Quote: (02-01-2015 09:28 AM)Beowulf Wrote:
My questions,
1. My OSO says that my chances for being accepted in to OCS are best if I enter as an Aviation contract, but then put in a request switch to Ground after being accepted. He says he can guarantee that I will be able to switch over to Ground. Can you guys confirm that I can indeed do this?, and that he is not trying to pull a fast one on me and make me stuck with a contract I don't desire for 8 years. Although if aviation was my only way in, I would do it. It's not that I don't trust him, rather that I'd just like additional verification. He acknowledges that its "gaming" the system, but also it will give me the best chances, (+60% chance vs low 30-40% for ground) especially if I raise my PFT from 270~ to 280~ (I'm shooting for 300 anyways though).
2. I understand as America is scaling back its wars, the Corps is adopting a more peacetime posture. What is a peacetime Corps like in terms of deployments, MOS selection, and general everyday life as an officer?
3. Steve, you said you're an aviatior, I remember reading from an article that Quintus was something in the field, something along the lines of infantry or recon. I'm personally most interested in an in-the-field MOS such as infantry, intel, or the new HUMINT one. I've read each MOS' official Marine Corps description,. Do either of you had had some in depth knowledge about either of these branches.
Beowulf:
Good questions. My thoughts.
Be wary of these recruiters and the things they say. If it isn't in writing BEFORE you're on your way to OCS, then you can't trust it. Period.
On the other hand, some of my information might be out of date. I went through OCS in 1989 and was on active duty from 1990 to 1994, then in the reserves for some years after that. The administrative structure of organizations can change a lot in a few years.
So, is he right that you can make a lateral move from the air wing to ground?
Yes, it can be done. I did it myself. At TBS I wanted to get the MOS of intelligence (02), but I was told by the instructors that intel was a "specialized" or "restricted" MOS. This was bullshit, but that's what they said. So I had to go into the aviation logistics field at first, and then I had to make a "lat move" (lateral move) over to the ground intel field.
I was lucky, but it was blind luck. Intel guys in the Marine Corps are attached to both ground and air units. We have to do everything they do. I was attached to ground units at Camp Lejeune: 2nd Bn, 10th Marines (an artillery unit), and also 2nd Recon Bn. (a recon unit). Both of these are at Lejeune. But we deployed everywhere.
And if you're with the ground units, get ready to suck it up, because they're going to deploy your ass whenever and wherever they want.
As for getting through OCS, and how to do it, I can give you a whole rundown. You'd better be in fucking great shape. And I mean, for real. The emphasis should be on endurance and upper body strength. Here at the RVF, everybody talks about weightlifting, but for OCS, you need to know how to run, run, run. If you can max the PFT, you are doing well.
I maxed it. I can still run 3 miles in close to 18 minutes, and do 20 dead hang pullups with minimal "kip", and 80 situps in 2 minutes. And I'm 46 years old.
I've heard the PFT has changed a little since the 1990s. But the general idea is the same.
It's all about the "harassment package" with OCS with the USMC. That's it. Sleep deprivation, breaking you down, the whole 9 yards. Try to max the PFT before you go there, but you need to know all that other stuff as well: general orders, squad tactics, map reading, leadership traits and principles, close-order drill, passing inspections, running with boots & Alice pack, etc.
It still feels like yesterday.
But I will tell you that even though something
can be done, it doesn't mean that it
will be done. The Marine Corps has a long tradition of fucking with people (welcome aboard!), and they take pride in it. All of us are a little bit sadistic, a little bit twisted. And you will be, too.
So, try to get guarantees if you can about all this lateral move stuff they are telling you. If not, it's a roll of the dice. You'll submit your AA form (administrative action) and pray to the gods. My personal opinion about the military bureaucracy is that you shouldn't try to out-think it. Every time I tried to ask for something, I got denied. But when I just acted like I didn't care, things went well. It's weird how that works, but it's true.
But take everything guys say with a grain of salt. Talk to some of the other USMC guys here, posting in this thread.
1818Steve and Aliblabla can help you out also. Looks like Steve was an aviator (either helos, C-130s, or jets) and Aliblaba paid his dues in Afghanistan.
So, lot of combined experience here.
You can also PM me anytime.