For an Army Reservist, what are the pros and cons of OCS Fort Benning versus OCS done at other bases?

2018-01-09T14:01:29-05:00

I have been asked which is a better OCS program. I went to OCS in the California National Guard and it was done over a long period of time. I would like to hear from the Cadre and from recent graduates of OCS Benning or OCS at other locations. Is there still OCS at Fort McClellan Alabama? What are the pros and cons of each one. Thank you!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 2:21 PM

2018-01-09T14:21:21-05:00

OCS at Benning was 4 months back in 2007. You're stationed there so it's fast, demanding but you're focused no outside world distractions but you will be away from your family. Most reservists went to Benning and national guardsmen attend their stateside program. The federal program will give you flexibility if you want to switch between branches.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 2:24 PM

2018-01-09T14:24:50-05:00

They still do OCS and WOCS at McClellan for the NG LTC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 2:34 PM

2018-01-09T14:34:41-05:00

OCS is still about 4 months at Benning. The PROs are that the Benning program is the federal certified program that no one will ever ask questions about. There are some NG programs that are “federally certified” but they fall in and out of standard so often that NG officers who thought they were good to go if they ever wanted to switch to active duty found out later they weren’t. This actually recently happened to a friend of mine. Benning was good when I went through it in 2008. Those four months were all business, except that I had an exodus in the middle which was actually kind of bad. But I always tell my NG and Reservist brethren to seek Benning, because it has been my experience that there are a lot of folks who have issues with the NG programs whether they want to move over to AD or they want to do something else that requires a good look into their comissioning source.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Jan 9 at 2018 10:20 PM

2018-01-09T22:20:51-05:00

Benning for OCS is the best four months at a stretch. The TACs test you; break you down and; those who survive, are finally built back up with a punch. I learnt more in OCS than I earned elsewhere in the Army, because OCS at Benning was all tough business that tested our leadership skills and that honed our decision-making abilities. Standards First!

Response by MAJ James Fitzgerald made Jan 3 at 2019 10:18 AM

2019-01-03T10:18:59-05:00

I respect the views of those who have shared their thoughts below on Ft Benning OCS, giving good reasons to attend there...for some it is not possible, for a variety of reasons, so OCS at the state level is an equal alternative...keep in mind that I went through OCS and graduated in 1974, so my comments are from that era...you definitely want to make sure you are granted Federal recognition when commissioned...I think what truly matters is what you do after commissioning as an officer...pretty sure your commander will be interested in results, not how you got there...expect to have to prove yourself during OCS, no matter which route you take, and certainly when you arrive at your first assignment as a 2LT...I was fortunate to graduate first in my class, eventually going back as a Tac Officer...I can attest in those days that we wanted to produce the best Officers we could, while making sure that those who did not meet the standards were eliminated from the program...my closest OCS classmate just passed away on Nov 7, after battling cancer...he retired as a Major General and served multiple deployments, including Iraq...we remained friends for over 45 years...he will be buried at Arlington in late February, which I plan to attend...which ever route you choose, you can be a complete success...IF you are convinced you want to make AD a career, you would have a better chance of making that a reality going to Ft Benning...on the other side, if you want to be an AGR Officer, you can do that as well...I had another classmate that did that, spent 30 years, including assignments at the Pentagon, retiring as a Colonel...the standards for commissioning are outlined and either system is going to make those standards a reality.