Asked By: Pat - 7/16/2010

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The process for applying for Force Recon and then later MARSOC is pretty much as you listed: Successful completion of OCS, commissioning, TBS, Infantry MOS will pretty much be the most successful line up. It is important to understand the following (sorry about the length):

1. OCS is a screening program to determine if the officer candidate have the leadership, motivation, initiative, integrity, and judgement to qualify for a Marine Corps commission.

a. The academic portion of OCS is the same as enlisted Marines (get a copy of the Marine Corps guidebook, 90?f the material is there).
b. Physical side - not too tough. Your 288 indicates that your muscle groups and stamina have been appropriately formed for all three events. Football players & weight lifters usually have problems with pullups - different muscle groups. As noted by others, watch the weight - big issue in Marine Corps. Muscle mass must get waiver if overweight - lighter is better.
c. Judgment is based on decisions that you make when you are appointed to a candidate staff position such as Platoon Cdr, Platoon Sgt, Company Company, Company Gunny, Company 1st Sgt (the position I had in OCS). Initiative is an important component - never "ASS U & ME" anything - always anticipate. Be good at using a map and compass to land navigate in daylight and dark in brushy and tree filled terrain (especially in TBS) - important for Recon, NEVER be lost regardless if type of terrain and weather conditions - GPS not good enough - battery life.
d. Motivation - always be ready to go no matter how tired and worn out that you may be.
e. Leadership - lead but also work as a team especially in OCS. Listen to others input and suggestions, then make your own decision. This is what commissioned officers do in real Marine Corps - they get info from their staff NCOs and junior officers than make informed decisions. After about the 3rd week, peer evals begin. This is where your fellow candidates rank each other regarding the above attributes. The lowest two candidates in a platoon of 50 are told to depart due to insufficient leadership skills. Some will Drop On Request (DOR). Typically about 30?ho start do not finish.
f. Integrity - NEVER, NEVER lie or cheat.

2nd: Once you have completed the OCS and are commissioned a 2ndLt, you go to TBS. TBS is where Marine 2ndLts are taught to be Marine Officers. At TBS you will also be assigned command billets and will be expected to exercise the academic information taught in class while in the field. Land Nav is the hardest part of TBS for Lts to pass - think map and compass. Never cheat - 13 2ndLts were recently told to pack their bags for the civilian world for cheating on land nav - Marines depend on the officers to go from point A to point B without error - lives depend on it. Be the top 10?f your TBS class. It will take work, but it can be done. The 10?ill get you an infantry MOS out of TBS.

3rd: Excell in infantry training. Listen and learn from your Staff NCOs and your senior Company and platoon officer staff. "Know" the capabilities of each Marine assigned to you and use their skills efficiently. You will receive Officer fitness reports throughout your Marine Corps career. These are used to determine if you will be accepted for special programs such as Force Recon. Get to know your senior officers who grade your performance. Just do your job as well as possible and always be open to learn something new.

4th: After assignment to a Marine Division, Battalion, Company, Platoon AND after a couple of FitReps - you should be able to apply for Force Recon as a 1stLt.
5th: when you apply for Recon, the screening process is very thorough to include interviews. Not everyone makes it into Force Recon who apply. Stay physically fit and have top FitReps that reflect the attributes I listed for OCS above, and you will likely make it.

Swimming - it is important. Do lots of laps. Nothing special. Wouldn't hurt to take up scuba as a hobby (after you are commissioned) - will make the training easier. If you have a cold, NEVER go diving until it completely clears - quick way to get a ear block and rupture an ear drum.

College - focus and get best grades possible. Don't get tied up in physical training to the extent that your GPA suffers. Part of leadership and being a Marine Officer is learning to allocate time efficiently and effectively. You don't have to work out all the time, but if you are able to allocate sufficient time to do so, that will make it easier in OCS, TBS, and later infantry commander.

That's it. Best wishes.

Lieutenant Colonel, US Marine Corps-Retired

Answered By: Marine - 7/16/2010