The whole process started in May of 2009 when Bryan Adkison and I met with an Officer Selection Officer, 2nd Lt. Common (now 1st Lt. Common). In between then and now was a lot of paperwork, medical examinations, physical fitness examinations, entrance tests, countless miles running and an intense seven months of weight room work. Each week it became a little more certain that I was both a worthwhile candidate and that this is what I want to do with my life going forward. For the two to finally come together with an acceptance phone call is beyond words. When I learned later that only 54.5% of people who applied were actually accepted as Marine Officer Candidates, I have to admit I felt a little cocky for about five minutes.
The phone call itself has me on the edge of my seat. After about two or three minutes or small talk, 1st Lt. Common said to me "David, if you were not accepted into this class, would you reapply or just say 'screw this I'm done with it'?" I replied "Well sir, I'd reapply". Lt. Common "Well you don't have to worry about that because you got accepted" (insert mental fist pump and warrior scream). "Remember when I called you four in my office and said two of you were going and two of you aren't? That was all true, not everyone gets to go, that's not how it works. Congrats David" The phone call was a thing of beauty.
Now it has not really hit me that I'm going to do this and that I actually got accepted, and it probably won't until January 15th or sometime shortly after that. The whole thing is still a little surreal. However, the mere thought of someday,if all goes well, being in a position to lead men and women in the greatest fighting force in the world is absolutely intoxicating to me. I will be constantly reminded that I am in fact going to eventually be a Marine Officer via my father's new title of endearment for me, "gruntloid".
To everyone reading, thanks so much for your support. I say this a lot but it truly means a ton to me. Without your support, I'm not sure I'd be feeling as good as I do right now to have made this decision about my future.
Any questions about OCS, you can look at the video on the right hand side of the page. It is a great summary of the experience of a candidate at OCS. Another great resource is http://www.marineofficer.com/.
My personal favorite sections of this site are 1) Rye Barcott's interview, 2) Nathaniel Fick's interview and 3) The explanation of OCS
1) http://officer.marines.com/marine/quality_citizens/officer_interviews/rye_barcott
2) http://officer.marines.com/marine/quality_citizens/officer_interviews/nathaniel_fick
3) http://officer.marines.com/marine/making_marine_officers/officer_candidates_school/leadership
God bless and Semper Fidelis
Marine Officer Candidate David Cook
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