Anyone else applying for Officer Programs?

[Kauf]

Anyone else here applying for ROTC academies or just straight OCS? I'm waiting to hear back on my NROTC Marine Option Scholarship application. This is my second time applying so fingers crossed! Who else is playing the waiting game?

[Snoopy47]

I'll be trying a Direct Commission once out of AIT. It's my ONLY path at my age, and I have this year and next year to make it happen.

I wish I could have known a year ago how the sysem works for OCS, because I should have just enlisted a year sooner instead of waiting out the OCS process, and I would be one by now had I just enlisted.

[MRX9989]

I was commissioned through Army OCS. Serving in the military after college is one of the few remaining safe bets you can make.

If you've got your heart set on Marine OCS, I'd recommend reading "One Bullet Away" by Nathaniel Fick.

[sephy]

My brother is in Navy OCS right now. Between the paperwork, tests, letters, and waiting for appropriate boards the process took about 2 years. He has talked to other people at OCS and their stories are similar, aside from the ROTC'ers who came straight from college.

I periodically knock on the ODS door as well, but the Navy is full-up on nurse practitioners right now.

The unfortunate part is that they're right-sizing so there are less boards being held, less people accepted per board, and even when a board is scheduled sometimes it's pushed back for months.

[esnyderr]

I will finally be commissioning in April. I signed my packet and was accepted in 2008 and graduated OCS in 2010. From everything I heard, the requirements are a lot more stringent and they are turning away a lot of good candidates. You really have to be on top of your game physically and have good grades to be accepted now compared to a few years ago. Good luck to you!

[Kauf]

I will finally be commissioning in April. I signed my packet and was accepted in 2008 and graduated OCS in 2010. From everything I heard, the requirements are a lot more stringent and they are turning away a lot of good candidates. You really have to be on top of your game physically and have good grades to be accepted now compared to a few years ago. Good luck to you!

When I applied last year as a senior in high school I was carrying quite a bit more weight and only got a 185 on my pft. This time around I've lost 30lbs (5'10" 178) and got a 235 PFT so at least its 1st class. I have a 4.0 so grades aren't a big problem for me. Keeping my fingers crossed for this time around! Congrats on graduating OCS and getting your commission. Where did you go to school by the way?

[DdPartida]

They want a perfect or near perfect pft score and fatties need not apply

[esnyderr]

Thanks Kauf, I graduated from Cal State Fullerton. Ya you definitely want to be be running a near perfect PFT score. You may be running a 235 now but if you were to get to OCS chances are your score will drop as most candidates did and being in that range they may just send you home. Just focus on bringing that score up. Did you already submit your packet? If not definitely get that score up and you should be good to go.

[Kauf]

Thanks Kauf, I graduated from Cal State Fullerton. Ya you definitely want to be be running a near perfect PFT score. You may be running a 235 now but if you were to get to OCS chances are your score will drop as most candidates did and being in that range they may just send you home. Just focus on bringing that score up. Did you already submit your packet? If not definitely get that score up and you should be good to go.

Haven't submitted it yet that was just my most recent one. I'm only a college Freshman so I still have a while before I could go to OCS so I'm working my *** off to get that up to 300! Been doing a lot of rock climbing so I'm dropping more weight and pull-ups are much easier now I just have the hardest time with the run! It kicks my butt.

[esnyderr]

Oh ok, well in that case you have plenty of time to get that score up. Your run will improve with time, just push yourself. I take it you have gone into the office and talked to an officer selection officer? Are you out of the Orange County office?

[Kauf]

Ya I talked with Capt. Bell. Bell is helping me with an ROTC scholarship and about doing PLC in case I'm not selected for ROTC. The OSO was out the day I came in.

[jak77]

Ill throw in my two cents.

I graduated from USMC OCS this past Dec, and I am at TBS right now. Everything in the Corps is getting smaller and tougher with the downsizing. From what I hear now, a perfect pft isnt a sure fire way to get into OCS anymore. In addition, you'll need good grades and no slights against your packet (e.g. waivers). The competition to get in is getting harder, and I thought it was hard when I was applying. I applied for OCS class 207 (summer '11) with a 289 pft and didnt get selected. I applied for 208 (october '11) with a 300 pft and got selected. The biggest thing you can control is your pft score. Its pretty much a requirement now that you get a perfect.

You said you're a freshman, so you have time and options. For now, concentrate on getting good grades, staying out of trouble (easiest way to not get into the Marine Corps and to get kicked out) and keeping your physical fitness levels high. Not only should you be able to run a perfect pft, but you need to have total body strength and conditioning. The physical regimen at OCS isnt relegated to pft related events, your whole body will be broken down.

Also, consider which OCS program you want to apply for. There is PLC and OCC. PLC is two six week classes during two different summers of college (freshman/sophomore or sophomore/junior) or one ten week program your junior year summer. OCC is one ten week program after you graduate from college. I went through OCC. I would recommend PLC as it is much easier to get into (at least it was when I was applying). Also, during the two six week classes, the risk of injury is less. If I were to do it again, I would definitely have gone through the PLC route.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

[sephy]

Some waivers are still granted. Just try to not need them.

[Kauf]

Don't think I will need any waivers? I passed the physical for the Naval Academy last year (DoDMERB i think was what they called it) without any problem. Idk if there are any differences between that one and what the Marine Corps does however.

[esnyderr]

Jak77 pretty much covered everything you would need to know. As for waivers, do you have any tattoos, ever used drugs, ever seriously been injured, ever been admitted to a hospital for mental reasons, ever been in trouble with the law, or have a few speeding tickets? If not then I wouldnt worry about waivers.