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Changing weapons systems isn’t something that happens every day in the Marines. The last time it happened, Ronald Reagan was in the White House, and New Coke and Nintendo were just being introduced in America. But starting in late 2020, Marines started moving away from the Beretta semi-automatic M9 pistol to the Sig Sauer’s M18 Modular Handgun System. The new weapon will replace every pistol … Continue reading Leathernecks’ New Hardware
The Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test, or PFT The Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test, or PFT, evaluates stamina and physical conditioning. It includes 3 parts: pull-ups or push-ups, crunches or plank pose, and a 3-mile timed run. Pull-ups and push-ups are essential to building the upper body strength necessary to win battles. Crunches and planks are critical to maintaining a strong core and being battle-ready … Continue reading 3 Tips to be stronger for OCS
JJ DID TIE BUCKLE is the nonsensical ditty you’ll remember for decades. The Marine Corps Leadership traits are perhaps the essential concepts Marines learn during recruit or OCS training. And with most Marines, terms are easily remembered using acronyms. JJDIDTIEBUCKLE (pronounced “JJ did tie buckle”), representing justice, judgment, dependability, integrity, decisiveness, tact, initiative, endurance, bearing, unselfishness, courage, knowledge, loyalty, and enthusiasm. JJ DID TIE BUCKLE is an … Continue reading What is JJ DID TIE BUCKLE?
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
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
Candidates, this is my recommended pre-OCS workout. I would do you a disservice if I only laid out a formula to follow. Instead, I’m going to show the process I worked through to generate this plan, so that you can copy the process and get a personalized workout for yourself. First: Rank Your Goals First, I ranked my workout goals: OCS-specific type activities Run for … Continue reading The Ultimate OCS Preparation Workout
Courtesy of Armstrong Pullup Program.com:
I received this awesome workout from my recruiter. Many of the former candidates, current officers, I know use this, so hopefully some of you will see success with it. I know it’s a long read, but well worth it. Enjoy.
First…do you have a pullup bar? If you want to succeed at OCS–get yourself that piece of gear! If your pullups have plateaued, try the Advanced workout here.
This program was used by Major Charles Lewis Armstrong, USMC to prepare himself to attempt to set a world record in number of pull-ups completed in a single exercise session. The program provides the necessities for successful physical improvement namely, VARIETY, OVERLOAD, and REGULARITY. Users have achieved remarkable results in only 6 to 8 weeks. This means that most, if not all, have been able to meet the performance level they have set out to achieve, a single set of twenty repetitions. Armstrong Pull Up ProgramIt can not be overemphasized that his program depends upon regularity. Daily performance of the exercises listed in the following paragraphs holds the true key to reaching and to maintaining the twenty repetition level.
