Tag: usmc ocs

usmc leadership jj did tie buckle
Featured, General OCS Advice, Leadership

What is JJ DID TIE BUCKLE?

JJ DID TIE BUCKLE is the nonsensical ditty you’ll remember for decades. The Marine Corps Leadership traits are perhaps the essential concepts Marines learn during recruit or OCS training. And with most Marines, terms are easily remembered using acronyms. JJDIDTIEBUCKLE (pronounced ā€œJJ did tie buckleā€), representing justice, judgment, dependability, integrity, decisiveness, tact, initiative, endurance, bearing, unselfishness, courage, knowledge, loyalty, and enthusiasm. JJ DID TIE BUCKLE is an … Continue reading What is JJ DID TIE BUCKLE?

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General OCS Advice, OCS Tips & Training

Know Your Most-Recommended USMC OCS Boot Socks: Fox River vs Thorlo

Blisters are caused by heat, moisture, and friction. Foot care and boot sock choice are important factors in preventing issues with your feet. Taking the extra time to care for your feet is worth losing sleep or gaining the attention of the Sergeant Instructors. Two sock brands that are common at OCS are Thorlos and Fox River. Personally, the Fox River socks are my go-to … Continue reading Know Your Most-Recommended USMC OCS Boot Socks: Fox River vs Thorlo

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Fitness, OCS Preparation Workouts

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 overheadĀ presses, and finishing with pullups or curls, just some … Continue reading PPPA (Push, Pull, Press, Abs) Home Gym Alternative

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Females, Fitness, OCS Preparation Workouts, OCS Tips & Training, PFT

One Easy Cheat Sheet to See if You’re Physically Ready for OCS

I challenge all candidates to achieve these minimum benchmarks before getting to OCS, and using them as training goals. This will put you in decent standing, but not the top of your class if these are your max sets. MALE Pullups: Max set 18 Pushups: Max setĀ 65 Run: 21:00 3-mile Run: 880 meter sprint in 3:15 in boots (2:45 running shoes) Flutterkicks: Max set 60 … Continue reading One Easy Cheat Sheet to See if You’re Physically Ready for OCS

Marine OCS Blog14 Comments
General OCS Advice

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?

Marine OCS Blog1 Comment
OCS Tips & Training

Quench Cravings at OCS

You’re doing your pullups. You’re memorizing the general orders of the guard. You’re evenĀ breaking in your Bates that you were smart enough to buy. But you’re still making crucial mistakes that will cause you unneeded stress while at OCS. You need to control your addictions now. What are you addicted to? We’re not talking about cocaine levels of addiction. What habit is a crucial part … Continue reading Quench Cravings at OCS

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Q&A

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 ā€˜lookā€™ of a 2nd LT. Not a attractiveness … Continue reading Candidate Q: Skinny Lieutenants: Impossible!

Marine OCS Blog3 Comments
Q&A

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. Iā€™ve done … Continue reading Candidate Q: How do I learn the basics before OCS?

Marine OCS Blog2 Comments
Q&A

What Pack is in Use at OCS?

Candidate Question: I’d like to be training for OCS as realistically as possible. What kind of rucksack is currently in use for training? I’d like to get used to carrying some weight around. Training hard now may make things easier later. Reply: The ILBE pack is currently in use but will be phased out over the next several years in the fleet, and eventually at … Continue reading What Pack is in Use at OCS?

Marine OCS Blog3 Comments