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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
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
Fact: OCS Is Different from TBS PT is less running, more packing Order writing matters Flexibility in the field, “Be Prepared To Change” Academics are memorization, broad and different on each exam Be efficient with your time; get uniforms before you need them, study, prep gear, etc. So you’re heading to The Basic School. Congratulations, TBS is the next big step in your career as … Continue reading How TBS Differs From OCS
Tactical Strength and Conditioning (TSAC) Conference The National Strength and Conditioning organization’s TSAC Program is an educational program designed specifically to optimize mission/job performance for tactical athletes and tactical facilitators. Dr. William Kraemer, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA, and Tunde Szivak, MA, presented at the 2013 TSAC Conference on the integration of women into the world of modern war fighting, and discussed their physiology and social/psychology. Click for … Continue reading Female Tactical Fitness Lecture: “Integration of Women into the World of Modern Warfighter”
Her Question: Hello I am a college junior and am considering Marine PLC, however, I know that getting acceptance into OCS is extremely difficult for females. What are things that I can do to increase my chances in addition to physical fitness? What other factors would help my application? A: Get leadership on your resume. If you don’t have leadership experience, get some! Join some … Continue reading Female Candidate Q: How to Increase Chances of Acceptance?
Candidate Question: I am a female hoping to go to OCC this summer. I was hoping you might have some insight as to why so many more women get dropped than men? I have a competitive PFT score, but, presumably, so did all the women that got dropped from your OCC class. I have been trying to focus a lot on upper body strength since … Continue reading Candidate Q: Female drop rate?
Candidate Allison shares her advice, having completed OCS last year. I just graduated in the summer form OCS as a female. And I left with a fractured foot after graduation. Luckily I was PLC so it didn’t mess with my TBS date and I was thankful that I didn’t have to repeat OCS. The 12-mile hike was what caused a stress fracture. It was extremely … Continue reading Guest Post: Advice for USMC OCS Female Candidates
If you’ve wondered that, then you’re not alone. In my graduating class, less than 20% of females were remaining. Most of these went immediately to a delay at TBS due to injury. Scary figures, right?
If you are intimidated or discouraged by these facts, STOP! The odds are tough but just let that be motivation. The 1 female in 5 who graduated with us was probably the best prepared and most dedicated. Just determine to be that one and you will become an officer in the Marines. Do not let doubt creep into your mind. You can be the best prepared, and you can do it. Thousands have before you.
I will use this post to answer questions that females have asked before. Â I did not have females in my company, but the “neighboring” company did, and obviously I’ve had plenty of female friends successfully complete OCS. I will only answer questions that I think I can do justice to.
A: Overall, it’s no different from my advice for men. Know the most knowledge you can, memorizing all the general orders perfectly and studying all the pubs I have on the site. Study! Work out hard! If you can keep up with the sample workout on this site, you will be in good shape. Get all the sleep you can before OCS. You’ll lose a ton there.
A: I recommend working on upper body and core especially, as your loads will be similar to the heavy loads carried by the males. Working in heavy squats and lunges will help develop core and lower body strength ahead of time. I said heavy, no 5 lb Jillian Michaels dumbbells here. For running, aim for 15% increase in mileage per week. If you develop shin splints, run on a softer surface, ease back a little, and do stretching and mobility work. Try foam rollers
