Marine PLC Part 2 Info and ASTB Info

Joined
Jun 9, 2017
Messages
216
Hello all, finished up PLC part 2 recently and decided that I would do a write up like I did for the first time.

PLC Part 2- Definitely was more intense since most of the people I was in the platoon with were Midshipmen from ROTC or PLCers who came back for the second round. SIs were on us the whole entire time making sure we weren't screwing up. Going to PLC last year definitely helped since many of the events we did were similar to last year. Here are some reasons people dropped-

1. Integrity violations- 3 people
2.Failure to adapt- had like 5 people, this means Midshipmen couldn't make their beds in time, blouse their boots quick enough, fell behind in runs, or failed to many inspections.
3.Poor Leadership Evals- Had a decent number drop for this, Peer Evals are HUGE. Make sure you don't be to cocky and know what you do.
4. Injuries- We had the most people drop for injuries, too many people underestimated the importance of stretching and staying hydrated, make sure you stay hydrated and stretch.
PFT Failures- Some people got too nervous and some just didn't come in shape.
5. Failing academic tests- This was the easiest part of PLC, those who failed just didn't study.

Here were my pft stats:
22 Pullups
105 Crunches
18:03 3 mile
289 Score
What really helped me with the Pft was working out with the Marine ROTC unit at my school.

Most of my class was very fit, I would say the average run time was around 19:21 for guys.
The Endurance Course was awful, I started off to fast in the obstacle course at the beginning going in somewhere at 1:08 and after that, I felt like the endurance course was absolute chaos. I think I came in the endurance course with 30 seconds left to spare.
We had log lifts which we would carry logs and walk/jog with them, this was brutal since I was the tallest in my group, and walking into the swamp with the log was absolutely terrible, I think one of my boots slipped off!!
The weather was very hot and humid like last year, we all had periods of rain which felt disgusting.
Since there were a few days where it got so hot, It made going into the Quigley feel nice. Firewatch at night was brutal, I got little sleep combined with all the stress from academics and events.

From the point on its pretty much maintaining GPA, weight, and moral standards until I graduate. I am proud to have gone through PLC twice, it has made me appreciate my life as a civilian much more.

Things I saw at PLC I have never seen before
1. I met a SARC (Special Amphibious Recon Corpsmen) these guys are Corpsmen but on steroids. They are attached to Marine Recon Units.
2. I saw an Osprey carrying some TBS students but the color scheme was unique, it was green and not gray.
3. Saw a few Marines doing some Drill and Ceremony on the field but they were in a weird uniform, they had BDU colored coats on but were wearing the Service Uniform inside.
4. This was interesting. since the trailer for Top Gun 2 came out while we were there, a Major told Air Contracts to fall out of formation for a hike, he would say "Air Contracts spread your arms out! run around the rest of the platoon!! This was brutal, I was dead after the hike. He then told us this was in honor for Top Gun 2 and how apparently they used to do this in OCS.

ASTB Info: If any of you want to go pilot or NFO in the Navy/Marine Corps, you will have to take the OAR/ASTB. Marines put more emphasis on the ASTB. You can only take this test 3 times so only take when ready. I got a 48 5/5/5 the first time I took it which was not qualifying for Pilot, second time I took it I got a 72 8/9/9. Its not hard but you need to study for it well.

If any of you guys need help or advice, please send me a PM!
 
Great post! Nice to have that EGA, right? Congratulations.

I'm sure you plan to keep working out with that NROTC unit. You'll need to continue prep for 6 long months of TBS!.
 
Great post! Nice to have that EGA, right? Congratulations.

I'm sure you plan to keep working out with that NROTC unit. You'll need to continue prep for 6 long months of TBS!.

Definitely will, working out with them was crucial to my success at PLC.
 
a Major told Air Contracts to fall out of formation for a hike, he would say "Air Contracts spread your arms out! run around the rest of the platoon!! This was brutal, I was dead after the hike. He then told us this was in honor for Top Gun 2 and how apparently they used to do this in OCS.

Ha Ha! Glad to hear this is still being done. They were doing it 35 years ago too! And the Air Contracts had to make jet noises while they flew "close air support" for the rest of the unit.

Great point about the peer evals. This is something a lot of guys going in don't think about. Its not all about "me". You need to be seen as a team player, willing to be led by others (who should, in return, allow you to lead them).

Congratulations on your completion of this critical step in your path to becoming a Marine Officer.
 
Congrats Angus on finishing up OCS. And thank you for your update and contributing to the forum. Best of luck as you finish up school.
 
a Major told Air Contracts to fall out of formation for a hike, he would say "Air Contracts spread your arms out! run around the rest of the platoon!! This was brutal, I was dead after the hike. He then told us this was in honor for Top Gun 2 and how apparently they used to do this in OCS.

Ha Ha! Glad to hear this is still being done. They were doing it 35 years ago too! And the Air Contracts had to make jet noises while they flew "close air support" for the rest of the unit.

Great point about the peer evals. This is something a lot of guys going in don't think about. Its not all about "me". You need to be seen as a team player, willing to be led by others (who should, in return, allow you to lead them).

Congratulations on your completion of this critical step in your path to becoming a Marine Officer.
What do the law contracts have to do?
 
Oh... don't get me started. All POGs should have some appropriate exercise. ;)

Perhaps Law Contracts have to run up and down the column speaking incessantly and carrying reams of paper?
 
3. Saw a few Marines doing some Drill and Ceremony on the field but they were in a weird uniform, they had BDU colored coats on but were wearing the Service Uniform inside.
They were from Marine Barracks Washington D.C, the Battle Color Detachment. Their go to uniform when practicing is Service C with the old BDU field jacket because it is the most effective way to simulate being in Dress Blues without actually being in Dress Blues.
 
2. These are helos from HMX-1, the Presidential Squadron. They have a variety of aircraft. The airfield right across the road from OCS is where they are housed, but I am guessing you already knew that, but for the others on here. You will ride on lots of these during your time at TBS. the squadron has helos painted in this color scheme and also the gray.
 
Is it possible to do both ROTC and PLC during college? I've heard ROTC has to meet over the summer but if you are in PLC as well you wouldn't be able to make the ROTC meetings. I would like to do both because it would help me stay in shape better but I'm not sure if this is just a bad idea. Also, what is the minimum score on the ASTB to become a pilot? What score would you recommend and how would you study for the ASTB? And what was the percentage of people who were dropped in your first and your second time doing PLC?
 
Hey! So if your in NROTC Marine Option and you have a scholarship/contract then you would be required to go through OCS the summer after your Junior year. If your not scholarship or contracted yet, then you will have to earn before I believe the end of Sophomore year. If your not contracted/scholarship yet then you could the ROTC route and try to earn the scholarship, Im not sure if you can do both programs but if your already in the Marine ROTC program then you should be getting enough work in. As far as the ASTB goes, Pilot minimum scores are
4(AQR) 6(PFAR) 6(FOFAR). I recommend getting as high as you can and don't shoot for the minimum. Test itself Is not hard but you will have to spend time studying. I recommend site such as Airwarriors, Quizlet, and ProProfs. Spend like an hour or two a day and you should fine. My class had about 15-20% that did not make it, most of them were due to injuries and DORS (Drop on Request- Giving Up).
 
@jtompp I'll leave the pilot stuff to aviators. I doubt doing PLC and NROTC MO at the same time is allowed Even if they did, it makes absolutely no sense to do so. Both lead to the same result. If you want to keep in better shape while doing PLC, then work out with the poolees. Also, you need to be in top shape for either program throughout.

If you think PLC is an opportunity to stay in shape over the summer, then develop your own program. Thousands of mids have done this successfully over the years. Stew Smith might have some suggestions along these lines.
 
@jtompp I'll leave the pilot stuff to aviators. I doubt doing PLC and NROTC MO at the same time is allowed Even if they did, it makes absolutely no sense to do so. Both lead to the same result. If you want to keep in better shape while doing PLC, then work out with the poolees. Also, you need to be in top shape for either program throughout.

If you think PLC is an opportunity to stay in shape over the summer, then develop your own program. Thousands of mids have done this successfully over the years. Stew Smith might have some suggestions along these lines.


Based on what experience do you say you cant do both PLC and NROTC. I know at my SMC alma mater several PLCers took NROTC and did Bulldog prep. The unit took a view that the mission was to support all aspiring Marines.
 
Based on what experience do you say you cant do both PLC and NROTC. I know at my SMC alma mater several PLCers took NROTC and did Bulldog prep. The unit took a view that the mission was to support all aspiring Marines.
I said I doubt it. . Not know it. The real point is it doesnt make sense. Further, if you know people are doing both, why do you even ask the question?
 
They may have enrolled in NROTC as an elective or even been allowed to work out with that unit, but that doesn’t mean they were NROTC Mids. Some units support PLCers and some do not. Every place is a little different. Just because one does, does not mean all do. Most will walk on to ROTC first. Try to earn a scholarship. If that is a no, earn advanced standing. If that is a no, then PLC. If that is a no, then OCC.
 
Damn Hoops beat me! Well done.

I doubt anyone is officially a member of both programs. Doubt it is allowed - certain it isn’t necessary.
 
SMC exception — VMI has non-contracted NROTC Marine Options who stay with the program all 4 years and commission through PLC. At the recent VMI Marine commissioning ceremony, the VMI Marine Colonel (NROTC commmander) gave a big shout out to the PLC Marines and cited the great relationship between VMI unit and the OSO in Roanoke.

VMI ROTC policy for non-contracted NROTC reads:

“Second and First Class cadets may pursue a commission through one of the following non-ROTC programs: U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class (PLC), U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS), and the U.S. Coast Guard Direct Commission Selected School (DCSS) program.”

As VMI likes to say, “Don’t Do Ordinary”
 
Back
Top