Women out there?

Are there any women out there who are applying for MC OCS or who already got commissioned? I was wondering how things are for the females...if the SIs are harder on us or what. I also heard from my OSO that only about 25% of the females who go to OCS actually make it out. Is that true? It would be nice to hear from some of you.

-hbmortster

Oh I hope that's not true... that would suck. I should be applying in the near future. Want to be a NFO. What do you want to do?

Littledancerus,
I am applying for a Pilot slot for this June. I know that since women can't do many fun things on the ground side, it is better to apply for aviation if you want to get combat experience. Otherwise, you could be in finance or supply, something that requires sitting behind a desk all day.

Cowbar, thanks for the info; do you know why most of them didn't finish?

hbmortster

Are these girls all quiting or do they get kicked out? I can't imagine just up and quiting. Are they dropping because of the PT or 'cause of the mental stress? I'm looking to go NFO or aviation command and control. Public affairs if I have to, but hopefully not.

I know someone who went PLC-C last summer and he said there was a girl there that whenever the SI's yelled at her she would start to cry. So they made a game of it and would keep on yelling at her until she shed tears. Needless to say she ended dropping. Just to give you an idea of why some girls drop.

stevew,

That female that started crying should never have even thought about joining the MC, maybe the airforce I hope that there are some women out there who are tougher than the guys and can make it through with just as much trouble as everyone else gets.

crowbar,
again thanks for the insight.

If there are any females reading this that are going to June OCC or are hoping to, we need to talk so that we know what we are getting ourselves into.

Crowbar --

That's freakin' awesome that you have Strongbad as your icon. You rock dude!

Yea, I'm trying to go this summer. I graduate in April!! Working on it You're going hbmortster? Good luck! Maybe I'll be there with ya.

littledancer

I am applying for this summer's OCC too. I graduated last May and decided the civilian world wasn't my cup of tea. Hopefully I will find out if I make it soon. When do you find out?

I am a female currently in the application process right now for OCS. My OSO said that I could get into the June class depending on how fast I want to do things. I am graduating The end of April and I don't know if I want a little more time inbetween or just start training.
These are my own theories about women at OCS from talking to people there and being a woman; nothing scientific.
I think women need to prepare themselves mentally more so than guys and need to be more confident in themselves. At OCS they want to see you defend your answers whether they are right or wrong. Also, be prepared for failure; everyone fails there billets, don't dwell on it, just move on.
It is great to meet some other girls out there. I would to talk some more.

KClegg,

I would think that going right into OCS would be the good thing, that way you don't get all lazy just sitting on your A$$ the whole day. I don't know about you, but I am tempted to do that when I am not really busy. Was your OSO really gungho about getting things done for OCC 186? cause mine was. He was also very confident about getting in as a female. Was yours? It's nice to see another friendly female here.

I am in the process of waiting for my PRK waiver and then I am applying for PLC-Jrs. I am hoping to get an air contract and become a pilot. Already took the ASTB and passed. I would make the best of any job I get though.
It is rather shocking to see how many females don't make it through OCS. I would be interested in knowing how this compares to the males stats. I personally couldn't imagine willingly dropping out. Ive invested way to much(time and money) into making this my future.
My OSO is very excited to get me contracted and shipped out. He is also confident that I will get accepted because I am female and want to go air.

frenchco,

Yea, my OSO is the same way. Although I am OCC which I know is hard to get into, he thinks is excited that I am a female that wants to go air too. It would be interesting to know what the male stats are.
Good luck on that waiver, I only know of a handful of people who didn't get pilot after having it done.

My OSO is the same way too. I am also OCC, but he seems really optimistic. I am applying now and I'm already sooo excited. I can't see myself dropping out because this is something I've wanted so bad for so long and I would really feel really bad if I somehow felt I couldn't take it... I just can't see it happening. Maybe we'll be there together!!

ohh rah!! I can't wait to see you there in June (very optimistic!)!!

hbmortster,
I think one reason my OSO is trying to help me out as much as possible is because he has never had a female get through OCS.
-The male stats about OCS that I have seen is that about 25-35% do not make it. As oppose to the girls where only 25-35% do make it.
I think I am going to try for June so we will have to keep in touch.

Thanks alot jmw...we will hopefully be there in June being part of the 25% that get through!

Hello there. I am also a female applying for OCS--186. I really hope to get in, and I was really happy to see other females on this website that are applying. What do your parents think about your decision?

My parents don't know yet that I'm trying to get into the marines. They do know that I have applied for the Navy and have not gotten in. But I never told them that I started to look at the Marines instead. I'm not sure I'm going to tell them untill I apply. They were pretty supportive of my going into the Navy, so I'm hopeing they'll be supportive of the Marines too... we'll see.

Everyone knows that I am applying. I did warm them up by telling them that I was applying for the Navy, that was scary enough. Once they got used to that, I told them about the Marines. I think the worst part is that my mom is just scared of me wanting to be a pilot, any other job she would feel safer with. My dad though is very supportive because his brother was a Major in the Marines. He knows how awesome the service is and what you can get out of it.
You need to stand up to them, it's kinda hard at first when they ask you all these questions you don't know, but if they really have reservations and you really care, have them call your OSO. He can usually straighten any questions out. Good luck with the application process, I hope to see you there!

why is anyone afraid of telling their parents about joining the Marines. if they are afraid of you getting killed tell them, I can get killed walking down to the store. Come on here, this is your life we are talking about, do what you want to do and dont live by others expectations. My parents didnt want me to join, but I told them, Im joining and there is nothing they can do with it, If you cant stand up to your own parents about being a Marine, then I honestly dont believe you should be one. Im not trying to be mean, but its the truth.

Dude,
have some compassion. Some families are different than others.
littledancerus, don't worry about it, do it in your own time. I am sure that what they think means a lot to you and that you don't want to let them down. Being a Marine is such a great priviledge they should be thrilled that you want to do this.
Live by your own rules though.

Haha, wow... reading into things a little bit there aren't we? I did not say that I'm going to let my parent's make my choices for me did I? Really, I would like to have their support and I know that I will get them to see it my way eventually, but even if I didn't it wouldn't stop me from doing what I want to do. Obviously I wouldn't give up my dream just because my parent's didn't like the idea. (Not to mention I probably have a greater chance of dieing trying to drive in this west Michigan snow than in the military... lol) But really, I think that I don't want to tell them 'till I'm closer to actully going just because... for one I don't want them to get as nervice as I will be about my getting in... and for two, I just don't have the time for that kind of phone call. So sorry if you think I should be telling my parents this instant, but we all are different and I will do my things my way and you can go ahead and do your things your way.

Funny story, I went through OCS with an Indian guy (Shakir-I think) who couldn't tell his parents that he was going into the Marine Corps. He told them he was at a boy-scout camp for 6 weeks, and they didn't allow letters! So for 6-weeks, this poor guy didn't get a single letter from his family...for those of you that have been, you know how hardcharging this is. Just a thought for those of you scared to tell your families.

Hello Ladies,
I'm a OCC 186 hopeful and a female Marine. I see some of you are very concerned about the drop % of females in OCS and from what I've read, its pretty close to what it is in boot camp on the enlisted side. My boot camp platoon started with 73 and we graduated about 36. And as it was mentioned, it is harder on females than it is on males. We both do the exact same stuff, so physically it is harder, that is why there are so many more injuries compared to the males. Mentally, its tough too, but its only as hard as you want it to be.
Hope to be there with you in june!!