sTUPID qUESTIONS aBOUT ocs

[Sonog]

Train as hard as you possibly can without hurting yourself. Get used to physical pain and show up in the best possible shape, and then 50% of OCS will be a breeze. Its baffling how out of shape some people are when they show up at OCS.

 

[revan1013]

Most of the best whole-body exercises are those that use your own body-weight as resistance. And OCS will give you plenty of those.

 

[bdr2489]

I've done a pretty good amount of searching and haven't been able to find a good answer to this question - How much swimming is involved at OCS? I'm curious since my FS letter says "You are strongly encouraged to immediately begin a physical fitness program with emphasis in running and swimming." Obviously, running is a given for PT and PFT's, but is there swimming done above and beyond the Third Class Swim Test? Or in other words - will we be doing timed swimming events in excess of 50 yd? I'm comfortable in the water so not worried about the Third Class Swim Test, but I've never swam for exercise. Just trying to figure out if I need to go find a YMCA or something and start doing some swim training.

 

[Tycho_Brohe]

I've done a pretty good amount of searching and haven't been able to find a good answer to this question - How much swimming is involved at OCS? I'm curious since my FS letter says "You are strongly encouraged to immediately begin a physical fitness program with emphasis in running and swimming." Obviously, running is a given for PT and PFT's, but is there swimming done above and beyond the Third Class Swim Test? Or in other words - will we be doing timed swimming events in excess of 50 yd? I'm comfortable in the water so not worried about the Third Class Swim Test, but I've never swam for exercise. Just trying to figure out if I need to go find a YMCA or something and start doing some swim training.

I can't speak to the requirements as far as OCS goes, I know there's some at API, but at any rate, I'd say that it wouldn't be a bad idea to work some swimming into your routine, if only to mix up the cardio a bit, as opposed to running every day. Since swimming is much lower impact than running, you might want to try running every other day (Sun, Tues, Thurs, Sat) and then swimming on the days in between.

Having said that, I'm pretty confident that at OCS, running is emphasized a lot more than swimming. But as far as how much swimming is actually done at OCS, I'll have to leave that to someone else to answer. I'm pretty curious to know that myself.

 

[Sonog]

You just do the third class swim test. If you fail, they remediate you until you pass.

 

[bdr2489]

You just do the third class swim test. If you fail, they remediate you until you pass.

Thanks Sonog - if you don't mind me asking, when did you go through OCS? And did you go at Newport?

I'd say that it wouldn't be a bad idea to work some swimming into your routine, if only to mix up the cardio a bit, as opposed to running every day.

I agree with this completely - swimming is probably the best low impact workout you can find. I'll probably try to get to a pool once a week, but I think most of my non-run days will have to be reserved for biking... Won't be getting on one of those in OCS, so I guess it's a good thing I'm going mid winter ;-)

 

[CAMike]

In 1982-3 we just called it getting the shit PTed out of us. No time limits and what we had to do was limited only by the DI's imagination. Many times as one DI finished another came strolling along and started it all over again.

Ahhh. Nothing like being put to bed "wet". The 3 plus DI tag team evening events were memorable, comical and painful. The P'Cola Batt's swamp coolers with all that high humidity just didn't seem to cut it at 22:05.

The Team Members:

 

[GordonFreeman]

I've done a pretty good amount of searching and haven't been able to find a good answer to this question - How much swimming is involved at OCS? I'm curious since my FS letter says "You are strongly encouraged to immediately begin a physical fitness program with emphasis in running and swimming." Obviously, running is a given for PT and PFT's, but is there swimming done above and beyond the Third Class Swim Test? Or in other words - will we be doing timed swimming events in excess of 50 yd? I'm comfortable in the water so not worried about the Third Class Swim Test, but I've never swam for exercise. Just trying to figure out if I need to go find a YMCA or something and start doing some swim training.

Currently (as of Nov 2012), the only time you will even get in the pool at OCS is for your 3rd class swim qual. It involves jumping from an elevated platform (about one story high), swimming 50 yrds without drowning, a dead mans float for a few minutes, and a quick lesson on how to inflate a pair of khakis for use as a life jacket. It takes all of about thirty minutes, and will not be a problem if you have spent any time in the water. bdr will be just fine.

If, however, a candidate has never been in a swimming pool before then you should DEFINITELY spend some time at the local pool figuring out which side of the water is safe to breath from, and how to get from one side to the other.

There will also be an open swim hour several times a week (MWF if I recall correctly) during Candio that is supposedly just for aviators, but anyone can hop in. H class has their swim hour immediately afterwards, and no one will kick you out when this happens. You can stay in the pool for two hours three days a week if you so desire (and have the time).

 

[Renegade One]

Do you actually lift weights at OCS PT/how often?

Caveat: This is out-of-date information/provided for historical purposes ONLY. Consult your physician before trying this at home:

The only weights we ever lifted in AOCS in my time were the 9.8 LB dumbbells that had serial numbers on them.

Otherwise known as "a hand-held, gas-operated, semi-automatic, clip-fed shoulder weapon", AKA the M-1 Garand rifle.

"Up and on shoulders...ready...BEGIN!" Number of reps and positions varied based (apparently) on moon-phase, time, tides, DI's home life situation, and how much buffoonery we were being accused of. Also a proud feature of too many Batt II morning runs to recall...but we liked being known as "Rifle Batt" to our sick and shut-in friends in Batts I and III.

 

[Harrier Dude]

Caveat: This is out-of-date information/provided for historical purposes ONLY. Consult your physician before trying this at home:

The only weights we ever lifted in AOCS in my time were the 9.8 LB dumbbells that had serial numbers on them.

Otherwise known as "a hand-held, gas-operated, semi-automatic, clip-fed shoulder weapon", AKA the M-1 Garand rifle.

"Up and on shoulders...ready...BEGIN!" Number of reps and positions varied based (apparently) on moon-phase, time, tides, DI's home life situation, and how much buffoonery we were being accused of. Also a proud feature of too many Batt II morning runs to recall...but we liked being known as "Rifle Batt" to our sick and shut-in friends in Batts I and III.

It could always be worse. Did you ever have to PT with the tailhook?

SUUUUUUUUUUCKS!!

 

[HAL Pilot]

It could always be worse. Did you ever have to PT with the tailhook?

SUUUUUUUUUUCKS!!

The favorite trick of Master Gunnery Sargeant Phalger, United States Marine Corp, Chief DI of AOCS in 1983.

 

[bd2575]

What you said about swimming.

That's great news. I'd heard most often that the 3rd class swim test was your only opportunity to swim during the entirety of OCS, and was getting a little worried about being out of the pool for ~12 weeks. Any idea if they have fins to use, or if you can bring your own stashed in your car?

Also, do you know if the Candio time for weights access is the same as the pool? i.e. do you have to pick one or the other, or (if you can make time) do you have an opportunity to do both, perhaps on non-MWF days?

 

[Robby]

That's great news. I'd heard most often that the 3rd class swim test was your only opportunity to swim during the entirety of OCS, and was getting a little worried about being out of the pool for ~12 weeks. Any idea if they have fins to use, or if you can bring your own stashed in your car?

Also, do you know if the Candio time for weights access is the same as the pool? i.e. do you have to pick one or the other, or (if you can make time) do you have an opportunity to do both, perhaps on non-MWF days?

You're going to be out of the pool for about 12 weeks. It's possible to use the pool during CandiO phase, but your time will be very limited and, depending on your billet, sleep will be something you'll want to catch up on in your down time. The new Nimitz Hall will be good for you all though. The old one has a very basic weight room.

 

[WilliamC]

This thread is over 8 years old! Just finished reading through it... Been referring to it for the last couple weeks. Learned some good stuff, and basically got the impression that I should prepare myself to be miserable and play the game that is Navy OCS. One thing is for sure though; I will probably buy some good crew socks. Anyway I should be hearing if I've been Pro-rec'd by this upcoming SNA/NFO board in a couple weeks.

My only stupid question that I did not see addressed in this thread is the following:

My medical records sent to meps by my OR were minimal. Basically documentation from two surgeries that didn't even end up needing a waiver to be qualified by MEPS, and for my PQ letter to be submitted. Is this going to be a problem when I show up to OCS and there is a more stringent flight physical and I have little to no medical records?

Also, it it possible for the NAMI docs to still have a problem with an operation that MEPS cleared? It was a foot operation from more than ten years ago.

 

[pilot_man]

That's great news. I'd heard most often that the 3rd class swim test was your only opportunity to swim during the entirety of OCS, and was getting a little worried about being out of the pool for ~12 weeks. Any idea if they have fins to use, or if you can bring your own stashed in your car?

Also, do you know if the Candio time for weights access is the same as the pool? i.e. do you have to pick one or the other, or (if you can make time) do you have an opportunity to do both, perhaps on non-MWF days?

I had a guy in my class that was going to BUD/S after OCS. He was in the pool all the time. He worked out some sort of deal to get in plenty of pool time.