Advice for Army OCS candidate after 8 years TIS?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:29:14 -0400

I have a class date for Officer Candidate School for January of 2015. This is the culmination of years of planning, working, and fretting. It is also the first step into a new world for me.

I don't want to go in there blind and hurt the Army as well as myself with good intentions that cause bad results.

Please give me any advice you deem appropriate for a eight year TIS SSG transitioning from Sustainment into any of the Officer AOCs. I can provide additonal background on request and I have a profile here.

My target audiene is Officers who commissioned through OCS and anyone who has worked under, with, or above such Officers.

Thank you in advance.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2014 12:31 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:31:36 -0400

If you are not already I would connect with CPT Private RallyPoint Member. He has served both enlisted as well as Officer, on the active side of the house and the NG. He is a true professional in my opinion and could give you some great pointers. Congratulations and good luck.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2014 7:30 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 19:30:47 -0400

I would first like to thank 1SG Private RallyPoint Member and CPT Laurie H. for speaking of me. I hope I won't let you down.

1LT Private RallyPoint Member First I was in your situation also. I did 4 year regular Army with a tour in Iraq. I then did 5 years in the Guard with another tour in Iraq. I was a SGT the first and a SSG the next. I left the Army and finished my degree. I went to OCS. I was pretty well versed with the ways of the Army. I was the one of the few with multiple tours. I would say that OCS is not really training like basic training but a transitioning school. You have to learn how to view things in a whole other light. The culmination of being an NCO is to be a CSM that looks after the welfare of the soldiers below him or her. They are this focus. This is not the case of the officer. Form the start your focus is pretty high up. As you mission may come from pretty high. If you are the decisive operation in your division your task and purpose is coming all the way from the division commander himself, we call this being nested. You have to look up and to the sides. As you move up you are still looking at the top for guidance as you are trying to maintain the commanders intent in your mission.

What it all broils down to your prior service does not make you a better officer per se. As an NCO you are not trained how to be an officer or think like one. What it really does is enables you to understand what your unit is capable of or the some details of the mission. You may better plan due to knowing the true requirements of a task or what you need to do to mitigate a hazard on the mission.

After I commissioned I had to stop being an NCO. I didn't want to use my previous NCO record to validate my leadership as an officer. I put my time in and went to some schools. I listen to commander and my NCO's. What it also helps is identifying an NCO that is not doing their job. I have dealt with this in the past. I know what they were saying and knew they weren't telling the complete storying. If I didn't have the previous experience I would have just took it at face value. I was able to make and decision and correct the situation. NCOs don't like this at times at some may merely view you as the officer and think little of you or that you are just the face of the platoon and they really run it. That is not how it works and they have the potential of damaging the development of the officer.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Sep 25 at 2014 10:21 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 22:21:12 -0400

1LT Private RallyPoint Member Congratulations on being accepted to Officer Candidate School. This will be a great opportunity for you to challenge yourself and excel in your military career. As you will see in my profile, I too was a former Staff Sergeant (P) in 2008 and was commissioned in 2009. What led me to consider OCS was from a good friend of mine when he was a captain. We talked on and off for quite some time from 2006-2007. Eventually, I decided to apply for OCS and was accepted during OEF 07-08. After, my unit returned a year later, I left a few months later and embarked on a new journey with a whole new set of duties and responsibilities. To me it was the best decision I have made for my career and to lead in the capacity of an officer until I retire...someday.

As a Staff Sergeant you know what it means to complete the mission. Once you become an officer, your task and purpose will drastically change from that of an NCO. You will get to plan missions and lead a platoon/company size element. Your experience will be little as is expected but, your success will be dependent on the relationship with your NCOs. My number one advice to you is to listen and learn from those seasoned NCOs who have a wealth of knowledge and experience among them. Strong Platoon Leaders learn and are well mentored from the "Backbone of the Army...the NCO Corp". Had it not been for them, I would have not been able to successfully complete the mission and meet the commander's intent. Even the junior enlisted Soldiers can show you the way ahead and you must not have the mindset that they are not included. I had a few high speed E-4s that are all now Sergeants in the Army. They too provided some tips and suggestions.

While at OCS, remember that everyone there is a candidate. There is no room for egos or perceived views that prior service holds more of a voice and grasp in OCS. There is no rank and you must leave that off the table. However, you can still provide the discipline and leadership that was instilled in you as an NCO. Everyone knew I was prior service and I was able to help mentor some younger Soldiers through the course. There will be times you may have to pull someone aside and let them know that the right way to achieve a task will involve changes they are unwilling to do. For some, they may just not know any better.
I had to remind a few former NCOs that they needed to walk away and reapproach their way of thinking. It's easy to forget that you have embedded the NCO Creed in your mind for so many years. Just know that you will need to analyze the situation in different frame of mind. Doing this style of assessment will take a while to get used to and it will come with experience from assignments. Your task and purpose will be your focus for success.

OCS will guide you to the transition from NCO to Officer. You must show up daily and accept any challenges in this course as a step closer to being commissioned. If you can have patience, perseverance, willingness, and a positive outlook and attitude, you will be fine. Not all candidates will make it and thus reason why everyone is just a candidate. Being commissioned takes pride in your duties, responsibilities, and as an officer. You will be leading Soldiers and their lives depend on the decisions that come with quick thinking and sound judgment. Once again, you have the senior NCO and other NCOs to trust too.

Hope this helps you some, I can give you more guidance any day. Just let me know and do your best at OCS. The Army needs strong minded officers who care and lead with a passion to fulfill their duties with honor and commitment. Be dedicated to the Army and the Army will then be a remarkable career for you. Take care of the Soldiers and in return, they will take care of you in the end.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2014 7:07 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 19:07:23 -0400

SSG Beutler,

As someone who knows you, and your leadership style, I have this to say. Relax. You'll be fine, and more than likely you will excel due to your thirst for knowledge and your wanting to see the bigger picture for what it is.

I say bring a little of the NCO corps with you to the school. Make sure your PT and uniforms are squared away. Always be early, and take all commands from the tower (give or take a few, as you are an officer now.)

Just keep calm and carry on. Nothing they throw at you should phase you at this point, simply due to your eight years in. You have a leg up, and some significant reachback, use your tools effectively.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 27 at 2014 2:52 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 14:52:26 -0400

YES! Mustang Officers rejoice! Congrats 1LT Private RallyPoint Member

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 4:27 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 16:27:08 -0400

Addendum to the original question:
Did I get the ASU uniform standard correct?
ASU jacket worn with enlisted service stripes, and cuff line (single 1/8 inch braid) shoulder loops still attached; no sleeve rank; and with the OCS insiginia over the US insignia on the collar?
Or is there something with shoulder boards I am not tracking. 670-1 and the OCSOP are not illuminating the situation for me.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jul 21 at 2015 11:48 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:48:09 -0400

1LT Private RallyPoint Member As the 'unofficial' official RallyPoint OCS subject matter expert, you are in a unique position to answer LOTS of questions for those considering the mustang option. It would be great to have a Q & A with you someday. LTC Yinon Weiss RallyPoint Team CPT Aaron Kletzing I am out of my league talking with the military mega-minds on Q & A day. Your 1st hand intel is hot off the presses. BTW, where are you off to? What is next for one of the newest 2LT's in the Army? Congrats on your accomplishments.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 23 at 2015 3:42 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:42:05 -0400

:\ flounder face

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 26 at 2015 8:57 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 20:57:03 -0400

Well how did it turn out?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 30 at 2015 5:24 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 17:24:18 -0400

What are you doing now? What branch did you get?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2015 12:32 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 12:32:55 -0400

I'm sorry I didn't get back to this faster, I've had a fair deal of field time.
I started OCS in January and earned my commission in May. I didn't heed the advice about going in with a sound body and recycle for injury from a lack of training.
I branched AG with branch detail in the infantry. I'm currently attending IBOLC with follow-on training for ranger school. My next assignment is 2 BCT 10 ID in Fort Drum.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 6 at 2015 5:07 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:07:59 -0400

You don't need my advice.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 12 at 2015 8:44 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 20:44:10 -0500

Set the example. Never quit.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 12 at 2015 9:00 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 21:00:59 -0500