Officer Candidate School Prep 2011 - The First Hour

Candidate David Leapheart and fellow candidates experience what the first hour of Officer Candidate School will be like during a prep weekend April 2011. Video by Cpl. David Rogers.

[@yak117yk1]

OCS Quantico , summer 1968. Changed me for life, went on to fly the CH53 in Vietnam. Still proud to be a Marine. Brothers for life.

[@SP-rg7up]

he's like a nerd in a linebackers body

[@TheHilariousGoldenChariot]

Guess that means he’s dangerous, guns with brains

[@void870]

Generally, that's an Officer, in the Marines and the Army, in a nutshell.

[@davidleapheart6239]

That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me.

[@youthought878]

@@davidleapheart6239 holy shit it’s fucking YOU 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 dude you’re an absolute beast... I’m sure you got accepted, so thank you for your service good sir. I plan on doing OCS for the marines after I finish my degree in political science in a year, kind of the same path as you

[@jerquezhughey4372]

@@davidleapheart6239 how’s it going?

[@Gibbyveinte]

I was the youngest mustang in golf company and still believe it was a lot easier than boot camp I'm very proud to say I'm prior enlisted.

[@Justin_GFM]

Easier than boot camp? I'm sure about that because you already went through hard training

[@mbenzsl2000]

Easier? Well you already went through boot. I am sure you were in a MUCH better position than all of the other officer candidates, especially with regards to expectations and endurance.

[@mbenzsl2000]

But congrats! That is quite an accomplishment.

[@johnreed4388]

The best officers I ever saw were prior enlisted because they know what its like from the enlisted point of view and not just giving orders for shits and giggles

[@johnreed4388]

always tht one slow ass in the crowd

[@Medevicerep]

Summer of 1979 for me. Worth every minute, although I did not appreciate it at the time.

[@salsaon2358]

I was a Sgt Instructor in Charlie Company 92-94. The curriculum at OCS is insane. We throw a lot of stuff at the candidates and our expectations are of course high. In my experience as an instructor there, I found that the prior enlisted candidates were either really squared away or dirtbags that brought their bad habits with them. I call it like I see it.

[@Nica-Ra-Wata]

To all future Marine Officers, remember you are going to be leading some crazy motherfuckers...

[@souperhart]

not all of them. maybe 10%

[@99cond]

Barry Allen What do you mean?

[@Nica-Ra-Wata]

Connor D. I mean some Leatherneck grunts who love war

[@teddygrizz]

+77musica I was thinking more along the lines of all the disciplinary issues they are going to have to deal with every monday after they went crazy over the weekend lol

[@elitewarrior0076]

Unless you go on to be a Marine Aviator, in which case your not really going to be “leading” anyone

[@raposafox9222]

SHIPPING IN 10 DAYS TO OCS. MOTIVATED!

[@blazingfilmsent8227]

The real savages are the grunts.The world's largest gang.

[@ShortKhid69]

How was ocs

[@nedflander255]

RAPOSAfox what rank are u now

[@Mikeystonet]

Ned Flander being that this was posted 2 years ago and the Corps promotes extremely slowly, probably still an O-2, but possibly still a butter bar.

[@nemander8273]

Dan John you think so?

[@raposafox9222]

I'd also like to add that the black sergeant instructor looks like Avery Johnson from Halo lol

[@loydma3]

holy crap...i didnt even see his face and the voice almost caused my heart to drop. GySgt Avalos. He's the Gunny around 1:20 and also my platoon sgt from OCS.

[@collinacciaioli6820]

I just got back from PLC and the sergeant instructor in this video was my drill master for the summer.

[@thevoice421]

It's tough, but in a different way. PT is harder, and you're expected to show up in better shape than in enlisted boot camp. The academic classes are also a little tougher. Boot camp is 13 weeks as opposed to 10 (or the two six-week route) that Officer Candidates do. At Boot Camp the DI's job is to make you into a Marine. At OCS their job is to screen and evaluate you. If you're a turd, then you'll get dropped, along with %40 of the other candidates (usually).

[@jtovar6158]

Can't wait to get this done with. Getting through boot camp was hard enough. I guess getting hazed all over again won't be so bad. It's gonna suck, but it'll be we'll worth it being an officer and leading the way I believe in. There are way to many self-absorbed officers in the Corps. Maybe, I can make a difference and lead my Marines the way I've never been led. Oorah!

[@ramflow8466]

How was it? Are you still in?

[@vondreas]

@@ramflow8466 The LTC has not replied yet!

[@StopBeingFat24]

Hey sir, you still alive or what? 😂

[@ScoutSniper3124]

To all the future Infantry Officers, your actual training begins the day you meet your PSG.

[@everettlogan2433]

I was having boot camp flash backs

[@plutonium120]

I JUST GOT SELECTED ! MOTIVATED AS FUCK !!!!!!

[@Gamebreaker08]

+Phil Pacific Congrats dude, you make it?

[@plutonium120]

yeah i did thanks man. i'm currently at tbs; all motivation is gone.

[@rdenHotEd]

+Phil Pacific what is tbs?

[@Gamebreaker08]

+Kristoffer P The Basic School (TBS) is where all newly commissioned and appointed (for warrant officers) United States Marine Corps officers are taught the basics of being an "Officer of Marines." The Basic School is at Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia, in the south-west of the Marine Corps Base Quantico complex.

[@Jeremiahking101]

Lol sir if i may, what happened to the motivation? haha

[@malfaro1392]

@thecolaratlady Depending on the route you take the length differs. Yes, after OCS you must graduate from The Basic School (TBS) and after mos (your job) Selection you receive your first orders, pretty much to your mos school. After, your orders can be you commanding a platoon size or anything the Marine Corps needs at the time.

[@TitansQuarterback16]

I am a freshman in college and I plan to go into the JAG Corps in the Marine Corps. I am working with a OSO and I am excited to get started. Oorah!

[@DirtyJerseyProductions]

@6robyc I just applied for and got accepted to Naval Aviation after graduating from college last December. The recruiter I talked to was extremely helpful and did not put any pressure on me one way or the other. He helped answer pretty much all of the questions I had and made the application process a lot less intimidating. They understand the military isn't for everyone, and you should be certain that it is something you want to do before you make any commitments.

[@firemedic34roc]

that guy not listening around 3:40 mark would have been destroyed at parris island.

[@hd150]

yeah hes an OCS i heard they dont yell at them or like be mean that much like they do in boot camp

[@lifeforgod07]

Brendan Byal Wassup Byal :) Preach it!

[@arsenalfan9091]

he probably got sent home.

[@kekistani2373]

depends on the OCS Sergeant in that platoon. Recruits gets broken down in the smaller details, Candidates get dropped for a fuck up.

[@throe68]

and MCRD San Diego

[@Intranetusa]

How important is knowing how to swim before going to OCS? I'm thinking of trying out for the PLC-Law OCS program but I never learned how - and I've heard horror stories of recruits being tossed into the deep end of the pool as a "swimming lesson.'

[@bleekis91]

awww man I love it! 2004-2012 USMC

[@kunga92]

Hi, I'm currently a freshman in college and am considering Marine Option ROTC. I've wanted to be a Marine for quite some time. Do you have any knowledge on whether I would be able to participate in the RTOC program next school year if I go talk to a recruiter now? Or will I have to wait until my junior year?

[@onebolt91]

I am active duty Navy with a few years left before my contract ends. Once my time is up, I'll be going to college, and then hopefully into the Marine Corps Reserve as an Officer. If the college I go to doesn't have an NROTC, will I have to go through OCS, or is NROTC a "pre- OCS" requirement?

[@pwndumbppl]

Lmao! He skipped 10 numbers when counting down from 30 the first time they where gonna put their stuff away.

[@imagbaby5]

just like boot

[@intotheunknown8693]

This triggered flashbacks

[@alpha82425]

Awesome, I recognize some of the SI's I had when I went to OCS.

[@omgitsjakelang]

You'll go through OCS whether you're college has NROTC or not. The only exception is those who go to the Naval Academy. They go right to TBS upon graduation.

[@russianbear54]

Man, I got dropped after six weeks back in 04 :( For any of you shipping out this summer here's a bit of advice: pretend that the highest PFT score is 600, make sure that you have plenty of vitamin C in your system(the staff will turn on giant fans in leu of AC on the fist week or so to make sure that whoever has a cold or the flu spreads it thoroughly across the barracks) and when you get your boots, ask for one size larger(else you'll erode your feet to the bone during humps).

[@russianbear54]

***** Well, I didn't survive PLC, but what led me to failure is mediocre PFT. Make sure you run a mile in well under 7 minutes, and can do 30 pullups at least. Definitely, DEFINITELY get shoes a size bigger. It's better to have them a little loose than grind the flesh off of your feet during a hump. Also, commit all drill commands to memory. No!! Commit them to instinct, because the easiest shit is easy to forget after you've slept just five hours in three days. (when I was the company commander, I forgot the command to sit everyone down in the classroom). Good luck.

[@russianbear54]

***** Also, if you're atheist, don't tell them that. Else they'll make you mop floors while everyone else gets to take a catnap during service on Sunday.

[@russianbear54]

260 going in, 282 going out. lol. Make sure that you can do a lot of tricep dips and pushups too.

[@russianbear54]

***** If you don't attend service and take a short nap, they'll make you do something else. Might as well just go. You can probably say that you rediscovered your sky god and his son Cheeses while in the sergeant instructor's clutches.

[@russianbear54]

Dude!!! It's called an "unsat" drop. PT is absolutely paramount in OCS, and it is difficult. The terrain there has a lot of features, like hills, dirt, and lots of humidity. You may also become injured early on, so you better have the reserves to run while limping. Again, sub-7 minute miles, 30 pulls ups at least. add 60 or so consecutive pushups and maybe 30 or 40 dips. Take it seriously, if you such at PT you'll draw attention to yourself.

[@DiveBum18]

just graduated plc jrs 4 days ago...looking forward to srs

[@TheBigshot416]

so you go to OCS twice? (this will likely be my route next year). Is Freshman summer prep then Junior summer OCS?

[@JAAPJXBIT]

When I finish my college degree and I enlist, would I go to OCS right when im done with boot camp? What is the usual process for this? Or can I just go to OCS without enlisting after finishing my degree? Thanks!

[@thecolaratlady]

@malfaro1392 How long does it take to complete? they receive their first assignments as officers?

[@bi0dude42O]

in the movie "a few good men" there were only navy prosecutors. was the movie wrong? it seems to me they should be administratively integrated.

[@TheDSkar]

oh god the memories. *shivers

[@minchoii94]

how many weeks do i have to be in training every summer while im in college for OCS? do i still get paid for going to training?

[@newstarcadefan]

This is from a civilian, if you want to go into any branch of service, rather it's Basic Enlisted, or through OCS...you best get your physical, mental, and emotional fitness in order now! You'll be a lot better off for it.

[@jordanpereira8326]

You getting internet access in your trailer, WT?

[@Intranetusa]

Great, thanks a lot!

[@TheRastaguy]

>go through USMC boot camp >go to be officer >this bullshit happens >god dammit.

[@0311andnice]

I sometimes have dreams that I have to go do bootcamp again.

[@ungke1]

I cant wait!!! im going to finish my college first n become a mustang

[@c2hollis]

Actually you can go the summer after your sophomore year and after your junior year.

[@GOTJIUJITSU12]

i've spoken to a marine recruiter and he said that i can go to PLC during the summer of my freshman year and then go back to finish off my sophmore or junior year

[@tylergarrett4498]

I'm entering as an officer and was wondering what would be good advice for the three jobs I preferred (Infantry, LAR, and the good ol squadron). Do I need to show that I'll try for my guys? Buy them beer? Just some general shit to start me on the good side

[@tylergarrett4498]

Forlorn Hope I was almost asleep.

[@TheMereCitizen]

Why are you asking for this kind of advice on KZbin? Know your trade, be firm, fair, and don't act like a douche. Your Marines will respect you.

[@smokeyhat]

Oh man I went to DI school with him, thats awesome

[@cloudgirl150]

Can anyone give me a rough summary of their experience at OCS? I'm thinking about attending one this summer at Quantico, VA. What was the training like? What were the sleeping/shower conditions? What are the requirements to pass the physical test? exc.

[@runhorun]

I am prior service. I have an re-3 code that requires a waiver. I have never been to captains mass or have been in trouble. I have a Honorable discharge with completion of service. When I got out the Navy was doing major restructuring and cutting back on people. I am heading to my junior and senior year in college, would I be able to be an officer in the military/marines?

[@tonyjason5654]

Any update to where the candidates are now

[@baberaider18]

You have to finish college to go to ocs right? i dont wanna go to college. i wanna go to the naval academy to become a marine officer

[@checkunderyourbed]

I keep rewinding the part where they're sitting at the table and the DIs are like HEYYY LETS GO!!! It's so funny.

[@smokeyhat]

In bootcamp we have this thing called time hack. I think your Conception of devotion differs greatly from mine.

[@goofoffproductions]

Kevin Bacon's character was a Marine. They show him in court wearing the Marine Service Uniform.

[@Guchiman14]

I just have a quick question, is it just me, or does everyone have trouble with understanding what their yelling out, i actually want to know

[@imagbaby5]

yeah at first but when they keep yelling over and over you'll get it

[@ThatGuy40640]

You figure it out quickly

[@RangerCaptain11A]

It costs you too much pain if you're a slow learner.

[@TenorMan96]

1:00 Your dad telling you to hurry it up while going out

[@sealrk19]

thank god for officers

[@TheNextgenmods]

@baberaider18 if you want to go to the Naval Academy you have to apply in your i think in your junior year and you will be told if you made it or not in your senior year and the Naval Academy is a college

[@facetiousbadger]

If he thinks that will be the most intensive 10 weeks of his life then he'll love the day he gets assigned billets for SACO, coordinating a TACP shoot, battalion CGI readiness half of the paperwork is missing, and has to complete all the annual Marine Net courses (on his own time of course!)

[@dkanake1]

@6robyc No they won't force you at all, jst go and talk to them they're pretty helpful

[@malfaro1392]

@thecolaratlady Males and females are separated. But since both train in the same area there are a few times you can see a platoon of the opposite sex in the distance.

[@ALdawg1994]

@TKDgeehun i think they were saying "Gunnery Sergeant"

[@supereman009]

did anyone notice that when he was counting down at 3:12 that he completely missed numbers 19-11...

[@valsartannakul]

This feels softer, and different in philosophy to recruit training. Obviously the end in mind are two very different breed of individual but the GunSgt seemed easier on the OC's than recruits. Is that true?

[@russianbear54]

Dude. That shit is hard core. The PT is tough. I mean TOUGH. One of the "mustangs" in my platoon told me that the hardest boot camp PT day is the first day of PT in ocs. Also as I recall, by the end of the first week you're either sick(cold, flu) or injured(sprained ankles) or BOTH. This is absolutely, in no way "training." This a selection!

[@omgitsjakenjames]

I just got back from PLC this past summer. As far as this vs boot camp, you can't get sent home from boot camp for not performing.

[@williamburton757]

well this video isn't actually from OCS, so maybe this prep weekend is toned down?

[@ahf5471]

I think that while at Quantico, you’ll wish you were back in PI.

[@shinobi5419]

0:56 A bit disconcerting at the attitude on some of those woman's faces as the Gunnys getting them out of there.

[@shinobi5419]

TEXAStooTAL L YUP!

[@genericusername6859]

+Shin Obi I thought the same thing.

[@TheJeffBala]

to true...

[@ajdrew4330]

M

[@poolie626]

One more year til I get to try!

[@OctopusFan08]

Midland, Michigan! Only 25 minutes from where I live. Didn't expect to hear him say that.

[@mrrsaf]

I heard that too…..Being from Mid-Michigan, I know this gentleman is battle tested. If you can make it out that way (Midland, Bay City, Saginaw or Flint) you can make it anywhere. Mr. Roberto S. Farrar Former Assistant Band Director Buena Vista High School Saginaw, Michigan

[@OctopusFan08]

Roberto Farrar Saginaw for me too.

[@speedfreak247]

"Look at me right now... Get back in side right now..." Ahh the games

[@AmericaFkYeah]

The most intense part of OCS is the freakin humidity.

[@thecolaratlady]

@smokeyhat Hi, i dont mean to bother you, but since you are a DI, i like to ask DI's about who their most memorable recruit was and why ..Good or bad.

[@voiden3338]

I wonder how this feels to prior enlisted

[@jeremiahbaker7584]

Like boot camp all over with less breaking you down more like a constant test to see if they want you to stay or not. Boot camp THEY WANT YOU TO STAY, but staying is up to you. By stay I mean graduate. Here is more of a "weeding out" process.

[@LibertarianUSA1982]

As a former marine 2003-2007 just about to graduate college, if I went back in as an officer would they treat me the same as the non Marines? Yell and scream etc. Just wondering, dont think I will be going back in too old now 31.

[@MARKSMAN108]

How is this different from marine rotc?

[@PerfectoM]

OOOoOOOOOOoooooooh! GOOOOOOOOOD!

[@kunga92]

Okay I see, thanks!!

[@Phill94]

@MidwestMarines First taste I got of that was MOS school, when for some STRANGE reason, I finish with more pull ups, a faster run time, and the same crunches as 4 out of the 6 LTs. You care to take a guess who had the higher PFT score when the instructors told the class? Yup...those 4 butter bars had the highest scores in the class. Funny ain't it?

[@baberaider18]

@MidwestMarines my dad went to nocs for the south vietnamese navy

[@skateinoc]

This gets my blood running and adrenaline pumping hahaha

[@aycc-nbh7289]

Would the DI’s be as tough at Navy OCS as they would at Marine OCS? And how different is this from Navy ODS? Would the chief petty officers be as tough as the gunnies?

[@chrismc410]

When get to their first posting or ship, yes

[@aycc-nbh7289]

chrismc410 Are you talking about DI’s or CPO’s?

[@chrismc410]

@@aycc-nbh7289 the Chiefs make officers their own way but they do it when the officer arrives to his or her first posting or ship

[@reeseb4005]

Lol I’ve been to camp dodge for NSO brings me back!

[@FrAnC3sCoN123]

i wonder why the gunnys dont get the Smokey Bear hats like DIs at MCRD do? arnt they too training Marines? and dont they have to go to a school similar to Drill Instructor School for DIs so why shouldn't they get a Smokey Bear hat as well? if some one knows please comment

[@arsenalfan9091]

He asked a question and did not give a command; therefore, it's not "Aye, Aye Gunnery Sergeant" it's "Yes/No, Gunnery Sergeant"

[@haileyhailey1880]

Kids show

[@lesliee4033]

I was thinking the same thing

[@ilovecatsijustlovecats3944]

I think I've seen this candidate around town here in MIdland, MI

[@skinWalkman]

Holy fuckin shit. That’s my old 1stSgt….

[@thecolaratlady]

@lexandra7 good question, and i know they are separated during boot, but what about this...hmm..can anyone answer our questions?

[@thecolaratlady]

What is required to go to OCS?

[@GOTJIUJITSU12]

if i go to college starting this august can still enlist as an officer

[@CuttySobz]

I'm in heaven.

[@Patty1917]

I think the black Gunnery Sergeant's name was GYSGT Hill, he was our Drill Master at OCS last summer, weird haha.

[@matinsafi2967]

🙏

[@thecolaratlady]

@juanitoelteso what do you mean?

[@blakenmcgee1022]

Are they calling them Drill Instructors, or drill sergeant?

[@AlphaMale593]

@baberaider18 If you have a college degree you go to basic then straight to OCS. If you dont wanna go to college then I think you need to serve for a certain amount of years before you can apply for it

[@aycc-nbh7289]

Can’t you go straight to OCS? Or do all officers have to be mustangs?

[@bi0dude42O]

but tom cruise and other lawyers were navy

[@iBearcub]

how much sleep & how many meals do you get each day? on average

[@tyroneshoemaker5264]

3 meals a day. Average various throughout the training. Remember, they are not there to make you have a cozy stay. So sleep deprivation plays a big part. You can find ways to get more sleep as you learn the ropes and adapt. If you are lucky, maybe 6 hours on average for a time period. It will probably never be that long straight through because there is Fire Watch duty were you have to basically perform security duty for a short period of time.

[@mlrainesjr]

A couple of tips: Purchase an extra pair of boots and break them in before you go. I saw some bad blisters on those who wore new boots on the forced marches. Learn the 11 general orders so that you know them better than your own name. If you can, learn how to drill. I had two years of ROTC so I did not have to learn drill under conditions of panic. The Drill Instructors like to randomly select people out of the platoon have have them drill the platoon for awhile. My roommate went to the PLC combined course the summer before I did so I had that going for me.

[@mlrainesjr]

+Yulong Li : Thanks for the response. I went through the combined course over 45 years ago and back then they issued each candidate 2 pairs of black leather boots which required constant shining. I am sure the issued boots today are different. They probably issue these unshined desert boots now. Back then we use to do PT including all running and jogging wearing black leather boots because presumably the Marine Corps was unaware of the invention of the tennis shoe. I had purchased an extra pair of black leather boots from our ROTC department at NMSU to wear and jog in them to break them in to become use to wearing boots while jogging, prevent bad blisters during PT and especially during the long forced marches over the hill and ridge trails. That left me with one pair of boots to wear to classes and another pair to wear for inspections only. Boot wise I was very well set up. I am sure they will issue you two pairs of boots but if you want to make it through the long forced marches unscathed, buy an extra pair and break them in before you go. Our first forced march was 17 miles in length and some of the guys had some bad looking blisters from marching that distance in new boots. Of course, the forced marches becoming longer topping out at 50 miles. Good luck to you all and keep us informed how things go.

[@mlrainesjr]

+Yulong Li: Many moons ago, I do not recall making it a point to get a boots that was one size larger than I normally wear. The boots I wore on forced marches (humps) were the ones I brought with me which I had already broken in so that for me was the life saver and not necessarily getting boots which were one size larger. It would probably be a good idea if being issued new boots to to go an extra size. The boots I was issued at Quantico were only used for inspections and going to class so it hard to imagine that one would get blisters during those activities. Be sure to learn your 11 general orders in two halves before you go to make life that much easier. Just remember the number and the key verb such as: 1-take, 2-walk, 3-report, 4-repeat, 5-quit, 6-receive to make up the first half with the remaining five as the second half. The more studying you can do before you go will pay off with extra sleep and better grades while you are there. Let me know if I am still correct.

[@vanscoyoc]

Is this the former Officer Indoctrination School?

[@sturutherford697]

Paris Island wasn't the fun tropical island I though it, how is this in comparison?

[@PoorBoyzify]

Quantico, weather-wise is better but its easier to get kicked out or dropped at OCS. Mentally, OCS is tougher, physically they're similar

[@aycc-nbh7289]

Joel Girouard How is Newport, RI in comparison? What about in comparison to Great Lakes, IL?

[@stevelau1933]

@MidwestMarines There's a very simple solution. Just become more physically fit than everyone else and study up on some of the Marine Corps knowledge that you'll eventually need to learn in OCS, and you should have an edge on everyone else. As far as physical fitness, focus on improving your aerobic fitness above anything else.

[@TsangBokyan]

@VictorSixer this isn't ocs...

[@omgitsjakelang]

@JAAPJXBIT Enlisted recruits go to boot camp. Officer candidates go to OCS. Find your nearest Officer Selection Station and talk to them sooner rather than later. I suggest that because the officer program is competitive is fuck and if you get the ball rolling as a freshman sophomore or even junior in college you're odds of getting selected are better. I'm a junior trying to get selected for OCS next summer.

[@aycc-nbh7289]

Wouldn’t the program depend on your MOS? I’ve seen videos suggesting most Navy OCS graduates become SWO’s and student naval aviators or flight officers, though I am not sure what MOS’s Marine OCS graduates go to.

[@smokeyhat]

My most memorable recruit was a kid from west Virginia. He was 5' 3" 110lbs. He was the weakest recruit I've ever seen. Nothing could extinguish this kid's spirit, he had a lot of heart. I took my platoon to the O-course after a ten mile hike, he could not get up the rope but he would never stop trying, if it were up to him he would try till he passed out. That's just one of countless instances where he showed such devotion. It was an honor to place the emblem in his hand an call him a Marine.

[@matthews122]

damn officer candidate school looks like a total recap of boot camp