NROTC MO OCS "Bulldog" Course

kinnem

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DS leaves for session 1 a week from today. He's the only MIDN in his unit attending session 1 as the other planned attendee broke his wrist and will have to complete OCS after he graduates in December.

Anyone else out there have a son or daughter attending session 1?
 
Hi Kinnem.

My DS's unit is sending 4 this summer. Two first increment; two the second.

My DS is going to the second increment.
 
DS's orders arrived yesterday. I was hoping there would be some info included about mailing address and other stuff but there was not.... just travel info. I guess he'll get his mailing address after he arrives. I also assume he'll be sending the obligatory post card the first couple of days there.
 
Deafening silence. I guess there aren't too many Marine Options or their parents on here. Meanwhile, I walked into the family room over the garage this morning to discover piles of neatly folded clothes and uniforms all over the floor and toiletries and checklists on the coffee table. Travel clothes are hung from the door knob with care, in hopes that the Master Sergeant won't soon be there. I'll be glad when the packing is done but I'm not holding out hopes to see it complete before Friday, if that.
 
My DS doesn't go until next summer. I am wondering if he needs to buy combat boots. I read they should have 2 pair of combat boots that have been sufficiently broken in, but they can take up to 3 pair. He only has the 1 pair so far that was issued.

From some of the lists I have seen on getting ready, I can only imagine what he (you) must be going through. LOL
 
My DS doesn't go until next summer. I am wondering if he needs to buy combat boots. I read they should have 2 pair of combat boots that have been sufficiently broken in, but they can take up to 3 pair. He only has the 1 pair so far that was issued.

From some of the lists I have seen on getting ready, I can only imagine what he (you) must be going through. LOL

Actually he's going through it... I'm just enduring it. He's actually been very organized about it, surprising his old man once again with how far he has come. Almost everything is in his sea bag at this point and I can see the carpet again.

He is taking three pair of boots. He had 2 pair that were issued over time but they were getting a bit old and he wanted something a bit lighter and easier to run in, so he got some Bates Lights on Dad's dime. You are required to have 2 pair as you say, so he would have been fine. Hopefully with some newly broken in treads there will be less chance of injury as well.
 
Actually he's going through it... I'm just enduring it. He's actually been very organized about it, surprising his old man once again with how far he has come. Almost everything is in his sea bag at this point and I can see the carpet again.

He is taking three pair of boots. He had 2 pair that were issued over time but they were getting a bit old and he wanted something a bit lighter and easier to run in, so he got some Bates Lights on Dad's dime. You are required to have 2 pair as you say, so he would have been fine. Hopefully with some newly broken in treads there will be less chance of injury as well.

Best wishes for your son at OCS. I'm looking forward to hearing about his experience in the Quigley.
 
Best wishes for your son at OCS. I'm looking forward to hearing about his experience in the Quigley.

Ahhh... the Quigley. A nice respite to cool down in after a leisurely run through the woods. I remember it well.

Between our DS's respective experiences , I am sure Kinnem and I can post hints, lessons learned and experiences for the generations to come.
 
Sampia,

Boots seems to be a recurring conversation on every academy and ROTC site. Hard for me to comprehend because we had one choice: Uncle Sam's issued boots... period.

Now there are choices in weight, durability, etc depending upon service branch.

I have heard the "light" boots are great to run in but don't hold up well.

I recommend you DS seek the advice of others in his unit and read the dozens (hundreds?) of opinions on this forum. One recommendation: make sure they are USMC approved.

I had access to a USMC OCS packing list but lost track of it. Waiting for my DS to bring his home. But my memory is that they will be issued two pairs when they get to OCS but can bring others.

My son claims he likes the lights for running (he bought a pair on his own) but from my viewpoint, it seems he wears whatever pair is closest.
 
My son is attending 2nd session. I believe it is July 5 to August 16. He has a rather extensive list, but I think he has been issued most everything he needs. He has his original pair of boots from freshman year, the unit gave him another pair a few weeks ago. I bought him the lightweight Bates boots for Christmas, so he should have his boots covered. One of the guys in his unit that attended last year wrote up a wonderful "tip" list for the 4 MO midshipmen that are attending this summer. It has some invaluable information, and is probably the single most important piece of information my son has gotten. It is pretty comical, too. If I can get it from him, I will post it here.

We are planning on attending the graduation. I could not find any information on where to stay or what families should do or be aware of. I just booked our flight and hotel, and guess we will figure it out as we go. If any of you have advice or information on what to expect, I would appreciate it!

I just can't believe how quickly the last three years have gone. DS has excelled in the unit and matured in ways I never could have imagined. So proud of all of these young men and women.
 
I could not find any information on where to stay or what families should do or be aware of. I just booked our flight and hotel, and guess we will figure it out as we go. If any of you have advice or information on what to expect, I would appreciate it!

enived2: see this website for a few details on family day and graduation: https://www.trngcmd.usmc.mil/OCS/default.aspx

My son will be at the second session also. Quantico will be cranked up with heat and humidity by then!

Stay in touch!
 
Haha! Yeah. I don't envy the officer candidates....it will be miserable! Thanks for the link. I will check it out.
 
Thanks for the kind thoughts everyone. I passed along your good wishes to DS and he got a ****-eatin' grin on his face. I got him to explain what the hell the Quigley was. Doesn't look like he is looking forward to it, but I expect it will be an old and close friend by the time he is done. He loves getting wet and sandy as part of Boat Crew so I'm hoping he eats the Quigley up.

Good luck to all who are attending. Hope you folks in session 2 can hook up at family day or graduation. I'll continue to post any news I get from DS here. Hopefully at least some of it might be helpful.
 
DS was delivered safely to the airport at 06:10 this morning. Hope to hear a mailing address from him in a few days.
 
DS was delivered safely to the airport at 06:10 this morning. Hope to hear a mailing address from him in a few days.

Congrats to your son!!! Very Best of Luck to him. Dont forget to let us know how it goes!!!!!
 
Final text from DS about 1700 yesterday. "Got my phone back for just a couple minutes. It begins. See you on the other side". :thumb:
 
Wow, I just read about Bulldog prep and Quigley. Sounds like a tough 6 weeks, but your DS will be so psyched when he completes this. Marines have a tough job so it is a good thing they get tough training.

My best to you and your DS!

PS I was raised by a Marine so I know how tough they can be!
 
Wow, I just read about Bulldog prep and Quigley. Sounds like a tough 6 weeks, but your DS will be so psyched when he completes this. Marines have a tough job so it is a good thing they get tough training.

My best to you and your DS!

PS I was raised by a Marine so I know how tough they can be!

Thanks jiller. He was already psyched before he left. I plan on updating this thread with any tidbits I get from him in case it's useful to folks in the second session.... or if I find it somewhat humorous! :biggrin:
 
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