OCS Apprehension

[Pilot411]

Hi all,

I'm new to this whole Navy military deal so please be nice and bear with me!

I talked with a recruiter today about the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program and what that entails. I am a pilot right now working to become a flight instructor here in a few months. I will graduate with a BS in aviation and would then like to go to OCS. As with anything else I am very apprehensive about it, what happens there, how hard it is, etc.

I am 5 10 and 200 pounds, working since January to get in shape and lose weight, so far so good, 10 pounds off! I have never been the most athletic person but am willing to work to get into shape and build some strength and shed more weight.

How is the Navy OCS program, how demanding is it? What are the days like, what are the training exercises like? What of academics if any are done? What lessons are done?

I won't lie, I'm obviously worried greatly about the physical aspect, however I won't be graduating in two years and have time to get into shape. Though I have never been very physically active, it is a huge draw back for me. But I really just want to know how difficult this is. I don't want to believe any Hollywood version, so can someone tell?

 

[WishICouldFly]

They don't really do PT, you just have to flip the air conditioning switch every once in a while.
Oh wait, wrong service branch.

Seriously, though, there should be some information lying around here about what PT is like in OCS. Search "OCS PT" and you will probably get a general idea of the regimen.

Here's a start: You need to do a Physical Readiness Test (PRT) which you will do with your recruiter before you are actually signed into the BDCP. I'm not going to give max or minimum scores for the PRT, but can you do about 60 pushups and 60 situps in 2 minutes (2 minutes per exercise) and run a mile and a half in around 10 minutes?
These are all crude numbers, but it should give you a very basic ballpark range.

 

[Kickflip89]

It is very tough, mentally as well as physically. may give you "some" idea. Probably the best thing you could do is talk face-to-face with someone who has experienced life under USMC DI's and ask them questions.

How physically / mentally demanding it is depends to some extent on what DI your class has, but generally speaking you're going to be suffering...it's just part of the OCS lifestyle, and you get used to it eventually, it even becomes a source of humor.

In general, you will make it through as long as you do not give up. Part of the disadvantage you will have if you are not used to PTing hard is that the DIs will know what your body is capable of better than you will, and when you don't perform because you're not used to pushing yourself hard, they'll really hammer you for it.

 

[Morgan81]

Two years is plenty of time. You're only about 10 pounds over your height/weight max so if you bust your ass you won't have anything to worry about. Live in the gym and you'll get where you need to be. Physically that is.... mentally is a different matter. It'll push you more then you thought possible and only you can tell if you're ready for it. If there is a doubt, a DI will find it, so try to find it first and improve it beforehand.

 

[WishICouldFly]

I just heard today from a recent OCS grad that at OCS, we have to do Marine Corps push ups (lower chest until a fist-width from the ground) and that the DIs will roll you for doing them wrong (i.e. Navy-style)
Time to start PTing a whole different way...

 

[red_ryder]

Relax, yeah, it's going to be tough, but hey that's the point, right?

Just get in the best shape you can and try to push yourself, and study your gouge.

I doubt it's as bad as you can imagine it. The sooner you start, the sooner you can finish. It will be fun.

 

[Spekkio]

I just heard today from a recent OCS grad that at OCS, we have to do Marine Corps push ups (lower chest until a fist-width from the ground) and that the DIs will roll you for doing them wrong (i.e. Navy-style)
Time to start PTing a whole different way...

The only difference between the two that I knew of is USMC = face looking forward, two for one USN = face looking at the floor, one for one.

 

[BACONATOR]

The only difference between the two that I knew of is USMC = face looking forward, two for one USN = face looking at the floor, one for one.

Navy OCS pushups are face looking forward, all the way down until arms 90 degrees (about 1 fist from the floor, sometimes your DI will make a buddy hold a fist under your chest), and then all the way up until arm lockout. Wash, rinse, repeat.

 

[Spekkio]

Navy OCS pushups are face looking forward, all the way down until arms 90 degrees (about 1 fist from the floor, sometimes your DI will make a buddy hold a fist under your chest), and then all the way up until arm lockout. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Changing my face from looking down to looking forward isn't going to make a big deal to me.

 

[puck_11]

Changing my face from looking down to looking forward isn't going to make a big deal to me.

Haha you say that now Be sure to keep your fingers together too!

 

[red_ryder]

Changing my face from looking down to looking forward isn't going to make a big deal to me.

You wouldn't think so, but it changes your center of gravity or your back position and seems to make it harder, wait and see.

 

[WishICouldFly]

You wouldn't think so, but it changes your center of gravity or your back position and seems to make it harder, wait and see.

Yeah, I was about to say...I've done both in PT tests (Army does head forward) and it changes your weight distribution, makes your torso tense up more, and fatigues your arms out faster.

 

[Xposer]

i am 200 lbs. but at 19% body fat, would this be acceptable? or would i still need to drop down to 192? thx

 

[MasterBates]

Technically, at 19% you are OK, but it needs to be the Navy method.

FWIW, immersion or bod-pods(capacitance) usually returns 2-4% leaner for me than "Rope and Choke" that the USN uses.

Make you life less painful. Lose the 8 pounds at a minimum. Getting RnC'd at OCS is ass-pain and attention you DON'T want. Trust me on this.

 

[BACONATOR]

My roommate in API got RnC-ed at OCS and got to meet the gunny on day 2 (I think) for some gunny-love. He was within standards, but why make yourself stand out. Trust me, lose the weight and BLEND IN. You DON'T want extra attention.