USMC OCS this summer!

[alfa147x]

blog.anandtech.com/

I might be going to United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School this summer! Looking forward to it, plus I get paid! Also after my OCS graduation I have an option of either staying with the Marines or continuing a civilian life

Now need to work on my fitness
3 miles in 24 minutes
200 crunches in 2 minutes
15+ dead hang pull ups

Any other USMC personel here?

~Alfa147x
/blog.anandtech.com

Edit: Also want to shoot a gun before I leave

 

[rudder]

7.62mm full metal jack

 

[Strk]

The running and the pull-ups don't sound too bad, but I think I'd hurt something trying to do that many crunches in two minutes.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Congratulations! Being selected is awesome. I think that if you graduate, you will have no second thoughts about staying in. This is a major fork in the road of life, grasshopper. Semper Fi!

 

[RedArmy]

I'm filling out the forms right now for OCS this summer.

 

[destrekor]

The running and the pull-ups don't sound too bad, but I think I'd hurt something trying to do that many crunches in two minutes.

With a little work, you'd be amazed.

Army is 53 (iirc) full sit-ups in 2 minutes: legs 90º (measured at knees), bring upper body up so that the neck passes base of the spine.

A crunch is, well... a walk in the park compared to that. I knew crunches were the standard for the USMC but didn't know it was 200. Not entirely surprised, never did exactly count how many crunches I could perform but I guarantee it should be at least double my full sit-up number. And that should be with less effort, considering I do try and save myself on sit-ups since after you're slightly fatigued your body starts moving to the hip flexors, which can dampen the running ability.

OP... you can go to OCS and remain a civilian? Don't know if that's standard for OCS in general, including USAR, but I definitely never even knew that was a possibility.

iirc, you were in the USMC for a little while, yes? Are you in the Reserve right now?
And is that what you mean by continuing civilian life, in that you remain an Officer in the Reserve component?

Wait... then the PT test wouldn't be an issue if you were still in the Reserve right now. Color me confused as all hell.

Either way, good luck!

edit:
Hmm. I am kind of recalling the option of turning down a Commission if one wishes during training, but I am still a little hazy about the option to graduate without contract.
Then again, I am far more familiar with ROTC than OCS, considering I myself am nearing graduation for the former. Sadly, no prior experience. Dumb idea on my part but heh, a bit too late to regret decisions made 4 years ago. Too afraid of my own self; the idea of enlisting after high school made me fear myself never returning for a Bachelor degree. Easy to say "bah, if you wanted to go, you'd find a way". I know me, I don't even want to be in school, but alas, that's why I'm here now.

 

[alfa147x]

With a little work, you'd be amazed.

Army is 53 (iirc) full sit-ups in 2 minutes: legs 90º (measured at knees), bring upper body up so that the neck passes base of the spine.

A crunch is, well... a walk in the park compared to that. I knew crunches were the standard for the USMC but didn't know it was 200. Not entirely surprised, never did exactly count how many crunches I could perform but I guarantee it should be at least double my full sit-up number. And that should be with less effort, considering I do try and save myself on sit-ups since after you're slightly fatigued your body starts moving to the hip flexors, which can dampen the running ability.

OP... you can go to OCS and remain a civilian? Don't know if that's standard for OCS in general, including USAR, but I definitely never even knew that was a possibility.

iirc, you were in the USMC for a little while, yes? Are you in the Reserve right now?
And is that what you mean by continuing civilian life, in that you remain an Officer in the Reserve component?

Wait... then the PT test wouldn't be an issue if you were still in the Reserve right now. Color me confused as all hell.

Either way, good luck!

Wow sorry that I confused you
By any chance did either one of these cause confusion?
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2038748&
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2043532

I right now am a college student, never been to boot camp

Thanks btw! I am really excited!

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

blog.anandtech.com/

Edit: Also want to shoot a gun before I leave

Repeat after me: This is my rifle, this is my gun, this is for fighting, this is for fun. Then walk your post repeating to all who pass using visual aids.

 

[alfa147x]

Now besides fitness any way I should prepare ?

 

[SSSnail]

blog.anandtech.com/
3 miles in 24 minutes
200 crunches in 2 minutes
15+ dead hang pull ups

Any other USMC personel here?

~Alfa147x
/blog.anandtech.com

Edit: Also want to shoot a gun before I leave

WHAT? That's the minimum!!!

Oh, that's the PST or Physical Fitness Test, and don't think that you'll have all day to rest between events either. You'll do the pull-ups first, then crunches then run 3 miles. To get the maximum scores, you need to do 20 dead hangs, 200 in 2 (head has to break the plane of your knees) and 3 miles in 18 minutes or less.

Don't worry about shooting a gun, they'll teach you.

"...This is my rifle and this is my gun, this one's for fighting and this one's for fun..."

Now besides fitness any way I should prepare ?

Prepared to be spit on, yelled at and generally trashed.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Pay attention to the older candidates with actual service experience.

 

[alfa147x]

WHAT? That's the minimum!!!

Oh, that's the PST or Physical Fitness Test, and don't think that you'll have all day to rest between events either. You'll do the pull-ups first, then crunches then run 3 miles. To get the maximum scores, you need to do 20 dead hangs, 200 in 2 (head has to break the plane of your knees) and 3 miles in 18 minutes or less.

Don't worry about shooting a gun, they'll teach you.

"...This is my rifle and this is my gun, this one's for fighting and this one's for fun..."

I don't think that is the minimum but just what is recommended

 

[destrekor]

Wow sorry that I confused you
By any chance did either one of these cause confusion?
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2038748&
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2043532

I right now am a college student, never been to boot camp

Thanks btw! I am really excited!

No harm.

Actually no those had not, more or less I saw OCS and then I started confusing all the people around here. My memory is terrible on some occasions; it's photographic, and I am often without film.

But regardless, excellent that you earned a ticket to OCS. Great opportunities are available just because of it, and specifically Leadership schooling helps develop some amazing capabilities. Everyone has them, it just takes some coercing to bring them to the surface.

In fact, many "leadership camps" that corporations send recruits to are wholly modeled after military training methods, some more or less blatantly copied from some of the things that one might experience in just about any basic training facility or other military school.

But it's best to experience the real and original versions if ever afforded the opportunity, but many just don't see themselves signing their lives to the military and skip the training opportunity. This is your chance to use the military and, if you so choose, not let them use you.

Get started with some physical training of your own right away, being in good condition makes PT that much easier when you have to train with military units.

And live up the opportunity so few are afforded.

 

[SSSnail]

I don't think that is the minimum but just what is recommended

Do any less than that and you'll be placed on remediation PT, which is where you don't want to be.

 

[destrekor]

Now besides fitness any way I should prepare ?

Be prepared to have some days where everything about you is put to the test.
By that I mean, mental stamina. When you are applying the things you learn during training, don't second guess yourself. Don't know the exact things done in OCS, but should be fairly standard to basic officer training, ROTC and Military Academies being the other sources of fresh officers prepared to the most basic standards prior to advanced officer training.

Essentially, you'll be provided opportunities to lead, as will others. If you become so confident in what you are taught, don't always question the others whose turn it is to lead. And if you find others are always questioning you, become accustomed with the concept of taking advice, and knowing when and how to do so, but don't go so far as to let others do the leading.

Life's little leadership lessons, essentially. Boiling it down makes it far simpler than it really is in reality.

Don't be like me and look for exact sciences, the perfect solution that is so far out of the box it might be absurd. Most of the leadership assessment opportunities might seem complex, but they will always boil down to the basics that they teach you.

This kind of school isn't to teach you how to think outside of the box, it's to teach you to lead and follow.

 

[Babbles]

Very awesome, congratulations for getting accepted. It is my understanding that just getting into USMC OCS was difficult enough .. . I suppose that could be considered the easy part.

 

[nick1985]

Ive been to Marine OCS. Week 5 split my head open on a foot locker :/

PM me with any questions.

Also I was a 300 PFT :awe:

I can provide you with useful information in terms of what to bring, what to do and not to do! Oh, you dont need to shoot a gun before you leave, since you wont fire a live round during the course. I would practice taking down an AR-15 extensively, however.

 

[destrekor]

Very awesome, congratulations for getting accepted. It is my understanding that just getting into USMC OCS was difficult enough .. . I suppose that could be considered the easy part.

college student status definitely helped. Though that is not to say the opportunity is lessened in any way. Even with having a degree in hand an OCS slot isn't exactly the easiest thing to earn.

Though recruiting officers during war is more challenging than it seems: I do know I am still getting Marine Officer recruitment mailings even though my life is currently under contract to the Army, and my degree though under way is not yet secured.

And Officer retention has been greatly lower than normal, with many leaving at the first opportunity (less than half of the Westpoint [Army] graduates stayed in after their 4 years of service.

But being recruited and earning a slot is always a different matter.

 

[alfa147x]

Thanks nick1985, destrekor, Babbles, SSSnail... well just everyone who posted here!

I'm seriously pumped about this... I need to work on my physical condition... BAD

2 miles - 18 minutes
7 dead hang pull ups (almost died)
then about 100 crunches

honestly my best friend being in boot camp @ Parris Island, SC has really motivated me (Just promoted to Platoon Guide) and that he's beasting it

One question: Is their any advantage to me beside money if I decide not to continue after OCS?

 

[alfa147x]

Ive been to Marine OCS. Week 5 split my head open on a foot locker :/

PM me with any questions.

Also I was a 300 PFT :awe:

I can provide you with useful information in terms of what to bring, what to do and not to do! Oh, you dont need to shoot a gun before you leave, since you wont fire a live round during the course. I would practice taking down an AR-15 extensively, however.

Thanks a bunch! Wow beast of a PFT!

How did you manage the bolded?

 

[nick1985]

Thanks a bunch! Wow beast of a PFT!

How did you manage the bolded?

Running around in the middle of the night trying to do my laundry. Someone decided the middle of the aisle between racks was a great place to set their shit in the pitch black.

Anyhow, when I started my pull-ups, I maxed out at 3. 6 months later I was able to do the full 20. If you follow this guide to a T, you WILL hit 20 pull-ups.

http://www.4mcd.usmc.mil/AOP/OSOHyattsville/Armstrong%20Pullup Program.htm

Trust me, FOLLOW THIS PROGRAM LIKE ITS THE BIBLE.



I can answer your question about deciding not to continue after OCS real fast: You will know if you want to be there in the 1st 24 hours after pickup day. My platoon went from 54 to 36 after the 1st week.

Basic tips for ya:
NEVER make eye contact with any staff. "You eye-ballin' me boy???"

KNOW THEIR RANK when addressing them. (Gunny Sergeants dont like to be called a staff sergeant)

Never lean on anything

Never stick your hands in your pockets.

When they are 1 inch from your face SCREAMING, do not flinch of move your head even the slightest, they can sense weakness. If they sense weakness in you, they WILL stay on your ass until you DOR.

Try your best not to fuck up on pickup day. They were taking names of the candidates that didnt have their shit straight on pickup day. Not a list you want to be on.

Do exactly what they tell you to do. (Seems obvious, but trust me, people dont do it) When they tell you to freeze, fucking freeze! Doesnt matter if you are pissing or taking a shit, stop moving.

Try to make friends with a prior. They can help you immensely.

You rackmates problems are your problems. Make sure he is squared away, or you will find yourself in deep shit.

Do not laugh. EVER. Sometimes the SI's say funny shit, but do not be tempted to laugh.

Memorize your general orders before you get there. 1 less thing you have to do.

NEVER sleep in your bunk. Make it perfectly 1 time, then throw your poncho over it and curl up in that every night. You will not have time to make your bed.

In the chow hall....SIT UP STRAIGHT, EYES FORWARD. Do not look down at your food. OH PLEASE GOD DONT LOOK DOWN. /shudder Eat fast, shovel that shit in there.

Pack LIGHT to OCS. You will be issued everything you need. If you are taking more than a small backpack full of stuff, you are packing too much. Remember, you carry around whatever you take with you...and you walk for miles and miles during processing. I still remember the kid with 2 suitcases /facepalm

ALWAYS sound off LOUD. Fucking scream every word that comes out of your mouth.

For the love of God, do NOT draw attention to yourself if you can help it...

 

[roguerower]

I never went to OCS but was in Marine ROTC long enough (plus my dad is still active duty Marine Corps) and I've got a ton of friends who went through it. Was going that direction, but switched majors and ended up on a different path. Good on you for getting accepted.

PT will come to you. 100 points for each exercise. Maxing is 20 pullups, 100 crunches in 2 min, 18min 3 mile. I started at a 225 and left ROTC at a 292 (100, 19, 18:30). Don't worry about firing a gun (won't learn how to shoot until The Basic School, other side of Quantico, across I-95), but like nick said, if you've got access to a M-16 look alike, get used to breaking it down.

I wish I had gone through and that I would be a Marine but like I said, shit changed. Best of luck and semper gumby.

P.S. - Take a look at these: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/class186/videos.php

 

[alfa147x]

Running around in the middle of the night trying to do my laundry. Someone decided the middle of the aisle between racks was a great place to set their shit in the pitch black.

Anyhow, when I started my pull-ups, I maxed out at 3. 6 months later I was able to do the full 20. If you follow this guide to a T, you WILL hit 20 pull-ups.

http://www.4mcd.usmc.mil/AOP/OSOHyattsville/Armstrong Pullup Program.htm

Trust me, FOLLOW THIS PROGRAM LIKE ITS THE BIBLE.



I can answer your question about deciding not to continue after OCS real fast: You will know if you want to be there in the 1st 24 hours after pickup day. My platoon went from 54 to 36 after the 1st week.

Basic tips for ya:
NEVER make eye contact with any staff. "You eye-ballin' me boy???"

KNOW THEIR RANK when addressing them. (Gunny Sergeants dont like to be called a staff sergeant)

Never lean on anything

Never stick your hands in your pockets.

When they are 1 inch from your face SCREAMING, do not flinch of move your head even the slightest, they can sense weakness. If they sense weakness in you, they WILL stay on your ass until you DOR.

Try your best not to fuck up on pickup day. They were taking names of the candidates that didnt have their shit straight on pickup day. Not a list you want to be on.

Do exactly what they tell you to do. (Seems obvious, but trust me, people dont do it) When they tell you to freeze, fucking freeze! Doesnt matter if you are pissing or taking a shit, stop moving.

Try to make friends with a prior. They can help you immensely.

You rackmates problems are your problems. Make sure he is squared away, or you will find yourself in deep shit.

Do not laugh. EVER. Sometimes the SI's say funny shit, but do not be tempted to laugh.

Memorize your general orders before you get there. 1 less thing you have to do.

NEVER sleep in your bunk. Make it perfectly 1 time, then throw your poncho over it and curl up in that every night. You will not have time to make your bed.

In the chow hall....SIT UP STRAIGHT, EYES FORWARD. Do not look down at your food. OH PLEASE GOD DONT LOOK DOWN. /shudder Eat fast, shovel that shit in there.

Pack LIGHT to OCS. You will be issued everything you need. If you are taking more than a small backpack full of stuff, you are packing too much. Remember, you carry around whatever you take with you...and you walk for miles and miles during processing. I still remember the kid with 2 suitcases /facepalm

ALWAYS sound off LOUD. Fucking scream every word that comes out of your mouth.

For the love of God, do NOT draw attention to yourself if you can help it...

Wow great list! Thanks a bunch!

I think I'll be set besides the whole yelling thing, might have to start yelling out stuff while answering people now just get used to it

Mind if I asked you, what did you pack?

 

[nick1985]

Wow great list! Thanks a bunch!

I think I'll be set besides the whole yelling thing, might have to start yelling out stuff while answering people now just get used to it

Mind if I asked you, what did you pack?

Shaving supplies (and other basic toiletries)

Mouthwash. -- Works great for cleaning your canteen.

Vasaline for my crotch on long marches (chafing is your worst nightmare)

chapstick (I was in the winter class)

Extra socks

***BRING EAR PLUGS** you will need them to fall asleep when everyone else is making noise in the middle of the night

Bring a stencil with 1" lettering if your last name. DO THIS. You will have to stencil dozens of garments, and the stencil they provide you BLOWS ASS. This will save you so much time.

Also bring a 1/2" Stamp of your last name. Everything that is issued to you, or you bring, make sure it has your name stamped on it. Things get "lost" easily, mark everything as yours.

Bring a BROKEN IN pair of running shoes.

Good outdoor watch.

Pair of USMC combat boots. BREAK THEM IN FIRST. Go on some hikes with them.

Lots of athletic tape

If I think of other goodies to bring Ill post them.


*edit*

I almost forgot. On the day you fly to Q-town in your civies, do NOT wear dress shoes. Wear your running shoes. You will be walking for miles, you do not need unecessary blisters.

 

[pontifex]

don't you mean Official Chicken Shit?
oh, and when they say "you'll be seeing this again" make sure you really pay attention to that.


been reading too much Richard Marcinko lately and thats what he calls it and always says about what he learned.