Posted on Oct 6, 2020
For OCS, what are the major physical events and the time limits?
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I have been doing pretty extensive research on everything/anything to do with OCS as I will be attending this summer. I've found that many past candidates mention 3-4 particular events as major obstacles. 5 mile run, LandNav/Map Reading, 12 mile ruck and History Test's.
I've looked at the State OCS POI's, as well as Ft. Benning, I understand Ft. Benning is the POI that all other programs are based off of. So I am looking to clarify these two questions
1. Is the release run 5 miles at a 9 minute pace?
2. (This is my main interest) is the final ruck march 12 miles or 10? I see 12 miles listed everywhere, but I have an OCS guidebook from 2011 that states 10 miles in 3.5 hours? (and a TAC officer authored the book) On Ft. Benning's site it states 12 Miles in 3 hours or less. I will probably prepare for the 12 mile regardless but it would bring me some clarity to verify whether it is indeed a 12 mile in 3hr or less, or a 10 mile in 3.5 hrs...big, big difference...
I've looked at the State OCS POI's, as well as Ft. Benning, I understand Ft. Benning is the POI that all other programs are based off of. So I am looking to clarify these two questions
1. Is the release run 5 miles at a 9 minute pace?
2. (This is my main interest) is the final ruck march 12 miles or 10? I see 12 miles listed everywhere, but I have an OCS guidebook from 2011 that states 10 miles in 3.5 hours? (and a TAC officer authored the book) On Ft. Benning's site it states 12 Miles in 3 hours or less. I will probably prepare for the 12 mile regardless but it would bring me some clarity to verify whether it is indeed a 12 mile in 3hr or less, or a 10 mile in 3.5 hrs...big, big difference...
Posted in these groups: 
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 4
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12 miles in 3 hours is 4 miles an hour. prep for that an if it turns out to be 10 miles in 3.5 you'll be pleasantly surprised. When I was at OBC as 40 y/o 2LT, I did a 6 mile ruck in under an hour. the key is good socks and a well worn in pair of boots. lol
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SPC (Join to see)
Sir, thank you for the input and advice. I've been working up to a 3 mile in 36 minutes for now, 6 in an hour (10 min/mile or under) sounds awfully intense. When I did the 3 mile I was pretty exhausted but more than anything, my ankles were done. I need to build up the ankles for the jogging part.
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LTC (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - It helps that I have been on a "no run" profile for 15 years. I do ruck as a prep for the 2.5 mile walk. I can "walk" the 2 mile run on the ACFT and still meet the standard. lol
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Suspended Profile
The final ruck is a 12 mile, and depending on company it’ll be either a formation ruck or release ruck (3 hours). The run was a 4 mile for us at a 9 minute pace. Land nav was pretty straight forward getting 4/5 points, but you’ll only do the short course. History test is just something you have to study for, but it’s not difficult if you take advantage of your time. You’ll also do Bolton Obstacle course.
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I went through in May 2019. The 5 mile “fun run” was cut and we did a 8:30-9 min pace 3 mile which wasn’t bad. Land nav was 4 out of 5 points in 3 hours. They had us practice on the long course and the test was on the short course. It may have changed since then. We did a 6, 9, and 12 mile ruck march. We couldn’t wear watches so I can’t even tell you the pace. Wasn’t bad though. I’d train 12 mile ruck under 3 hours. We only had 2 or 3 people fall out. History test... can’t help you there besides you learn a semester of history in 10 days then you brain dump after the test. Every night after they go over a lesson, study what you learned that day. That’s how I kept up and was able to remember enough to pass the test. Hope this helps. Good luck!
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SPC (Join to see)
Ma'am, thanks your feedback. I have run into mix information on the run as well, some stating a 3 mile, the other saying 5. I think just like with the ruck, ill prepare for worst case scenario and build up to doing a 5 mile twice a week for a month prior to leaving. Thank you!
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LTC (Join to see)
Must have changed quite a bit since 2005. We had a timed 3, 4, and 5 mile run. We did a 3, 5, 7, and 12 mile ruck. I don’t remember the ruck marches being timed but we were given a packing list for each of the ruck marches. We had a shakedown at the turnaround point and if you were missing anything (even a pencil) you had to do it over again. I also remember getting “attacked” several times on the 12 mile so we had to stop and return fire. Of course everyone was so exhausted we didn’t really care about the attacks after the first couple of times.
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