Meal Regimen at OCS

[Delta]

First Off i want to say Hi, i new to the forum and looking to be a Marine Aviator.

I know you get 3 meals a day, but my question is, can you bring protein bars, or will you have other opportunities during the day to snack on something??

I was just curious, because my metabolism is relatively high and i need to eat every 2-3 hours. Im always hungry.

Additionally, im a bodybuilder, are there free weights on base? or will the day be so long that you wont have time?

Thanks
Delta

 

[invertedflyer]

No, you can't eat protein bars and you will not have the opportunity to snack. My recommendation is to stuff yourself at the chow hall far beyond feeling full, you'll burn all the energy and feel hungry pretty quick if you don't.

The only free-weights are the ones you'll use on the circuit course, or perhaps an off-base gym during libo. I don't think candidates have access to any of the on-base amenities.

 

[k9davis]

Good question.

What about prior service? Do they have access to on base facilities?

 

[Cavt]

I guess you could, but honestly why would you? I wanted nothing to do with anything Quantico after we were let go on weekends. Except for the requisite buying of random crap in Q-Town. But seriously, take the time off, rest, eat some good food, don't worry about working out, you'll get plenty of that during the week. And from my standpoint, you need that time to recover. I lost 25 pounds at juniors gained it back and lost it again at seniors. Don't worry you'll be fine even if you do have crazy metabolism...

 

[mayo]

Your body will break down at OCS because of the running. I lost muscle mass while there, pullups going from 20 at initial PFT to 16 on final. You will not want to work out. During the day you will not have much opportunity to eat besides chowhall but after lights out I know there were some who had powerbars and what not to eat stashed in their locker's. This technically was a no-no...you will figure it out when you get there.

 

[skidkid]

Best train your body to get by on 3 meals a day and soon. There will be inspections and protein, power or candy bars will all be treated the same-contraband. The penalty for one turned in will be you are out 5 bucks or so, try to hide them and you could be looking at an integrity violation and trip home never to return.

 

[Crowbar]

Best train your body to get by on 3 meals a day and soon.

My recommendation is to stuff yourself at the chow hall far beyond feeling full

What they said. At every meal during OCS, I ate until I thought I would be sick, but 2-3 hours later I was hungry again, and I'm just a normie, not a bodybuilder.

As far as using a gym on base, here's a copy of the 2004 Candidate Regulations from the Tulane site. I couldn't get the regs on the OCS site to work. It lists the Larson and Barber gyms as being off limits. I can't remember which ones those are, and the rules may have changed, but it will give you an idea.

 

[Mitch]

Delta,

Your body will learn to metabolize the Marine Corps way so I recommend against much that isn't on the gear list your OSO/MOI provided. You may feel like eating according to your schedule but in most cases you won't have the opportunity. That's part of the program, by design. Bringing supplements/food, etc. will likely end up being a wasted effort and attracting unwanted attention. After OCS it's largely on you as to how you're going to stay in shape.

However, if you posted your address at OCS i'm sure folks would be more than willing to send you all manner of vitamins, supplements, porn, etc.

 

[Delta]

Best train your body to get by on 3 meals a day and soon. There will be inspections and protein, power or candy bars will all be treated the same-contraband. The penalty for one turned in will be you are out 5 bucks or so, try to hide them and you could be looking at an integrity violation and trip home never to return.

are these things allowed at TBS?

 

[phrogpilot73]

are these things allowed at TBS?

Yes. You are a commissioned officer at that point.

 

[HueyCobra8151]

Either way the point is moot.

You WILL eat 3x a day at OCS.

No more, no less.

No sense in worrying about things you absolutely cannot change.

Try working on things you CAN, like "Do I have the mental discipline to stay hydrated, even when I don't feel like drinking, in order to not become a heat casualty?"

 

[BarrettRC8]

I understand your concerns, but the bottom line is that you can suck it up for only 10 weeks. I lost a good bit of muscle and all my lifts dropped off substantially during OCS, but they were right back to where they were before after resuming a lifting regimen for 6-8 weeks after graduation.

Just try to get two scoops of cottage cheese and a big glass of milk every meal, eating that much casein should blunt some of the muscle catabolism you're sure to experience.

 

[UORBulldog]

But don't forget about pudding, cake, brownies, and cookies

 

[Cobra Commander]

Try working on things you CAN, like "Do I have the mental discipline to stay hydrated, even when I don't feel like drinking, in order to not become a heat casualty?"

If there's one thing you don't want to be at OCS, it's a heat casualty. They will have no sympathy for you at all. In fact, they will mock you for getting a thermometer shoved up your ass while it's happening.

This is what your staff will say...

"Look at that fag, he started pulling his pants down before the Corpsman even got over there!"

"Yeah he did. Did you see the big smile on his face? I think he likes it."
"Do the rest of you see what happens when you don't freakin hydrate?!"

 

[theblakeness]

food is NOT allowed in the squad bays..so dont try and bring snacks or protein bars.