Category: Leadership

law students at Marine OCS
JAG Candidates, Leadership

The Importance Of Mindset At OCS: Law Students At Marine OCS

Thanks to 2ndLt R for his insight and candid advice on mindset, physical preparation and law students at Marine OCS. Law students at Marine OCS have a unique set of experiences that distinguish them from the average candidate. Adaptability is key. Marine Corps Officer Candidates School is a microcosm of life as a Marine and lawyer. OCS works to simulate life as a Marine by amplifying … Continue reading The Importance Of Mindset At OCS: Law Students At Marine OCS

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Become an officer
Enlisted to Officer, Leadership

How Do I Know If I Can Lead Marines?

Q: I’m a sophomore in high school. My number one concern is whether or not I’m officer material and can lead Marines. I don’t know if I can hold up to the leadership standards the Marines require. A: That’s a big question. Since you are starting this process so early, I would say the answer to that question is entirely up to you. If you want to … Continue reading How Do I Know If I Can Lead Marines?

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Leadership

Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy: A High School Leadership Opportunity

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 academy? The Marine Corps Summer Leadership and Character … Continue reading Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy: A High School Leadership Opportunity

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Leadership

Rethink Your Leadership Experience

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 was an … Continue reading Rethink Your Leadership Experience

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General OCS Advice, Leadership

This Will Make You Rethink Marine Commissioning Routes

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 Marine Commissioning Routes

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General OCS Advice, Leadership

NROTC To OCS

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’s who are … Continue reading NROTC To OCS

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Leadership

What Lieutenants (and Everybody) Should Know About a Sergeant Major’s Role

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 20 influential leaders from … Continue reading What Lieutenants (and Everybody) Should Know About a Sergeant Major’s Role

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Marine Officer Candidate
General OCS Advice, Leadership

Candidate Hindsight is 20/10

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 … Continue reading Candidate Hindsight is 20/10

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Females, Leadership

Straight Talk from a Successful Female Marine Candidate

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

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Marine OSO
Females, Leadership

Marine OSO Q&A: Gateway to Marine Officer Candidates School

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

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