Any advice for Federal OCS?

2018-11-17T20:31:29-05:00

I am shipping to Federal OCS in February and am in the National Guard (chose Federal OCS over State). Any advice for me? I would especially appreciate any advice from recent graduates.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2018 8:43 PM

2018-11-17T20:43:35-05:00

1) Come with the mindset of excelling over active duty candidates. Sometimes folks have a certain amount of apathy knowing they already have an assigned branch from their home unit, don't let that be you.

2. You will hear time and again that OCS doesn't teach you how to be a Lieutenant or officer. It's true. Take each day for what it's worth and don't catch yourself looking too far ahead.

3. Land NAV is a beast with the new program of instruction. It's not hard, just many many miles on your feet. Really condition your feet to 15-20 miles per day at Red Diamond, we spent 5 days out there!

4. Make sure you concentrate on the 5 paragraph oporder and really pay attention when they give you the hot wash course. They want things a certain way. Do them that way!

4. Be a team player. You will do peer evals, some may be removed from the course for a bad showing.

5. Have fun and network. These future officers will branch into almost every speciality of the Army, make great connections there. Regardless of component we will all be on the frontlines together!

I graduated there in July and I'm halfway through BOLC now, I spent almost 8 years in the Army reserves before coming active.. let me know if I can answer any questions you may have!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2018 12:45 AM

2018-11-18T00:45:56-05:00

Can I ask why you didn’t do the accelerated OCS?

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Nov 18 at 2018 5:18 PM

2018-11-18T17:18:20-05:00

Drink as much whiskey and get laid as much as humanly possible between now and when you ship.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2018 5:23 PM

2018-12-19T17:23:43-05:00

What process did you go through to get your state to send you the federal route? I'm trying keep from doing the traditional program if I can help it.

Response by CPL Sarah Verity made Dec 24 at 2018 1:38 PM

2018-12-24T13:38:46-05:00

Fort Benning is notorious for giving trainees the biggest ass kicking of there lives... good luck! You'll be close to the airborne school where I use to sit with my friends and eat chips while placing bets on which OCS trainee low crawled across the finish line first.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2019 12:16 AM

2019-05-27T00:16:08-04:00

Thank you all for your responses. It helped me get through the program.