A guide to meeting an Officer Selection Officer and joining the Marine Corps
So you want to lead Marines. Or something like that. But the thought of talking to someone with shiny railroad tracks on their collar scares you. Even if this isn't you, it was definitely me.
I had originally wanted to enlist in the Navy, because I was too old for the Marines and I didn't know officers didn't have to go to the Naval Academy. Anyway, when I found out about the officer program, I had forgotten about the age thing.
This was me calling an OSO.
Me: (not knowing it was an Officer Selection Station and imaging rucking in 90 degree heat with a huge heavy pack while getting screamed at).
*don't pick up don't pick up*
No such luck, After one ring:
"PHILADELPHIA OFFICER SELECTION STATION CAPTAIN COMITO SPEAKING HOW MAY I HELP YOU SIR OR MA'AM!!!!!"
Me: Um...I uh...um...am thinking about joining the Marines...
Captain Commito: Okay! Do you have time to meet...RIGHT NOW???
I was working as a paramedic, but detailed to headquarters for the day. My duties were photocopying in a corner. Hell yeah I could meet right now. In my work uniform, I RAN through Center City Philadelphia, past the Liberty Bell, to the OSS (Officer Selection Station).
"Come in! Have a seat! I'll be right in!"
I sat in a fancy office. On the door there was a sign, "Carpenters nail things, engineers design things, Marines kill people."
WORD.
"Haha I'm was a combat engineer before becoming an OSO!" The OSO told me.
The super motivated captain spoke to me about becoming a Marine Officer, and how it was a huge challenge and how I would have to get selected first. When I mentioned my age, he said there were age waivers. When I mentioned I couldn't do pull-ups, he said,
"That's what I'm here for. If you give 100%, I'll give you 110% back. Come here a second!"
He brought me over to his wall, and let me hold the Mameluke sword.
"One day you will have one of these."
He was so confident. He then told me that if I wanted to start the process, I needed to completely stop my Navy enlisting process,
"You don't have to make the decision today," he said.
"No," I said. "Let's do it."
And here I am today, a Marine Officer.