Recommended Motivation: Films You’ll Love

Candidates, there are so many motivators out there who bother me every day with questions like, “What more can I do to prepare for OCS?” that I am debuting a new series of posts. This summer’s posts will give you plenty of ways to use up all your time before OCS to get ready or motivated for your future Marine Corps life.

Today’s post: These are my personal recommendations of films to watch to either learn about USMC culture, history, or a general United States warrior ethos (vis-a-vis Band of Brothers).

The Pacific

The Pacific centers on the experiences of three Marines (Eugene Sledge, Robert Leckie and John Basilone) who were all in different

The Pacific DVDs
The Pacific DVD set

Regiments of the 1st Marine Division. You should read the books it was based on–but wait for a future post on that. The program was lauded by critics but actually met mixed reviews by the Marines I know, due to the overall depressing mood. Historically accurate, it shows war for the hell it is, so don’t expect any “tales of glory” like an old John Wayne-type movie. Still, it’s important history and you should view the stories with the mindset, “one day, men such as those will be ‘my Marines,’ who I will be leading.”

Band of Brothers

Greatest war mini series ever. Not Marines, but soldiering is soldiering. The series holds many lessons of leadership and warfighting that will be highlighted at OCS and beyond.

Band of Brothers DVD set
Band of Brothers

Continue reading “Recommended Motivation: Films You’ll Love”

Commandant’s Reading List Books for Second Lieutenants

The Commandant’s Professional Reading List (also known as the Marine Corps Reading List) is a list of required annual reading for all officer and enlisted Marines, whether active duty or reserve. Any book off this list would be a great gift idea for a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant. Read Gen. Amos’ message to Marines in CMC White Letter No. 4-12: Reading in the Marine Corps… “Thirty year old … Continue reading Commandant’s Reading List Books for Second Lieutenants

Christmas Gift Ideas For a Marine Lieutenant

Perhaps you have a candidate or newly commissioned Second Lieutenant in your family. Here are some gift ideas that will foster motivation or help in training at The Basic School. No need to tell where you got the ideas. Way to look like an expert gift-giver! Also consider items off the OCS Packing List of recommended gear to bring with you to OCS as a … Continue reading Christmas Gift Ideas For a Marine Lieutenant