ORONO, Maine -- Sierra Tapley, a junior guard on the University of Maine women's basketball team, recently completed the Juniors phase of Marine Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Quantico Marine Base in Quantico, Va.

"Our entire basketball program is so incredibly proud of Sierra," said head coach Amy Vachon. "It is no surprise to us that she excelled in OCS this summer. We watched her train and prepare last spring and it's great to see her hard work pay off. Sierra is a special person. Our program is successful because of her. I look forward to seeing her use what she learned in OCS on the court this year."

Tapley reported to Quantico on May 26 where she engaged in the demands of OCS until completing the course on July 6.

"The first couple weeks were difficult, mostly because you're adjusting to the culture and the atmosphere, but after a while it becomes routine," commented Taply. "One of the hardest parts of OCS was that candidates are often expected to figure out how to accomplish tasks that they have never done before, with limited time, while leading their peers. This is because officers are expected to lead their Marines confidently through unknown situations, so it was imperative that it was incorporated in the evaluation process.

On a 'normal' day at OCS, Tapley and her platoon would wake up at 4:15 a.m. The day would officially begin at 5 a.m. with candidates standing at attention for a candidate and weapons count. Physical training would follow prior to the rest of the day including classes and/or field training. After the schedule for the day was complete, candidates would hit their racks for lights at 9 p.m. Candidates were allowed to be out of their racks for another hour after lights to prepare for the next day.

"The environment itself is stressful," added Tapley. "However, the more time I spent at OCS the more routine it became and there became less unknown to figure out."

Confidence, leadership and discipline were just a few of the things Tapley learned while at OCS that she will carry into her life back at UMaine and on the court.

"While at OCS you're expected to do things that may take you out of your comfort zone. You are put in leadership positions called billets where you are in charge of your peers. We learned about discipline and about doing what you have to now, so you can do what you want to later. There are many days that a player may not feel like waking up for an early workout and bringing energy, but ultimately there are no excuses for not doing what is expected."

The next step for Tapley in her Marine career will be to complete a six week course next summer known as 'Seniors', often described to be more difficult than Juniors due to the advanced physical standards and increased responsibility. Upon completion of that session, Tapley will graduate from OCS with a goal of completing a six month period of training known as 'The Basic School.'

"I always knew I wanted to be a Marine," Tapley said. "My dad served for 10 years in the Marine Corps and it is something that he and I both are proud of him for. The opportunity I had to spend time with the Marines at OCS helped me to better understand what about the Marine Corps has so positively shaped my dad's career."

-UMaine-