USMC OCS this summer!

[911paramedic]

Pay attention to the older candidates with actual service experience.

This.

 

[alfa147x]

OSO*

:awe:

Did I say that? :sneaky:

Heres what happens if you say the word "need"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCGqCGALd5I&feature=related

:awe: They have a 6th sense for anything not proper. Notice how they all swarm immediately? rofl

Wow I need to get back to my room so i can listen to it, just watched but WOW!

 

[mshan]

There was a show on some cable channel (The History Channel?) about how they make marines (break you down completely then mold you the way they want) in Boot Camp, but how you are selected (you either have the qualities they are looking for or not) at Officer Training School.

Forgot name of program and what channel it was on, though. It was pretty decent and I would guess might give you a better idea of what to expect (I think they had all of the officer candidates picking up garbage right off buses in parking lot while drill sergeants were yelling at you; drill sergeant would keep dumping bag of garbage over, screaming at you, till you did it proper way or something). Actually, I think all of your stuff was put in garbage bag and sergeants would dump that out and make you put everything back in and scream at you and dump bag over again if they didn't like how you did it.

Now that I read some postings above, looks like it was their initial mind game, trying to sense weakness before people have had a chance to prepare themselves mentally (e. g. expecting to settle into barracks before the testing starts).

 

[jemcam]

There was a show on some cable channel (The History Channel?) about how they make marines (break you down completely then mold you the way they want) in Boot Camp, but how you are selected (you either have the qualities they are looking for or not) at Officer Training School.

Forgot name of program and what channel it was on, though. It was pretty decent and I would guess might give you a better idea of what to expect (I think they had all of the officer candidates picking up garbage right off buses in parking lot while drill sergeants were yelling at you; drill sergeant would keep dumping bag of garbage over, screaming at you, till you did it proper way or something). Actually, I think all of your stuff was put in garbage bag and sergeants would dump that out and make you put everything back in and scream at you and dump bag over again if they didn't like how you did it.

Now imagine doing that when you haven't slept in 3 days and you'll start to get an idea of what it's like. Imagine coming back to the barracks after eating dinner or lunch and finding all your stuff in a huge pile along with everything else from the barracks in the street in front of the building. You and your platoon have worked ALL NIGHT LONG to have the barracks spotless and everything EXACTLY where it's supposed to be only to have it thrown in the street because they found a speck of dirt on top of a door. Then being told you have 15 minutes to get it right. Then of course they find something again, so it's all dumped in front of you while you stand at attention without flinching. Repeat for several hours while being screamed at by a dozen NCO who are extremely intimidating (and well rested). All this while the temperatures are hovering in the low 90's and humidity is near 100%.

Oh yeah, Candidates were not allowed to walk ANYWHERE while I was in OCS. You must RUN everywhere. If more than 3 are together, you must have someone call cadence (and be in step or risk the rath of a TAC) while you run.

After this "leadership exercise" (which was another name for "fuck with and haze the candidates) you'll have PT or a long run somewhere. When we went to the field it was a nice break, you can actually rest somewhat. I loved Land Navigation class. I was good at it, so I would run or fast walk to complete the course, then find a spot, set my watch to wake me up and catch an hour's sleep or so. I could run the course and complete it in an hour or so, when we were actually given 3, 4, or 5 hours to complete it. This only worked if you were good. Most took almost the whole time to complete it, and many failed altogether. I could actually catch up my sleep when we were in the field because I could disappear in the vegetation and rest a little.

This is also where I learned how easy it is to fall asleep standing up when you've been sleep deprived long enough. I woke up too many times crashing to the floor and most others in my class did also.

Now you're starting to get an inkling.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Can not say w/ respect to the JarHead OCS - I went a better OCS route:hmm:

However, I am curious on how you are getting the choice of continuing in or becoming a civilian.

Either you are committed to serving upon commission as active duty or going into the reserves (civilian).

Unless times have changed, this is an option that you will have to have made in advance or the Corp has made it for you. They have to plan where to slot you if going active. If reserve; you would have a reserve slot ready.

Your destiny for the next 2 years has been laid out.

As a previous poster has stated - listen to the mustangs that have prior service. Their info will be invaluable.

The primary goal of any OCS program is to mold you and determine your breaking point.

 

[nick1985]

Can not say w/ respect to the JarHead OCS - I went a better OCS route:hmm:

However, I am curious on how you are getting the choice of continuing in or becoming a civilian.

At the end of OCS, you have 2 choices.

1. Accept the commission as a 2nd Lieutenant

2. Decline the commission and keep your civilian status.

You are a civilian the entire time you are in OCS until you graduate

 

[olds]

...after my OCS graduation I have an option of either staying with the Marines or continuing a civilian life ...

Something smells fishy.

 

[nick1985]

Something smells fishy.

Nope. He's 100% correct.

 

[Strk]

Something smells fishy.

I don't think the other branches do it, but I remember when I was trying to get in (stupid medical stuff), that the Marines give you the option to stay once you finish OCS, as Nick said.

 

[olds]

Nope. He's 100% correct.

I don't think the other branches do it, but I remember when I was trying to get in (stupid medical stuff), that the Marines give you the option to stay once you finish OCS, as Nick said.

They pay you to train then release you? Sounds like a bad deal for them.

 

[alfa147x]

They pay you to train then release you? Sounds like a bad deal for them.

the trainees also get paid

 

[SSSnail]

They pay you to train then release you? Sounds like a bad deal for them.

It's not the money that someone would do this for. Most would accept the commission because of the PRIDE that they have earned.

 

[SSSnail]

Oh.... watching some of these DI videos bring back memories...

You know those large rim hats? They're not for shading, the rim is to poke your face with it when they're all up in your face screaming.

 

[nick1985]

They pay you to train then release you? Sounds like a bad deal for them.

Only like 1% of candidates decline their commission. Its a very uncommon occurrance. You are free to leave at anytime you want, so very VERY few candidates make it to the end and realize they dont want to do it. They figure that out about 8 minutes into training, not at the end of 10 weeks of pure hell.

Of course if you decline the commission, and 1 week later you change your mind, you have to go through the entire 10 week process again.

 

[olds]

It's not the money that someone would do this for. Most would accept the commission because of the PRIDE that they have earned.

My point is, the Marines get nothing out of it if you leave.

 

[SSSnail]

My point is, the Marines get nothing out of it if you leave.

The rate is extremely low, so it's a worthwhile investment.

To OP, do you know how to swim? If not you better get started.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

You know that you have to have a college degree to even be chosen to attend OCS, right?

Stupid ignorant piss-ant

apparently that isnt enough education if you are still so stupid that you would join the military

 

[SSSnail]

apparently that isnt enough education if you are still so stupid that you would join the military

 

[clamum]

apparently that isnt enough education if you are still so stupid that you would join the military

Another worthless troll. Go back to your room, or amdhunter's room, junior.

 

[alfa147x]

Damn that guy made me change my mind... I am no longer going.

 

[chusteczka]

There is some excellent information in this thread. It is a great read.

Prepare for the crunches by doing 200 situps each day.

An Ironman watch can help with timing yourself during a run.

You want to be doing the main exercises every day as preparation. (pushups, pullups, situps, running) This is your new life.

Learn the Marine Corps ranks so you can immediately identify those who approach you.

Learn your general orders. Memorize them word for word until they are second nature. Recite them when you run for practice.

Never yell from your throat. Yelling from your throat will make you hoarse, quickly. Always yell from your gut, your diaphragm. As you yell, compress your stomach as if doing a situp. Practice that Marine "Hoo-Rah" call as you run (recite general orders - "Hoo-Rah"). The purpose for this call is to train your stomach to yell without stressing your throat. I have caught people in their lies when they falsely claimed they were a marine because they talked with their throat and not their gut. The purpose for all of this is to ensure you can maintain communications over weapons fire, and so you sound imposing like a man.

Do not do anything to make yourself stand out unless by being the best in physical fitness.

Go with the flow. You are theirs to train.

They may teach you to climb a rope using the "J-hook" method. I am afraid of heights but this was great fun on the obstacle course and makes climbing a rope easy. With this method, a person can stand on the rope all day without getting tired.

 

[olds]

I wish all the ladies were cars on a highway, and I was a gas pump, I'd fill them all my way...

 

[nick1985]

Do not do anything to make yourself stand out unless by being the best in physical fitness.

Almost :awe:

I won the 3 mile out of both companies when I was there during the initial PFT. Bad move...Everytime I was SLIGHTLY behind in something, the SI's were on my ass. "You are the fastest fuck in the company...STOP DRAGGING ASS!!!!!!"

rofl

 

[chusteczka]

Almost :awe:

I won the 3 mile out of both companies when I was there during the initial PFT. Bad move...Everytime I was SLIGHTLY behind in something, the SI's were on my ass. "You are the fastest fuck in the company...STOP DRAGGING ASS!!!!!!"

rofl

Yes, they do look for improvement. Life can be difficult after a strong initial performance.

 

[chusteczka]

I attended a two week program at the Navy OCS located at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island while in high school. So I do not have actual officer or Marine experience. However, the experience of that two week program was similar to actual.

I have also never possessed exceptional upper body strength; having only been able to max pullups at 11 with max pushups at 40, at the moment I can only do 30 pushups in the first set. With all that said, the obstacle course at Navy OCS was the best fun I think I have ever really had. From the writeup and video, it seems the Marine OCS obstacle course is similar.

The writeup displays the obstacle course as being scary and intimidating. The reality is that it is great fun. The highlights included a ten foot wall that required a team of two to climb over, then there was the rope climb. Earlier, I mentioned the "J-Hook" method as taught my group by a Marine First Sergeant. In the video for the Marine OCS obstacle course, the Marine officer candidates do not appear to be using that method well. This method allows a person to climb a rope with their legs rather than their arms. All you have to do is wrap one leg around the rope, dig your toes under the rope, then step on the rope on the top of your foot with the other leg. It is super easy to do.

I believe that every high school should have such an obstacle course because it is so much fun yet so beneficial. I would really enjoy running that course again. If I ever get the money, that is one thing I will do; build and donate such an obstacle course to the town I live in. Every high school student should have such an opportunity to run that course.

Some notable quotes from that writeup on the obstacle course:

Dangling like the oversized tendrils of giant squid, the rope obstacle stands as a menacing reminder that at OCS you have to dig deep.

Everyone here knows how important the rope climb is to a candidates’ success or failure. You can get a lot of grief from your peers if you don’t make it to the top. It’s not unheard of for some candidates to skip weekend liberty and instead spend the time on base, working on the ropes.

In fact, OCS commanders often want to know how someone fared on the ropes when making a decision to pass or fail a candidate or to put them on probation.

“It’s a perfect test of a candidate’s physical stamina,” explained Maj. Vincent Ciuccoli, Charlie Company commander. “It’s like: ‘Can you do the ultimate test?’ ”

During weekend liberty, women clearly outnumber the men who spend a few hours on their “O” course.

Afterward, she showed me her "O" face.