On the related submenus for preparation, you will find many helpful links and downloads to assist you in adequately preparing for the academic and physical challenges you will soon face as an officer candidate.  Many of you will have to overcome hurdles throughout your Marine Corps career or maybe just to go before a PLC or OCC Selection board like taking an ASVAB, ASTB, or improving a PFT score.  Use these tools and aids wisely and start your preparation and studying early so you aren’t scrambling when the time comes for your test (s).

Focusing on the academic and physical challenges and preparing for the adversity you will experience at OCS is fundamentally simple to grasp.  Do not forget to prepare yourself emotionally and mentally.  “Well Captain Soto, how do I prepare myself mentally and emotionally?”  You manage your expectations and keep things in perspective; that’s how, plus you grow thick skin and don't take things personally!  Everyone has there own view of what being a United States Marine is like when you are looking in from the outside.  However, when you arrive at OCS and begin training you will find early on that it looks very different on the inside.  There is nothing wrong or right about that; it just means you need to be ready for that day when you say to yourself, “This isn’t what I thought it would be.”  When you start feeling this way you are, metaphorically speaking; on one of two roads. 1) On your way towards professional growth as a Marine Officer because you realize the challenges and the ever changing environment around you, or 2) on your way to allowing self-doubt and desperation creep in by letting you think, “This Marine stuff isn’t for me”.  Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.  Use your strengths and lean on them but address your fears and weaknesses head on and deal with them rather than “wish” them away. 

The links and downloads associated with this page are not the “Holy Grail” however put them in your proverbial tool box and start the preparation piece now so you will be ready when your day comes.  Everyone faces adversity and challenges throughout their life, don’t wait to deal with the issue until it arrives.  Proper preparation, in all aspects, WILL be the difference between success and failure; not just as an officer candidate but as a Marine.  As an officer, you are responsible for everything your unit does or fails to do.  You will prepare your Marines as much as possible for every single mission that might be thrown your way so this is the time to start acting, thinking, and performing like a Marine Officer.  Press The Attack and Good Luck!