Why Candidates Must Show Leadership in Their Physical Fitness

Thank you to SSgt Seitz from OST Denver for this motivating guest post! In the Denver area and curious about opportunities with the US Marine Corps? Reach out to the team to learn more! Why is so much emphasis placed on physical fitness in the Marine Corps? If leadership is 50% of your grade at OCS, why should it matter if you can run 3 … Continue reading Why Candidates Must Show Leadership in Their Physical Fitness

Test Your Physical Fitness With This PFT Benchmark Workout

Thanks to Candidate X who graduated in the summer of 2016 for this benchmark PFT workout. “There was a MARSOC Captain I met after graduating OCS and he took my OSS through, what he called, a good Benchmark PFT. I would have to agree. It’s very simple, but the cumulative loading effect is what makes this difficult.” Benchmark PFT 5 pull-ups (kip when you can … Continue reading Test Your Physical Fitness With This PFT Benchmark Workout

Ask an OSO Video

I interviewed Marine Corps officer Capt Stoddard, who is the Officer Selection Officer (OSO) for OSS Saint Louis today. We covered the top questions received on the blog and in our facebook page. Feel free to connect with either of us in Sandboxx as well. Note: we shot an hour of supplemental footage, containing advice exclusively available to future Marine Officers in the Sandboxx app. … Continue reading Ask an OSO Video

Oct. 26, 2004 U.S. Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, run to a building after detonating explosives to open a gate during a mission in Ramadi in Anbar province, Iraq.

The 7-Week OCS Prep Progressive Running Program

This program is designed to get you comfortable with longer runs, while also building the speed you’ll need to crush a 3-mile PFT or sprint through an obstacle course. We’ll test your PFT time twice, once at the end of the 3rd week, and again at the end of the 7th week. If you find it difficult to push yourself, try to time this program around … Continue reading The 7-Week OCS Prep Progressive Running Program

Marine Corps recruiting poster "How do you know if you're cut out for the Corps?"

Application Advice from a Successful Candidate: Part III of III

Thank you to Candidate C for taking some time to share advice you learned through your long, yet successful, Application! Stay tuned for more parts throughout this week. What was your relationship with your OSO like? I worked with three OSO’s since I started my initial application for NROTC my senior year in college and two for PLC in college. The first OSO really was … Continue reading Application Advice from a Successful Candidate: Part III of III

What’s the Best OCS Workout for Me?

Candidate Question I’m a rising sophomore in the NROTC program in addition to being an applicant for PLC as well (not currently on scholarship). This summer, one of my goals has been to gain around five pounds, while not losing any cardio. I’ve been doing a powerlifting program 3x per week and am just starting to use creatine. With this being said, I also want … Continue reading What’s the Best OCS Workout for Me?

Six Recommendations to Build a Strong Application for OCS

Applicant Question I plan on applying for next year’s OCS summer course. I have contacted an OSO and he’s been helpful. I have a 3.2 GPA, I haven’t done a PFT (not sure when to do that yet) and I am a part of various organizations on my campus in which I have been involved with leadership. I want to make sure that I will get accepted and … Continue reading Six Recommendations to Build a Strong Application for OCS

Guest Post: What You Need To Know About Combat Fitness

Thanks to Lt Hee at USMCofficer.com for his great work and this guest post! Check out the most up-to-date information about his OCS and TBS experiences on his site. The most stressful aspect of preparing for OCS is doubting your ability to perform physically. Yes, there are a lot of physical events where you will be required to perform to a certain standard. The PFT and … Continue reading Guest Post: What You Need To Know About Combat Fitness

How to Increase Your Pullups, from Future Jarheads Fitness

Thanks to the great team over at Future Jarheads, especially on their newly revamped FutureJarheadFitness.com website, for this guest post. Quick Tips For Pullups Find a grip that is comfortable for you, you can do palms facing out, palms facing in, hands close together, or far apart, find what works best for you. Tilt your head back so that your chin extends into the air, … Continue reading How to Increase Your Pullups, from Future Jarheads Fitness

Candidate Q: Skinny Lieutenants: Impossible!

Candidate Comment: This is more for peace of mind, than anything else, so feel free to take your time responding. I can run approximately a 275 PFT (I vary from around 270 to 285). However, while working out in a local gym, someone who used to be a Marine told me that I do not have the ‘look’ of a 2nd LT. Not a attractiveness … Continue reading Candidate Q: Skinny Lieutenants: Impossible!