Students of U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS) OCC-224 are lead by the OCS Commanding Officer Col. Julie L. Nethercot, in a motivational run prior to commencing liberty with their families at OCS, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., March 17, 2017. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah R. Hickory)

Catch Some 2017 OCS Updates from Recent Candidates

We have received several messages from the Winter/Spring 2017 OCS graduates, with updates to share for you all. Tape Recommendation Buy Covidien Medical Tape. It’s so strong and waterproof, it will save you hours in marking and remarking your gear. Get Your Z’s You have to be in your rack at 2200, apparently, only with exceptions for head calls. This means you need to be … Continue reading Catch Some 2017 OCS Updates from Recent Candidates

Q&A With a Successful OCS Graduate

Many thanks to a gracious Second Lieutenant at TBS who took part in a Q & A session with us to share advice after his recent graduation from OCS. Feel free to follow up with any questions or comments of your own below! How would you characterize your overall experience at OCS? My experience at OCS was that of an up/down adventure. There are good days, … Continue reading Q&A With a Successful OCS Graduate

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

USMC PFT Video: Pull-up Rules

EXECUTION OF THE PFT Individual performance on each PFT event will be executed as follows: Pull-up The goal of the pull-up event is for the Marine to execute as many accurate and complete pull-ups before dropping off the bar. The procedures are: (1) This is not a timed event. (2) Sweatshirts will be removed during the conduct of the pull-up event in order to observe the lockout … Continue reading USMC PFT Video: Pull-up Rules

Candidate Q: Easing Into Running

Candidate: I have two questions. 1- I recently sustained a foot injury from doing too much too soon (went from a lazy couch bum to 3 mile runs every day). The doctor said I need to rest it then ‘ease’ back into running. Summer break is approaching and lasts for 3 months. What is a good way to ‘ease’ back into my running while still … Continue reading Candidate Q: Easing Into Running

Help! My knee hurts. How can I run?

The “Candidates’ Curse:” Patellar Tendinitis Many candidates get patellar tendinitis, “jumper’s knee” or runners knee at OCS or while preparing for it. If you are truly injured in your preparation for OCS, you first need to be honest and open with your OSO. If you shouldn’t get sent to OCS, but attempt to “sneak” in, they will find your injury during medical inprocessing or the … Continue reading Help! My knee hurts. How can I run?

Candidate Q: Need to Taper Workouts Before OCS?

Candidate Question: Currently I am accepted for PLC for the first increment of Summer 2013. I’ve been training hard, achieving a 293 pft score, and been training long/short distance Fartleks; so I feel as though I have established a fine base in getting ready for OCS. My question here is when should I lower my training quantity before my ship date approx. in late May? … Continue reading Candidate Q: Need to Taper Workouts Before OCS?

Candidate Q: High School Preparation for USMC OCS

Candidate Question: As a sophomore in High School, how can I better myself…especially at a young age? I can do 90 push-ups, 13 pull-ups, 100 crunches, but I have not done much running. Unfortunately I don’t participate in any sports but I am in some clubs (yet I don’t have any leadership positions). I am very motivated to joining the Corps as an officer, I … Continue reading Candidate Q: High School Preparation for USMC OCS

Female Candidate Q: Running and Lower Body Preparation

Female Candidate’s Q: Hi! I’m getting ready to leave for OCS in about 7 weeks. I’m confident about my core and upper body strength, but my run time is not ideal. My max is about 25 minutes. I could use some advice. Should I be doing 3 miles 5 days a week, focusing on hills and sprints, or doing distance? Should I be using weight … Continue reading Female Candidate Q: Running and Lower Body Preparation