How to Prepare for the USMC OCS
The United States Marine Corps places a high value on each individual marine, so the officers chosen to lead those marines are expected to be outstanding individuals in every way. Officer Candidate School, located in Quantico, Virginia, is not intended to train marine officers, but to determine if candidates have the required temperament and capabilities to learn to be a marine leader. No matter what you expect, you will be challenged mentally and physically. You will be tested to your limits, and if you succeed, you will become a leader of one of the world's most accomplished fighting forces, the U.S. Marines.
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Instructions
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Physical Preparation
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Physical preparation is important prior to OCS, with one quarter of a candidates' evaluation based on physical performance. While everyone will find the mental component of training exhausting, preparation for the physical trials will give candidates one less thing to worry about. The physical fitness test (PFT) issued by officer selection officers includes pull-ups, sit-ups and a three-mile run, which ensures that no one arrives at OCS completely unprepared, but there are additional factors that may surprise new OCS arrivals.
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With each component of the PFT valued at a set amount of points, some candidates will excel in one to make up for a lower score in another. Once a candidate arrives at OCS, they may find their ability to do the bare minimum is diminished. Whether it's nerves (a sergeant instructor shouting at you as you attempt to do the three minimum pull-ups required), exhaustion (candidates have physical training six days a week) or a different exercise schedule than you're used to, newly-arrived candidates may find themselves performing a few less pull-ups than they're used to doing or running three miles a half-minute slower.
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The environment of OCS makes for challenges of its own. The area around Quantico is quite hilly, which can come as a shock to candidates from flat areas like the midwest. Candidates used to running on maintained sidewalks, tracks or treadmills can find themselves surprised by some of the woody, twisting paths used on OCS runs. Practice running on uneven terrain and on unknown paths before arrival at OCS.
Academic Preparation
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One quarter of a candidate's score is based on academic portions of the curriculum. While a great deal of information is provided in classes and field exercises, and consists largely of rote memorization, one subject in particular can be studied in advance: land navigation.
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Land navigation (map reading) is an important part of the academic curriculum. A number of field exercises are held, along with classroom activities that emphasize this skill. While the training materials used for other classes may change, the basics of land navigation remain the same, so a class, book or practical experience of land nav skills such as grid coordinates, elevation and terrain features will help once you begin those classes.
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The 11 General Orders are expected to be memorized by all marines. Candidates will be quizzed often and are expected to study their "knowledge" (a small book of acronyms, General Orders and other information) during all free times. Knowing the 11 General Orders before you enter OCS can save a large chunk of time.
Leadership Preparation
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Counted as 50 percent of your evaluation, leadership is the most important characteristic necessary for success at OCS, but one of the most difficult to prepare for. The mental aspect of OCS requires honor, motivation, confidence, commitment and vocal leadership.
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Honor is critical to the leadership process. Candidates are sent home for not disclosing medical problems or other situations that would otherwise have been acceptable, simply because they were not honest about them. Many corrective assignments (essays, for example) are given on the honor system, with all candidates who make a given mistake told to write an essay.
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A candidate must be driven to excel. While a middle-of-the-road performance can be acceptable for enlisted marines, marine officers are expected to excel. A candidate should look for opportunities to lead, not follow. Even failure is only a negative when you fail to learn something from the experience.
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Remember why you want to go through the OCS process. It will be unpleasant, tiring, and painful. There will be times when you are given the opportunity to slack off or quit. But every candidate chose to be there, with the intention of becoming an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Persevere, and you will achieve that goal.
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References
- Photo Credit Marine Corp Memorial image by dwight9592 from Fotolia.com
