Mike Company has a bad reputation. It's the company where people go if they got injured, if they are getting kicked out, if they failed academically, or if they are waiting to pick up. So understandably, there are some unhappy people there. But for me, I loved it. I broke my foot at the end of OCS, but I still graduated. I just was not able to commission. When I left for OCS, I thought either I was not going to make it through, or I would, and be okay. I did not know that I would be sent into an unpaid limbo, where I struggled finding work on a broken foot. I did not have health insurance, and I had "burned all my boats" before leaving OCS.
My OSO was trying to be all moto and told me, before I left for OCS, about conquistadors from back then who sailed to America. He told me a famous conquistador had told his men to "burn the boats." His men asked, "but how will we get back?" He told them, we won't be able to, that's why we must succeed here. Before the military I HATED my job. It was a great job with good pay and benefits, but I was so scared of being there 30 years. I knew if I didn't burn my boats, there would be a chance I would return. I burned my boats so I would have no choice but to succeed elsewhere. I quit my job a couple months before OCS, so when I was sent into limbo, I couldn't go back.
I don't think I'll give this advice to my Marines, but it's the advice I took. I spent six months recovering from an injury, and then commissioned. When I got to TBS, I was in no shape to start. I was weak, underweight, and ill prepared. I ended up being put on a physical therapy program, including a hike progression, and I worked out a ton. I did not struggle with a single physical fitness event at TBS. Yes the 15 mile sucked, but I made it through.
If you are getting kicked out of the Marine Corps, you are most likely not reading this page. To all who have not been kicked out, FREAKING DON'T.
Don't get a DUI.
DON'T CHEAT.
Don't collaborate on quizzes.
Don't use a GPS during land navigation.
Don't do drugs (including steroids).
Don't sell drugs.
Don't post racist stuff on snap chat.
Don't become a Nazi.
Don't take your phone our during an exam.
Don't cheat on your wife and get another woman pregnant.
Don't get into a bar fight.
Don't rape someone.
I have PERSONALLY met people that have done at least one of these things. I met them in Mike Company...
You know who I also met in Mike Company? People that snapped their leg in IOC and taught me about Combat Orders. People who hiked with me. People who practiced pull-ups with me. People who taught me the ins and outs of TBS. People who practiced the o-course with me. People who were recovering, just like me.
In Mike Company, I had a roof over my head. I had health insurance. I was paid to workout. I had amazing physical therapists. I made tons of friends. I got better physically. I had an amazing time in Mike Company, because I knew I was going to be a better Marine because of it.
If you are waiting to pick up, prepare like I did. If you are waiting to go to MOS school, help those in Mike Company. If you were dropped from a company and will be rolled to another one, know yourself and seek self-improvement, or get better from whatever injury you have. Trust me, if you are not getting kicked out of the Marine Corps, Mike Company is not a bad place to be.
Good luck!!!!