Mini OCS....A BLAST!!!!!

[OCSBound2009]

Hey everyone,
Wiggins here. Just recently came home from one of the most fun and exciting events of my life! As some of you may know, I should be entering OCS within the next year in the attempt to earn a commission as a 2nd Lt. in the USMC. Well, This weekend the Captains of OST Atlanta and OST Norcross held a three day Mini-OCS at a training facility here in Georgia. I can not express just how much fun I had, and how much knowledge I gained from the entire experience! If you are interested in going to OCS you should contact your OSO and see if they hold there own Mini-OCS;s and if not perhaps you can key them onto the idea. We ran small unit assaults on locations vs. each other. Learned some close order drill, Marine Corps History, Land Nav. classes and applications, Ran some S.U.L.E. problems, learned how to run the O course and climb the rope (Which kicked my ass!!!). We even ran a PFT and had a nice Warriors Roast on the last day. The Competition, Comradery, and and overall experience were amazing and I can't wait to get to OCS now. On a side note, I was too happy to discover that I may be able to grab this last pilot contract and ship to OCS this June instead of next June! Perhaps then I will have to change my name to OCSBound2008 now........?

[Vulture6]

Good news! Keep us posted.

PS - for a big guy, climbing the rope is all about learning to lock in with your feet -- when you're 200+ pounds upper body strength will only take you so far.

[OCSBound2009]

Yeah man! I kinda noticed that. The rope there was nylon which didn't help. But no excuses, I just need to keep working at it and I know that I will have it.
P.s.- Vulture, I noticed that you made it to Major before ending your military career. If you don't mind my asking, Was there any particular reason why you did not stay for a twenty year retirement? I am considering a twenty year or more stay, yet I have reserved my decision untill I actually get in and see how it goes. I mean we all know how the best laid plans of mice and men go....

[Vulture6]

I did 10 years of active duty as an infantry officer and got out as a senior captain shortly after my return from Somalia in 1994. While I loved the life, it wasn't conducive to raising my 3 year old son. I transitioned straight into the reserves and finished my time in the reserves as a major. I did not pursue lieutenant colonel mainly because of health reasons -- which the VA said were not service related. But now I have two relatively new artificial joints and have thrown away my handicapped parking pass.

More than you wanted to know -- buy my heart is still out there with those young men and women in uniform and I manage to keep myself involved in that community through my work and community involvement.

[OCSBound2009]

Oh no, that is exactly what I wanted to know. Sucks that the VA would declare it not service related.....I mean hell! What else were you doing during this time? Riding Bulls.....Bungy Jumping without a cord? Anyways, congratulations on your career, you clearly Zigged when you should have and kept your head down enough. I'll keep you posted on my evolution as well. Best of luck in all that you do.
Wiggins.