Category: General OCS Advice

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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?

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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

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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

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General OCS Advice

66 Reasons NOT to go to OCS

We asked our fans who had passed OCS to share their advice with the above prompt. We shared “Don’t go to OCS if…” and got the following responses (and more!) Clear themes that emerged emphasized the importance of humbly being able to receive criticism, coming with commitment and mental toughness, not being a quitter, and most heavily emphasized: don’t be selfish and expect to succeed … Continue reading 66 Reasons NOT to go to OCS

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General OCS Advice

Six Tips for Short or Thin Officer Candidates at OCS

This one goes out to all the normal-sized (or smaller) human beings approaching the challenge of OCS You belong. Don’t think every candidate there will be 6’2” 180 lbs. This can create a “I will not belong there” or a “I’m not going to do well there” mindset, which can be very hard to get out of for a short candidate. Eat to compete Eat … Continue reading Six Tips for Short or Thin Officer Candidates at OCS

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General OCS Advice

Covid Quarantine at 2020 OCS

What are the 14 days of quarantine at OCS in 2020 like? 8/17 update: candidates are going to do their induction PFT during the first week of ROM, so be prepared to max your PFT any day upon arriving at OCS! Also, we polled our readers, and here are the top answers: “The 2 weeks of quarantine is extremely uneventful: In the first 3 days … Continue reading Covid Quarantine at 2020 OCS

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General OCS Advice

The Trouble Is, You Think You Have Time.

Officer Candidates School in the Time of COVID-19 Thanks to SSgt Seitz for this guest post. SSgt Seitz is a Officer Selection Assistant from Officer Selection Team Denver As an Officer Selection Assistant, it is my job to guide an individual through the application, selection, and preparation process. I can inform, remind, prompt, encourage, and assist in that process, but I cannot do it for … Continue reading The Trouble Is, You Think You Have Time.

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Gear Reviews, General OCS Advice

The Top 10 Items Every Candidate Should Bring To OCS

1.) Broken-in boots Lightweight and comfy combat boots to wear on the everyday. Not your O-course/endurance/stamina course boots. Not your inspection boots. Just good, comfortable, broken in boots (Bates Lites are a common choice). You should be able to walk, run, and drill in these, as you will wear them for a majority of your time during OCS. Make sure they are a bit roomy, … Continue reading The Top 10 Items Every Candidate Should Bring To OCS

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General OCS Advice

Guest Post: Lessons Learned from OCS

“lights, lights, lights… lights, lights, lights” …  These words will be the first words you hear every morning for the next ten weeks while you attempt to complete the grueling OCS training. There is plenty to be said about OCS, but for the purpose of this article, I will be talking about the time you spend in the squad bay and some of the elements … Continue reading Guest Post: Lessons Learned from OCS

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General OCS Advice, Leadership

Battles Won Academy

Thanks to SSgt Seitz for this guest post about the Battles Won Academy. SSgt Seitz is a Officer Selection Assistant from Officer Selection Team Denver One of the best things about the Marine Corps is the endless opportunities for personal and professional development. The Marine Corps has three missions  to make Marines, to win battles, and to return quality citizens to American society. Most of the … Continue reading Battles Won Academy

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