Candidate Preparation

Preparation for Officer Candidates School begins the moment you decide to apply. To be ready for the rigors and challenges of OCS, you need to be physically and mentally prepared. This training will be unlike anything you have experienced in your life--for many of you, this may be the most grueling challenge you have ever undertaken. This page will guide you toward exemplary preparation for OCS--if you would like more information, we encourage you to visit the OCS Web SIte and your Officer Selection Office for more guidance.

Pre-Selection--"What should I do to get started?"

The first step in your journey toward your commission as an Officer of Marines is to contact your OSO Office. You will speak with a member of the Officer Selection Team, who will ask you a series of screening questions. In order to speed your application process, you can have your answers ready by filling out our screening questionnaire.

Once these questions are completed, you will schedule an interview with Captain Potter, the Officer Selection Officer for the Maryland/DC area. During this interview, you will learn about the Marine Corps Officer Selection programs available and we will learn more about you. Think of this as your first interview for a job--your manner of dress will reflect how much you care about the appointment. Ladies and gentlemen will wear appropriate business attire.

After your interview, you will schedule a time to go to MEPS (Military Entry Processing). MEPS is a basic military physical, including vision and drug screenings. Bring your medical records, arrive early (around 0600 is sufficient to beat the line), and expect for MEPS to take until 1200 (or later if you arrive later than 0600).

After MEPS, you will assemble your package--this includes your PIQs and other required documentation. These documents are available from your OSO Office or online at our application and documents page. Like many other facets of the process, this is self-motivated--because you want to be selected, you will be motivated to complete your package as quickly and thoroughly as possible. If you require any waivers, diligently complete any required paperwork for submission.

An important component of your package is your Physical Fitness Test (PFT). The Marine Corps PFT consists of: pullups, crunches, and a 3-mile run for men; a flexed-arm-hang, crunches, and a 3-mile run for women. With these exercises in mind, it is imperative that you build your level of physical fitness as thoroughly as possible. Without regular sustained work on your part, you will not be able to perform well on your PFT. Click here for an in-depth discussion of the PFT and physical preparation.

Once you have run a first-class PFT (achieving a score of 240 or greater) and your package is otherwise completed, you will sit down with Captain Potter, who will present you with the option of signing your OCS contract. This contract will obligate you (if selected) to complete the first four weeks of OCS--after those four weeks, the choice is yours to stay or leave. Once your package is complete, your application will be submitted to a board for selection. Selection is not immediate--do not worry if a few weeks go by without word from the office. Use the time to build your physical fitness level.

Post Selection--"Congratulations, You Were Selected for OCS!"

Once you have been selected to go to OCS, continue to build your fitness level while you study the materials you will be responsible for while training. These materials are available as part of your welcome aboard packet. The OCS prep guides, the candidate regulations, other trained candidates, and your OSO are your most useful resources for preparing for OCS. Your OSO has some videos that will help you prepare for OCS as well. Also, download an OCS Video series from the Marine Corps Times OCS Class 186 web site--this series provides an inside perspective on OCS, and is one of the most accurate resources available.

Remember, physical training is continuous! Do not slack off after you have been selected, because it will undo the fitness gains you have made while preparing. As a candidate, you are expected to maintain a first class PFT at all times, irrespective to when you ship to OCS. You must work hard (both on your own and with your fellow candidates) to develop an exceptional level of overall fitness. Focus on the following:

Long distance runs (4-6 miles)

Upper body strength development

Nutrition

Flexibility / Stretching

Injury Prevention--avoid overtraining!

Train systematically--think of OCS as an athletic event, and train accordingly. If you train hard, but also train smart, you will achieve superior results and be fully prepared for the physical demands of OCS. For further assistane, consult our physical preparation page.

3-4 Weeks Pre-Ship--"Get your affairs in order!"

Thirty days before you ship to OCS you will conduct a pre-ship PFT and pre-OCS briefing with the OSO. The purpose of the pre-ship PFT and briefing is to ensure you are both physically and mentally prepared for OCS. This also provides time to address any concerns or issues in a timely fashion before OCS.

When you ship off to OCS, you will be gone for six ot ten weeks--during the first three weeks, you will not be able to communicate with the outside world except through mail. After the third week, you will be given approximately 24 hours off-base liberty each weekend until you graduate. To avoid any problems and to allow you to focus on training, ensure you have your personal affairs in order before you ship. Here is a sample list of tasks to perform:

Make sure you arrange to have your bills paid while you are training. As future Marine Officers, you are responsible enough to make these arrangements before you ship.

Notify your school (or work) that you will be training for a significant portion of the summer.

There may be a delay in receiving your pay at OCS initally--keeping this in mind, don't make plans for your OCS pay until your pay cycle begins!

As alluded to before, letters will be your primary means of communication with the outside world. To this end, ensure you have someone who will write you letters (parents, relatives, significant other(s), etc). Ensure they know they should continue to write with or without a response, as you may not always have time to write replies. These letters will boost your spirits throughout OCS.

Review the OCS Prep Guideand consult with your OSO to ensure you have completed everything you need to ship to OCS.

Continue studying the Candidate Regulations to get a head start on OCS. Check the OCS Web Site for the most current version.

If you are shipping to Seniors, you must master the Returning Seniors Test. This is one of the first things you will do at OCS--if you fail, you will be dropped immediately. If you have not previously shipped to OCS, this test is an excellent synopsis of the classroom portion of the first six weeks--studying it will augment your preparation.

If you have dependants, make sure that you have an adequate family care plan.

Day of Ship--"Game Time"

On your day of ship, you will report to the OSO Office in proper civilian attire, carrying your gear in a bag and wearing your go-fasters. You will receive a pre-ship brief, attend to any last administrative issues, and then ship to OCS. While at training, always keep in mind your original reason(s) for enrolling in the program and attending OCS, because this will be your only motivation when you are challenged the most. Expect to fail regularly--but always rebound from failure, because that is what leaders do. Always give your utmost, and perform each task with speed, volume and intensity. Best of luck--we'll see you at graduation!

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	Candidate Preparation Preparation for Officer Candidates School begins the moment you decide to apply. To be ready for the rigors and challenges of OCS, you need to be physically and mentally prepared. This training will be unlike anything you have experienced in your life--for many of you, this may be the most grueling challenge you have ever undertaken. This page will guide you toward exemplary preparation for OCS--if you would like more information, we encourage you to visit the OCS Web SIte and your Officer Selection Office for more guidance. Pre-Selection--"What should I do to get started?" The first step in your journey toward your commission as an Officer of Marines is to contact your OSO Office. You will speak with a member of the Officer Selection Team, who will ask you a series of screening questions. In order to speed your application process, you can have your answers ready by filling out our screening questionnaire. Once these questions are completed, you will schedule an interview with Captain Potter, the Officer Selection Officer for the Maryland/DC area. During this interview, you will learn about the Marine Corps Officer Selection programs available and we will learn more about you. Think of this as your first interview for a job--your manner of dress will reflect how much you care about the appointment. Ladies and gentlemen will wear appropriate business attire. After your interview, you will schedule a time to go to MEPS (Military Entry Processing). MEPS is a basic military physical, including vision and drug screenings. Bring your medical records, arrive early (around 0600 is sufficient to beat the line), and expect for MEPS to take until 1200 (or later if you arrive later than 0600). After MEPS, you will assemble your package--this includes your PIQs and other required documentation. These documents are available from your OSO Office or online at our application and documents page. Like many other facets of the process, this is self-motivated--because you want to be selected, you will be motivated to complete your package as quickly and thoroughly as possible. If you require any waivers, diligently complete any required paperwork for submission. An important component of your package is your Physical Fitness Test (PFT). The Marine Corps PFT consists of: pullups, crunches, and a 3-mile run for men; a flexed-arm-hang, crunches, and a 3-mile run for women. With these exercises in mind, it is imperative that you build your level of physical fitness as thoroughly as possible. Without regular sustained work on your part, you will not be able to perform well on your PFT. Click here for an in-depth discussion of the PFT and physical preparation. Once you have run a first-class PFT (achieving a score of 240 or greater) and your package is otherwise completed, you will sit down with Captain Potter, who will present you with the option of signing your OCS contract. This contract will obligate you (if selected) to complete the first four weeks of OCS--after those four weeks, the choice is yours to stay or leave. Once your package is complete, your application will be submitted to a board for selection. Selection is not immediate--do not worry if a few weeks go by without word from the office. Use the time to build your physical fitness level. Post Selection--"Congratulations, You Were Selected for OCS!" Once you have been selected to go to OCS, continue to build your fitness level while you study the materials you will be responsible for while training. These materials are available as part of your welcome aboard packet. The OCS prep guides, the candidate regulations, other trained candidates, and your OSO are your most useful resources for preparing for OCS. Your OSO has some videos that will help you prepare for OCS as well. Also, download an OCS Video series from the Marine Corps Times OCS Class 186 web site--this series provides an inside perspective on OCS, and is one of the most accurate resources available. Remember, physical training is continuous! Do not slack off after you have been selected, because it will undo the fitness gains you have made while preparing. As a candidate, you are expected to maintain a first class PFT at all times, irrespective to when you ship to OCS. You must work hard (both on your own and with your fellow candidates) to develop an exceptional level of overall fitness. Focus on the following: Long distance runs (4-6 miles) Upper body strength development Nutrition Flexibility / Stretching Injury Prevention--avoid overtraining! Train systematically--think of OCS as an athletic event, and train accordingly. If you train hard, but also train smart, you will achieve superior results and be fully prepared for the physical demands of OCS. For further assistane, consult our physical preparation page. 3-4 Weeks Pre-Ship--"Get your affairs in order!" Thirty days before you ship to OCS you will conduct a pre-ship PFT and pre-OCS briefing with the OSO. The purpose of the pre-ship PFT and briefing is to ensure you are both physically and mentally prepared for OCS. This also provides time to address any concerns or issues in a timely fashion before OCS. When you ship off to OCS, you will be gone for six ot ten weeks--during the first three weeks, you will not be able to communicate with the outside world except through mail. After the third week, you will be given approximately 24 hours off-base liberty each weekend until you graduate. To avoid any problems and to allow you to focus on training, ensure you have your personal affairs in order before you ship. Here is a sample list of tasks to perform: Make sure you arrange to have your bills paid while you are training. As future Marine Officers, you are responsible enough to make these arrangements before you ship. Notify your school (or work) that you will be training for a significant portion of the summer. There may be a delay in receiving your pay at OCS initally--keeping this in mind, don't make plans for your OCS pay until your pay cycle begins! As alluded to before, letters will be your primary means of communication with the outside world. To this end, ensure you have someone who will write you letters (parents, relatives, significant other(s), etc). Ensure they know they should continue to write with or without a response, as you may not always have time to write replies. These letters will boost your spirits throughout OCS. Review the OCS Prep Guideand consult with your OSO to ensure you have completed everything you need to ship to OCS. Continue studying the Candidate Regulations to get a head start on OCS. Check the OCS Web Site for the most current version. If you are shipping to Seniors, you must master the Returning Seniors Test. This is one of the first things you will do at OCS--if you fail, you will be dropped immediately. If you have not previously shipped to OCS, this test is an excellent synopsis of the classroom portion of the first six weeks--studying it will augment your preparation. If you have dependants, make sure that you have an adequate family care plan. Day of Ship--"Game Time" On your day of ship, you will report to the OSO Office in proper civilian attire, carrying your gear in a bag and wearing your go-fasters. You will receive a pre-ship brief, attend to any last administrative issues, and then ship to OCS. While at training, always keep in mind your original reason(s) for enrolling in the program and attending OCS, because this will be your only motivation when you are challenged the most. Expect to fail regularly--but always rebound from failure, because that is what leaders do. Always give your utmost, and perform each task with speed, volume and intensity. Best of luck--we'll see you at graduation! Top of Page