Is it possible, after being selected for OCS, to attend the National Guard OCS courses (phase 1,2,3) as a Army Reservist versus Ft. Benning?

CW2 Erik Spike Thiesmeyer, Sr.
2LT N Elizalde
SPC Christian Juarez

GENTLEMEN:

1. I have to respectfully disagree with the CW2 and 2LT. I also wish to apologize in advance if my statements here ruffle any feathers, or I have misconstrued your advise.

2. I commissioned via the "extended" NG OCS.

3. I DO NOT understand why or how Officers would give an enthusiastic Enlisted Soldier the advice given. Providing advice is great, but the advise given sounds like an immature complaint.

Yes, the length of the NG OCS is long and drawn out. It creates greater stress upon employers and family that effect the Officer Candidate heavily. However, so does being a Reservist or National Guardsman that is mobilized or activated for an active duty deployment. Furthermore, very few wars or conflicts last 96 hours. They're long and protracted.

In regards to the physical training aspect of NG OCS, it is like PT anytime in the military. There are (in the Army's case) the APFT to gauge your progress and overall fitness for duty. As a warrior, Soldier, and member of the Profession Of Arms...a professional...PT should become a disciplined part of your overall lifestyle. It is absolutely imperative that YOU take the initiative to condition your body, mind and spirit. Regardless of line or staff position, you shouldn't be dependent upon your Platoon's training schedule, or the phase of OCS to train your body.

As for the knowledge being perishable, I completely agree. However, you owe it to the Soldiers that you are leading to maintain and retain the knowledge imparted in your training. There are no midterms or finals in the Profession Of Arms. Everyday in battle is your test. And the stakes for failure, because you treated the military's curriculum like a music appreciation class are the death of the very Soldiers that you have been entrusted to care for and lead.

Partying? Really, my answer for the perishable knowledge subject should kick in here, and you'll imagine what my opinion is on partying...college is over and the fraternity will be there when you complete OCS. Partying should be the furthest thing from your mind.

4. I treated OCS like my time in a civilian law enforcement academy. 110% professional dedication. I prepared for it, I lived it, and was successful.

Humbly, I am NO superman and I'm certainly not the best Army Officer on the face of the earth. I've had successes and made mistakes.

But, I knew I was going to OCS for 5 months prior to leaving for my first phase. In that time, I prepared my family and friends. I prepared myself physically and mentally. I acquired everything on the packing list with some items in duplicate. I talked to as many Officers as would give me their time. I started holding myself to a standard much higher than what I believed would be the standard at OCS. I read and studied, The Blue Book, 4 yrs if ROTC manuals that I sought out on the Internet in PDF format, Army Field Manuals, ARDP's, AR's, and SOP's. I watched documentaries and YouTube videos. I practiced skills that I found out would be taught at OCS. Then once in OCS I carried a backpack with me everywhere I went until the day I graduated. Inside the backpack was my battle book, several flash cards of required knowledge, a copy of my Candidate Guide, and whatever I was currently studying. Every free waking minute where I had the opportunity to study I did so.

5. Why? Because as Officers we are public servants. The Citizens of the United States are the public. And the public deserves the best Officers that this Country can provide them. And so do the Soldiers that will trust you to take them into battle. Because being a United States Military Officer is not a right. It is a privilege that is not to ever be taken lightly or for granted.

6. Again, I apologize in advance if I've ruffled any feathers. My sole intention here is to provide the best guidance I can to an Enlisted Soldier in order to set him/her on the right and correct path.

7. SPC Christian Juarez you can feel free to contact me directly via RP or [login to see] as needed. My hand is extended to you.

"The Army defines leadership as influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation, while operating to accomplish the mission and improve the organization."

V/R,
2LT Chris Loomis

I think it's possible. Whether it will be approved for bureaucratic convenience, is a whole other story.

Thank you all for contributing to this discussion. Each response has helped in some way. My board results came in and my packet was accepted.

I went through the Accelerated program and this is one you will compete for. If not, then you will complete the traditional program. Both are rigorous and both are experiences you will never forget. I second what 2LT Loomis said so I won't repeat.

No. State OCS is a commissioning tool for the State. Believe me, speaking as a graduate of State OCS...you want to go through at Benning.

If in need of answers, read, observe, and be resilient. Never quit, no matter what, do not give in, do not give up. I took the traditional route and am the better for it.

You can also see if they will allow the two month ARNG accelerated OCS program. I commissioned through the ARNG via that route. Challenging but well worth it!

I would STRONGLY suggest that you attend Federal OCS at Ft. Benning instead of the state route. Every person I know that went the state route says it was horrible. Not because of the curriculum or physical aspect of it, but rather because it was 18 months long, and the work dragged out throughout the month consistently. So I would strongly suggest revisiting your reasons of switching and see if you can work around them so you can attend federal OCS and just knock it out in 12 weeks.