OCS Board Interview Question?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 18:44:48 -0400

For those Officers who Commissioned through OCS and the Officers that had the opportunity to sit on a Local Structured Board Interview what are some tips you would give a newly promoted NCO getting ready for the board.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 18 at 2019 7:15 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 19:15:48 -0400

1. Make sure your uniform is sharp.
2. Knock on the door 3 times firmly.
3. Salute and say you are reporting as directed and don't make eye contact.
4. The president of the board will take over.
5. Board members will ask general questions like why do you want to be an officer? What did you like about your last job? What kind of challenges did you experience and how you handle it? They ask broad questions because they must create a baseline due to experiences being different. They wont ask tactical questions like what are the infantry formation because it would be unfair to the non-tactical soldiers.
6. After your board is finished salute and do an about face and leave.
7. Be confident and assert yourself. I would not think highly of a candidate who says he kind of always wanted to be an officer. I want the candidate to say I always wanted to be an army officer.
8. Good luck!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2019 7:20 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 19:20:42 -0400

Provide brief answers to questions. Don’t give long drawn out answers to the questions. Officers are expected to explain the “so what” quickly and accurately in order to facilitate decision making. Your OCS interview is a good place to show you can do that. I’ve interviewed candidates who took over an hour to get through all the questions and I’ve interviewed some who took only 30 minutes. For the most part, I gave better scores to those who were somewhat intelligent, sounded motivated and confident, and quickly made their point.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2019 7:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 19:22:55 -0400

Also, don’t even show up if your uniform is jacked up. If you can’t read DA PAM 670-1 or AR 670-1, you are not ready to be an Officer....

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2019 1:23 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 13:23:29 -0400

I find every board is different and expectations differ greatly depending on who is sitting on the board. Listen to whomever is representing you to the board. They will go in first, without you, an gain an idea of expectations and then will share them with you.

Secondly, Take a breath and think of an answer before you blurt something out. Short silences, while you think, are acceptable.

Third, as LTC Private RallyPoint Member already pointed out. Provide clear and concise answers. This isn't a literary collegiate paper and you don't need to ramble on just to fill space. Think of an answer and provide that answer with easy to understand ideas and vocabulary. Everybody on the board may not be as intelligent as you. Keep it simple (or at least fitting to the question).

Lastly, don't follow this advice just for the board but rather for your career. As a PAO, I offer the same advice to our military members constantly, E-1s through 4-Stars. Conciseness is key to effective communication.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2019 5:24 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 17:24:59 -0400

PREPARE!! The “main” questions they will ask you are available online. It’s one of the documents you will have to submit as apart of your packet. Go over some of the questions and already have your answers ready. When I went before my local board, the board members deviated from the questions and asked follow-up and/or additional questions, but they “must” ask you the questions documented and score those for your packet.