenge works: we have two categories, individual (Female/Male) and 3-member teams (F/M). The requirements are pretty simple – do the most … Continue reading 1st Annual Holiday Pull-up Challenge

Marine OCS BlogLeave a comment
General OCS Advice

Happy 246th Birthday U.S. Marine Corps

On 10 November 1970, Commandant Chapman challenged all Marines, active and inactive, young and old, deployed or recently returned from combat, “not to look back, but instead, to look to the future.” He insisted that we celebrate our anniversary, “not as an end of almost two centuries of dedicated service, but as preparation for new service, new dedication, and new achievement.” Those sage words resonate … Continue reading Happy 246th Birthday U.S. Marine Corps

Marine OCS BlogLeave a comment
Featured, General OCS Advice, Leadership

USMC Leadership Principles

Robert B. Neller, General, USMC Commandant of the Marine Corps, recently published the Commander’s Leadership Handbook, a general guide written for commanders and prospective commanders of the rank of Captain through Colonel. Regardless of your rank or waiting to ship to OCS, you must download the handbook (see below) and be prepared. The key to successful advancement is to be ready for the opportunity. There … Continue reading USMC Leadership Principles

Marine OCS BlogLeave a comment
General OCS Advice

Leathernecks’ New Hardware

Changing weapons systems isn’t something that happens every day in the Marines. The last time it happened, Ronald Reagan was in the White House, and New Coke and Nintendo were just being introduced in America. But starting in late 2020, Marines started moving away from the Beretta semi-automatic M9 pistol to the Sig Sauer’s M18 Modular Handgun System. The new weapon will replace every pistol … Continue reading Leathernecks’ New Hardware

Officer Candidates School BlogLeave a comment
Families, General OCS Advice

Top Financial Tips for New Military Families

Serving in the military, both enlisted and as an officer, can be overwhelming, especially financially. The military brings new opportunities, as well as challenges. From transitioning from base to base, long deployments, and the general demands of serving. Although there may be a lot on your mind, one thing to consider early on is your financial plan, including savings, investments, education, insurance, and other benefits … Continue reading Top Financial Tips for New Military Families

Officer Candidates School BlogLeave a comment
General OCS Advice

Q&A with a Winter OCS Candidate

Thank you to Candidate Z for answer questions readers submitted! Got another question? Message our instagram: @marineocsblog I went through OCC-227 from January-March of 2018. It was cold when we checked in and it was cold when we graduated. There’s no escaping the cold. Just keep moving. Unless you’re in formation…Then, just find a way to take your mind off the cold. Are we required … Continue reading Q&A with a Winter OCS Candidate

Officer Candidates School BlogLeave a comment
covid ocs haircut
General OCS Advice

My experience with COVID OCS – OCC 235

Thank you to OCC 235 Graduate X for sharing an update on what to expect during the times of Covid Obviously COVID has affected nearly every facet of life for every organization globally. This includes the Marine Corps. But here’s some free motivation for you soon to be candidates and newly minted Marine Officers: The Marine Corps adapts, thus it’s still making Marines and leaders … Continue reading My experience with COVID OCS – OCC 235

Officer Candidates School BlogLeave a comment
usmc leadership jj did tie buckle
Featured, General OCS Advice, Leadership

What is JJ DID TIE BUCKLE?

JJ DID TIE BUCKLE is the nonsensical ditty you’ll remember for decades. The Marine Corps Leadership traits are perhaps the essential concepts Marines learn during recruit or OCS training. And with most Marines, terms are easily remembered using acronyms. JJDIDTIEBUCKLE (pronounced “JJ did tie buckle”), representing justice, judgment, dependability, integrity, decisiveness, tact, initiative, endurance, bearing, unselfishness, courage, knowledge, loyalty, and enthusiasm. JJ DID TIE BUCKLE is an … Continue reading What is JJ DID TIE BUCKLE?

Officer Candidates School BlogLeave a comment
General OCS Advice

The Reason of OCS

Thank you to a recent candidate who shared his advice after attending OCS this past summer, 2020. Finding the Why at OCS Makes it Bearable Everything at OCS has a purpose, from the discipline to PT to how you eat chow. Find the “why” (IOT) in everything and OCS goes from a drag to really meaningful quickly. My Experience It was like the end of … Continue reading The Reason of OCS

Officer Candidates School BlogLeave a comment
Commissioning with dual citizenship
General OCS Advice

How to Contract for OCS

Obviously, talk to an Officer Selection Officer (OSO), or officer recruiter, if it’s something you’re interested in. (Contact an OSO through the official site: http://officer.marines.com/ ) Come in with an idea of what you want to do/achieve, show that you have already thought about it and that you’re motivated. Cultivate a good relationship with your OSO as this can help you get contracted. There are … Continue reading How to Contract for OCS

Officer Candidates School BlogLeave a comment