Are there any recent WOC Grads who would like to offer advice on WOCS?

2018-03-19T15:22:31-04:00

I'm not worried about passing the APFT but Running is definitely not my strongest event. I'm also worried about Land Nav and the all the unknown's of course. I'll be heading off to school in a May!

Response by CPT Enrique M. made Mar 19 at 2018 3:31 PM

2018-03-19T15:31:19-04:00

Hey if an LT can do Land Nav without getting lost, then you should be able to do it ;)

Congrats on getting in WOC!

My section chief is a resource of info. although not a recent grad I can ask him about WOC if you want. Around Land nav and PT? just making sure.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2018 3:39 PM

2018-03-19T15:39:17-04:00

Advice on the PT: Just run a lot. Advice on the land NAV event: Pay close attention in class and practice during the group exercise; and, on the SOLO exercise, if you can't find a particular point after a reasonable amount of time, move on to the next--you don't need five out of five to pass it.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2018 3:43 PM

2018-03-19T15:43:07-04:00

Land Nav and PT are practical army things so I'm sure you will do fine. Remember to keep a positive attitude and don't take anything personally. Not everyone will take things as seriously as you will so make sure to get along with as many of your classmates as possible regardless of there abilities.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2018 3:46 PM

2018-03-19T15:46:14-04:00

If you're sure you will pass the APFT, then don't worry too much about your run time. Given that you had 6-8 weeks (I'm guessing) there is some time to get faster. I'd personally start adding speed work 1-2 days a week if you aren't currently doing that. Quarter mile sprints work well for me. I can elaborate if you'd like.

Ensure you know how to accurately plot your points on land nav. And trust your compass. It's right. Always. Keep it in front of your face and follow your azimuth. People mess themselves up when they "think" they know where the point is and put the compass in their pocket. I know, I've done it. Know your pace count. Make sure you know it on the road and when walking in the woods. It will be different.

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Mar 20 at 2018 12:21 AM

2018-03-20T00:21:03-04:00

I went through in 1988. I don’t recall any land nav - but, things could have changed. There are (were) 3 phases (red, yellow, green). There are certain things you need to pass in order to progress to the next phase. As with most things in the Army (at least back then) you’ll get 3 shots at the critical tasks to pass each phase. I never met someone who could not make it by the 2nd attempt.

Teamwork is stressed along with comraderie. Those who hide, shirk, or do not make an earnest attempt while in leadership positions will have the hardest time conforming. Clear your head, stay focused on each task as they come (closest target 1st) and you will be fine.

Push yourself. This is a great time to challenge yourself as with each shred of improvement will make you a better leader. Be humble, have a sense of humor, and take a few min each day to clear you head so you don’t “lose sight of the prize”.

Once WOCC is done then you will move on to your a Technical Training.

Warrant Officers are “The Quiet Professionals”.

Good luck!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2018 8:52 AM

2018-03-20T08:52:04-04:00

Once you get there you will have a few days meeting your classmates and getting checked into the school. Don't worry about running, you will do a lot of it but the pace isn't to bad. There are two blocks of instructions on Land NAV before the test, so don't over think it. Just go with the flow, and do your best. It is a student run course the TAC officers give you all the information you need to succeed.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2018 12:16 PM

2018-03-20T12:16:32-04:00

The event that tends to be the one that trips candidates up is not the run, it’s the push-ups. Make sure you’ve got great form on your pushups or the TAC Officers won’t count them during your initial APFT to get into 1st WOC.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 12:15 AM

2018-03-26T00:15:28-04:00

Keep in mind that experiences for every candidate varies, I am giving you info from my experience and the tips I received from my mentors before attending.

1) Remember: Be prepared physically (By the book PT Test and PT) and for all the daily mental challenges. Prioritize your responsibilities and time management (this will be tested). Key is to stay motivated and never quit, and have fun...

2) Set aside some money for the course, Be prepare to spend on an average of $400-$500 while attending the course (class t-shirt, caffeine rights, staff ride dinner, alterations/dry cleaning, laundry, class coins, gift for TAC, personal hygiene items, and etc.)

3) If asked a question, always be honest. Chances are the repercussions are to do pushups and get up. Some candidates were asked a question and lied which is unnaceptable. For example they were heard cursing and when asked about it they lied, this caused them to get set back or placed on commander’s probation. Simply tell the truth, do your pushups or essay or memo and move on.

4) You will need to turn in your uniform to have it altered as an officer would wear it, I recommend you do that before getting to 1st WOC while you're at HHC. This way it will not be an inspectable item, you will display your receipt instead. Turn in all your ASU items (ASU jacket, both pair of pants, both long and short sleeve shirts, and tie). The Alteration Shop on and off post will deliver your uniform before the inspection date, your laundry officer will be responsible for coordinating this.

5) Bring your "I love me" book and documents supporting your ERB because you will close out your record while there. DO NOT make copies of all your documents (i.e. awards and etc.). They will only require anything NOT covered in your ERB or missing from your iPERMS that you would like added. However, bring all documents required of you on the Pre-Execution Checklist, two copies will suffice for everything except your DA Form 1610.

6) HHC WOCS is where you in process, 1st Warrant Officer Company is where you conduct training and that’s where all the TAC's are located, the school house (Academics) consists of civilian and military instructors.

7) Lumi-color fine tip markers were very helpful during land navigation. The ones with the multicolor. Trust your pace count during land navigation and ensure that you take advantage of the instructors if you do not understand something.

8) Recommend you and your class get started on the Additional Duty Roster as this will help identify people quickly when you arrive instead of folks getting assigned on the spot with no idea what to expect.

9) I recommend not to mark your clothing at home. You will receive the WOCSOP with stenciling standards at HHC. Use the 4-5 days at HHC to stencil. Many people did not use this time properly and were stenciling the day prior to moving to 1st WOC.

10) There is an on post laundry service that you can use, it costs 100$ for the entire time that you are there and in my opinion is very beneficial. There are only 3 washers and dryers at 1st WOCS and getting an open one is not easy. With the laundry you can drop off clothes daily and they have a 24 hour turnaround. (i.e. if you drop off Monday, you get everything back Tuesday. Only exception is if you drop off Friday, you won't get your clothes back until Monday) Disclaimer: Sometimes your clothes will smell weird, probably due to their no scent detergent.

11) Know your drill and ceremony. (Reporting procedures, In Ranks Inspection, and etc.), Take time to briefly review TC 3-21.5.

12) The 1SG wears the same black shirt and hat as the TAC Officers (WOs). Be mindful not to salute the 1SG. All officers wear blue Reflective Belts, enlisted wear green.

13) Rank means everything there. Always call the room to attention when appropriate. CW2's salute CW3's for example.

14) Get your running shoes before going there. The clothing and sales has limited options. Ensure that your laces are left over right.

15) The packing list may say "white socks" but you can bring black socks, just make sure they are IAW AR 670-1.

16) You can bring vitamins and over the counter medicine, you just have to inform your TAC Officer within the first few days of getting to 1st WOC and have a medication card (how to make one is in the WOCSOP).

17) You will get formal blocks of instruction at Rucker on the other topics that you will be tested on for exam 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3. I found these exams to be much easier with the provided training. So don't stress, unless you are trying to make honors.

18) Plan on losing 5-10 pounds while you are there just due to running and walking everywhere.

19) Bring a numbered combination lock, it will save you so much time, every second counts. (See attached photo).

20) Bring Colgate Wisp. You may not have time to brush your teeth on occasion, this will help. (See attached photo).

21) Never use “Gentleman or Ladies" and begin to remove jargon from your vocabulary (i.e. roger, tracking, check, and etc.)

22) Bring something to transport your ribbon rack and other ASU awards to prevent damage.

23) Your morale officer should begin submitting memorandums requesting certain privileges prior to your arrival if possible. The following were some of the things we submitted early for, although they weren't approved right away they were still in the works: 1) Media Rights-which will allow you all to use computers for memos and etc. instead of doing them hand written. 2) Coffee Memo, for caffeine rights during academics. 3) Early Wake up Memo-Which will allow you to have more time to get ready in the AM instead of 7 minutes. Just to name a few.

24. You will be required to do hand written memos and essays for the first few weeks.

25. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK... One of the benefits that I have is that I now know Warrant Officers in 10 different branches across the Army. Take advantage of it, talk to everyone in your class at some point, get to know each other and make every effort to be a team.

26. TEAMWORK, TEAMWORK, TEAMWORK... This will make you all successful, work together, especially with those in your room, or platoon because some tasks will be reliant on teamwork alone. It's ok to be in a group (or click) as we tend to migrate towards those that we relate to (for example, food service folks will probably hang out with food service folks and etc.), but make efforts to speak and get to know others. This will also help your time there be more tolerable.

27. When in charge be in charge. When NOT in charge, Support your student leadership. You may not agree or like with the way that they may be doing something, but supporting your leadership will ensure things run smoothly. Know that everyone will hold a leadership position (Squad Leader, Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Class Leader, Class Sergeant) at some time during the course. Some will also get an opportunity to be part of C-Staff during the last two weeks of the course.

WOCS Frequently Asked Questions can be found at: https://usacac.army.mil/cac2/WOCC/Repository/2013_WOCS_FAQ.pdf

Good Luck!

2013_WOCS_FAQ.pdf

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 5:41 AM

2018-03-26T05:41:15-04:00

If you can pass your APFT don't worry about it but I agree on push ups. Land Nav, just pay attention if you can plot them then your are good. Pay attention and study when you can would be my advice.
Good luck and congrats on WOCS.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 5:27 PM

2018-03-26T17:27:53-04:00

Thank you for your advice sir!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2018 1:03 AM

2018-03-31T01:03:47-04:00

WOCS = above standards pt test, and test to see how much bullshit you can deal with without quitting.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2018 9:10 PM

2018-04-09T21:10:14-04:00

Are they still washing cars?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2018 11:58 AM

2018-04-22T11:58:14-04:00

Don’t worry about the run, as long as you can pass. The run is the only event they can’t nitpick and say you did wrong, as long as you pass. You get 2 chances to pass land nav before you get recycled back. Don’t stress over it, every point has a bright orange water jug that you can see quite easily. Points were far enough away from eachother to be confident that you found the right one. We had failures in my class but no one failed twice in my group.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2018 12:00 PM

2018-04-22T12:00:01-04:00

Ah, I forgot an important thing. If you fail at something, ie, makin your bed in the morning. At least ATTEMPT to fix it! That could save you from having to write a memo or an essay.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2018 9:02 PM

2018-07-10T21:02:42-04:00

WOCS is a time management exercise. What is important is to get the things done that you feel are most important in the time allotted. It is really an exercise in mind over matter. If you don't mind it doesn't matter. Do the tasks assigned and pay attention to details. The rest will sort itself out. PT is what it is, wither you can do it or you can't. If this is your biggest concern get ready beforehand and it will work out. Not everyone is a PT stud, they understand that. Don't quit, ever. The reward at the end is well worth the pain and and suffering of six weeks. If you have any other questions look me up on global and I will address for you what I can. It has been a few minutes since I was there but I have enough young Warrants in my BN to answer any and all questions you may have.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2019 8:32 PM

2019-02-11T20:32:31-05:00

It is a team effort, use each others strengths and help each other out. You will work as a team or you will fail as a group! Warrants help each other out and some of us are better at some things and some are better at other things. Work together and the sooner you do that the sooner it will be easier.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2020 10:18 PM

2020-02-06T22:18:59-05:00

Are there any recent WOC Grads who has any contact information on the vendors for the class coin?