How hard is CGSC AOC distant learning?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 13:40:06 -0500

I'm starting this month. What is the work load like? How much time did you spend on it? Any tips you can offer?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2021 1:45 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 13:45:59 -0500

Its a bear but manageable. Class every week or evey other week. Definitely have approximately 10-15 hrs of work in between classes. Who’s your instructor?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2021 3:00 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 15:00:40 -0500

I was lucky to have a very good instructor (Mr Hardy). I had two CTC rotations and a lot of TDY and he was very understanding when I was out for a few weeks. Like many other courses there are the four or five that will do a lot of the work and others that just ride along. Hit the papers early (there are four due during the course) so you dont get crushed near the end of the course.

Response by CH (LTC) Clark Carr made Jan 1 at 2021 6:10 PM

CH (LTC) Clark Carr — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 18:10:00 -0500

I did CGSC in early 2000, so I can’t speak to the current requirements or load

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2021 10:16 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 22:16:55 -0500

A big kick in the groin

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2021 9:32 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 21:32:55 -0500

That course was a beast! The projected workload was nothing close to real-world expectations. The best tips I can give is to put 100% into the experience, regardless of your assigned role; pay attention to detailed instructions in terms of commander’s guidance. Lastly, get after the “free chicken” early so it’s out of the way—i.e., the quiz for each ADL, Blackboard posting, and so on.

Response by LTC Don Price made Jan 3 at 2021 11:33 AM

LTC Don Price — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 11:33:06 -0500

I tried the correspondence first. Just need to focus. I then switched for the reserve component two weeks at Dix, then 8 months of battle assemblies and phase 3 two weeks at Dix. AOC was something more painful. If you can get the full 8 month in residence you will get CGSC, and AOC. I can say without question having others in the class will help as each bring something to the table.

Response by LTC Michael Hrycak made Jan 3 at 2021 3:24 PM

LTC Michael Hrycak — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 15:24:18 -0500

My colleague, Don Price, hit the nail on the head. I also attended the RC four phase, which had just been reduced from six phase because we had all graduated CAS3. We had a very good instructor and our class was at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, so we would go to the NCO Club/Sportbar and have a few beers and discuss what we learned in class. The classes are intense, as are the reading requirement and papers. So don't put off anything. Pay attention in class, always take time to do the reading and be prepared for the next class, and you will, as LTC Price advised, benefit greatly from making a few friends in class. Our discussions motivated all of us, and failure was never an option. You will be challenged and, at the end, it is exhilarating to master the subject matter. Good luck.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2021 11:43 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 23:43:43 -0500

You must carve out and devote the time with no interruptions or disruptions. If that requires locking yourself in a room with a DO NOT DISTURB on the door, do it! I however agree with LTC Price below. Get it knocked out in the 3 phases below. I arrived and before anything they had a weigh in and after that we were more or less on our own for PT. If you don't currently meet height weight standards achieve that before you fly to NJ.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2021 8:52 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 08:52:23 -0500

As an Army Nurse, I feel like I brought up the rear of the formation the whole time, effort is something you get credit for though... or I wouldn’t have made it...
Just participate, show you give a shit, and you’ll crush it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2021 7:11 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 19:11:31 -0500

It's a busy year no doubt. I spent a year in my office space and wherever I could to do the work. Get the easy stuff knocked out first and then just row!

Response by COL Dan O'Rourke made Feb 13 at 2021 9:55 PM

COL Dan O'Rourke — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 21:55:17 -0500

I taught CGSC for 5 years. You need to ensure you are the right personality for distant learning courses prior to enrolling. It requires you to be very self motivated to keep up with course work. A LOT of the traditional course is discussion, so you’re making up for this in DL with much reading and writing. Not making the argument either way, just very distinct personalities for the respective courses. Good luck.