I'm in pursuit of commission. Any advice?

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 21:11:03 -0400

Just submitted package for OCS in Navy Intel or Information Warfare. The board convenes in September. I'm also 3 weeks from getting MBA. Hopefully I get selected. Any other advice you can give me in order to EXCEL?

PS: I'm not just planning to get commission as mediocre candidate. I want to shoot for top graduate. Talk to me!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2014 11:59 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 23:59:14 -0400

Well since you have already submitted your package it may be a little late for this but make sure all of your paperwork is in accordance with the instruction for the program you are applying to. Had a STA-21 Ensign go through the entire process with a group of folks at my first command that were interested in applying, he says the first step is to make sure everything is in order, all "T"s crossed and "i"s dotted. If the instruction calls for the package to be held together with a paper clip, don't staple it. If you can't follow black and white instructions you can't be expected to lead as an officer is the logic he presented us.

Best of luck to you on accomplishing your goals!

V/R,
FC1

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 5 at 2014 9:19 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 21:19:06 -0400

Sounds like you are way ahead of the game PO1 Dronzin, especially with the MBA in hand, congrats! Best of luck to you with the board!!

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Aug 6 at 2014 5:40 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 05:40:46 -0400

Seek advice from those you wish to emulate as well as those you never want to be like.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2014 8:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 08:12:35 -0400

Don't do it.

Kidding of course. As a senior NCO, I would just say that if you are going to go to the "dark side" make sure that you are doing it to effect change where change is warranted. Don't be the guy that just goes with the status quo. Improve your organization(s) in spite of others discomfort. And read the book in the attached link.

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Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2014 2:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:37:06 -0400

Best of luck! I just completed the OCS program (Army) and I personally feel it was worth it, every step of the way. BUT - you have to keep your head in the game, stay totally focused, and make sure you cross every 't', dot every 'i'. The program is designed to stress you, physically and mentally, but as long as you're mentally 'committed' to it you'll do fine. And what previous posters have said is correct - putting together a complete packet is the first step. Good luck!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2014 2:52 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:52:12 -0400

Take everything as a learning tool. You do something wrong, learn from it and find a way to turn it into a positive. Do your best. Don't go to just meet the standard. Go, do great things and do your best to EXCEED the standard without stepping all over those around you. Utilize the tools that are given to you, and learn from the candidates around you. There may be some prior service member who has tons of years in that can fill your brain with knowledge. But, don't discredit those who have no prior military experience. They too can bring a whole new different way of thinking that can be extremely beneficial.

Set your goals, and exceed those goals. Ask your tacs for feedback, and be willing to hear the things you don't want to. Take that constructive criticism and learn and grow and be a better person.

Oh, I could go on for every. Do your best! Do your best! Do your best!

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Aug 13 at 2014 3:40 PM

SSG Laureano Pabon — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 15:40:42 -0400

Good Luck with OCS PO1 Private RallyPoint Member your going to be a great Officer.

I keep hearing many SM talking about the Dark side, until I found this lol.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2014 6:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 18:23:32 -0400

While I cannot speak to the Navy's version of OCS I can only reiterate what LT Stanojev and others have said above. I've had the good fortune to be able to have a hand in the training and commissioning of close to 90 Second Lieutenants for the Virginia Army National Guard as well as working with close to 400 Soldiers who have attempted OCS over the past five years here in Virginia.

There is nothing "easy" about OCS - regardless of the branch of service. The purpose of the OCS program is to prepare Officer Candidates to be leaders. The program does not teach how to be an Infantry or Armor Officer. That all comes down the road. What it does do is prepare young Officers to be Leaders and provide them with the tools to make decisions.

The hardest military job you will ever have is being a Leader and being able to make a sound decision. Ultimately you have to make decisions that can be the difference between life and death for those under your command/charge.

Whatever you do decide - and should you pursue a career as an Officer I wish you the best of luck.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2014 11:33 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 11:33:59 -0400

I'm going to buck the trend and plant a bit of a bug in your ear. If I were you, I'd wait. It's not that being an officer is bad, but rather that you're close to making chief. One of my biggest regrets is not having made chief - and it's not something I can go back and do anymore.

It's fine if you want to commission rather than putting on the anchors, but I'd give it some thought.

No matter where you go, once you get your bars, expect it to be a different world. But also expect, as a mustang, to be a bit outside the world. The age different does complicate things, sometimes.

Fortunately for me, the community I just was picked up into (AMDO) seems to be partly an old-folks home for those of us who aren't ready to get out yet. You may want to give it some thought. I'm sure CDR Haas wouldn't mind a take-charge mustang.

Response by MSgt Mike Brown; MBTI-CP; MA, Ph.D. made Jun 12 at 2015 5:38 PM

MSgt Mike Brown; MBTI-CP; MA, Ph.D. — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 17:38:05 -0400

Contact the OSO at: [login to see]

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 13 at 2015 10:41 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 10:41:59 -0400

Stay motivated, don't cheat, be a team player as everyone will have turns at leadership, don't advertise you want to be the honor graduate.