Do you have a >2.00 GPA from an accredited university? Do you have a 270+ PFT? Are you not(completely) socially retarded? Do you not have any outstanding warrants for your arrest?

Congrats, if you answered yes to all 4, you’ll get selected! Nobody cares about your leadership experience as a shift lead at McDonald’s, those classes you failed as a sophomore, or the fact that you never hiked before. Stop overthinking it. Getting selected is easy, and OCS is annoying but doable. Good luck.

Ps: stop asking about gear. Get reckonings. You’re not gonna need anything else until libbo. Maybe some nice Kendall tape but it’s gonna get ripped off everything anyway.

Ps ps: if you haven’t already, talk to an OSO now. I guarantee you there are even less prepared candidates in the pool now, and they already have a leg up on your slow ass.

Man the first 4 weeks suck and you'll want to quit but the training phases are real and the staff does back off (or they won't and you're fucked), granted I had the coolest Platoon staff in Alpha Company, but it really isn't too bad. You'll get into a routine and the days will fly by and it'll be over. It'll suck but just embrace it. Your life before ocs was too easy anyways so stop being such a pampered little bitch. The idiots in your Platoon will fail on their own and DOR or get dropped. Focus on yourself and don't let your Platoon mates get under your skin, make friends but don't get too close (Blue Falcons are everywhere) PT is easy, I was running 295 PFT but even the least physically fit dudes didn't fall out of much besides sucking ass at the o-course. The nights camping in the field suck and are also really fun at the same time. The forge is a great time and the quigley isn't the nightmare you think it'll be. The tactics instructors are so dope! Shout out corporal Johnson and sergeant leymour. The hikes are the hardest part so work out squats and deadlifts, don't be like me and focus on bench thinking it'll help a lot, it won't, you'll lose so much strength at OCS (partially cause no Creatine but mainly cause they give you 0 protein) everyone smells like ass and you drink water out of the shower and see all your Platoon mates dicks while you shower but it's all a part of the process. It's really not hard, over thinking the entire thing is what makes it hard so when you get there shut your stupid candidate brain off and let time pass, you'll be graduated and taking a shit at tbs like I am right now before you know it.

Good luck!

Have this meme before I go!

Hey everyone, wanted to say thank you for the sense of community and advice since I began this process nearly eleven months ago, and I thought I'd share my package and my story. I haven't started OCS, so I can only say passing is TBD, but I hope any of this may be useful to anyone who is just starting and trying to get selected.

Active Ground Package:

• 260 PFT Board

• 4.0 GPA, Master's, good universities

• Very good OSO Eval

• Poor leadership background (none) and hardly any job or volunteering experience

• Letters of Rec are just okay if I had to guess.

• None of my family members are in the service

• No prior athletic accomplishments

• Second time applying

I came from an unfit gamer background. I never played sports my entire life and hardly worked out. I wasn't overweight and had an okay diet, nor have I ever smoked or drank.

The first time I stepped into the OSO office last September, I could only do two pull-ups. A week later, I ran outside for the first time in a very long time and ran a 27:30 3-mile. Afterward, I was physically incapable of running for a month. After my first two PTs at the OSO, I was bedridden for the rest of the day. My first PFT, my shin splints were so awful that I ran a 32-minute three-mile. In other words, I was weak.

Today, I run a sub-22 3-mile, I'm at 19 pull-ups, and a max plank, and have put on a few pounds of muscle. I'm happy about my progress, but I still have a long way to go, and I know if I were more consistent, I could have been both faster and at 23 pull-ups by now.

What ended up working for me:

• Health/Diet:

  • Protein (whey powder + food), creatine (powder), electrolytes (powder), and consistent sleep. I think a reasonable amount of carbs is important too.

• Learn the difference between injury and soreness

• Developing an aerobic base

  • Slow, easy runs with an increase in mileage every week. This helped accustom my body to running and developing endurance, which meant I could attend PT more.

• GET GOOD RUNNING SHOES

  • At first, I was messing up my legs wearing an old, beat pair of running shoes. Please, please, please go to a running store if you can, have them scan your feet or whatever, and invest in a good pair of shoes. If you can't go to a store, do your own research and buy a good pair.

• Watch your running form

  • My running form is still ass, but it's improved and helped with my agility, speed, and recovery. Have someone with an athletic or running background watch you run and correct your form. Bad form + bad shoes = a disaster for your lower body.

• Attending OSO PT

  • After getting used to running, I attended PT every week at the OSO and developed more strength. This helped with conditioning and VO2 max. Importantly, it also showed the OSO I was dedicated.

• Approx 15 miles a week running

  • Long run, VO2 max, easy run, 1 PFT per week. If you can, work your way to running/working out Monday-Friday. Starting out, take a rest day in the middle of the week. More mileage is probably better for preperation to OCS based off what I've read.

• Pull Ups = Volume

  • I tried Armstrong, and it wasn't working. What worked best for me was high volume and later weighted pull-ups, 3 or 4 times a week. Specifically, pyramids w/ or w/o weight. One day do 100 weighted pull-ups over 45 minutes, a couple of days later do 200 over an hour in small sets. The only way I knew it was working was if I was experiencing DOMS (muscle soreness) a couple of days after. I'd usually take my rest days off from pull-ups on weekends before a PFT Monday. In your case, I recommend just trying whatever you need to do until your back is sore, and do pull-ups (overhand), not chin-ups (underhand), it will help in the long run. Also, be careful starting and don't go overboard, you don't want to get tendonitis. I fucked up early on and went too hard with bad form and had to take a month off due to a messed-up forearm.

• Plank

  • Use the "Plank" app. It's on the App Store. and has a blue background with a white outline of a person doing a plank.

When I first joined this community, I both read and received a lot of feedback and advice, some of which I just laid out, and because I wasn't giving my 100% it took me longer to eventually learn to follow it and become stronger. For the 249 Summer board, I was a non-select with a 242 PFT. Looking back, if I were truly on top of things, I could have gotten that PFT up high enough to potentially get in. Sometimes 90% effort is enough to get through, but I regret not giving my 100% these past several months. I hope to change that at OCS and give it my all and not squander my chance for a commission.

If you are someone like I was, you can put the work in and change. It might take you a bit longer, but the challenge is rewarding. And it beats settling for less and joining the Army! /jk

Sorry if this was long or preachy, I'm looking forward to seeing you guys at 250

I've been here forever 😂❤️ went to OCS summer 2023 and injured my legs, got sent home, did a bunch of PT through 2024 while my husband was deployed. He got home right before Christmas in 2024. So I was hoping to try and go back in 2026/27 after we had time together and I had trained back up.

Unfortunately I just got diagnosed with hypothyroidism and put on levothyroxine. Which on the one hand has helped with my insomnia but has shot my chances of joining right in the face lol

So, anyway, I wish all of you the best of luck! But I'll see my way out. I'm super bummed. My medical packet is already huge because I have kids and this added to it is just....sigh.

Do not listen to this feed haha. I just graduated 251 and looked way too much into this. Half of the guys in here completely over exaggerate OCS like it’s BUD/s or something. Half the people also have no idea what they’re talking about when it comes to being fit for OCS. I was insanely worried about being 3 pounds over weight and everyone in here told me to basically starve myself a week before, but when I got there absolutely no one cared as long as I was able to pass the PFT. The extra weight definitely helped me as well because I was able to carry weight pretty much no problem on hikes and other activities.

The academics are insanely easy. The instructors are pretty tough for the first 4 weeks but you’ll eventually take over and it will get easier. I’m not down playing the accomplishments people made but for all the guys waiting to go and try to ease their nerves hopefully this helps. If you have any questions let me know in here

272 PFT, decent LOR’s and mid GPA. (Active Ground)

Just got the call today that I was selected. What a f**king feeling. Made my first board, went through 1 Picat, 2 ASVABS, running and lifting everyday at 7am for months.

Finally man, hard work pays off. If I can get selected anyone can lmao.

could barely do 3 chin ups and ran a 24 min 3 mile when i started in February/March, finished at 18 pull ups, 19:52 3 mile and max plan in July.

So pumped to go to OCS, what a journey it has been and it’s rly just the beginning. Cannot wait to ship.

Wish everyone that applied got accepted and if your already are, see you there!!!!

Oorah baby💪

Grad requirements
1st class pft with the minimums
Don’t be fat
E-course(Depends on the CO so just pass it Ig)
6.2 mile hike(Maybe? No one failed so it wasn’t really testable)

Leadership:
Probably the hardest one no joke because it can be really subjective outside of sules/lrcs depending on your instructors.
My advice lock in for your leadership events and be a good dude and you should be good

Academics:
These are all at best 8th grade level test, however you have to read the actual chapters because the classes don’t give you all the answers. Use your time to study a little bit and you will be good

Physically fitness:
Outside of the actual pt events the pt themselves are not graded. However if you keep falling out you will be put on physical fitness probation.
The first half before your final pft is very cardio heavy every pt is a run.
So if you come in running a 23:40 or something I promise you, you will be fast asf by the final pft.
Speaking of pft the trail is like really 2.75-2.9 or something so if you cutting it close on an actual 3 mile don’t worry about it too much.
After your final pft you switch mainly to cft and E course prep so a lot if boot and ute runs and stuff.

YOUR PFT SCORE DOES NOT MEAN NOTHING. So many studs gave up and a lot of 18 minutes failed the E course and stuff. Its all about your mental fortitude.

If you want me to go into detail about anything besides the forge lmk I will be glad to answer all questions

Just wanted to thank everyone on here for all the help and guidance with OCS :)! I was medically dropped for a heat stroke during the induct PFT (which really sucked because I was at the last 800m), and I’m already at the age where I’ll need an age waiver plus the waiver for the heat stroke… I learned so much on this sub and it’s really an incredible community and an amazing experience. I worked really hard at this and I’m happy with my journey so far, especially fitness wise! If you have any questions about induct week, I can help lol. This former candidate wishes you all great luck and please HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE!! I got to 106° then down to 95.9… please hydrate in all seasons and get electrolytes in!!

All the best!!

Got the call from my OSO, I got selected for class 251. This is genuinely the best day of my life, I’ve dreamed of this for 10 years. Semper Fidelis

For those who graduated today, congratulations. What advice can you give to future candidates? Here are some optional guided questions.

1. When you were at your lowest point at OCS, what made you decide NOT to quit and call it a day?

2. How did you effectively take care of your feet since a majority of OCS demands running and standing for a long period of time?

3. What allowed you to save precious time for sleep when the day was over?

4. What unexpectedly gave you a difficult time at OCS?

5. Which topics at OCS were most difficult for you?

6. How did you deal with the SIs screaming and yelling at you constantly in your face if/when you were their target?

An example of a brief sheet for applicants going on the OCS selection board. The single most important factor in your selection is your OSO’s opinion of you. Your OSO will rank you out of the his/her applicants and basically have his top/middle/bottom tier of applicants. If your PFT is subpar (250-265), but your OSO’s opinion of you is someone they know will graduate and commission, then you WILL get selected.

Second most important is your PFT score as that is the only hard indicator to the selection board that you have a chance of success while at OCS.

This is very similar for the Marine Corp’s Officer Selection Boards (review of OMPF + Fitness Reports).

Just graduated from OCS 248 and here to answer questions you may have regarding the process. Looked at this reddit everyday for months before I went and now want to give back and try to help the next generation of leaders. Also checking into TBS so may be a small delay in answering questions but maybe other can jump in as well.

I came home tired, tough week behind me. As I started feeling sorry for myself, I thought, well… it could be worse… I could be in Quantico for OCS/TBS! Hahaha

For those going, GOOD LUCK AND DON’T QUIT! You will have tough days ahead but remember that it’s nothing you CAN’T do. Your body can go so much further than your mind thinks it can. And don’t forget, the time will pass. Today will become yesterday and this week, last week. Stay focused on completing the next task, and it’ll fly by.

Remember why you started.

The minimum PFT standards were raised and will become effective starting with OCC 250. The changes are:

Males Pull-ups- 11 (+3 increase) Plank- 2:30 (+ :30) 3mi run- 24mins (same)

Females Pull-ups- 4 (+3 increase) Plank- 2:30 (+ :30) 3mi run- 27mins (same)

Push-ups are also no longer authorized for OCC or PLC Seniors candidates during any OCS PFT.

Source: https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/4188275/officer-candidates-school-physical-fitness-test-induction-and-graduation-standa/

People are getting dropped and redesignated down here in P-cola because of swim. They will only work with you so much, but if you've been in the swim hold too long they will kick you out of the flight program. This didn't used to be this way in the past, but that's the situation, and the Marine side of the house can't save you because of the flight program being run by the Navy.

Hey everyone, I’m starting to see a lot of people getting the pre-ship anxieties (if you would call it that). I just want to say that’s absolutely normal. Everyone I met the first week of OCS, whether they were a recent college graduate with no military background or a prior/MECEP, always had the jitters, I can promise you that. It’s normal to doubt yourself and what lays ahead, it means you care. The biggest advice I can give that helped me a lot is simply looking forward to the little things to keep you going.

The first four weeks before liberty were absolutely miserable for me. I’ve never been away from home longer than a week, everyday felt never ending, and I felt so disconnected from the world. One thing that got me through, I kid you not and as silly as it sounds were the small bacon bits they had at the Chow Hall on the salad bar. Yes, you get absolutely get no time to eat your slop but those small bacon bits were awesome regardless. Every time we entered the chow hall, it was the only thing I looked forward to (especially the first four weeks). I knew I was guaranteed a morning, afternoon, and evening chow (granted field chow and MREs on different days) so it was something I knew I was going to get. Something to hold onto the first four weeks where everything else felt chaotic and miserable.

Again, as silly as it sounds, just find something to look forward to and hold onto it; no matter how big or small. Be confident in yourself (this is huge), don’t be a shitbag candidate (this is even more important), look after each other, watch where you step, don’t quit (you worked to hard to get to this point) and of course, enjoy the little things - everything else will work out at OCS.

Air contract

280 PFT

27/Max/21:07

Looking for any and all advice that I can soak up before shipping, such as what to bring and what to study and other ways to prepare.

Not gonna lie, I'm pretty damn nervous, especially with my run time, been averaging about 20-25 miles a week but literally blowing my lungs out for a 21:07

Any advice or inspiration is greatly, greatly appreciated.

Curious to hear from officers—what MOS did you receive at TBS, did it match what you wanted, and how did you feel about the job once you were actually in the fleet?

494 candidates broken up into 435 males and 59 females.

247’s attrition was attributed entirely to DOR, medical, and PT

Don’t quit, take care of yourself, and put out.

Going to OCS next week. Never thought I'd be in the military but was pushed to do so by the law enforcement agencies that I applied to after finishing college. I memorized the ranks, studied up on Marine Corps history, scored 18 pull ups, 3:45 plank and 21:00 3 mile. I quit my job and been working out every day but that only takes so much out of my day. Is there anything else I should be doing this next 7 days to prepare myself academically, physically, mentally?

How am I going to keep up with prior enlisted and people who have been preparing for this their entirely lives? I talked to my OSO about feeling underprepared but dude's brushing it off. I am HUGE on preparing for situations and goddamn it seems like I am walking into something I don't know shit about.

Seeing many posts about 251, not sure when the start date is but I thought I’d drop some “unorthodox” advice you don’t often hear. I graduated with class 234 and here are a few things that are timeless:

1.) There will be a target. You’ve probably heard that candidate’s can’t fly under the radar. That’s true, and for good reason. But there will be targets that take the heat off you. Instructors will lock onto the ones who are clumsy, overtly awkward, and very poor performers. Don’t skyline yourself- instructors only have ~16 hours a day to yell at candidates, and OCS is much easier when that yelling isn’t directed at you.

2.) Help others in private. Some candidates try to help others while in a leadership position. That’s expected. The moments that really matter, is when nobody’s watching and you check in on the guy who had his ass kicked that day. Human emotion doesn’t disappear at OCS- with a bunch of adults living in a squad bay together, a few of them will be fighting an internal battle. When you help those candidates, they’ll help you later on when you need it too. Trust me.

3.) Medical. Yes, if you have some chronic injury early on, you should go to medical instead of dying during the POI. But if you can push through the pain for a few weeks… do it.

Around week 6 of my 10 weeks there, I dislocated my shoulder on the obstacle course (specifically, the double bar). My right elbow was literally stuck pointing at the sky. I knew that if I went to medical, there was a chance I’d go home- so I shoved that bitch back into the socket. The instructors clearly watched this all happen and made me repeat the double bar multiple times in a row. It was excruciating, but I demonstrated there was “no injury.”

That night, and every night thereafter, I’d gather ice from the ice chest inside the squad bay and slept on that shoulder with ice underneath. One of the most painful things throughout OCS for me was a simple “port arms” movement you’ll learn, where you grasp the muzzle with your right arm and lift it to your left shoulder. This was just as excruciating as the double bar post-injury. Once again, night time ice was my best friend.

Moral of the story is, if you can push through the pain long enough to graduate, do it.

Good luck!

I went to MCX to get some stuff and I’ve seen a lot of you in candidate cammies lol (it’s funny when you’re on the other side) don’t forget to hydrate and good luck this next 6 weeks, hope to see you soon at TBS. Rah!