Dear Second Lieutenant: Six Things I Wish I Knew as a Boot

For this post, former Captain Patrick Weeks (active 2009-14) shares the advice he wishes he could give himself as a brand-new Second Lieutenant. Hopefully it helps many of you future and new officers! Dear brand-new Second Lieutenant, First, you just graduated ten weeks of OCS, commissioned on one of the most memorable days of your life, and are headed right to TBS. It was a … Continue reading Dear Second Lieutenant: Six Things I Wish I Knew as a Boot

Candidate Q: Active Duty Pay Between OCS & TBS?

Candidate Question: As a starving college student I have to ask. I know I get paid at OCS Juniors for the time spent there but am I entitled to any sort of monthly pay between then and my next session at OCS? A: You only will get paid for time at OCS until you get to TBS–even if you commission 6 months before TBS! So … Continue reading Candidate Q: Active Duty Pay Between OCS & TBS?

TBS Gift List

Set your new Second Lieutenant up for success at The Basic School! We polled our TBS students and their families, who shared the following top choices for gift ideas which would be most handy at The Basic School: See the following suggestions and share your own with us if you think we’re missing any! #1 Most suggested item: printers and laminators #2 Most suggested item: … Continue reading TBS Gift List

The Oath of Office

Every new Marine Corps officer makes this oath. Just like you will someday. Enjoy the motivation: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; … Continue reading The Oath of Office