When I got to OCS, some of my platoon mates asked me what I did to prepare for OCS. I told them I watched Full Metal Jacket a few times and subscribed to Nava the Beast on YouTube. People did NOT have a sense of humor. But I stand by Full Metal Jacket. Fire Academy was BAD. But when I saw Full Metal Jacket, the mind games became tolerable. By the time I got to OCS, I was expecting the worst. I was expecting to be "IT-ed" (Incentive Training-basically exercise til you die) and I thought I would be doing thousands of push-ups. WRONG! Officer Candidates get punished with "chits" and "essays."
Chits are little slips where you write what you did wrong, like two sentences. Don't stress. But don't be the one who gets them like I used to get parking tickets. You get these for minor infractions.
Essays are for bigger infractions, and they take up decent time. They are 300 words I think, and have to be formatted precisely and since you handwrite them, when you mess up, you start over. They can take 30-60 minutes and are usually due at the end of liberty, unless otherwise stated. They are for larger infractions, but sometimes, you get them because well, it's OCS.
Things I got chits for: falling out of a run (spoiler, I broke my foot), busted hair, talking, laughing, other things I can't remember.
Things I got essays for: busted hair, high-fiving my friend after we buddy-carried each other (we both got them), talking, laughing.
Sometimes there is no method.
Please don't lose your mind over these. Try not to get them, but do NOT argue when you get these.
During the O-Course final, I made it a foot away from the top. I stupidly opened my hand on the rope as I was reaching for the beam, and I slammed to the ground...all while shouting FUCKKKKKKKKKK.
"Hart! That's an ESSAY!"
"Aye Gunnery Sergeant."
I think this is where I broke my foot. I couldn't even get the feet grip again so I wasn't able to make it up. Later in the day (this was actually during my Platoon Sergeant billet, again...), this Gunnery Sergeant screams,
"Hart! Where's your chit???"
"You actually gave this candidate an essay.."
There was a pause. "Very well." Some of my classmates gave me surprised looks because I basically fucked myself over. Oh well. Integrity and shit. This was the instructor that always screamed at everybody, but she honestly kind of left me alone. Especially after this.
Other corrections:
Getting screamed at. Just agree with the instructors and scream back. They will leave you alone if you scream back, instead of talking back.
Getting sent to the company commander: Usually happens when you do something that could potentially get you kicked out. Not necessarily behavior-wise, but like if you fail the practice endurance course, you gotta look the Company Commander in the eye and vow to do better. Unfortunately I was sent to his office three times. Two PT event failures, and one bizarre incident that doesn't really matter (wasn't in trouble in this one).
Getting sent to a board: This happens when you've failed the same thing multiple times, or your grades are below an 80. There are boards at like Week 4, 7, and 9. You go to the Colonel and plead your case. People can get sent home at these. But sometimes the Colonel will ask how you will do better. I was on a board towards the end, but I did not end up having to go because I ended up passing the event I needed to. In my case, if I had been sent to him, I would have been sent straight home.