NROTC MO OCS "Bulldog" Course

Take lots of pics - but quickly. Your DS will be anxious to get changed and get out of there.
 
The boy has the coughing crud and is chaffed pretty bad -- but is holding up well and is in good spirits. Passed all the physical events of the week. SULE II was pretty grueling since it basically rained on them throughout the whole event from zero dark early to dusk come late. He defeated the ambush on the way to his objective and got a good grade.

The biggest debate on the home front is whether we're going to drive the vehicle with the roof rack so we can strap the seabag(s) with his nasty clothes on top so he doesn't have to lug it (or them) through the airport.
 
Wounded but capable of carrying on - great to hear. Sounds like Infantry material. [emoji3]

It's all downhill from here. Lots of parade practice and gear surrender.
 
My son was definitely sick last weekend when we talked and sounded pretty bad; today he sounded better so hopefully whatever it is you son will feel better quickly. Mentioned the chafing as well and said he was surprised he was sore today -- I think from that leadership exercise. But excited to be going to get some from food and the end is coming into sight.
 
Talked to the boy right before liberty was secured -- a period of just under 24 hours that included sleeping, real showers, and binge eating.

As far as priorities after graduation -- hitting up the uniform shops and buying uniforms, boots, and other gear that got trashed over the last few weeks. Beats a trip to the mall.
 
Talked to the boy right before liberty was secured -- a period of just under 24 hours that included sleeping, real showers, and binge eating.

As far as priorities after graduation -- hitting up the uniform shops and buying uniforms, boots, and other gear that got trashed over the last few weeks. Beats a trip to the mall.
DS picked up a camo garment bag (of all things) for his dress uniform at the MCX in Quantico. He did it a few months later though while attending a commissioning ceremony in Quantico, which is probably not an option for your DS.

Wait until his own commissioning ceremony when you see him in those dress blues for the first time. Took my breath away. Also, you haven't heard the Marine Hymn until you've heard it belted out by all those OCS graduates on the parade deck. Enjoy!
 
DS picked up a camo garment bag (of all things) for his dress uniform at the MCX in Quantico. He did it a few months later though while attending a commissioning ceremony in Quantico, which is probably not an option for your DS.

Wait until his own commissioning ceremony when you see him in those dress blues for the first time. Took my breath away. Also, you haven't heard the Marine Hymn until you've heard it belted out by all those OCS graduates on the parade deck. Enjoy!

I saw a video of the whole company singing all 3 verses of the Hymn. Pretty impressive. I plan on being that dad that gets there at zero dark early and picking a prime spot to set up the tripod and video camera. This really is a meaningful graduation. Most kids graduate from high school. A lot of kids graduate from college -- and a lot of those with so-what degrees. A select few graduate from Officer Candidates School. Moto? Maybe, but this is a great time.

Yes, I'm looking forward to that commissioning day next May. It becomes "real" then.

I did find out their EGA Ceremony is on the 4th of July. Oohrah.
 
Spoke to the kid on Sunday. He had duty platoon so plans to meet up on the Saturday when I was in the area fell through. Ran into some of the "Lance Lieutenants" of Lima Company at the Marine Shop, though.

Sam's Inn was a decent place for my lunch. Great pizza. I'm thinking it used to be Command Post or something like that if memory serves.

The son was kinda worn out. Has had the crud for the last couple of weeks. His final PFT was the worst he's taken. He struggled to get 20 pullups (he was doing sets of 30 in the first week). He lost about 7 pounds or so. He is looking forward to recovering his body and eating at normal speed.
 
Mine lost 13 pounds but got his first perfect PFT so I guess the weight loss didn't hurt! He sounded happy to be so close to the end.
 
Mine lost 13 pounds but got his first perfect PFT so I guess the weight loss didn't hurt! He sounded happy to be so close to the end.

Outstanding. Mine was a little frustrated but admitted he just plain didn't have much energy in the tank. He still got a high first class score on the PFT and finished in the upper third of the group -- basically tying his roommate in overall score. He made it out alive and is looking forward to recuperating and gaining strength back.
 
It's a tough road but pretty satisfying when you get to the other side. I had a great video call with DS in Oki yesterday. I reminded him that it was 3 years ago when he completed OCS and he brightened right up!
 
Awesome time seeing the graduation. The weather turned out to be perfect.

My son's MOI was one of the platoon commanders in Lima Company. After graduation, the MOI met with the 2 mids from his school. When asked how he felt after the ceremony, my son's reply was "Amazing Sir."

I can't remember the exact stats, but I think it was north of 90% completion rate for the Seniors/Bulldog course this year. I think my son lost 2 or 3 from his platoon -- one Marine Option DORd -- basically walked to the instructors and announced he quit. Another was a severe heat casualty -- had to casevac him to a civilian hospital. (As an aside, my son's buddy in one of the other platoons said one of the guys in that platoon got the "silver bullet" 4 times -- and still made it. Yes, we cringe."

@kinnem, they didn't sing the Marines Hymn this year. Kinda bummed about that. I did, however, get the whole ceremony on video and posted it on Youtube for the next group of parents and candy dates to watch.
 
My son arrived on Sunday. I would love to watch the video, how would I find it? His friends from school in the 1st Increment said one of their school mates got sent home week 5 (after passing everything) for failure to adapt. I can't wait to attend graduation in August.
 
My son arrived on Sunday. I would love to watch the video, how would I find it? His friends from school in the 1st Increment said one of their school mates got sent home week 5 (after passing everything) for failure to adapt. I can't wait to attend graduation in August.

It's on Youtube. Just search for "rocatlin" .... it's the only video I've posted.
 
@kinnem, they didn't sing the Marines Hymn this year. Kinda bummed about that.
O.M.G. What is the Corps coming to?!?!?

Still, I'm sure it was an awesome graduation ceremony. I don't see how it couldn't be! Glad your DS was successful. It's quite an accomplishment. Please pass along my congratulations. 90% is a damn good completion rate.
 
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