back from OCS, any questions?

dvldogcandidate · 08-10-2005, 11:24 PM

This is my first post here. I went to OCS - PLC Juniors 1st Increment India Co. 2nd Plt. I'll be going back to OCS for seniors next summer.

First of all, the best advice I have for anyone going to OCS is to get in shape. Most importantly keep running. If you can handle the physical aspects, you'll be in better shape to handle the academics and getting less sleep than you are used to.

Any questions or anything that you want to know, just reply or shoot me a message.

Grimmy · 08-10-2005, 11:26 PM

Gratz on your progress so far

dvldogcandidate · 08-13-2005, 09:43 PM

Thanks

Xenophon · 08-22-2005, 01:52 AM

Hoo rah!

Garrett · 08-22-2005, 05:34 PM

Congrats! I plan on goin to PLC, allthough i hear you get screwed over that way, do you have any input on that statement?
Thanks,
-G

**Vulture6** · 08-22-2005, 06:24 PM

How exactly do you "get screwed" going PLC?

Garrett · 08-22-2005, 09:44 PM

no idea... that is what i hear tho...

**Vulture6** · 08-23-2005, 08:08 AM

I'd say that you get screwed with while at PLC, but once the bars are on your commissioning source doesn't make any difference.

ArchAngel · 08-23-2005, 01:13 PM

How does that all work? At what Rank do you get to choose to go to PLC or OCS? Or do you have to College for that or something?

dvldogcandidate · 08-24-2005, 08:23 PM

As far as I know, you have to go to college and meet academic requirements. 2.5 GPA and on your way to get a bachelor's degree.

The NROTC candidates were mixed with prior-enlisted Marines with so many years (5-6?) of service but I'm pretty I think even they have to be attending college.

I'm not prior-enlistment, but in my platoon we had a lot of reserve Lance Corporals, a a few Corporals, and 1 Sergeant; all attending college. (By the way, you lose your rank while in training for training purposes).

dvldogcandidate · 08-24-2005, 08:38 PM

Do you get screwed with at PLC? SURE. Live with it, expect it, learn to love it... or maybe just learn to laugh about it later.

Maybe I don't fully understand your question. Are you asking if there's a better route to take to become a Marine Corps Officer? Are you contemplating whether to try to become and officer or go enlisted?

Well, if you're going to be an officer in the Marine Corps, you're looking at basically two options... OCS or the Naval Academy. True you could be involved with NROTC, but they still go to OCS for a six week course, I trained right along side them. NROTC scholarships for potential Marines are very competitive, but if you do have the opportunity, take it--that financial package is the best you're going to find. PLC is OCS. Within OCS, you have the 2 summer 6 week PLC program, the 10 week combined PLC, the NROTC combined w/ the so-many years prior-service. There's also a 10 week program for those who already have a bachelor's degree and commission at the end of training instead of when they graduate from college.

Financially speaking, the pay is great while you're at OCS -- Sergeant's pay-- but the Marine Corps can't match the sort of ROTC scholarships they hand out. Expect a stipend and maybe some tuition assistance.

Any more questions, send em down range.

marty321 · 09-09-2006, 03:10 PM

At OCS did they give you time to write to others outside base? Or was it combined with another duties you had to finish first?

**cincymarsdad** · 09-10-2006, 09:06 AM

My daughter (or daughters depending) look to be headed that way, both starting at OSU Tuesday as freshmen in the NROTC program. One has the s-ship, the other is trying it out for now. First one has some prior service.

Do they train co-ed at OCS? [I'm guessing there aren't enough females to have a separate training group ...]

Did the prior service folks compare it in conversation with recruit training? I'm interested in any parallels, I understand it's "different".

Did you have "time off" like MOS school - weekends?

How did your feet survive it all?

Anything happen that was really unexpected by you?

How are you addressed while at OCS?

Are the "DIs" called DIs? Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Smith?

I presume the "DIs" are Marine sergeants? Were they previously DIs at PI/SD? Or is this so different that's not the case?

Did you do "cruises" between freshman and sophomore year? I don't mean aboard ship, necessarily. Are you in an NROTC program?