LAS VEGAS -- For the first time in almost a decade, more than 100 Marines gathered for the fiscal year 2006 Officer Selection Officer (OSO) Conference, Dec. 12 –15, in Las Vegas.
The conference gave OSOs from across the country the opportunity to meet face-to-face and share the successes and challenges they meet.
“This conference was a good chance to get everyone together,” said Captain Ryan Weisheyer, OSO, St. Louis. “It was great being able to tap into the brains of the other OSOs along with sharing some of my own ideas.”
During the conference, the Marines received instruction from the Officer Candidate School’s commanding officer, Colonel Bob Chase, on the latest physical and medical requirements candidates must meet prior to being selected to attend the school (located in Quantico, Va.) as well as the expectations and curriculum of OCS.
“OCS is not a (physical training) academy. PT only figures into about 25 percent of the candidates overall score,” Chase explained. “We focus on real-world combat situation training, decision-making and leadership.”
The OSOs also learned more about attending The Basic School upon completion of OCS. Col. Royal Mortenson, commanding officer of The Basic School, provided instruction about TBS, a course that teaches Marine officers basic infantry skills. The school prepares all officers, regardless of their job specialty, to lead enlisted Marines in combat. By learning what is expected at TBS, the OSOs are able to keep their candidates better informed, which helps reduce the attrition rate in Marine Corps officer programs.
“At TBS we focus heavily on transitioning new 2nd Lieutenants into the Marine Corps’ leadership mindset with an emphasis on combat fitness,” Mortenson said.
The Marines also learned about the officer commissioning process, military pay and medical coverage offered by the Marine Corps. After each subject, the OSOs were provided the opportunity to interact with each other and pose questions to subject-matter-experts during an open forum.
Throughout the conference, guided discussions with experienced Marines proved invaluable. The discussions also included redesigning the MarineOfficer.com website, and prospecting for new candidates. The crowd favorite, according to Capt. Mike Kaniuk, OSO, Chicago, was the “Beyond the Close” segment.
“Learning service beyond the sale will help us cut down on attrition,” Kaniuk said. “Beyond the close showed us how to keep our applicants better informed. It puts their mind at ease knowing what to expect.”
The conference wound down, Dec. 15, with a “Heavy Hitters” awards ceremony. The heavy hitters were the OSOs who signed at least 45 contracts in a single fiscal year.
Captain Justin E. Noble, OSO, Arlington, Texas, signed 51 contracts attributing his success to being in a great location with excellent schools where he recruits.
“It was a surprise to get the award,” he explained. “Out here on OSO duty is hard to compare yourself to other Captain's around the country to see where you measure up. It is always a good feeling to be recognized. Seeing candidates be successful at OCS and knowing that you helped them get there is very rewarding.”
On the last day of the conference, Major General Walter E. Gaskin, Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, spoke to the Marines leaving them with bold advice for the future.
“You are the ones who pick the Marine Corps’ future leaders,” he said. “We operate in a difficult environment, but, as Marines, we have to do it. We are not going to lower our standards and we are not going to ‘buy’ anyone into the Marine Corps. What we will do is give those men and women who qualify the opportunity to become a Marine.”