I was 2nd Platoon, 3rd squad, 12. To me the weekend was a real learning experience. I enjoyed the land nav, o course, and the Marine Corps history class. It was one motivating weekend for sure. I have to make a note here BTW. I was in 2nd platoon and i saw the SI rip into that guy who called him gunny. First off, that guy was not prior enlisted as the ones that were priors were recognized. He had way less than stellar performance too. My problem with that guy is that he didnt learn his lessons. See by the time we were at the O course, it was just a reaction to say "Aye, gunnery sergeant!". It was premeditated to call him "Aye, Gunny!" there is no other explanation for that, especially with that guy being civilian. The SI knew his name in the first few hours of the weekend. He NEVER knew my name or much of the others names. Now, this is just hearsay, and i CANNOT base this on my own observations however i heard that every time the SI would get in his face the candidate would stare him down the whole time. Its an attitude problem. I was in the platoon and i saw it all first hand. Im sure everyone makes mistakes when at OCS, there is no question as i made mistakes this weekend. But there is a difference between ignorant mistakes and an attitude problem.
All in all that weekend was the best thing that could have prepared me mentally for OCS. Stay motivated candidates, PT like OCS is tommorow, and read your candidates regulations. Do everything you can to know everything before you go there. Oorah candidates go get em!
Semper Fi