Marine Corps Reserve

[rah45]

Long story short:

I've always wanted to be a Devil Dog. It's become a family tradition. I was almost in shape to go when I was twenty-two, but then my wife got pregnant and I declined so I could be a husband and father, even though I had a 94 ASVAB score and a nice $10,000 bonus if I elected to go into some satellite/communications job. Fast forward to today, wife and I are going to divorce. That's just providing some background for this:

I want to pursue a stint in the Marine Corps again. It's just something I thought I would never get to do, something I bypassed for the good of the family. However, I don't wish to go fully active, just reserves. I still need to be there for my kids most of the time. The good news is that I'm graduating with a bachelor's in a couple of weeks, and could go to OCS and graduate a 2nd Lieutenant. The bad news is that currently I'm 27 years and ~270 lbs, VERY out of shape. Whether I'm going to the Corps or not I'm going to get back into shape, which for me is around 210 lbs (I'm approximately 6'0"). However, the maximum age limit for graduating from OCS is 28 years. I've been told by my brother that I can request an exemption, and that he went to boot camp at Parris Island with a guy who was 31, but I'm not sure exactly what they would look at when considering an exemption.

Can anyone provide some advice on how to increase my chances of getting into OCS? Getting into stellar shape ASAP is a given, and I already know I'll need to study up on the ASVAB to refresh my knowledge. Possibly even study up on the SAT, since I saw that a 1000 score was mandatory? I got an 1170 on the SAT without studying for it when I was in high school, but that was in 2004.

Edit: By extreme luck/providence, a huge amount of determination on my part and hers, and a lot of work, my wife and I decided not to get divorced as of July 2013. We are doing better than we have in years, lots of headway and a promising future. So, while I am still working to get into shape, I am no longer pursuing military service of any kind. Just FYI to whomever reads this in the future, if anyone. Going to leave this thread open in case anyone needs any info in the posts.

[JohnyMac]

Wow man...That was a lot of info in a short post.

I know nothing about the military; however I do know a few things about life. GO FOR IT! If you don't at least try you will kick yourself for the rest of your life.

I do have an acquaintance who use to work for me and is a Marine. He told me that OCS was a breeze once you figured out that "they" were just trying to weed out the folks who didn't have the will to complete the course. He put 20 or so years in and left when he was a Major.

Anyhow, I have said enought. Good luck buddy.

[rah45]

Yeah, I know. I figured I'd get the background info out of the way and get to the meat of the issue. I'm pretty sure I have the will to complete it. You never know until you try, I guess. I know that before I get too seriously committed, I need to get myself into shape physically first. If I cannot do that by myself, there's no point in trying to take it a step further.

[Kentactic]

Other then for tradition why are you looking to join?

[rah45]

Wow man...That was a lot of info in a short post.

Long story short:

LMAO

 

[Kentactic]

Wow man...That was a lot of info in a short post.

Long story short:

LMAO

 

"Yadda Yadda Yadda i killed a guy"

[rah45]

Other then for tradition why are you looking to join?

I'll give you a snippet from a PM I just wrote.

This is something I wanted to do before I ever met my wife. It's a combination of childhood dreams, honor, pride, and family tradition mixed with a need to acquire a life career, marketable skills, survival skills and a history as a military officer to bulk up my resume. In a sense, her doing this actually frees me up to try something I always would have looked back and wanted to do.

[Kentactic]

Other then for tradition why are you looking to join?

I'll give you a snippet from a PM I just wrote.

This is something I wanted to do before I ever met my wife. It's a combination of childhood dreams, honor, pride, and family tradition mixed with a need to acquire a life career, marketable skills, survival skills and a history as a military officer to bulk up my resume. In a sense, her doing this actually frees me up to try something I always would have looked back and wanted to do.

Roger that... i just hate to see guys join for a solid paycheck above all else.

[rah45]

Other then for tradition why are you looking to join?

I'll give you a snippet from a PM I just wrote.

This is something I wanted to do before I ever met my wife. It's a combination of childhood dreams, honor, pride, and family tradition mixed with a need to acquire a life career, marketable skills, survival skills and a history as a military officer to bulk up my resume. In a sense, her doing this actually frees me up to try something I always would have looked back and wanted to do.

Roger that... i just hate to see guys join for a solid paycheck above all else.

No, if anything my commitment to liberty and the Constitution has me worried when applied to military service. I'm concerned about hard decisions regarding those that may come down the line during my service. I guess someone has to do it, and I trust myself to do it more than I do most people. I just worry that, if the time comes, I won't recognize it for what it is until too late.

[CrystalHunter1989]

Rah, you've seen my post on physical fitness. If someone with my handicaps can shuck the weight and start running 5k twice a week, so can you. Not sure what you mean by asap, but it took me 3 years to make it this far. That might be good enough for you, maybe not. All I can say is get with a qualified trainer and give it your all!

[mountainredneck2051]

sorry to hear the bad news man

but if your dead serious about dropping weight faster than you can believe possible hit me up

[Kentactic]

Other then for tradition why are you looking to join?

I'll give you a snippet from a PM I just wrote.

This is something I wanted to do before I ever met my wife. It's a combination of childhood dreams, honor, pride, and family tradition mixed with a need to acquire a life career, marketable skills, survival skills and a history as a military officer to bulk up my resume. In a sense, her doing this actually frees me up to try something I always would have looked back and wanted to do.

Roger that... i just hate to see guys join for a solid paycheck above all else.

No, if anything my commitment to liberty and the Constitution has me worried when applied to military service. I'm concerned about hard decisions regarding those that may come down the line during my service. I guess someone has to do it, and I trust myself to do it more than I do most people. I just worry that, if the time comes, I won't recognize it for what it is until too late.

Exactly, i feel the same way. Plus i just dont see much good our military currently does. Many veterans of years past say a true partiot would quit the military or never enlist at all given current events. People ask me all the time if im in the military. my answer is usally something like "Fuck no..."

[mountainredneck2051]

the problem i got is your only motivation is do it or go to federal prison
i think we all know a great number of our boys who refuse to do bad things are going away for a long time over it
don't put yourself in that situation is my theory

[rah45]

the problem i got is your only motivation is do it or go to federal prison
i think we all know a great number of our boys who refuse to do bad things are going away for a long time over it
don't put yourself in that situation is my theory

No, there is always at least one more option. Like I said, I don't think I would hesitate to do the right thing. I just need to recognize when I've done everything else I can do and just make stand for what's right.

[rah45]

Rah, you've seen my post on physical fitness. If someone with my handicaps can shuck the weight and start running 5k twice a week, so can you. Not sure what you mean by asap, but it took me 3 years to make it this far. That might be good enough for you, maybe not. All I can say is get with a qualified trainer and give it your all!

I know I can drop the weight,  just dont think it's possible to get physically fit from where I am right now in time to not require an exemption.

[Kentactic]

Rah, you've seen my post on physical fitness. If someone with my handicaps can shuck the weight and start running 5k twice a week, so can you. Not sure what you mean by asap, but it took me 3 years to make it this far. That might be good enough for you, maybe not. All I can say is get with a qualified trainer and give it your all!

I know I can drop the weight,  just dont think it's possible to get physically fit from where I am right now in time to not require an exemption.

what are the physical requirements? Years back i walked into a NG recruiters office 40lbs over the required weight. I had bring it up. I said im over the weight am i good still? He said ya your fine. In my defense i dont look as heavy as i am. But the recruiter told me all his recruits WILL attend his MMA classes every week. Basically he will get guys in shape if they arent is the vibe i got. Honestly their weight requirements are just silly. Id have to drop muscle to be make their weight.

[rah45]

I know that the USMC is pickier than the NG, but I dont know by how much. Several years ago when I first tried, my weight limit was 225. So I'm approximately 50 pounds over the max limit. If I stopped drinking sodas, coffee, etc and stopped eating sweets and excessive carbs and fried foods, I'm sure I could drop 15 or so in 4-6 weeks.

[Deathstyle]

If you need to drop weight look into HITT and want an good way to start. Plus great eye candy depending on the videos.

http://www.youtube.com/user/charliejames1975

http://www.youtube.com/user/ZuzkaLight

10 days - 2weeks before your weight in, start the master cleanse.

Health & Nutrition - The Lemonade Cleanse

Master Cleanse Day 10

[RalphP]

Don't know much about the USMC, and less about OCS, but that's a great ASVAB score!   We tied, to the point.  Knew a woman that had a 97, and she made E-6 in six years (push button E-4 though).

Years ago in the Navy (enlisted), I knew guys that were on the mandatory PT for being over the body fat limit.  Mando Commandos, and a couple couldn't wait to get out because of it even though they otherwise liked the Nav.   It not only took more time out of their lives, on top of all the other normal BS, but it hurt their performance reviews too.   Your body fat percent was required to be noted on your evals, and being over the percent (14%, if I recall) didn't look good once you got to NCO.   That was 20 years ago, and for enlisted.  Not sure what it's like now - but good luck in whatever you chose. 

[Grudgie]

[ Honestly their weight requirements are just silly. Id have to drop muscle to be make their weight.

A muscle headed body builder never won a marathon. The Marine Corps wants overall athletes ready for anyhting. There is more to fitness than just strength.

[rah45]

[ Honestly their weight requirements are just silly. Id have to drop muscle to be make their weight.

A muscle headed body builder never won a marathon. The Marine Corps wants overall athletes ready for anyhting. There is more to fitness than just strength.

Good point.  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[Kentactic]

[ Honestly their weight requirements are just silly. Id have to drop muscle to be make their weight.

A muscle headed body builder never won a marathon. The Marine Corps wants overall athletes ready for anyhting. There is more to fitness than just strength.

Im no body builder.

[Jeremy Knauff]

A muscle headed body builder never won a marathon. The Marine Corps wants overall athletes ready for anyhting. There is more to fitness than just strength.

Exactly! I can't tell you how many gym rats fell out on long humps or patrols; especially in the mountains.

[1000meterstare]

Why OCS?  Another option you may never have thought of:  there's nothing dishonorable about being an enlisted man.  Why OCS or nothing?  I was - no shame.  Got my airborne wings, became a sergeant before my first enlistment was up.  Got shot at, too, but hey that's par for the course.

[hjmoosejaw]

The results of her master cleanse:

http://youtu.be/NTcfHZcUdCA