First off, I apologize for intruding but I cannot find anything anywhere and was unsure if this topic belongs in the Wannabes forum.

Recently I began looking into my options for earning a commission and it did not take me long to realise I would rather serve in the Marine Corps and not in the Navy. This is nothing new, the opportunity has now presented itself to make it happen.

I've read up on OCS and I know its not a walk in the park but I was wondering if anybody out there can describe the life of a female officer. I've looked and looked but there doesnt seem to be much available.

Any help is appreciated and once again I apologize if i may have stepped on some toes letting myself in here.

V/r
Navychick

Why would the daily life of a female officer be different from that of a male? She leads, she instructs, she teaches, she deploys (well as long as she isn't popping out babies all the time to skate). Of course there are some jobs closed to her because she is a female, but other than that she handles things just like the men do.
Have you visited the actual OCS forum website? If you haven't I suggest you do because it solely for those wanting to become officers in the Marine Corps.

www.marineocs.com

Good luck in your journey. If all else fails Parris Island is always a choice. Semper!

Pray-- I'm gonna tweak your commentary a little brother.....
I was a senior sergeant looking at OCS, so I am going to give you the truth, It will be hard, nothing like the Navy--Mentally, you will be challenged everyday. Prepare to earn your respect by LEADING- not because your wear Butter bars. And the men will test you. Do not set an example of "I am a female, treat me as such"..No-no-No- you Will do everything the males do and if you don't you'll earn the title of ****bird.
Nuff said on that-- as far as getting pregnant? well- I beg to differ some what from what Pray said.
You're married, youv'e been in a while, it is planned, good to go. There's nothing wrong with starting a family in The Corps,. Just remember though, You will be watched until you prove yourself as a competent female Marine.. It's just the way it is. I myself, and many other WM's have gone through it. Good Luck-

Jonsey36 I'm a female not a brother. Second it's no secret that women catch a lot of flack for being pregnant in the military period. It comes with a stigma because many of them get pregnant to get out of deployment, duty, working, etc. It is something to note. There isn't anything with having a child in the military, but from what I have witnessed, many of them abuse it. I know way to many staff nco females who were pregnant the entire time while in, never deployed, and still somehow magically got promoted. I am bitter because I did not get pregnant and I kept my legs closed, and yet there are many females who **** it up for the rest of us. I am only saying prove yourself by deploying and doing your job (as you said) before you decide to have a family because you will catch hell from the men. But I wish her the best the Marine Corps is the best!

That's true about the pregnancy stigma. When I got pregnant, it was 1999 and no war yet, but I could still feel the heat. I guess you could say I didn't keep "my legs closed", but then again, I was married!

Pray-- sorry I called you a brother.. Look over me.... Any-HOO The Navy is not near as Harsh on Females as the Marines.
regardless--If she goes to the Corps and makes it, she is going to catch hell whether she's preg or not until she proves herself.
Hulinmr, That's BS that you had to endure harrasment from the males,.. as Pray stated, the LOSERs or Barrack ho's tend to mess things up. I didn't let it bother me, Fugg'em if they can't take a joke

There were many of us that were nondeployable for other reasons other than pregnancy. I was never pregnant in the Corps (for very long anyways), but I was nondeployable for the entire (6 years) time.

I was assigned to a MCB unit. Permanent Personnel at MOS Schools the entire time. That's a death sentence for someone who would rather be on the fly instead of in the rear with the gear. I begged to be deployed during the first Gulf War, but got turned down cold. Bastuds!!

Thank you all for the replies. I realised after the first one I may not have stated my question clearly enough. As enlisted in the Navy I havn't gotten much crap but I've heard rumors about other branches. I figured here is where I would get honest answers about treatment.

I am an active duty female officer and I can answer any questions you may have. you should also be in contact with your local OSO however to find out more info on your qualifications.
Do you know what you want to do as an Officer career wise that causes you to prefer USMC over Navy? Are you a strong PT'er? Do you run alot?

Officer training is different then boot camp so there are some other things to consider. What is your degree in or where are you currently in your college program?

Ma'am,

I apologize for the delay. I havn't been back on for awhile.

First off I have enjoyed my time in the Navy but ships are not for me. I have a general aversion to water. I looked at enlisting in the Marine Corps but eventually decided on the Navy based on advice from those around me.

Right now i'm in intel and enjoy that very much. I think i'd be interested in either continuing that or perhaps becoming a pilot.

Admittedly my PT is lacking. I've started up again. In HS I played sports year round and was very physically fit but i've let that slip. I know I have quite a bit of work to do to get myself up to Marine Corps standards. And if this is the avenue I choose to take, there is nothing that will stop me from getting my stuff back together.

As for college I have about a years worth of credits through boot camp and my schooling. I've also been taking classes hoping to earn a History degree. But if that will not help i'll gladly change my focus.

Thanks for the reply. Its greatly appreciated.

V/r
IS3

This is not from a male perspective - it is from a human perspective and someone who has been there and done that.

Run lots before going in, after you are in, and after you end your career with the military.

Try to run on hilly terrain because you are going to have to run on hilly terrain some time while you are in. And even if you do not, then you will still be a better runner. When I did magazine runs with the M60E3 (both for working out and getting into trouble), I became a better runner.

A hard style Karate is good too. After Karate, my Karate uniform (Gi) is soaking wet with sweat. The more you sweat and sometimes bleed, the less you do in war. If your gi is not wet, then that Karate class is no good. In addition, you should learn a martial art since you are entering military service. Since there are no longer any front lines or the rear, you should learn how to protect yourself from all enemies - foreign or domestic.

My suggestions for martial arts are -

1) Kyokushin - Builds body,mind, and spirit -
I took this martial art while in the Corps.
2) Krav Maga - Israeli commando martial arts - trains in hand guns too.

I have 3 others but that is more for personal choice and from a combat orientation.

Good luck, Virginia is beautiful this time of year.

Semper Fi

DJ1956

LT6602 or any female Marine Corps Officer,

I am currently a Navy Seabee looking to earn my commission into the Corps. I am a semester away from graduating with my bachelor's in Science. I was hoping to get some insight on your overall feel for the corps in terms of being promoted and gaining respect. As a Seabee with maybe 4 or 5 women in my unit I understand you will have challenges everyday to overcome, but was wondering if there was anything specific that comes to your mind. I think I have a very good chance of gaining a commision. I have always scored Oustanding-High on my Pfa's and can hold my own in terms of pt and my gpa is high enough. Just curious as to what the quality of life is knowing that there are less than 1400 female marine corps officers.