The day has arrived. Tomorrow afternoon I will begin the drive to Marine Base Quantico in Virginia to embark on Marine Officer Candidate School. I have all but finished packing, some of the more notable items being $458 to purchase uniforms,gear, and haircuts, waterproof notepads, make-up remover pads, and a flashlight (more of a headlamp) that goes around your forehead.
My final civilian weeks have been a blast, especially the 9th. Bryan and Adam planned a small 'suaree' for me. The outpouring of friends was overwhelming. I must have had thirty people came in and out throughout the evening to send me off. I'm lucky to have such a great group of people around me.
It's interesting how much your feeling change for an event like this as it gets closer. Two months ago I was invincible, nothing could stop me from graduating OCS. I didn't have a doubt in my mind. As the situation has become more tangible in the last few days, that little doubt monster that gets in everyone's mind begins to creep in. It has not helped that I've talked to a number of people recently who think I'm crazy for 1) Going into the service and 2) For joining the Marines of all the branches. I shrug them off because I know why I'm doing it, and my decision has been made by me for reasons for others just cannot fathom. I want to make a difference in this world, I want to join the hardest branch and go through the toughest Officer training, I want to go on dangerous assignments, I want the respect that comes with being a Marine, I want to lead people now and I want to go in first when America calls. My skill set just doesn't allow me to do some of those behind a desk or in another branch of service.
So as the doubt monster creeps in questions start popping in my head,; Am I cut out for the Marines? Will they see that I'm a good or even great candidate like I know I am? How will I deal with the cold? Will I "get it"? Am I really ready to committ four or more years of my life to the Corps? I think most of these also stem from what I'm leaving behind: Ohio. As much as I curse Ohio sometimes, it's people and places have made what I am today, and for that I am extremely grateful. Among those people are my loving family (with a shout-out to my sis doing her thing in Nashville), the most supportive and fun group of friends I could ask for, and my absolutely wonderful girlfriend. Most of these people are dreamers like me though so they know what I'm going after. The best to all of you.
In a futile attempt not to get ahead of myself, I will give you all the website to follow my conquests. This journal obviously, which I am going to try and update Week 4 (around the middle February) and at least every other week after that, but also http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/. On this website is Graduation and Family Day information as well as photos that will be posted of my company throughout each phase of my training. Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Acceptance
It was not easy, but the day has finally come. At about 12:15 pm on December 9th 2009, I recieved news that I was accepted into Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, starting January 15th, 2010 at Marine Base Quantico, VA.
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/.
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
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Happy Birthday USMC
No new updates today. However, today is the 234th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, so I'm using that as a reason to post. I read an article today detailing the top 10 movies involving the Marines, and I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride for those men and women currently serving and who have served in the Marines. The author served in the Army for 20+ years.
"The men and women who earn the right to wear eagle, globe and anchor of the United States Marine Corps are a special breed. To those outside the Corps, they talk funny. They look funny. They are extremely impressed with themselves – and they have every right to be.
My beloved United States Army is a blunt instrument, a magnificent club that has pummels our nation’s enemies into submission. But the Marines are America’s rapier, a razor sharp weapon of war that has never been bested and never will be. For over two centuries, the United States Marine Corps has been fighting our country’s battles in the air, on land and sea. They don’t give up. They don’t quit. There’s no word for retreat in a Marine’s vocabulary. And they are making history even today in the mountains of Afghanistan and elsewhere."
The remainder of the article can be found at http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/11/10/big-hollywood-semper-films-marine-corps-movies/
"The men and women who earn the right to wear eagle, globe and anchor of the United States Marine Corps are a special breed. To those outside the Corps, they talk funny. They look funny. They are extremely impressed with themselves – and they have every right to be.
My beloved United States Army is a blunt instrument, a magnificent club that has pummels our nation’s enemies into submission. But the Marines are America’s rapier, a razor sharp weapon of war that has never been bested and never will be. For over two centuries, the United States Marine Corps has been fighting our country’s battles in the air, on land and sea. They don’t give up. They don’t quit. There’s no word for retreat in a Marine’s vocabulary. And they are making history even today in the mountains of Afghanistan and elsewhere."
-Kurt Schlichter
The remainder of the article can be found at http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/11/10/big-hollywood-semper-films-marine-corps-movies/
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