Headed to BCT then OCS. Should I bring everything I need for OCS with me to BCT?

2018-12-13T18:45:47-05:00

Evening everyone.

I'm a prior service Marine, Sergeant (E-5). I'll be attending BCT at Ft. Jackson, and then on to OCS at Ft. Benning. Since I doubt there is going to be any downtime between BCT and OCS, am I suppose to bring everything I'll need (everything on OCS packing list) for OCS with me to BCT?

Thanks.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2018 7:16 PM

2018-12-13T19:16:38-05:00

Bring what you think you need for OCS in a personal bag and it will get locked up while your in BCT. There are a lot of smaller items you can get now that are required. You might leave out the sewing kit... they will give you crap for bringing small sharp objects to basic. You will draw gear in OCS and have the opportunity to purchase what you need before training, but good to come prepared . Your in for a journey, good luck!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2018 7:56 PM

2018-12-13T19:56:38-05:00

Probably some good advice from LT Roth. To be sure, you may want to check with your recruiter and refer to the Fort Benning and Fort Jackson websites. It sucks that you have to go through BCT again! You will probably find it a waste of time after going through training with the Marines. Best wishes!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Dec 13 at 2018 8:10 PM

2018-12-13T20:10:49-05:00

http://www.ocsfoundation.org

I'd found this awhile back, I've sent it in many times, I just thought you might find it useful...there are also, as you might already know, countless videos on OCS programs, I'd be fairly certain on BCT as well...purely out of curiosity, whàt is you Bach major, also, I'd just wondered, what MOS had you wanted after OCS, i just have an interest in such career/educ topics...also, have you done any grad coursework yet? If so, what major there? I only ask as, I think you'll find, quite literally from day one, that you'd be expected t go for a !asters part time, minimum, I can send you some other links you might find useful, look up AFIT and Naval Postgrad School (NPS) on Wikipedia, all warrants and commissioned in all svcs can apply, as well as Rhodes Scholar for military, obviously that depends on GPA, if you'd care to go into that at all, I realize you might prefer to not, of course...also, were you a STEM major? Non-STEM? Do you have any flight interests at all? As I'd said, I just have an interest in such things, if you'd care to chat at all, no rush, obviously, when I went USAF OTS after 3 yrs Army ROTC, I was non prior, those at USAF OTS I knew who'd been prior enlisted, whether USAF or there on interservice transfer, pretty much always adjusted to OTS more readily, I'd expect the same would certainly be true for you at OCS, most definitely, esp having been prior USMC as well as now Army, I'd be most eager to hear more, as as well, open that was of at least some use and/or interest, in any event, of course.

OCS Foundation

SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families

Response by PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2018 9:06 PM

2018-12-13T21:06:00-05:00

Why do you have to go to basic since you're prior marine

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 13 at 2018 9:53 PM

2018-12-13T21:53:59-05:00

Sgt Elliot Jasiulek Act like a boot in BCT! Please, Let RP know how you can last as a poser!

Congratulations on being admitted to OCS. Make the Corps and the U S Army proud!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2018 1:46 AM

2018-12-14T01:46:25-05:00

Be patient in BCT. I felt like I was at 'Camp Stupid' in Basic/AIT. Are you wearing your E-5 rank in basic? I got shit by the drill sergeants for being a thirty-one-year-old specialist with a college degree. I was one of seven in my training Battalion. I ended up being the second fastest runner and the oldest graduate in my mp battalion. The only good thing that happened to me was ended up doing the scorecards for my company and drill sergeants didn't mind me doing them. I actually felt human being drill sergeants office tallying up the Army physical fitness score cards. Congratulations that you're going to officer candidate School. I don't have any pointers because I went to a National Guard officer candidate School in California that was a little bit different than Fort Benning. I do remember them saying' cooperate and graduate'. Even though your Cadence calls be a little different oh, I think you'll fit right in and I'm sure army training will be a lot easier than what you went through since you are used to 3 mile runs. Now you only have to run for 2! You're used to doing pull-ups, the push-ups and the three mile run. I don't know if you're going to be transitioning to the new Army Combat fitness test. Keep your head up high but I would suggest not to let anybody know that you are prior service Marine unless the drill sergeants blab to everybody.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2018 8:20 AM

2018-12-15T08:20:13-05:00

Typically you’ll get a short break between BCT and OCS to get all you’re required stuff. You’ll be assigned to HHC before classing up.

Response by Sgt Elliot Jasiulek made Dec 15 at 2018 5:30 PM

2018-12-15T17:30:41-05:00

Thank you for all the replies gentlemen.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2018 1:22 PM

2018-12-21T13:22:23-05:00

You will have the opportunity to purchase some of the required items when you get to Fort Benning since many of the OCS specific things can only be purchased here. The other items, such as civilian business casual clothes I would have a family member bring to your BCT graduation, especially if you plan on taking a POV from Fort Jackson to Benning.