What do I really need to know

[FutureteamGuy]

I got my pro rec for OCS and now I'm waiting for my security clearance so that I can move to the next step.

I'm going in as a Pilot and I was wondering besides the physical things like the prt and being physically ready.

Is there anything else that I NEED to know before.

I know there is that packet on the website but do I need to know everything in that beforehand . For example the marine song, marine ranks, navy song.

I understand I will know these one day at OCS but my question is do I NEED to memorize them now or should I just focus on being in the best possible shape?

 

[Tycho_Brohe]

Words words words

Ranks, songs, Sailor's Creed, General Orders of a Sentry, Code of Conduct, and Chain of Command.
Just make sure you can get at least a Good on the PRT, then focus on the memorizing. As one of my candios put it, you can show up smart and they'll make you strong, but you can't show up strong and hope they'll make you smart.

 

[LFCFan]

In theory someone can show up to OCS knowing nothing about the program at all and survive. They make no assumptions about what you already know, but I'd study the gouge pack.

 

[Sheepdip]

In theory someone can show up to OCS knowing nothing about the program at all and survive. They make no assumptions about what you already know, but I'd study the gouge pack.

Member OUSOONER did that. He purposely and intentionally avoided all gouge. Not sure if he studied beforehand, though.

 

[Sonog]

I got my pro rec for OCS and now I'm waiting for my security clearance so that I can move to the next step.

I'm going in as a Pilot and I was wondering besides the physical things like the prt and being physically ready.

Is there anything else that I NEED to know before.

I know there is that packet on the website but do I need to know everything in that beforehand . For example the marine song, marine ranks, navy song.

I understand I will know these one day at OCS but my question is do I NEED to memorize them now or should I just focus on being in the best possible shape?

Its easy to learn everything after showing up at OCS. However, you can just as easily learn the whole gouge packet in a weekend before you show up. So might as well learn as much as you can now so you can be asset to your class and help others who aren't as good as memorization or be able to spend your extra time helping buddies with racks, folding, etc.

 

[BackOrdered]

Member OUSOONER did that. He purposely and intentionally avoided all gouge. Not sure if he studied beforehand, though.

We had a prior Air Force guy do that, not by choice. He didn't appreciate the late nights of cramming, but he made it through in 13 weeeks on time.

I will say this. The college degree requirement has a purpose. We all should know by the time we get to OCS how we think in terms of studying. If you are a guy who can get a mouth-full of info the "moment of" and know it in a week, more power to you! If you are a guy who needs a "heads up", but will have it 100% down at the "moment of", good on you! There is no right answer.

I still say if you are a BDCPer or NUPOC you have choosen death over life if you don't know any gouge in time for OCS.