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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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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, 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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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.
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
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
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