How can I best prepare myself for OCS?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 22:01:31 -0500

I want to put in my OCS packet, when i PCS to Ft. Lewis and after i acquire a Degree. What is some tips to best prepare mentally to go to OCS.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2016 10:03 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 22:03:48 -0500

I recommend you don't go in with 90 units but get your college degree first! I knew a 1Lt who was kicked out after 9 years for not getting his degree. I am sure you will be separated sooner today.
Once you are commissioned, you go through Basic Officer Leadership Course for your specific branch and if you are in the ARNG/USAR and holding a regular job, you may not have time to get the rest of your college courses finished.

I had my degree done 8 years before I was commissioned. I am just talking from state OCS not active duty OCS. Just do well on APFT. I was 33 and I maxed the run, pushups and situps. You are already a soldier so you already have some of the basic skills already. Just 'Cooperate and graduate' That means help your battle buddy student OCS person out if you know something they do not and others will do the same for you. There is no 'I' in team. I did not have as much hazing in OCS as I had in basic training.

You will do well. Even with the budget cuts today, people get promoted, retire or get out so you will always be in demand. Military Police, Logistics and after you make 1Lt/ Captain and complete your Officer's advanced Course ,I would suggest a specialty/functional area like Civil Affairs to enhance your knowledge and make Major like I did. I never expected to make it this far so have courage and you can make it to my rank or higher!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2016 10:59 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 22:59:44 -0500

First be aware that the rules for ocs change very often. Specifically years of service. Ocs has become less of a physical game and more mental. Be prepared to play the game. Sadly there's a lot of game playing and peer reviews are really a popularity contest. But get your time into the army make sure it's for you.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2016 11:10 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 23:10:29 -0500

Learn the cadence words, save your history of the walk, save your degree to the re-enlistment officer

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 23 at 2016 11:13 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 23:13:37 -0500

I graduated from OCS when the earth was without form and God hadn't yet separated day from night. Well, 1967 actually, but you'll forgive the hyperbole, won't you? Still, I'm willing to bet that there is one aspect that hasn't changed. An army succeeds or fails on teamwork. No individual, no matter how strong or well-armed, can win a war by themselves. The same is true for graduating from OCS. BCT teaches the basics of team work. Drill and Ceremonies may seem pointless to many, but they are steeped in teamwork. Training in maneuver and fire (do they still call it that) is an exercise in teamwork. Well, teamwork is at the core of OCS. The simple fact of the matter is that no individual, no matter how strong, no matter how smart, no matter how well prepared, ever graduated from OCS without the help of their classmates (not when I attended). When you graduate, you will graduate with friends, brothers at your side. They will be the base of a pyramid that will grow during your service as an officer. Always be the first to lend a hand and help a classmate and they'll be there when you need them. And, trust me, you will need them.

Response by CPT Gary Jugenheimer made Jan 23 at 2016 11:14 PM

CPT Gary Jugenheimer — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 23:14:43 -0500

MAJ Conway is giving good advice....without a college degree, even if you made it through OCS, your career would be limited until the time that you have the requisite college education....if you prove that you have the required attributes to succeed as an officer, I truly believe that the Army will do all it can to get you into a degree program....how about prep school for USMA...is this feasible?....once completed successfully you will be able to get into West Point.....you have to make a personal commitment to succeed at whatever route you chose...this will not be easy and will take time to reach your goal of becoming an officer....is it in you?

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Jan 23 at 2016 11:38 PM

CPT Russell Pitre — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 23:38:03 -0500

First I would stop worrying about OCS. I would first try to learn your job. You are a PVT right now. There are a lot of boxes you have to check before you should cross over. If you wanted to go to OCS right away then you should have not enlisted and went to school first. Now that you enlisted you need to worry about that first. You need to learn your MOS and how to be a good soldier first. After you have some team leader time then I would focus on OCS. But to be honest you would be wasting your time trying to go to OCS if you don't learn your MOS first.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jan 24 at 2016 1:56 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 01:56:37 -0500

I did USAF OTS in 79 at lackland in San Antonio long before it was moved to maxwell in Alabama I was also 3 yrs army Royce before that on scholarship of which I finished 2 I nearly got into their summer camp at ft Bragg where it was given back then though I have no idea if it still is so having said all that there are or might be many thoughts I might offer you about ova programs generally I have an interest in the historical and or trade off aspects of such things for all the services such minutiae are rather an arcane hobby of mine I would look first and foremost at the website for the OCS Foundation which is actually extremely good with many forum discussions for prospectives for all five services however to be able to answer you in any more comprehensive fashion here what might well help would be many more concrete details about your interests and or ambitions generally e.g. what degree type and or major would you want which service OCS would you prefer your age at least approximately so far as you might explain or care to go into obviously also what type work generally you've done while in though of course only so far as you might deem you'd want to go into when I didn't get to finish the rotc I'd been in my faculty candidly were fairly taken aback that I'd gotten through the USAF ots program thereafter I thus as I said saw many things I think might offer you useful perspectives however as I'd said the more I'd know of your mindset on what I'd explained the easier being able to give you concrete answers might be not merely for me but also for those others on the site here you might chat with about the entire topic generally that's all I'd thought to suggest for now I'd obviously love to chat further if you'd be interested of course and hope certainly that you found any of this of at least some use as well obviously

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jan 24 at 2016 1:58 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 01:58:43 -0500

Sorry for the misspellings Royce was intended of course to be ROTC obviously the phone keeps doing spelling corrections despite my best efforts my wife likes leaving the auto correction on (groan)

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2016 5:11 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 05:11:16 -0500

The best way to prepare is to understand some critical skills that they expect from officers.

1. Timely decision making: Learn how to make a good decision quickly versus trying to make the best decision late.
2. Attention to detail: Huge on this. You may never win in this game.
3. Priority of tasks: If in a leadership position do you spend more time getting your stuff done that you cause a formation to be late. There maybe tasks that are not physically possible to complete. So you have to rationalize which ones you will take a hit on.
4. Teamwork: You might be the sharpest guy there, shined shoes best bed etc, and can do it quickly. Do you do your stuff and stand around while someone may struggle. Don't be that guy that is trying to get honor graduate or DG. The guy trying to be the top performer is usually noticed and fails. Also don't be the guy that is just trying to bide time to make it through. Don't try to one up your peers.
5. Play the game! Sometimes the best course of action is not to be right, even when you want to. Especially in a group dynamic such as this. Know when to shut up color.
6. Don't be that prior E that knows it all and says, "this isn't the real military." You are right its a training environment to weed people out. Again, play the game, but don't try to game the system. 7. Bottom line its really not training its really an evaluation to see if you are officer material. You are constantly being evaluated, even when you think no one is looking, someone probably is.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Jan 24 at 2016 6:03 AM

SFC A.M. Drake — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 06:03:30 -0500

PV2 Sword,

You know that if you would have gotten your degree first and not been in the Army, depending on your AOC you could have applied for an AMEDD slot, put in application, get selected, skip basic training, no ASVAB test. Then go straight to your unit. We are authorized to place you as 2LT- COL. But alas you have to go the longer route. I agree with one reader to get to know your MOS first, learn to lead soldiers and then after your degree apply for OCS

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2016 7:13 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 07:13:08 -0500

Not sure for OCS but BOLC on get used to Power Point!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2016 8:05 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 08:05:00 -0500

Honestly, I would wait a bit. Spend the tenure of your first enlistment contract in your job field, take the time to learn not only how to do the job you have now, but the job above you, and how to lead others (learn from you Team Leaders and Squad Leaders). Then, when your reenlistment window opens up, if you still want to drop the packet, do it as a reenlistment incentive. But the big thing is that you have to determine if this really is the lifestyle for you before you take a commission and end up hating it because it's "not your thing."

Response by CH (COL) Geoff Bailey made Jan 24 at 2016 9:38 AM

CH (COL) Geoff Bailey — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 09:38:19 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member focus on doing the best you can in whatever field you've joined, complete your bachelor's degree, take every opportunity to learn and grow through military education, continue watching documentaries on leadership, read the Army Officer's Guide, and serve everyone regardless of their rank or position.

Response by CPT Anthony Kennedy made Jan 24 at 2016 11:18 AM

CPT Anthony Kennedy — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 11:18:40 -0500

Work on college and learn from your leadership! Way to look ahead but don't lose sight of what is in front of you. I knew I wanted to be an officer at 18 and was a E-1.
The Journey of 10,000 steps begins with the first step forward!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 24 at 2016 12:04 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 12:04:54 -0500

Has this topic not been revisited? Where are the links? We can increase the efficiency of some questions.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2016 3:28 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 15:28:34 -0500

I would err on the side of a lot of the 2LTs who have recently been to OCS as to what the experience would be like today. I know for most of us who attended during the beginning of "full immersion" had to deal with higher PT scores just to class up - but sometimes that can be class dependent.

Unless it's changed, they wouldn't allow us to attend OCS unless we actually had a Bachelors, so keep that in mind.

I agree with doing the best you can now, and learn from your leadership. A wise NCO told me: "Mimic the good ones, and learn the mistakes of the bad ones."

Also, before the days of RallyPoint most would go to ArmyOCS.com as an additional resource. It definitely helped me get my packet together and understand the timeline. Oh, and the OCSSOP is available online should you want to get an idea of the topics you'd be covering.

"Far across the Chattahoochee, to the Upatoi..."

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 24 at 2016 4:09 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 16:09:17 -0500

You better walk on water.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Jan 24 at 2016 4:47 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 16:47:46 -0500

Please take it one step at a time. Using words the " After I Acquire" means you haven't arrived yet. Take things in order and your plan will not become frustrating to you. Don't get the horse before the cart. Get that degree!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 24 at 2016 4:54 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 16:54:28 -0500

You should ask what I need to do to get to OCS. A degree in itself does not guarantee entry into OCS.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2016 9:11 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 09:11:18 -0500

You have to want it more than anything and be willing not to give up. Started with 88 candidates, 2 removed for test failures, graduated 28....the rest simply quit. But as others have stated, complete your degree prior to an OCS graduation.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jan 25 at 2016 1:13 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 13:13:06 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member - Here's my $0.02:
First, the design of boot camp is to forge a civilian into a basic soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine. The intent of the staff is to do everything the can with everyone they got to maximize graduation. The intent of OCS is to screen/evaluate the candidates before them. Conversely to boot camp, OCS curriculum is to maximize attrition. If you head off to OCS with this in the front of your head, I'll suggest you'll do better than most. You had better be in the best physical and mental shape of your life! 'Cause as the ol' saying goes, "If you can run, you can lead."

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2016 4:30 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 16:30:45 -0500

I will reiterate many of the points already made here. First off, get your bachelors degree and get some time in service before you go to OCS. You will be surprised at how much of an advantage you will have with a couple years under your belt. Also, PT, PT, PT! You should be able to max all events in your APFT to stand out. My class average pt score was 285. That's the AVERAGE for roughly 140 candidates. Be prepared mentally for the challenge also. You will not get much sleep but will still be expected to perform (which includes studying after 13 hours of training, organizing, planning, etc). You HAVE to work together as a team. Your squad and PLT have to look out for each other during OCS. I would have had a much harder time through OCS if it weren't for my battles, and vice versa. The curriculum to OCS is designed to weed out the candidates and have only the best graduate. Unfortunately, There are still some unfavorable LTs that slip through the cracks. But you won't be one of them. Also, be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them. The cadre do not expect you to know everything they throw at you, nor perform like Chuck Norris, but you need to suck up your pride and admit when you're wrong and take their advice and guidance. You're not only there to be selected to be an officer, but also to learn. Good luck in your endeavors!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 25 at 2016 10:23 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 22:23:29 -0500

You are trying to go from Point A to D.

Response by LTC Marc King made Jan 26 at 2016 11:10 AM

LTC Marc King — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 11:10:04 -0500

Privet Sword -- you should check this out: A pilot program designed to solve the U.S. Military Academy’s top problem with prior-service candidates could help those candidates, even the unsuccessful ones, succeed outside of West Point.

Fort Campbell, Kentucky, hosted the first Rapid Application Completion Exercise last month, with about 75 soldiers on hand to tackle a deceptively simple mission.

“The No. 1 thing you always hear is that it’s hard to get soldiers to finish their application,” said Maj. Jason Dupuis, West Point’s soldier admissions officer. “Because soldiers don’t have Mom and Dad there helping them. And an application to West Point is not more important than them doing their job as a soldier.”

So in addition to flagging unit leaders on soldiers that might make good fits for USMA, Dupuis put together RACE, which he compared to pre-deployment soldier readiness processing.

Soldiers start with the six-event Candidate Fitness Assessment, fill out their online paperwork, take the medical exam, even register to take or re-take required standardized tests. They also benefit from having West Point admissions experts on site to offer advice on improving their chances or to track down missing pieces of their file — high school transcripts, for example.

Ideally, Dupuis said, soldiers would enter RACE day with ACT or SAT scores already on file with West Point, a nomination from their company commander (necessary for admission) and some prep time for the CFA (see box). Failing that, he said, “just show up on the morning of the RACE hydrated and ready to go. Even if nothing is done ahead of time, a full day focused on completing this application is way better than doing it piecemeal.”

Side benefits

West Point has up to 170 prior-service soldier slots available for each year’s class — half of those are active-duty, and not all are filled each year. There is no strict quota, as troops must compete with other applicants for admission. Those who don’t make the cut may be eligible for the USMA Preparatory School, which provides 10 months of focused academic work and counts as a year of service toward retirement, GI Bill eligibility and other benefits.

Response by COL David Turk made Jan 26 at 2016 5:46 PM

COL David Turk — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 17:46:31 -0500

Another option to OCS.

Take college courses, if you wish, while on active duty. Complete your active duty tour, then get out.

After getting off active duty, enroll and go to college full time, taking ROTC while in school. If you can manage it, you can join a reserve or guard unit while in college (and ROTC) for the extra income and add to your time in service (couldn't do that back in the 70's). This is what I did, but not by design.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2017 2:21 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 14:21:50 -0400

The sooner the group learns how to work as a team the better. Also, realize that it's better to be in the middle than at the bottom or the top. Be a good follower when you are required to be a follower and be a good leader when it's time to be a leader.