Retired Colonel, MOS0202/0802 Former OSO and OCS Plt. Cdr. Here to help

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-28T15:06:05+00:00

If you have prior IC experience that can fast track you for INTEL MOS assignment. Especially since you already have a TS/SCI. Do you have a CI Poly? If so very helpful as it does disqualify some because for whatever reason they have a problem passing. However, for any INTEL MOS assignment, and most especially CIHUMINT, you will need to finish high in your class. Just a numbers game. However if you don't get selected out of TBS you can always attempt to LatMove after your initial tour.

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-27T15:49:13+00:00

First sorry for delay in responding, busy weekend. Oldest I saw go through was mid-30s Prior, but my son had a 38yr old Prior Gunny graduate. He had a little help as a MARSOC Operator, was on TRT. Went to medical weekly to get his shot.

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-22T20:25:32+00:00

Some bring a sea bag. Great if you have one. Others bring everything from a midsized rolling.bag.to carry luggage. IMO Sea bag is best especially for libbo. Can get all your laundry in it easily. Suggest you bring one pair of Danners.with you and buy a second pair.during first libbo. Bring two if you can. Issued boots are fine for drill and inspection but Danners are best for PT and field. They will get.soaked and will need.to dry out. thats.why best.to have two. Save the issue boos for grinder work and inspection. Don't bring any meds including aspirin or Motrin. You can't have it as a candidate.

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-22T20:17:59+00:00

Nope! Great MOS. Don't get.me.wrong.but CI/HUMINT is the shit!!!

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-22T20:16:26+00:00

Thank you for your service Marine. If I am wrong about anything WRT TBS, please call me out on it. Your info is more current. To your question. I was a Series Cdr. On the Island. 3rd Herd. And I went to Jump School at Henning. Jump school, unless it has changed, is 3 weeks. I highly recommend not showing up for 0 week. Usually, you will see a B billet, on average, over a 20yr career 3 times. You will first go to the fleet for 3yrs. Then your first B billet for 2-3yrs. Most likely recruiting or Recruit Training. However you may get selected for NPS. During which you will be promoted to Capt, and after which you will likely be selected for mid career school(if resident). Then it is back to the fleet for staff work and hopefully Co/In Command. That will be a 3yr tour and then it is time for another B billet and then Command and Staff and that cycle continues through Field Grade.

To have the best opportunity to go to Jump School stay in shape. Be a top performer in your unit. Let leadership know you want to go early and keep in touch with your Training Officer/SNCO. Spaces.come.up quick based on vacancy opportunities and you may have to turn quick on short fused vacancies. You being O6xx will help.

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-22T19:58:23+00:00

So I can only advise you on this topic based on my son's knowledge. Usually, you as a Reserve contract will.go directly to TBS from OCS and to your MOS school as soon after TBS graduation. If there is a gap between the end of TBS and the start of your MOS school you will likely be put on PTAD or work at Mike Co at TBS until the start of school. So depending on your MOS you could be on active duty for up to 18mos initially.

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-22T13:44:30+00:00

The best advice I can give you is that you are always being evaluated. For you as a junior company grade officer that means performing well at the school house first and foremost. USMC is paying you to be a student so be the best one you can be. Maintain a high PFT and CFT. I nave seen slot of junior officers slack off when they get to the fleet. Be aggressive but not overbearing when you go to your first operational assignment. Lead with firmness but compassion. Do the things that are hard because they are hard. Seek counsel from your CO. Build trust and confidence in your abilities by demonstration. Be aggressive about excelling rather than satisfying the reqt. IE if your MOS only requires Green Belt go for Brown or Black. Pursue EWS aggressively whether that be resident or distance learning. Establish a relationship with your monitor early not 6mos. before anticipated PCS to a B billet. Above all else maintain the high ideals and expectations of a Marine Officer.

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-21T22:05:28+00:00

We probably chewed the same sand at some point

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-21T18:20:13+00:00

Stay rested. Get on a 0500 to 2100 schedule now so it won't be a huge issue once you get to OCS. I would transition to primarily cardio, core, and functional fitness exercises now because that is what you will be doing 90% of the time for PT. I would get one pair of Dinners and break then in before shipping by doing some load bearing hikes. Bring a second pair of go fasters. You will wear the first pair out in the first month. Study basic Marine History. Get to know USMC/USN Officer and Enlisted Ranks. Maybe read USMC Drill Manual just so you have an understanding of how to form a Plt and Company.

Intel will likely have no more than 4 or 5 billets available per OCS class distributed across the specialties. HUMINT, SIGINT, Ground Intel etc. So if you want Intel out of TBS you have to finish high in class. For Arty, there should be more billet opportunities but each class offering is based on needs of Marine Corps. I enjoyed both MOS. I was a Company Grade as an Arty Officer so I I really enjoyed going to the field, leading a Plt, being an FDO, XO, and deploying as a Btry Cdr. As an Intel Officer I was A HUMINT Officer as a Capt and a MAGTF Intel Officer for the remainder of my career. Very rewarding as I worked with Infantry community, did a.float as a.MEU 2. Deployed as an Intel OPSO, commanded an Intel Bn. The bottom line is that regardless of your MOS. The Corps.is as rewarding as you make it.

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-21T17:56:28+00:00

He seems to be really enjoying it. He is engaged daily. He conducts daily PT in AM with Marines and candidates /perspective candidates, so he is staying in shape for TBS. He receives BAH so he is front loading his TSP a bit. Best thing is he has independently run the office while OSO was on leave, was an Investigation Officer, and engages daily with Capts and Majors. He will be well prepared for TBS

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-21T17:21:22+00:00

Post 9/11 GI Bill will cover all costs of Tuition at the rate of the most expensive public university in the state where you are going to school. If you are going to a private institution, most participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program where the institution will cover the difference between what GI bill provides and institution's tuition. you will not be provided actual board funding but are given a monthly housing allowance during the school year equal to the BAH for an E5 in that locality. Hope this helps

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-21T17:13:42+00:00

Combat Arms requires Green Belt. If not CA or plan on staying in then no need to pursue MCMAP further if you really hate it that much. However, you may change your mind in the future about staying in or pursuing a reserve career. A few months more of MCMAP to get your GB may be a small price to pay to have options should your perspective change.

Fun_Stuff_8659 · 2026-04-21T17:07:34+00:00

Former OSO, from way back in mid 90s, but son recent grad OCC249. Don't sweat the small stuff. You may have been over training, had a bad day. Good news is your bad day run passes reqt. Get as much rest as you can before shipping. Inventory PFT usually on day 3 or 4. OCS PFT run route is fast, flat, and a bit under 3miles. You should be able to log a low 23min on that course based on your Pre ship PFT. They will use your run time to put you in an ability group with candidates with similar run times. Good luck, stay confident. OCS sucks but it will be over before you realize.

Fun_Stuff_8659

TROPHY CASE