Ocs

[jeremybug2]

I've heard plenty about Enlisted Boot camp, but I was talking to a Navy Seal and even though he was not a Marine, I know he knows what he is talking about. He said that despite the fact that I wanted to go to Boot Camp right after High school, I should wait and go into OCS after college.

I was just hoping for as much information that could be given about Officer Candidate School. From either those who have been there or not.

Thanks

-Jeremy

[Wes40138]

I've heard plenty about Enlisted Boot camp, but I was talking to a Navy Seal and even though he was not a Marine, I know he knows what he is talking about. He said that despite the fact that I wanted to go to Boot Camp right after High school, I should wait and go into OCS after college.

I was just hoping for as much information that could be given about Officer Candidate School. From either those who have been there or not.

Thanks

-Jeremy

Obviously I've been to neither .But as far as the toughness aspect I can tell you that once you leave recruit training you are a basically trained Marine you are in charge of no one. Now see this is where the difference is made when you leave OCS you are a trained officer of the Marine Corps you have mens lives under your command ,now I know this might not make sense but I do know that you have to pass a sh!t ton of tests both physical,written and mental .I also think there are peer evaluations (correct me if I am wrong).Because when it comes down to it the officer is responsible for the lives of his Marines. Read "One Bullet Away-The making of a Marine officer" By Nate Fick( he's the LT. from Generation Kill). It takes a exceptional caliber of man to lead men into battle and bring them back alive . I hope this novella helped you out a little bit

[Parsons95]

http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/ You can also use the search function.

[jeremybug2]

i did use the search. I just wanted to hear some from some people who know about it.
thanks though.

[jeremybug2]

Obviously I've been to neither .But as far as the toughness aspect I can tell you that once you leave recruit training you are a basically trained Marine you are in charge of no one. Now see this is where the difference is made when you leave OCS you are a trained officer of the Marine Corps you have mens lives under your command ,now I know this might not make sense but I do know that you have to pass a sh!t ton of tests both physical,written and mental .I also think there are peer evaluations (correct me if I am wrong).Because when it comes down to it the officer is responsible for the lives of his Marines. Read "One Bullet Away-The making of a Marine officer" By Nate Fick( he's the LT. from Generation Kill). It takes a exceptional caliber of man to lead men into battle and bring them back alive . I hope this novella helped you out a little bit

I ordered that book off of amazon. Thanks

[Aitrus]

Jeremy- Have you taken a look at http://marineocs.com/portal/index.php ? It's a forum made for officer candidates. You'll learn everything you need to know on there. Also, if you haven't already, watch the documentary about OCS on the Marine Corps Time website. http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/class186/ Also take a look at a couple threads on this website: http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=35882 and http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=10582

There are lots of arguments for going enlisted or going in as an officer, but you really need to take a look at what both options offer, and decide for yourself. After talking to my parents, talking to ex military friends, and doing a ton of research online, I've decided to not go in enlisted and try the OCS route.

Remember, becoming an officer is something totally different than going in enlisted. Of course even I don't know totally what that means, as I have no military experience.

Good luck on whatever path you take.

-Aitrus

[jetdoc]

Jeremy, he is correct. If you can go to college go.

[jeremybug2]

Jeremy- Have you taken a look at http://marineocs.com/portal/index.php ? It's a forum made for officer candidates. You'll learn everything you need to know on there. Also, if you haven't already, watch the documentary about OCS on the Marine Corps Time website. http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/class186/ Also take a look at a couple threads on this website: http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=35882 and http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=10582

There are lots of arguments for going enlisted or going in as an officer, but you really need to take a look at what both options offer, and decide for yourself. After talking to my parents, talking to ex military friends, and doing a ton of research online, I've decided to not go in enlisted and try the OCS route.

Remember, becoming an officer is something totally different than going in enlisted. Of course even I don't know totally what that means, as I have no military experience.

Good luck on whatever path you take.

-Aitrus

Kudos on the research.

[Achped]

OCS is a selection process, you can quit, you can get sent home not because of injury or unwillingness to train, but just because you suck. You are going to be graded by SNCOs who know what to look for in potential Marine Officers.

And just so you know, the slow dudes at OCS get 20 minutes in their PFT.

OCS is way more physical than enlisted boot camp, a tad less mental.

[meallen07]

I'm doing OCS. The site is really great but here it is in simpler terms:

You can quit anytime.
Long approval process.
Academic and phisical requirements.
Must apply and be accepted into the program.

There are two programs for college students. The one I'm doing is setup as follows:

You train for 6 weeks the summer of your Sophmore and Junior years of college in Quantico, VA.
You can drop at anytime while you're there on request for any reason.
There is no obligation during the semesters you're at school, such as weekend duties that come with ROTC programs.

Those are what I consider the major points. It would be worth your time to give a good luck to the site. Make sure you talk to a Officer Selection Recruiter. Feel free to e-mail me, or PM me with any other questions you have. Just make reference to this so I know who you are. Best of luck.