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The female attrition rate at OCS is higher than the males. Let me just lay that out there to start. In addition, PLC Law candidates are a very small number. My platoon started with 68 candidates, we graduated 36, and we had a higher success rate than normal. Of the 68 in my platoon, 5 of us were PLC Law and 3 of us made … Continue reading How I Succeeded at OCS as a Female JAG Candidate
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 Women in the Marine Corps
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 a Successful Female Marine Candidate
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 Judge Advocate: Succeeding at OCS
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 Naval Academy in 2011. I … Continue reading Marine OSO Q&A: Gateway to Marine Officer Candidates School
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 Skinny Candidates At OCS
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 and Hygiene
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 reading Ask an OSO Video
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 Question: Obstacle Course
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 Sheet to See if You’re Physically Ready for OCS
