I'm considering applying to accelerated OCS program, if anyone could share experiences I would greatly appreciate the info.

2015-12-05T19:49:16-05:00

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 8:00 PM

2015-12-05T20:00:11-05:00

I went through traditional but from what I've heard the accelerated version is intense. I can't imagine condensing the course any more than 12 weeks. Weigh your options and consider both.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 8:10 PM

2015-12-05T20:10:53-05:00

Go for it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 8:13 PM

2015-12-05T20:13:50-05:00

I did Green to Gold. Don't know much about OCS. Make sure you get a Bachelors Degree or you won't make it past O2.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Dec 5 at 2015 8:26 PM

2015-12-05T20:26:31-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I would think twice about any accelerated program m. It's tough enough in the regular program.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 9:07 PM

2015-12-05T21:07:44-05:00

I went to Accelerated OCS with the National Guard. I went to the Alabama Military Academy. It is the regionally aligned AOCS for my State.

Getting into AOCS in the National Guard is not that easy. I have to go to Pre-OCS for a few drills. Then out of 27 of us 21 wanted to go. We had to go to a board. Out of all of those that wanted to go only 6 ended up going to AOCS. I will say it was a lot more intense than I thought it would be. I think it was more changing than Federal OCS. You should on the 50 meter target first. You are going to have to board well and have a good record. I have some really good NCOERs and I have a 270+ APFT score. I was an infantry squad leader in Iraq so they realized I have a lot of experience. They still sent some soldiers with less experience. They have to really bring it. If you want to go I would recommend going to a Pre-OCS and see what it is like.

Another issue you may run into is funding. It costs a lot more to send a NG soldier to AOCS than to have them attend their in-state OCS. It can get to point where a state won't send anyone.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 10:50 PM

2015-12-05T22:50:51-05:00

I did a CAARNG OCS way back in 1995-1996 that was split up for TWO 15 day A.T.s and about 10 months of Muta 8s. Mine was probably truncated compared to the 90 day OCS of today done by the Reserve Component. You are an NCO and your troop leading procedures experience will make it easier for you. Just be in shape. There may be some hazing but you were use to it in basic training. I hope others can expand on what I did not cover or what has changed lately.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 11:13 PM

2015-12-05T23:13:26-05:00

I did accelerated for OCS it was fun and went by pretty quick with the Louisiana OCS in Alexandria. Make sure you can get the GT score that is needed and Also have a 4 year degree completed within the 2 year time frame to get promoted to the next rank.... I had family emergence and had to withdraw

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 2:58 AM

2015-12-06T02:58:15-05:00

Do what you have to do to excel in your career!

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 8:17 AM

2015-12-06T08:17:42-05:00

Sgt, make sure your pt is top marks. Also prepare for 7 weeks of basic training plus death by PowerPoint.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 11:41 AM

2015-12-06T11:41:02-05:00

I did federal OCS but have talked to a lot of National guard guys who did state OCS. The standards are different but still challenging. Command presence and patients go a long way. Also while the run is a little bit easier for state OCS make sure you can run your 3 mile in at least 24-23 minutes.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Dec 26 at 2015 7:10 PM

2015-12-26T19:10:05-05:00

I realize, at least from having read the responses here, that, apparently, the bulk of interest here is obviously for Army, of course. Nevertheless, I merely thought I might offer a few thoughts for whatever they might be worth, in the hope they might possibly be of interest; there is an excellent website, http://www.ocsfoundation.org/, that I would very seriously commend to anyone interested in doing an OCS program, that has some really good forum discussions on current aspects of all of the standard programs for all of the major services. Then, too, aside from the five conventionally-known services, if you and/or others reading this might possibly have any interest, I would also look, if there might be any interest, in the NOAA Corps BOTC, as well as the USPHS Junior and Senior COSTEP training programs, for those who might want to be on the purely clinical side. I have read that the USPHS Commissioned Corps runs Officer Indoctrination School (OIS) type programs for those of their officers seeking, e.g., to be assigned to USCG and/or to the NOAA Commissioned Corps. I had also known that Navy, e.g., does also have an OIS of their own, apart from their line and aviation OCS programs, and had known of the USMC Platoon Leader Corps (PLC) program, as well, which I had read of for some time now. I quite honestly didn't know if such info might interest at all, or if any of those might possibly interest you for your specific circumstances, and did have more I might be able to relate if there might possibly be of any interest, though I will of course wait to see if those reading this might possibly care to hear anymore about what info I have accumulated over the past several years. In any event, good holidays and a nice new year from both my wife and myself, by all means, and we would of course look forward most eagerly to any interest in knowing any more, which I would of course be only too glad to relate, should there be any such interest voiced at all.

OCS Foundation

SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 11:01 PM

2016-03-08T23:01:58-05:00

It would be worth your time and effort. Dad did OCS. Private to 06 and does some badass stuff to this day. I don't regret my future one bit and am thankful for the opportunities I worked for. USMA, ROTC, OCS are your options. USUHS also offers a handful of enlisted to
physician spots.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2016 12:53 PM

2016-08-04T12:53:14-04:00

If you don't have a bachelor's degree, I recommend going Green-to-Gold instead. That way, you get your degree (requirement for CPT) and a commission.