As the third week unfolds at OCS, your candidate stands on the threshold of breakthrough and adaptation in their transformative journey. Week three is a pivotal period during which candidates begin to acclimate to the environment, stress, and expectations of OCS, marking a significant turning point in their Marine Corps experience. 

Building Confidence Through Challenge

Week 3 marks a pivotal phase in the journey to becoming a Marine Officer. Candidates will kick things off with a demanding 4-mile hike, a test of endurance and mental toughness that sets the tone for the challenges ahead.

Immediately afterward, they’ll tackle Exam 2, ensuring they are absorbing and applying the knowledge critical to future leadership in the Marine Corps.

One of the most exciting milestones this week is the Fire and Movement Course. Here, candidates learn to maneuver with purpose—using cover, communicating under pressure, and executing tactical movement at the buddy-team level. This is their first taste of applying combat fundamentals in the field.

They’ll face barbed wire, wall obstacles, and a simulated enemy, pushing them to think fast, move smart, and act decisively—hallmarks of a Marine leader.

Each step this week strengthens their confidence, discipline, and commitment to the mission ahead.

Combat Fitness & Continued Progress

Later this week, your candidate will face another key milestone—the Combat Fitness Test (CFT). The CFT is designed to assess their physical readiness for the rigors of combat and evaluates speed, strength, and agility.

The test includes three events:

• Movement to Contact: An 880-yard sprint simulating the speed needed to reach a casualty or engage the enemy.
  
• Ammo Can Lift: Repetitive overhead lifts of a 30-pound ammo can for two minutes to test upper-body strength and stamina.
  
• Maneuver Under Fire: A grueling timed course that combines sprinting, low crawling, body drags, fireman’s carry, and grenade tosses—designed to simulate the physical demands of battlefield movement.
  

Successfully completing the CFT is not just a requirement—it’s a powerful testament to your candidate’s growing physical resilience and warrior mindset. Each challenge brings them one step closer to earning the title of Marine Officer.

True North

Navigation skills become a priority next. Candidates will dive into Land Navigation classes, learning to read maps, identify terrain features, and use a Lensatic Compass for precise movement. From plotting points to estimating ranges, they’ll build the tactical skills crucial for upcoming leadership evaluations. A compass course followed by a day and night land navigation exercise will test their newfound knowledge, solidifying their ability to navigate confidently in any environment.

Combat Course

Week 3 culminates with the grueling Combat Course. Here, candidates must navigate an austere environment littered with obstacles, including the notorious “Quigley,” while operating as a fire team. This course tests their tactical skills in using cover and concealment, fire team movement techniques, and establishing effective security postures. It’s a demanding final test before they move on to new challenges.

Thanks for reading along for week three. I’ll see you next week with more insights and stories during this pivotal time for you and your candidate.

Semper Fidelis,
SgtMaj (Ret) Paul Davis