Tag: commissioning

General OCS Advice

Your Marine Officer (2nd Lt) Uniform Regulations in Plain English

Thank you to Jack and co at FexGear.com for building this detailed guide to the Marine Corps officer uniform regulations for Lieutenants far and wide. Service Alpha Uniform: The Green Ones See the official Marine Corps Uniform Regulations here, MCO P1020.34G W CH 1-5. At present, this guide covers only the Service “A”, aka “alpha” uniform setup for newly-commissioned Marine Corps officers. See a tutorial on setup for the … Continue reading Your Marine Officer (2nd Lt) Uniform Regulations in Plain English

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General OCS Advice

My Journey from Civilian to Marine Officer, Part II: OCS

Thank you to Lieutenant Schmuckatelli, a new Infantry Officer, who is sharing his journey through OCS and TBS with us. My OCS: Officer Candidates Course 221 In November of 2015 I learned I would be picking up with OCC 221 in January 2016. Ten years after first stepping into a recruiting station, I had earned my place in order to attempt to earn my place. Now … Continue reading My Journey from Civilian to Marine Officer, Part II: OCS

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Families

Should I Bring Kids to Family Day?

Spouse’s Question We have young kids (3 under the age of 4) and live across the country. Should I plan to bring them to Family Day and the Graduation ceremony, or just go out for it myself? -Sam Our Thoughts Hi Sam, After the insanity of OCS, the first thing your candidate will want is time with family and loved ones (coupled with many hours … Continue reading Should I Bring Kids to Family Day?

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Q&A

Candidate Q: Commissioning Timing After PLC and OCC

Candidate Question I am very new to the website and so far it looks pretty good to me. I was sent here from futurejarheads about my path to become an officer in the Marines and I am kind of confused about the commissioning part of becoming an officer. I read you can either do PLC or OCC. Do you get commissioned to 2nd Lt after … Continue reading Candidate Q: Commissioning Timing After PLC and OCC

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General OCS Advice, Leadership

Why You Will Leave the Marine Corps (After One Tour)

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 … Continue reading Why You Will Leave the Marine Corps (After One Tour)

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General OCS Advice

The Oath of Office

Every new Marine Corps officer makes this oath. Just like you will someday. Enjoy the motivation: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; … Continue reading The Oath of Office

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Second Lt Challenge Coin
Families, General OCS Advice

The 2018 OCS Graduation and Commissioning Gift Guide

“What should I get a graduating or commissioning candidate?” is a question asked by many family members unfamiliar with the Corps. The following were my favorite gifts when I graduated OCS and commissioned (on the same day). If you have a new Second Lieutenant en route to The Basic School, check out our TBS gift guide. 2nd Lieutenant Challenge Coin This coin pays tribute to … Continue reading The 2018 OCS Graduation and Commissioning Gift Guide

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