Zilch
This...is...Caketown!
Greetings, everyone.
I just got back to Florida from Quantico. Long story short, I have stress fractures and need a few months to heal up, but they're letting me back.
The whole story is this:
I had been training for months on end to get a decent run time on the PFT. I finally started passing them few months ago, but by that time I had already dealt with shin splints and a pulled calf from initially overtraining. Prior to OCS, I had undertrained in order to heal what was left of those injuries, so as not to step onto the PT field with injuries within the first couple of days.
Don't do this. Hopefully, newcomers can read this as they begin training to avoid injuries.
My initial overtraining was because I was trying to hurry and get my packet in in time to avoid using an age waiver. It worked, but at the expense of sufficient muscle development in my legs which would normally absorb the shock of running. I got accepted to OCS without sufficient training in running up and down hills. Having to alter my already questionable running step to compensate for the uneven terrain fatigued my muslces to the point where they were no longer absorbing impact, and it was all transfered to the bones. Hence, the fractures.
When you start running, your OSO will probably be after you to pass a PFT if you aren't already at that point yet. Obviously, that's important. But, if you aren't already a runner, start slow. Start with a slow, easy half mile and work your way up. After a couple of weeks you'll feel like you can do a lot more, and you can. However, your body needs to adapt to this process slowly. You shouldn't increase your distance by much more than 10% each time.
Even though you can will yourself to run 7 or 8 miles at a time within a month does not mean that you should. That's how I injured myself initially, which lead to a long spiral of counter-injuries resulting in my NPQ last week.
The irony is that I was trying to avoid using an age waiver, and now I definitely need one to retain my NFO contract.
At any rate, I was motivated before I got there, and now after having a taste of OCS and training with the best people I've ever had the privelage of working with, I'm more motivated than ever. Initially when I first went it was more about flying in an -18D or Prowler. Flying being my life's dream, that's not going anywhere. But, now it's more about becoming a Marine.
A good handful of us candidates spent a few days on light duty before they told us what was going to happen to us. Of course, I assumed the worst and figured I'd be NPQ'd with no chance to return.
These were painful days. Candidates are treated like slime. Light duty candidates are not treated so well as that, even. We got called "lazy" and "slackers" by the staff. I figure they do that to keep people from going on light duty to avoid PT or whatever. Just as well, I suppose, but light duty sucks. You feel totally helpless as the rest of your platoon gets to drill, train, and so on. Further, even though you might be capable, the staff won't let you carry your day pack or your rifle. I did not like giving up my rifle, and I didn't like having someone else carry my stuff and becoming a burden to the platoon. They were great about it, never once complaining and always taking my gear with a smile and something like, "Hope you can train with us again soon," or "Heal up quick."
The worst part, by far, was the day after they X-rayed me and told me I had stress fractures. We had just made a head call after a class, and when we came back they had set up uniform displays, and the Marine Exchange and Marine Shop told us about their uniform prices and services. Then, they gave us a chance to file up in front of the stage, pick up the uniforms and test the quality of them.
I made my way up the line, and picked up a lovely white cover, quatrefoil on the top, and a beautiful Eagle, Globe and Anchor shining brightly from its center in gold and silver. I almost lost it right there, thinking I'd never wear one. We passed by a Mameluke sword, and I got a chance to pick it up. It felt like it was meant for my hand, it just fit. This was pure agony.
While the injury did cause some discomfort, the pain of looking at those uniforms and, even worse, watching my platoon train without me, far exceeded any pain the injury caused.
Finally they told us we'd be NPQ'd with the chance to return, and that there was a very good chance I'd be allowed to keep my NFO contract. I almost exploded, it was the best news I'd heard for two weeks. As we loaded onto the back of a pickup truck, bound for a meeting with the Colonel, the Company Commander asked, "Do any of you plan on coming back?" All four of us said, "Yes, sir!" in unison, and he grinned a bit. It was weird that last day, seeing the staff in "off" mode and actually treating us like human beings. Sitting in the CSA office we were still in candidate mode, you know, sitting straight up with hands on our knees. They kept telling us to relax, but it was hard to turn that off.
Finally I left Quantico, got home safely and all that. New applicants, do yourself a favor, though, and don't put yourself through this roller coaster. If you aren't a runner, start slow. If you are a runner, train for hills, and lots of them. Anything else you can adapt to.
I'll post more stuff about OCS as I get time. I learned a few tricks that might be useful for future candidates.
I just got back to Florida from Quantico. Long story short, I have stress fractures and need a few months to heal up, but they're letting me back.
The whole story is this:
I had been training for months on end to get a decent run time on the PFT. I finally started passing them few months ago, but by that time I had already dealt with shin splints and a pulled calf from initially overtraining. Prior to OCS, I had undertrained in order to heal what was left of those injuries, so as not to step onto the PT field with injuries within the first couple of days.
Don't do this. Hopefully, newcomers can read this as they begin training to avoid injuries.
My initial overtraining was because I was trying to hurry and get my packet in in time to avoid using an age waiver. It worked, but at the expense of sufficient muscle development in my legs which would normally absorb the shock of running. I got accepted to OCS without sufficient training in running up and down hills. Having to alter my already questionable running step to compensate for the uneven terrain fatigued my muslces to the point where they were no longer absorbing impact, and it was all transfered to the bones. Hence, the fractures.
When you start running, your OSO will probably be after you to pass a PFT if you aren't already at that point yet. Obviously, that's important. But, if you aren't already a runner, start slow. Start with a slow, easy half mile and work your way up. After a couple of weeks you'll feel like you can do a lot more, and you can. However, your body needs to adapt to this process slowly. You shouldn't increase your distance by much more than 10% each time.
Even though you can will yourself to run 7 or 8 miles at a time within a month does not mean that you should. That's how I injured myself initially, which lead to a long spiral of counter-injuries resulting in my NPQ last week.
The irony is that I was trying to avoid using an age waiver, and now I definitely need one to retain my NFO contract.
At any rate, I was motivated before I got there, and now after having a taste of OCS and training with the best people I've ever had the privelage of working with, I'm more motivated than ever. Initially when I first went it was more about flying in an -18D or Prowler. Flying being my life's dream, that's not going anywhere. But, now it's more about becoming a Marine.
A good handful of us candidates spent a few days on light duty before they told us what was going to happen to us. Of course, I assumed the worst and figured I'd be NPQ'd with no chance to return.
These were painful days. Candidates are treated like slime. Light duty candidates are not treated so well as that, even. We got called "lazy" and "slackers" by the staff. I figure they do that to keep people from going on light duty to avoid PT or whatever. Just as well, I suppose, but light duty sucks. You feel totally helpless as the rest of your platoon gets to drill, train, and so on. Further, even though you might be capable, the staff won't let you carry your day pack or your rifle. I did not like giving up my rifle, and I didn't like having someone else carry my stuff and becoming a burden to the platoon. They were great about it, never once complaining and always taking my gear with a smile and something like, "Hope you can train with us again soon," or "Heal up quick."
The worst part, by far, was the day after they X-rayed me and told me I had stress fractures. We had just made a head call after a class, and when we came back they had set up uniform displays, and the Marine Exchange and Marine Shop told us about their uniform prices and services. Then, they gave us a chance to file up in front of the stage, pick up the uniforms and test the quality of them.
I made my way up the line, and picked up a lovely white cover, quatrefoil on the top, and a beautiful Eagle, Globe and Anchor shining brightly from its center in gold and silver. I almost lost it right there, thinking I'd never wear one. We passed by a Mameluke sword, and I got a chance to pick it up. It felt like it was meant for my hand, it just fit. This was pure agony.
While the injury did cause some discomfort, the pain of looking at those uniforms and, even worse, watching my platoon train without me, far exceeded any pain the injury caused.
Finally they told us we'd be NPQ'd with the chance to return, and that there was a very good chance I'd be allowed to keep my NFO contract. I almost exploded, it was the best news I'd heard for two weeks. As we loaded onto the back of a pickup truck, bound for a meeting with the Colonel, the Company Commander asked, "Do any of you plan on coming back?" All four of us said, "Yes, sir!" in unison, and he grinned a bit. It was weird that last day, seeing the staff in "off" mode and actually treating us like human beings. Sitting in the CSA office we were still in candidate mode, you know, sitting straight up with hands on our knees. They kept telling us to relax, but it was hard to turn that off.
Finally I left Quantico, got home safely and all that. New applicants, do yourself a favor, though, and don't put yourself through this roller coaster. If you aren't a runner, start slow. If you are a runner, train for hills, and lots of them. Anything else you can adapt to.
I'll post more stuff about OCS as I get time. I learned a few tricks that might be useful for future candidates.
