Basic training for Marine Corps officers, known as Officer Candidate School (OCS) can be completed in two six-week sessions (known as Platoon Leader Course, or PLC) or one 10-week course (Officer Candidate Course, or OCC). While in training, candidates are evaluated in physical fitness, academics and leadership, the latter of which being the most critical to success at OCS and to your chances of receiving your commission as a Marine Officer.
Knowledge
Ultimately, there is no good way to prepare for the stress you will endure at OCS. As a candidate, expect to sleep between three and four hours per night and to be yelled at and criticized on a regular basis. With that said, the most important step you can take to prepare for OCS is learning basic Marine Corps knowledge. First, make sure that you know the rank structure and uniform insignias for both officers and enlisted members of the Corps, as you will need to address every Marine with a greeting of the day as you encounter them in the squad bay, chow hall, parade deck and other places. Also, because the Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy, you are expected to be familiar with the Naval rank structures as well. Another beneficial thing you can do prior to attending OCS is learning wear your Woodland camouflage uniform, including wear your cover, roll your sleeves properly and blouse your boots. Having your uniform squared away will save you time and, more importantly, great amounts of aggravation from the Sergeant instructors while you are at OCS. Finally, before you become a candidate, memorize the 14 leadership traits: justice, judgment, decisiveness, integrity, dependability, tact, initiative, enthusiasm, bearing, unselfishness, courage (mental and physical), knowledge, loyalty and endurance.
Physical Fitness
Physically, OCS is demanding but not impossible if you arrive in shape. A few days after you arrive, you will take the Initial Physical Fitness Test, for which you must perform a minimum of eight pull-ups (not timed) and 75 sit-ups in two minutes before completing a three-mile run in less than 24 minutes. During OCS, Physical Training (PT) is conducted approximately twice per week and takes the form of trail running, obstacle courses, or cross training. It is highly advisable that in the weeks prior to your training, you run three to four times per week, running approximately three miles each time, as you will never run more than five miles at a time during OCS. Pull-ups are a point of pride in the Marine Corps, and practicing them will definitely help you at OCS. The best way to improve is to use the Armstrong Pull-up Program, which is linked to this article. Finally, it would be wise to do push-ups and sit-ups daily in the weeks leading up to OCS, as both exercises play a big role in PT.
Tags: Marine Corps, Marine Officer, Officer Candidate, three four, wear your
