Advice: Reserves to OCC

[Achilles]

I'm posting this to ask a few questions as well as garner some advice from those who have gone before me. First I'll explain my situation, I tore my ACL around a year ago and I'm about 8 months out from surgery. My PFT is right at 190 and I know I need to be well over 250 to be competitive for an OCS slot. I graduate college in May and was looking to pick up a slot for OCC-199 by getting into a better shape and continuing to cut some weight. Since OCC-199 doesn't start till October and I graduate in May I realize it's going to be hard for me to get a job for 5 months since very few places are going to be willing to train me for such a short period of employment.

Given the above I've been considering another option, enlisting in the Reserves, spending the summer (and probably fall) at basic, MCT, and then MOS school. Following completion of this I would apply for a spot at OCC-200 in January. I know that it isn't necessary to enlist in order to get a shot at a commission, but I can't imagine anything designed to get me in a better shape then spending the summer at Basic. I also know the possibility that if my unit deploys I would face a deployment, but since I'm only 22 I'm not in any danger of hitting the maximum age. Lastly I know that spending the summer at Basic won't guarantee my success at OCC but I thought it might help to increase my odds (physically and mentally).

Is it possible to finish MOS school and then immediately apply for OCC or is there a certain minimum time I must wait to fulfill a Reserve contract before I can apply? Are there any other possibilities I'm not considering that I haven't already mentioned?

 

[SemperFlyMarine]

One of my roommates was enlisted and went to OCS, he knows some Marines who went to OCS something like two weeks after graduating Boot Camp. What they had to do to get that, I don't know, but it is possible. Just my $.02

 

[gunnar_034]

Why not just get a part-time job and not tell them your plans? I'm in a similiar situation, trying to get into -198. I want to start ASAP, so putting in my two-weeks notice in won't be a problem for me. Good luck!

 

[Achilles]

Why not just get a part-time job and not tell them your plans? I'm in a similiar situation, trying to get into -198. I want to start ASAP, so putting in my two-weeks notice in won't be a problem for me. Good luck!

I've considered that route, but it'll be difficult to support myself on a part time job for 5 months. Also I know that I have to put that company on my security questionaire and possibly the application. No point pissing someone off if I can avoid it.

 

[Stinger7212]

Instead of wasting all that time going through initial training (BASIC, MCT, MOS), why don't you spend a couple months training "your way?" At Basic, you'll be training "their way"...so what if you're pushed too hard and re-tear that ACL and spend a year on Parris Island? Yes, they will hold you for up to a year, it is not like OCS where they send you home if you injure yourself. Wow, wouldn't that be a blast.

Dude, work part-time, train your ass off a couple months, and go to OCS. Going to basic, MCT, and MOS technically will make you a mustang..but you will have been enlisted for what, 6 months? C'mon, make the smart choice here.