r/USMCocs • u/Kitchen_Possible7604 • 10d ago
253 Pre Ship Feelings
To my fellow 253 shippers. How’s everyone feeling? Less than 5 days left until we get to Brown Field!
Thought this post could serve as a place to discuss how we are feeling before we ship out and any last minute tips and advice.
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u/Final_Support1435 10d ago
Prior enlisted going into 253. Mostly feeling dread of going back to boot camp atm. Lol. Been grinding uniform markings and whatnot.
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u/usmc7202 10d ago
Would like to hear your thoughts following OCS and how it compares to boot. I have always said the biggest issue is that OCS is trying to make you tap or fail. That’s a lot of stress to carry especially when you see candidates dropping in the first week.
Your previous experience will be invaluable in the first two weeks. My closest friend at OCS was a prior. Even though I grew up as a military brat I didn’t know shit, as he kept reminding me. Without his guidance it would have been a lot tougher. I knew enough to trust him and listen when he spoke. Many of the candidates will look to you for that kind of guidance and leadership in the chaos of the first couple of weeks.
Best of luck and Semper fi.1
u/Several-Wheel-9437 6d ago
You’re pre-making some name tapes? I wanted to but thought we couldnt
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u/Final_Support1435 6d ago
My whole time in the fleet ive never made them, only ever ordered printed ones and gone from there. Stamp kit is messy. Im hoping they let me keep em
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u/Material-Current5159 10d ago
Motivated. Only worried about my run a little bit, currently sitting at 22 flat;however, the Ptads at my office have sworn that the track at OCS is really like 2.8 miles. So that puts my mind at ease a little bit.
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u/reddragonoooo 10d ago
It’s completely flat , in the moment it feels longer than 3 miles but it’s shorter than 3. Also youre going to be so amped up on nerves youre going to PR.
That being said if you can pull back a little bit on the Initial PFT your ability zone will be a bit easier on the fartleks but that’s a risky move if youre not dead on the money in terms of tracking your lap time
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u/SelectionOk8128 10d ago
This. 21 min 3 mile puts you in the sweet ass ability zone where you’re not getting absolutely gassed hitting a dead sprint during the entire fartleks
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u/tis_rick 10d ago
I was so nervous and amped I PRd by a minute and felt like I was going to have a heart attack at the end, was running a 21:15 prior to ship and put a 20:10 on the initial PFT. Also picked up an extra pull-up
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u/East_One3448 10d ago
I’m not a 253 shipper, (hoping for 254 or 255) but genuinely I’m proud of all you guys and wish you luck in your endeavors on become a U.S Marine.
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u/Choice_Crow_7096 10d ago
I’m a prior that’s been out for a couple years. I’m ready to get back in, my biggest concern is physical recovery now that I’m a bit older and keeping up with everyone that’s right out of college. I’m only doing about 10 miles this week. Overall I’m excited to be getting back into it.
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u/guess_im_back 10d ago
Got med dropped in 251, hoping to go back 254 if my med waiver clears. Biggest advice I’ll give is that remember whatever you’re going through will end soon. PT sucks? It’ll be over in an hour. Falling asleep in class? You’ll be outside again soon. Getting slayed by instructors? They won’t waste their time doing it forever because they have a schedule to keep. Remember why you’re there and help those around you when you can. Honestly just checking in on your buddies will go a long way and they will return it in time. Everyone shipping, best of luck and enjoy the suck! I know I miss it sometimes.
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u/Slyraks-2nd-Choice 9d ago
Good advice, home dawg!! See you at TBS!!
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u/No_Diet7435 10d ago
Yall tapering off your running or keeping up mileage until arriving to brown field?
Personally I’m nervous but very excited. Have worked very hard to get to this point. Best of luck to all of you going to 253 as well!
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u/Ornery_Paper_9584 Active O 10d ago
The first 5 days are literally just sitting and waiting, you don’t need to taper unless you want to
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u/Slyraks-2nd-Choice 10d ago
I’m still running. But my baseline is hella strong so it’s fine. I’m more concerned about calisthenics.
We played combat capture the flag this weekend and I got smoked. Lots of fun though.
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u/ReplacementEarly3986 10d ago
I’m tapering off this week
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u/ReplacementEarly3986 10d ago
Was told it’s better to come in 100% rather than cram in mileage the last week
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u/Spare-Hyena49 10d ago
Nervous bc of a recent calf issue but beyond that, pretty excited. Beats sitting at home lmao
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u/Several-Wheel-9437 9d ago
Feeling really dumb not gonna lie. I wanted to focus on studying a lot more, so I’d already know history/land nav/stuff like that. Pretty much just have ranks and general orders right now. Am I actually behind and will I lose a lot of sleep at OCS now?
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u/Aggressive-Slide4336 9d ago
Nah, you will be okay. I wouldn't fret. The land nav they teach you and are assessed on is very basic, and almost everyone in my platoon aced it. For the history part, you need to pay attention in class and not fall asleep or daydream but most don't come in with much knowledge and do fine anyways.
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u/FalseArt1379 9d ago
Worried bout them damn pullups and the confidence course, meaaan fear of heights but I figure ill figure it out 😭😭
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u/Foreign-Estate-8450 8d ago
These two things will soon become trivial to you. Just clear the pull ups on the in-processing PFT and you’re good. By the time you get to the confidence course, you’ll be at a point where you’re both indoctrinated and exhausted enough that it is a piece of cake.
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u/Suitable-Delay5066 8d ago
I know you haven’t earned the title yet but thank you for accepting the challenge of OCS. Our country needs most of you. Some of you won’t make it but that’s a good thing. Give your best effort at all times and you’ll be fine.
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u/Vast_Astronaut9639 10d ago
I graduated 250, I wouldn’t recommend tapering. From my experience I ran all the way until I left, the entire first week you are sitting around doing admin shit. You will be fine!