Females at OCS

[usmctwinkie]

I was wondering if there are any females on the forum who have already been through OCS and can give me some info.

I'm a 3rd year ROTC Midshipman and I go to OCS this summer. I've always been able to max the bar-hang and sit-ups, but my run time has dropped dramatically over the past few years.

I've gone through 3 major injuries, and two shoulder reconstructions over the past 2.5 years so I've spent most of my time in the program under some sort of "training restrictions."

I have had very few opportunities to speak with female officers or other female MO midshipmen. The biggest things I'd like to know are:

1)What would you estimate was the average run time (3 mi) at OCS?
2)What was the longest run you did in boots?
3)What do you feel was the hardest part physically of OCS?
4)What do you feel was the hardest part over-all of OCS (physical, mental, emotional, etc)?
5)How were the relationships between the candidates in the platoon? (I've heard from some of the guys that you get some guys who will work as a team, some who just low people off, etc. Just wondering if you see the same dynamics with the females there.)
6)Any advice you would give to someone preparing to go to OCS?

I have a bunch of friends who have been through OCS but they are all guys and I've seen that there are a lot of differences between how males/females react to the stress and physicality of military programs.

Thanks for any info!

[Vulture6]

Hey Danielle - welcome aboard!

We don't have too many female OCS grads on the boards these days, but hopefully someone will be able to help you out.

I can answer one of your questions though, and that's number 4 -- the hardest part of OCS for almost everybody is physical. They will wear you out physically and use that to place you under increasing stress.

The mental part is pretty simple -- everything is an evaluation... EVERYTHING!! They will put you in situations that may not have a solution and see how you handle them. They add stress through PT -- making you make decisions when physically tired.

While there are some differences between male & female OCS the core is the same, and that is to evaluate your ability to lead Marines under adverse circumstances.

Good luck!!

[usmctwinkie]

Thanks for the info.