Straight from the source
The Official OCS Packing List
This is the official required gear list from the OCS Pre-Ship Preparation Letter (“60-Day Letter”) published by Officer Candidates School, Quantico — not a blogger’s guess. Verified against the official letter in August 2026. Always read the current letter for your class on ocs.marines.mil and defer to your OSO — details can change between cycles.
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The one rule that governs everything
Everything below must fit in one carry-on sized bag, which is stored in your platoon’s gear locker on arrival. Any bag larger than a carry-on gets inventoried and warehoused until graduation. Pack light — OCS issues everything else.
Required Gear — All Candidates
| Item | Qty | |
|---|---|---|
| Business casual collared shirt / equivalent blouse | 2 (1 worn) | Shop shirts → |
| Undershirt (white) | 2 (1 worn) | Shop → |
| Undershirt (gray) | 1 | Shop → |
| Black PT shorts (5″ minimum inseam, non-spandex) | 1 | Shop → |
| White ankle socks (no visible marking) | 5 | Shop → |
| Business casual trousers (no denim jeans) | 1 worn | |
| Belt (if trousers have belt loops) | 1 (worn) | |
| Business casual shoes (no ballet slippers, tennis shoes, boots, or heels) | 1 pair (worn) | |
| Underwear (compression shorts authorized; must not extend below issued PT shorts) | 6 | Shop → |
| Running shoes — no older than 3 months, less than 100 miles of wear | 2 pairs | Shop → |
| Eyeglasses (contact lenses are not authorized at any time at OCS) | 1 pair (2 recommended) | |
| Eyeglass strap (black color only) | 2 | Shop → |
| Basic toiletries (must be in zip-lock bags) | 2 weeks worth | |
| Towel (plain white) | 1 | Shop → |
| Shower shoes — black flip-flop style (slides and Crocs are not authorized) | 1 pair | Shop → |
| Watch — water-resistant, rugged, black / coyote tan / olive drab. NO smartwatches | 1 | Shop G-Shock → |
| Marine Corps issue combat boot (optional — see boot notes below) | 1 pair | Shop boots → |
| Mechanix “M-Pact Covert” gloves (all black — the only authorized glove) | 1 pair | Shop → |
💵 Money
Your initial gear issue costs $378 minimum — OCS recommends arriving with no less than $550 in cash, debit, or credit to cover the bag issue, weekly haircuts (males), and exchange visits. OCS will not lend money; arriving without funds can get you disenrolled.
⌚ The watch rule
Non-smart digital only — the letter names the Casio G-Shock and Timex Ironman as examples. Anything with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, or data sync (Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin) is not authorized.
👟 Running shoes
Bring two pairs, no older than three months with under 100 miles. Minimalist shoes are authorized; toe-separating shoes are not.
🥾 Boots
OCS issues cold-weather and jungle boots to all non-prior-service candidates. You may bring one additional pair of USMC regulation boots (three total) — an inspection pair and a daily-use pair simultaneously is the move. Prior service: bring two sets of your issued boots (not steel toe).
Contraband — Don’t Bring It
- Supplements, pre-workout, protein powder, caffeine pills — exception: up to 10 “on-the-go” packets of Liquid IV or Drip Drop powder
- All tobacco and nicotine products, including vapes (zero-nicotine included)
- Alcohol (and none within 12 hours of reporting)
- Personal pull-up bars and electric massage/recovery devices (lacrosse balls, Thera-canes, roller sticks, and bands are OK but are locked up until induction; foam rollers are issued)
- Outside study material — OCS issues your knowledge binder
- Personal weapons of any kind, including in your vehicle
- Laptops, headphones, video games — one cellphone allowed, secured in the contraband locker during training
- Contact lenses — glasses only, entire cycle
Suggested Additions for Female Candidates
PFT Standards at Induction
Current physical fitness test standards applied to incoming candidates (per the official pre-ship letter):
Male
- Pull-ups: 11
- Plank: 2:30
- 3-mile run: 24:00
Female
- Pull-ups: 4
- Plank: 2:30
- 3-mile run: 27:00
Not there yet? Start with the Armstrong Pull-up Program and our PFT preparation guides.
Ready to knock it out?
The Gear Locker collects every product recommended across 15 years of this blog — organized to match this list.
Browse the Gear Shop →Source: Officer Candidates Class Pre-Ship Preparation Letter and enclosures (Required Gear List — All Components; Suggested Gear List for Female Candidates), Officer Candidates School, Training Command, USMC, Quantico VA. Special gear lists apply to prior-enlisted (E-to-O) and NROTC candidates — see the current letter. This site is not affiliated with the U.S. Marine Corps; always follow your class letter and your OSO’s guidance.