The Ultimate OCS Graduation and Commissioning Gift Guide

“What should I get a graduating or commissioning candidate?” is a question asked by many family members unfamiliar with the Corps.
The following were my favorite gifts when I graduated OCS and commissioned (on the same day).

Quick N Easy PFT Crunches

[caption id=”attachment_226" align=”alignleft” width=”300" caption=”OCS Physical Fitness Test crunches killing a candidate”]

Great Pre-OCS Workout: Fartlek

Fartlek is a word that translates into “speed play”. The basic concept of this system is to train the body using different intervals of rest and speed. Normal Fartlek sessions tend to consist of about 3 to 4 miles, running about ¼ mile or more then resting before doing it…

Do’s and Dont’s of USMC OCS

I don’t remember where I got this, but a friend emailed me this great list. I hope it helps you out!

It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the following “do’s and dont’s,” but don’t get too bogged down in the specifics of them. You will pick them…

The Basic School (TBS) Questions and Answers

I am simply revisiting a correspondence with a young OCS graduate, nearing his TBS ship date, with several questions and answers about TBS.

TBS Questions

How Academics Are Taught At OCS

Although much of the time at OCS is spent in classroom time, and academics are 25% of candidates’ final grades, tests are probably one of the easiest challenges to overcome at OCS. Academic failures do send some candidates home, but in my experience leadership and physical…

Killer Crunch Workout

[caption id=”” align=”alignright” width=”269" caption=”PFT Crunches at OCS”]

A Simple Pull Up Program To Get Over 20

Once you can do between 10 and 20 deadhangs, do this work out!

An important piece of equipment that you might want to buy, if your gym doesn’t have one, is a dip belt. It looks like a weight-lifting belt with a long chain attached to…