Marine Corp OCS

[sspen003]

Ok well I finally signed up for OCS. I have MEPS this Friday and I get shipped off to OCS January 3rd.

For any of you guys that have gone through it or that have info on it what can I expect?

As you can tell I am slightly nervous/excited. Sorry guys I have a billion things running through my head right now.

Thanks,
SSpen

[haiedras]

It's been a few years since I went through OCS, but send me a PM with your contact info and we can talk about it.

For starters, it's nothing like Full Metal Jacket. It is similar, but you're going to officer training, not enlisted boot camp, so the instructor staff have a different set of priorities by which they evaluate the candidates.

Bunch of other differences, but seeing as you have until Jan 3rd, you have plenty of time to get ready.

[doughboy334]

Did you read One Bullet Away by Nathaniel Fick? I think he mention a lot of running!!!

[J_B]

Congrats....remember, SNCO's & NCO's run it, just shut up and learn!! HAHAHA, just kidding...seriously.

[Desert_Rat]

Congrats....remember, SNCO's & NCO's run it, just shut up and learn!! HAHAHA, just kidding...seriously.

What He said.

[Requiem]

What He said.

Word...

btw it's "Corps". The USMC is not a Corporation.

[6172crew]

Good luck, it's going to be a long year. My buddy went through in 2000 and they let him have it. He was a 11 year SNCO and told me it was "different" than boot camp. Are you Air or Ground?

[sspen003]

Thanks for the info guys. Yeah my recruiter told me about the Book "One Bullet Away" He said it was the best description he had of OCS. Im going in Ground. I want to be a Ground Intelligence Officer, Calvary Scout or Infantry.

[sspen003]

Ah! I just read the MEPS thread. I gotta go this week

[ChrisO]

Not to thread jack but what is required for OCS a bachelors degree?

[haiedras]

Yeah, used to be you could go through with an AA and then you had to get your bachelors before the end of your first term...but I think that's out now.

6172crew, when did your buddy go through OCS? I went through OCC 175, October-December 2000. Seems like a lifetime ago now..

[sspen003]

You have to have a 4 year degree. But you can take the course in 2 six week sessions or 1 ten week session

[6172crew]

Yeah, used to be you could go through with an AA and then you had to get your bachelors before the end of your first term...but I think that's out now.

6172crew, when did your buddy go through OCS? I went through OCC 175, October-December 2000. Seems like a lifetime ago now..

Im going to guess and say he went in 2002, he is now in Japan working at a Navy base coordinating civilian contractors. He is a AAMO (Aviation Maintenance Officer) though. He and his twin brother and I were CH46E crew together, he went to FL as a swim instructor and grabbed his degree from Emery Riddle and applied. He said he was given no slack from anyone and was razzed from day one because he wanted to go Air. I guess some Capt rode him like a prizzed bull but ended up giving him good reviews out of TBS. I asked him if being a Mustang got him anywhere but he didnt think so. Our Squadron had at least 3 guys that I know of who went LDO, WO, O beyond the first enlistment.

2 of our old LT/Capt pilots are now slated to take command at HMM161 and HMM166. It seems like yesterday we were drinking beer with them(hell one of them used to make beer for us barracks guys) and now they are Skippers. My old CO was a Vietnam Pilot, these guys joined after 1993, so its hard for me to see them in that position.

BTW both of these guys were some of the best Zeros I have ever met! Im going to call them one day and tell them I think so.

[6172crew]

You have to have a 4 year degree. But you can take the course in 2 six week sessions or 1 ten week session

Dont forget TBS, thats another year before you get to the fleet.

Im sure thats one reason Marine Zeros dont smell like boot polish when they show up at the first FMF.

Semper Gumby right?

[haiedras]

Maybe not, but the shiny look takes a while to disappear.

The mustangs definitely don't get any slack at OCS, makes it particularly interesting when you have candidates that technically outrank the instructors. Had a GySgt or two in my class, and a few SSgts.

Every once in a while, you get some good officers. One of my groomsmen just left HMLA-169 to go to the RAG...maybe someday he'll make a good squadron CO.