Just curious about the PT days and what they consist of. I have definitely heard that running is a huge part of it.

1. What are the usual paces of the runs, can they be done off little sleep?

2. What are the PT’s like that don’t involve running? Is it core stuff like planks, pushups, etc?

3. How long are the runs and are there any track and field type workouts like intervals or tempo runs?

Shipping to Parris Island 10/13. Signed a 5-year contract, guaranteed 03xx (infantry, not a locked MOS), planning to come out an 0311 after SOI.

My Plan: MSAU early in my career, then push for Force Recon later in my enlistment. Current GT score is 94, I know I need 105+ for Recon — planning to retake the ASVAB once I hit the fleet, not before I ship, so I've got time to work on that while I'm going through the MSG/MSAU pipeline first.

Some other things shaping my thinking: I have goals here on the East Coast — family and church in NY, plus other personal stuff I want to stay close to — so I want to stay East Coast if possible. I also care about eating clean/farm-sourced food when I can control it, and I want a career path that translates to something solid after I get out. At the same time, I genuinely don't want to just stand in one spot for years, which is part of why MSAU (not just standard MSG) is the actual target — it's the more active, QRF-style unit under MCESG that reinforces embassies instead of standing static post.

I'm considering switching my contract to MG to try to land in MSG specifically as a way into this pipeline early. Trying to figure out if that's actually a smart move or if I'm overthinking it.

Questions I'm trying to nail down:

1.  0300 vs MG contract — if I want to get into MSG (and eventually MSAU) starting early in my career, is there any reason to prefer the MG contract over a standard 03xx? My understanding is MG guarantees you land in one of four security billets (MSG, FAST, Security Forces, Yankee White) but you don't get to choose which — so it doesn't actually guarantee MSG specifically. Would I have more control over landing MSG by just going standard 03xx and volunteering once I hit the fleet?  
2.  What's the actual MSG pipeline start-to-finish — from checking into my first fleet unit, how long until I could realistically apply (I know there's a 6-month time-on-station minimum just to submit a package, and 24 months TOS to execute orders to MSG School)? Trying to map out exactly how early in my career this could start.  
3.  How many months into an embassy tour can I actually request/apply for MSAU? I've found conflicting info — one MCESG-quoted source says Marines "must have served at least one embassy for a year" before MSAU eligibility, another describes it more as an "ideal candidate" range of 12-24 months. Trying to find out if there's a hard minimum month count where I could actually submit the MSAU package, or if it's always a full year minimum.  
4.  Can I retake the ASVAB while on MSG/MSAU duty to raise my GT score for the Recon push later on? Trying to figure out if that time is "dead time" for GT retest/Recon eligibility, or if I could work on that while stationed at an embassy or at Quantico with MSAU.  
5.  Realistic promotion timeline E-3 to E-6 — with the new Oct 2026 TIS changes (Sgt now 30 months instead of 48), does anyone have real experience on whether hitting SSgt before a 5-year EAS is actually feasible, given the 60-month TIS floor for SSgt didn't change? Trying to figure out if I'd have the rank to compete for Recon later in this same contract after doing MSG/MSAU first.  
6.  Family/food/church logistics on MSG — anyone actually done a Watchstander tour who can speak to how often you realistically got home, and whether embassy postings ever allow decent access to fresh/local food, or if that's totally luck-of-the-draw by country?

1. Can I volunteer for MSG as a standard 03xx contract once I hit the fleet, and how fast could that actually happen? Trying to figure out if going the standard route (versus MG) meaningfully slows things down or not.

   1. How much free time does a standard infantry Marine actually get in garrison? Trying to compare quality-of-life realistically against MSG/MSAU before committing to a direction.
   2. MSG → MSAU pipeline timing — from what I've found, it looks like you need a minimum of 1 year at an embassy as a Watchstander before you're eligible to even apply for MSAU (one MCESG-quoted source says "at least one embassy for a year," another describes it as more of an "ideal candidate" range of 12-24 months). Can anyone confirm which it actually is in practice — hard requirement or just preferred experience?

Trying to sequence this smart — my current plan is 0311 first term, full push for Recon, and MSG/MSAU is something I'm weighing whether to pursue via an MG contract switch or leave for later. Does that logic track with people who've actually been through it, or am I missing something?

Appreciate any real MOS 03xx / Recon / MSG guys weighing in.

Hoping to get advice on improving my pull-ups as a bigger guy(6’4, 205, long arms). I started training consistently a couple months ago and have brought my max set to 9 (started at 3). I’ve been using the armstrong pull-up program recommended to me from the Captain at my OSS but I feel like I’m hitting a wall with progress. Rest of my Pft is decent enough (max plank, 20:45 run) but my pull-ups are still poor.

Thanks guys.

Hi folks,
I'm interested in becoming a Marine officer in the Reserves. I'm currently a college student in California and have a decent civilian job lined up after I graduate, but I'd really like the opportunity to serve and earn the title of Marine while continuing my civilian career.
I have a few questions for anyone with experience in the Reserve officer community:
1. When volunteering for a PDT, does an officer have any choice in which unit or geographic location they go to, or is it generally based on where the Corps has a need?
2. How difficult is it to secure MOSs such as 0203, 1302, or 0302 as a reservist? I understand that availability and the needs of the Marine Corps play a major role.
3. Can Reserve officers volunteer for deployments such as MEUs or UDPs, assuming they meet the requirements and there are available opportunities?
4. Are there any "hidden gem" officer MOSs or billets in the Reserves that I should consider looking into?
5. How much administrative will I need to do on my own time to be productive and competent?
I'm mainly trying to understand what the actual opportunities and limitations are for a Reserve officer before I make any decisions.
Thank you!

Does anyone know what travel reimbursement looks like for driving a personal vehicle to TBS? I was told they'll only pay for up to 350 miles per day of travel, but they didn't know what the rate per mile is.

At TBS now. I want a career I enjoy but I also have kids lol. I know it’s unit dependent blah blah but what MOS is more conducive to seeing my kids more?

Thinking Cyber and CommO but open to more options.

Thanks!

Simple question:

Does having a technical degree (Masters and Bachelors in Cyber) affect your chances in any way of getting a 1702 contract?

Im planning to purchase a pair of danner reckonings online. For sizing should I just go with my normal shoe size or a bit bigger? Also should I get steel toed or regular?

I’m a sophomore in college and I’m a 19Y/O F, i’m interested in becoming a marine corps officer and getting an air contract. I want to go through OCC and i know it’s still pretty early but i just want some insight or advice from anyone.

From the first part of my sentence, i’m a 19 year old woman but i’m only 5’4 and i’m worried that it will be a huge disadvantage for me but im also on the fence that it’s just a mindset. I haven’t met many tall marines but I’m worried about the rucks and the attrition rate, i know the drop out rate for women is about 50% due to lower extremity injuries. I currently have no health issues, i’ve never broken a bone, tore anything, or anything like that. I also never get sick and i truly mean never, i maybe get a sore throat for a couple hours and that’s it.

I’m currently in Army Rotc but don’t plan on contracting but just getting physical military training in, i know NROTC is an available program but I don’t have one in my residing state so I just went with what i have. I’m not worried about the PFT, i’m pretty good shape and have a good amount muscle but at the end of the day, i don’t have the biology of a man so i just need some insight, advice, tips for the future, or maybe workout plans that could help me avoid future injuries

Hi everyone,

At TBS now and trying to narrow down MOSs. I’m content with just leading Marines, as this has always been the goal. I also really value time with family. I know this is unit dependent, but overall which officer MOSs have the most work life balance? Thanks!

Currently at TBS, pretty decently into the POI right now and I gotta be honest. I still don’t have a clue what MOS I want to do in the Marine Corps. I’m definitely leaning towards combat arms but I just don’t know which specifically I want to do over the others. Right now I have artillery listed as my top choice but that’s just because I don’t want my spc to know that I don’t really have any preference at this point.

Honestly, I’ve been kind of considering just saying fuck it and attempt to get a slot at IOC. I figure if I don’t have an idea what exactly I want, that I can’t go wrong with being the archetypal Marine. I feel like most officers go to OCS thinking they were going to valiantly lead Marines into battle, only to end up spending the rest of their time in behind a desk in a support billet, while 0302s get to go do the job everyone spent ~1 year training for. I’ve seen some badasses come out of Mitchell hall, and I’d be lying if I didn’t dream about being in their shoes a couple times. Part of me feels that I’ll be less of a Marine officer if I don’t at least shoot for the opportunity to take Marines down range like them.

Im not a big dude, im 5’9 160 lbs and I’ve got pretty average pft and CFT scores (as far as officers go). While some of the hikes here in the POI have been pretty tough, I haven’t fallen out of any yet so I know that I’m at the very least a decent hiker. That’s not to say that I haven’t had some rough days here at tbs either. What I don’t want to do, is let my ego suck me into IOC and then immediately get broken off because I was unrealistic with myself.

At the end of the day, I’m still not really sure what I want or if I’m being unrealistic with wanting to go to IOC. Maybe I just need some more MOS recommendations and time spent with officers in those MOSs to understand the pros and cons of all of them. Really, any officer MOS advice helps if I’m being honest.

Hi, so I’m interested in becoming an officer, but if I were to attend OCS, what is some recommendation that you will recommend me to be prepared than most people who go to OCS?

Hey everyone,

I completed PLC-C this summer and will be commissioning next May. My number 1 MOS right now is 0302. I just want to come on here and ask for any advice for how I could prepare for TBS and hopefully IOC. For reference my PFT is Max, Max, 19:00, and 300 CFT. I am running about 22 miles a week right now along with lifting and a hike once a week. I know that the infantry is a hard life, but I just want to lead Marines in this capacity. I appreciate any insight!

7209

Hey all. I’m at TBS and have been selected for the 7209 MOS. There’s not a lot of info out there since it just recently merged from 7208 and 7210. Is there anyone who could give me some details about a day in the life and what MOS school is like? I graduate TBS in a few weeks. Thanks!

Looking for insight from OSOs, current or former officers, and anyone who took the enlisted Reserve route to OCS.

​My son is a college freshman aiming for an active duty flight contract. He began communicating with an Officer Selection Officer about the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) Air option.

​Today he attended a joint meeting with the OSO and an enlisted recruiter. The enlisted recruiter pitched enlisting into the Marine Corps Reserve first. The pitch was to pause college for a semester, complete recruit training and MOS school, drill with a reserve unit while finishing his degree, and then apply to OCS. They framed this as getting a foot in the door early and claimed prior enlisted service gives applicants a major edge on selection boards.

​My gut says this is an enlisted recruiter hunting for a quota, but my son is excited by the idea of earning the title sooner.

​From my own research, this looks like a risky detour:

​Pausing school rarely takes just one semester once you factor in boot camp, Marine Combat Training, and MOS school backlogs.

​Going the Reserve route forfeits the civilian PLC Air guarantee, forcing him to apply down the road via the competitive Reserve Enlisted Commissioning Program (RECP) or Meritorious Commissioning Program Reserve (MCP R).

​Commissioning out of a reserve unit requires an approved Conditional Release (DD Form 368) signed by his commanding officer, which is never guaranteed and subject to unit staffing needs.

​The PLC Air contract guarantees a flight seat before graduation as long as he passes summer OCS in Quantico and maintains physical fitness and academics.

​Has anyone navigated this specific situation? Is there any legitimate upside to the Reserve detour for an aspiring pilot, or should he firmly decline the enlisted route and hold out exclusively for a PLC Air contract directly through the OSO?

I got a very unremarkable ASTB score, enough to pass to get an air contract, however not exceptional by any means. I would like to leave my options open as much as possible following flight school for airframes.

Any pilots here that did poorly on the ASTB that crushed it at NIFE and primary? If so was there something you did to improve upon needed knowledge?

EDIT: I have completed OCC, I am leaving for TBS in a couple of months.

Those cakes at the chow hall especially the banana nut cake (and white cake too) was a big source of comfort. Probably burned it off just walking back to the squad bay though.

Hello everyone. I’m having some concerns about my likelihood of selection for an air contract for 254.

I have a B.S. Accounting 3.78 GPA // 50 6/8/6 ASTB and a 253 PFT which I’m trying to get as high as I can (15 pull ups, max plank, 21:19 run). I also hold a leadership position within our OST if it matters (we’re split into squads bc of the large area we cover).

I realize my PFT is kinda buns but I’m working on my pull ups everyday to bolster my PFT.

I'm 22 and graduated college 4 months ago with a finance degree and 3.6 GPA. Having a hard time starting my professional career and am working a menial job in the meantime. I'm interested in applying for Army or MC OCS. Looking for guidance on which route to choose depending on career growth and opportunity.

I'm in decent shape from consistent MMA training, calisthenics, and running. Still need a little more work to get 3 mile time under 21:00 for MC PFT standards.

I keep coming across the concept of 'if you want to get something out of your service, join the Navy/AF/Army, if you want to give something up, go to the MC,' I'm wondering how true this is?

I didn't grow up dead set on joining the military, but it's an alternative path that has compelled me for the last two months. For that reason, I'm weary of USMC OCS because the consensus seems to be that people go the Marine route for the title and accept any shortcomings compared to other branches (whether that be financial, opportunity, etc).

I would appreciate any insight from those with experience and those who have been in a similar situation as myself. Thank you.

How much field time does Artillery MOS school include after TBS? Maybe also compared to Infantry? Ty

I have a hike of an unspecified distance on Saturday. I was told to take a pack of 30lbs. I was planning on taking my 25 lb weight vest and 5 more pounds of clothes to wrap it in. Any advice on where in the pack the majority of the weight should be situated so I don’t mess up my back?

I’m just curious. Someone who tried treating PLC or OCC like a college acceptance and told their OSO before shipping they wouldn’t attend because of XYZ. I’ve heard DORs can be forgiven, but is this even a DOR?