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The Bottom Line: Reasonable Boots for Every Occasion Bates are generally the least expensive of the small number of officially approved USMC boots. Anecdotally, they seem to be the most widely-worn brand in the fleet. There are several different models, so don’t get confused: Bates E30501 Men’s USMC DuraShocks Hot Weather Boot This is the temperate or hot weather boot offering by Bates. Hot weather boots of … Continue reading USMC Boot Review: Bates Boots
A short primer 2009–Yes Bates Lights were used and were “kosher” for any and all events when I attended OCS. They were especially useful for the E-Course, but were disallowed or discouraged on the O-Course since they have terrible traction on the rope. 2011–Banned? Bates Lights were disallowed from OCS totally, according to multiple sources. “I am going to OCS on May 27 this year. … Continue reading Bates Lights boots at OCS
Blisters, hotspots, fatigue and pain affect most candidates’s feet at OCS due to the incredible amount of stress and limited recovery time afforded, on top of breaking in new boots in often-wet environments. Don’t forget–wet is the enemy! We surveyed successful candidates on their top tips for foot care at OCS, and curated the top ten suggestions we heard again and again. Get yourself some … Continue reading The Ten Commandments of Foot Care at OCS
How can you prevent injuries and stay out of medical while at OCS? One of the many questions that you might have before stepping onto Brown Field is in regards to injury prevention and staying out of medical during your time at OCS. My name is 2ndLt Aegerter and I graduated from OCS in the summer of 2019. In addition to going through OCS myself, … Continue reading How to Train Before OCS to Minimize Your Injury Risk
Captain Charles J. Baumann was a Warfighting Instructor at The Basic School from July 2017 to July 2020 and has a diverse arrangement of experience. While at TBS, Captain Baumann was the Motor Transport Platoon Commander, a Staff Platoon Commander for India Company 1-19, a Staff Platoon Commander for Fox Company 6-19, and the Primary Instructor for the Convoy Operations Package of The Basic School. … Continue reading TBS Q&A from a Marine Captain Instructor
Sticky post
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
Thank you to Candidate Chris for this guest post! Here are somethings I wish I knew before leaving to OCS that you would only find out during your wonderful stay in paradise. Weather Conditions I was in a fall OCC class and I kept hearing that was the best time to go because it isn’t too cold or too hot and well, it is actually … Continue reading Top Things I Wish I Knew Before OCS
We’ve been getting great questions about OCS through our email campaign. We will share some of the best ones, updated with information for 2018 on the blog. Marine hikes are often one of the most challenging PT events for candidates. Question Hello, Skipper. I was OCC-99 (1976). My son has been selected for his 1st summer PLC this coming May 2018. I was going to … Continue reading Hikes At PLC Juniors
Thanks to 2ndLt for answering our questions on OCS in the fall. Read Part 1 of his article. Q: Retrospectively, how should candidates prepare for OCS? Understand that at OCS you will almost never be given a long distance and told to just run. You will have a 3-mile boots and utes run, and  5-mile run towards the end of the cycle, along with three PFTs. … Continue reading Headed To Fall OCS? Part 2
We recently interviewed a new graduate of fall OCSÂ in 2017. Thanks to Candidate X for their insight into the new changes implemented with fall OCS. Q: How did you study for the new test structure? Speaking in general terms about my study habits, I made sure to put in as much time as possible studying before I set foot on Brown Field, and I would … Continue reading Headed to Fall OCS? Here is Everything You Need to Know
