The Officer Candidate School course is a preliminary step for those interested in upgrading their military careers. Civilians can apply to an Officer Candidate School or OCS after completing their bachelor’s degree.
Apart from civilians, the National Guard, Army Reserve, and active-duty enlisted soldiers can apply to an Officer Candidate School in the U.S. However, getting into an OCS is quite competitive. You must also prepare well to earn what’s specified in the army OCS packet requirements.
If you plan to join an Officer Candidate School, this guide will help you draft, prepare, and related information. Let’s get started.
Officer Candidate School: A Brief Introduction
In short, the Officer Candidate School offers primary education and practical training to transition one to a competent military officer role. Officer Candidate School or Officer Training School is the main training school of the U.S. Army for aspirants. In addition, the school runs diverse courses to train any participant physically and mentally.
Every branch of the military services of the USA has its particular version of OCS. Officer Candidate School Air Force or the Marine unit sometimes refers to the OCS as the Officer Training School. However, the USA initiated the OCS during World War II. Then, its mission was to commission the infantry officers.
Now, participants must complete the training in a 12-week Fort Benning in Georgia program. On the other hand, Officer Candidate School courses use a combination of theoretical instructions and practical experiments. Thus, you can apply that classroom knowledge outside of those four walls and handle critical situations.
It’s evident that the training type varies from one military branch to another. On a contrary note, OCS teaches the following:
- Military subjects such as military weapons, history, law, and inspections
- Leadership skills
- How to issue orders
- Physical training, such as High-Intensity Tactical Training and more
- Stress Management
Here’s a detailed guideline for the 2 phases of Army OCS:
Officership Basics
The OCS course takes you a total of 12 weeks to complete. The first 6 weeks of the Officer Candidate School length involve you with leadership principles, physical training, fitness testing, and other numerous skills. Therefore, you can improve your leadership skills and pass the Combat Water Survival Test.
Additional pieces of training included in this length of the course are:
- Battle drills
- Map reading and successful navigation
- Military intelligence
- Military history
Applied Field or Practical Exercises
The next 6 weeks of training at the OCS make you concentrate on practising your skills. In summary, they will put you in the field with challenges, and you have to solve them with your skills and intelligence.
In addition, you have to rotate through diverse leadership positions with other fellow candidates. Thus, you can prove your worth and step up in every step. Moreover, you can discover the training cadre that you’re most interested in.
The graduation rate is within 80 and 90% of the total candidature at the OCS. Therefore, you can accomplish the entire program if you work on yourself and keep improving.
Eligibility Requirements for the Officer Candidate School
Have you checked the coast guard OCS acceptance rate? The acceptance rate at the OCS is in the range starting from 60 to 65% per year. The Officer Candidate School is open to 3 categories per current reports and updates. And, they are:
- Common civilians who are college graduates
- Active-enlisted soldiers
- Direct Commissions or Civilian Specialty Graduates
Now, the interesting thing is that these 3 categories don’t have to compete against each other. Instead, Officer Candidate School requirements specify that applicants in the same category have to compete against each other. Additionally, the eligibility criteria are different for every group.
For Civilian College Graduates
You can sign up for the OCS if you hold a 4-year bachelor’s degree. Here’s the complete list of eligibility criteria for civilian college graduates:
- U.S Citizenship
- Aged between 19 and 32 years
- A college graduate with a minimum 4-year degree
- Eligibility required for a secret security clearance
Currently Enlisted Soldiers: Eligibility Requirements for OCS
Are you interested in Army OCS requirements for enlisted soldiers? Check out the necessary following points:
- A 4-year graduation degree
- The candidate should be between 19 and 32-year old
- The soldier should not have over 6 years of Active Federal Service while applying at the OCS
- A secret security clearance eligibility
For Direct Commissions and Civilian Specialty Graduates
Direct Commissions must follow the same eligibility criteria as civilian college officer candidates. However, some specific direct commission specialities must overcome a few requirements for definite fields.
Indeed, many older applicants from this category get chances to the OCS. Well, this is not possible for civilian college graduates or enlisted soldiers.
Army OCS Application Process
The application process depends on your current career status. If you have just passed out from college, then here’s the required Army OCS application process you should follow:
- First, contact the nearest Army recruiter to apply for the Officer Candidate School 2023 form.
- Next, the Recruiting Battalion will go through your application. The authority will confirm whether your application meets all the specified OCS eligibility requirements.
- The Recruiting Battalion OCS Board will review the application. If passed, you will be notified about the upcoming interview.
- Attend the interview, where 3 commissioned officers will test your general training and personal history.
- Afterwards, these officers will pass their independent appraisals regarding your fitness to the commission.
- In the next stage, you will be informed about your acceptance into the OCS or rejection.
- Once accepted, the Army Recruiting Command OCS Review Board will review your package. This board is responsible for the final approval.
You will get details about your first OCS class date after being selected at the Officer Candidate School. They will enlist you into the Army’s Delayed Enlistment Program. In addition, you will be assigned a BCT date that you must complete before attending the Officer Candidate School.
What if you are an Enlisted Soldier?
The Army OCS application process is different for active-duty enlisted troops. Here’s what you need to proceed with if you are one of them:
- Present your decision to the chain-of-Command support. You should have clearance from the chain-of-Command before applying to the Officer Candidate School.
- Next, submit the application package, including supporting documentation and an Army-standard application. Submit the application package to your unit commander.
- Then, the commander will review the application to approve or reject the application.
- Upon approval, the application will be forwarded to the installation commander. You will be asked for an interview if your application gets approved by the installation commander.
- Afterwards, you must attend the OCS interview, where the commissioned officers will assess your physical fitness and check your personal history.
- Now, PERSCOM will review the application package and make the final decision.
Once selected, PERSCOM will decide on your branch at the OCS.
Handy Tips to Prepare for the Officer Candidate School
Undoubtedly, the OCS course is challenging. Therefore, you should prepare to make the application and selection process easier. They are serious about physical fitness and form. Hence, increase your workout routines. For example, running up and down the hills, core exercises, and weight training will result in better results.
Additionally, a GPA of 3.0 and up is a boon for OCS. Moreover, pay attention to detoxing your body and cleaning the surroundings. Be mentally strong because commanding officers will test you under challenging circumstances. Plus, understand military basics to pave a clear path to your goal. Check out the Army OCS packet deadline 2023 and start the preparation.
