PPPA (Push, Pull, Press, Abs) Home Gym Alternative

This is a recommended modification for a female friend just looking to lose some weight for her wedding by using Marine Corps-style PT. Get some! Instead of PPPA, do a circuit of sets of pushups, crunches, overhead presses, and lastly pullups or curls. So try doing 10 (girl) pushups, 30 seconds rest, 20 crunches, rest, 10 overhead presses, and finishing with pullups or curls, just some … Continue reading PPPA (Push, Pull, Press, Abs) Home Gym Alternative

Candidate Q: How do I learn the basics before OCS?

Candidates, we are running a series of small posts which answer specific candidate’s questions. Feel free to submit questions as blog comments. If the information could help others, the question may be answered as a blog post under the Q&A category. Candidate Question: I am a recent graduate from college and have been feverishly training (physically) for OCS for about a year now. I’ve done … Continue reading Candidate Q: How do I learn the basics before OCS?

The Ultimate OCS Preparation Workout

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

Candidate Q: USMC OCS Classroom Time

Candidates, we are running a series of small posts which answer specific candidate’s questions. Feel free to submit questions as blog comments. If the information could help others, the question may be answered as a blog post under the Q&A category. Candidate Question: What is the class time to ‘work’ time ratio? Will you spend most of your time in the classroom or doing physical … Continue reading Candidate Q: USMC OCS Classroom Time

Pre-OCS Workout for the Busy

Candidate, er, future Chaplain, Question: I was wondering if you would be willing to assist me in tailoring your OCS prep workout to my schedule. I am currently a seminarian studying to become a priest. My goal is to be ordained and then join the Navy so that I may be placed as a chaplain with the Marines … I figure if I am going … Continue reading Pre-OCS Workout for the Busy

Trying To Lose 50 Pounds In A Year For Marine Corps OCS

Candidate Q: I’m leaving next summer to go to OCS. The only issue I have is my weight. I’m 5’10″ 235. I have to be at 192 to ship out. I also need to get my PFT up. My 3 mile is 27:45.  Obviously if I lost the weight I would be able to do this with greater ease. I just don’t know how to … Continue reading Trying To Lose 50 Pounds In A Year For Marine Corps OCS

Candidate Q: Developing Leadership Skills from High School to College?

Candidate Question: Hi, I’m a high school junior wanting to know what you did for leadership postitions to prepare for your application and as a future officer. I hold a leadership role in a school club and am joining National Honor Society. I know that I’m a few years away from applying, but that leadership is one of the key things that the selection officer … Continue reading Candidate Q: Developing Leadership Skills from High School to College?

Extremely competitive applications for OCS…rejected

Candidates, there is no sure thing when it comes to applications and the boards right now. We have heard of good candidates with 300 PFTs not getting selected. Work as hard as you can to have an airtight application, and do not hesitate to APPLY EARLY AND OFTEN. One current Second Lieutenant applied several times over a time period of about a year before being … Continue reading Extremely competitive applications for OCS…rejected

Burn some fat! Try this example no-gym Fartlek workout

Some of you have expressed an interest in example workouts. A Fartlek is a very simple workout to understand, and is a staple of Marine OCS. Fartleks rock because you can completely tailor it to your own body and needs. Maybe this flexibility leads to analysis paralysis for some? Anyways–get your butt off the couch and try this one out! Each workout station is separated … Continue reading Burn some fat! Try this example no-gym Fartlek workout

A Candidate’s Question: Prior Navy to OCS?

Candidates, we are running a series of small posts which answer specific candidate’s questions. Feel free to submit questions as blog comments. If the information could help others, the question may be answered as a blog post under the Q&A category. A Sailor’s Question: I am currently enlisted in the Navy and have three and a half years left in my contract. My first question … Continue reading A Candidate’s Question: Prior Navy to OCS?