Know Your Most-Recommended USMC OCS Boot Socks: Fox River vs Thorlo

Blisters are caused by heat, moisture, and friction. Foot care and boot sock choice are important factors in preventing issues with your feet. Taking the extra time to care for your feet is worth losing sleep or gaining the attention of the Sergeant Instructors. Two sock brands that are common at OCS are Thorlos and Fox River. Personally, the Fox River socks are my go-to … Continue reading Know Your Most-Recommended USMC OCS Boot Socks: Fox River vs Thorlo

Specific OCS Physical Fitness Goals for the Overachiever

Candidate Question I’m looking for specific goals to train for OCS. Not the minimum benchmarks  or averages, but high goals which would prepare me fully for the physical challenges at OCS. Specifically things like How many pull-ups should I be able to do to excel and not worry? Push-ups? Planks? Run 3 miles? 1 mile? CFT score? Bench? Curl? And any other areas you feel … Continue reading Specific OCS Physical Fitness Goals for the Overachiever

Guest Post: Tall and Skinny Candidates at OCS

Thanks to Candidate Tanner for sharing his perspective! A question I’ve asked and addressed several times is the idea of how different of an OCS experience will I have as a tall, skinny candidate.  I am just shy of 6’2” and weigh 145 pounds soaking wet, and I graduated PLC Juniors this past summer, with Seniors approaching this summer, so that’s the perspective I am … Continue reading Guest Post: Tall and Skinny Candidates at OCS

Guest Post: The Tragic Result of Using New(er) Boots During Week-Long Patrols at TBS

Patrol FEX Your Patrol FEX (field exercise) will most likely consist of four 4-6 hour long patrols through dense brush and vegetation with a full combat load.  So it’s a lot of walking.  I am normally extremely careful with my feet–even to the point of regularly applying preventative moleskin before strenuous physical events to avoid the creation of hot spots or blisters. Here, I put on that … Continue reading Guest Post: The Tragic Result of Using New(er) Boots During Week-Long Patrols at TBS

Candidate Q: Lower Back Strain?

Candidate Question: I am considering entering OCS in the summer of 2012, and my biggest question/concern is this. How much strain gets put on your lower back during OCS? I have experienced some slight muscle soreness more often in my lower back over the years, and I’m just concerned that it might be an issue. I really want to get through OCS but also I … Continue reading Candidate Q: Lower Back Strain?

Nine Tips for Marine Corps Humps

In Marine speak a hike is known as a “hump,” and to carry a soldier’s load on your back while hiking is known as “humping” whatever gear it is. At OCS and also TBS, conditioning hikes are used as PT and boy do can they get rough! The longest will be in the neighborhood of 12-15 miles. Your packs could be 60-80 pounds and the … Continue reading Nine Tips for Marine Corps Humps