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A little background about me I'm prior service Quartermaster (92W) and I branched Infantry/AG at OCS. I am going to attempt my best to pass the 5 mile at a 8 minute pace. However, I am 33 years old, with a bad knee and in 5 years in the Army I have never been able to break the 8 minute pace for a mile.
So my question is, if I fail IBOLC what will most likely happen to me?
UPDATE:
So I am going to unfollow this post and this will probably be the last time I check this forum/post. So I just wanted to post an update. I'm still awaiting my class date and I am still unsure whether I will pass the 5 mile run or not. There are a few notes that I like to make before I move on:
Notes to Responses:
Some of you have assumed that I chose Infantry as a branch knowing my physical limitations. I did not, I was forced branched into it. My cadre at OCS knew of my physical issues, as all of it is documented with the Army. My knee issues, my loose skin on my stomach and suffering from astigmatism in one eye. I know Infantry will present issues, I cannot shot well and I can't run to save my life. As a Quartermaster it was all about my work ethic, willingness to accept responsibility and mastering my field. Being a Quartermaster played to my strengths, while Infantry depends on areas I am physically deficient in.
Some of you have assumed that I can just change, I cannot. My options are to try to pass IBOLC or be chaptered as an academic failure. Also as a branch detailed Officer, I am unable to transfer into Quartermaster. Just to note, I did not want AG either.
Some of you have offered support and I thank you for that. Know that I am not a person who is always negative about themselves. During my time as enlisted I went from having no degree/no college credit to having a Master's in two years time, all while on Active Duty. I was told that was impossible by pretty much everyone and I did it. The same people who told me that it was impossible would later ask me for help in their academic pursuits. At 33 I know what I am capable of and my physical limitations.
Personal Note:
Going Infantry defeats the main purpose of why I wanted to be an Officer. As stated before I feel that most Officers should have to serve some enlisted time in the branch they want, learn the basics and move up. I can look at an E1 to E5 Quartermaster and tell them that I know what they are going through. Because I been there, I have done their job and faced their challenges. Challenges from their work to simply trying to make points for promotion. As for Infantry, I cannot really relate to what an enlisted Infantryman is going through and I won't pretend to. I believed my intentions to be honorable and worthy of note, the OCS Commandant/Cadre believed differently.
Again thank you to all of those who showed me support and wished me well. I will try my best to pass IBOLC.
So my question is, if I fail IBOLC what will most likely happen to me?
UPDATE:
So I am going to unfollow this post and this will probably be the last time I check this forum/post. So I just wanted to post an update. I'm still awaiting my class date and I am still unsure whether I will pass the 5 mile run or not. There are a few notes that I like to make before I move on:
Notes to Responses:
Some of you have assumed that I chose Infantry as a branch knowing my physical limitations. I did not, I was forced branched into it. My cadre at OCS knew of my physical issues, as all of it is documented with the Army. My knee issues, my loose skin on my stomach and suffering from astigmatism in one eye. I know Infantry will present issues, I cannot shot well and I can't run to save my life. As a Quartermaster it was all about my work ethic, willingness to accept responsibility and mastering my field. Being a Quartermaster played to my strengths, while Infantry depends on areas I am physically deficient in.
Some of you have assumed that I can just change, I cannot. My options are to try to pass IBOLC or be chaptered as an academic failure. Also as a branch detailed Officer, I am unable to transfer into Quartermaster. Just to note, I did not want AG either.
Some of you have offered support and I thank you for that. Know that I am not a person who is always negative about themselves. During my time as enlisted I went from having no degree/no college credit to having a Master's in two years time, all while on Active Duty. I was told that was impossible by pretty much everyone and I did it. The same people who told me that it was impossible would later ask me for help in their academic pursuits. At 33 I know what I am capable of and my physical limitations.
Personal Note:
Going Infantry defeats the main purpose of why I wanted to be an Officer. As stated before I feel that most Officers should have to serve some enlisted time in the branch they want, learn the basics and move up. I can look at an E1 to E5 Quartermaster and tell them that I know what they are going through. Because I been there, I have done their job and faced their challenges. Challenges from their work to simply trying to make points for promotion. As for Infantry, I cannot really relate to what an enlisted Infantryman is going through and I won't pretend to. I believed my intentions to be honorable and worthy of note, the OCS Commandant/Cadre believed differently.
Again thank you to all of those who showed me support and wished me well. I will try my best to pass IBOLC.
OCS
Officer
Infantry
11A: Infantry Officer
Edited 7 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 26
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as far as what happens to you, I'd imagine the Army wouldn't waste the money it invested in you and would transfer you branches. I am by no means an expert, but, it's not like the army doesn't already do that on the enlisted side of the house (via AIT).
I would however recommend you ask your instructors in charge on the possible outcomes. I'm pretty confident they'll have a more on point answer for you.
I would however recommend you ask your instructors in charge on the possible outcomes. I'm pretty confident they'll have a more on point answer for you.
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Wish I could tell you, but times and regs have changed since my time. However, if you have enough days before the test, dissolve one envelop of Knox Gelatin in 8 to 10 ounces of hot water then drink when it's cooled enough so you don't skald yourself. If you can do this every day for at least a couple of weeks your knee should make it. A month would be even better. As far as your pace, you're on your own.
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The reason I ask is because when I was there back in the day (IOBC) we had a dude who was a hard no-go in a mandatory block of training and they allowed him to go back to his unit and left it up to his battalion commander to “pass” him.
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Failing puts you out. I was an ROTC grad got branched infantry and i was trying to stay as far from it as I could but like a young niave 23 yr old i went because hey! I signed a contract 2 yrs ealier. I had requested Armor, Artillary, and ADA. Anyway went to IOBC (not in the right mind set either) recycled 3 time once because of injury 2 time I gotten sick 3rd time because i just had enough of the hazing from cadre and the west pointer pukes. Adter a yr and 3 months of hanging out at Ft benning asking for rebranching which i was lied about or never taken seriously and even had a 1:1 meeting withJAG and Gen Earnst the commanding General of Ft Benning I was dismissed with a General discharge under honorable conditions. I latter found out my JAG officer was buddies with the general wich pissed me off because he was supposed to represent my intreast and failed to save his own career. So i got out worked in a jail for 8 months till I decided to reenlist medic because i had taken an EMT class and loved it. Well after 3 yrs in 82 as an E4 i was put out again. Ill save that story for another day. I got out got an AS in EMS and served as a paramedic for 14 years before going to RN school. Now i am a psy Nurse and making 75k just being an adult babysitter. So theres my IOBC story. If you want to hear my E4 medic story and how i went through a shitty COC with 3 different PSG whoo I wouldn’t pisson if they were on fire story let me know
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If it's just the run you fail and you pass everything else they'll probably just graduate you but with a marginal mark on your 1059, which is not ideal but not the end of the world. Typically you'll be branch detailed for a couple years. If your receiving unit has leadership worth a damn they'll look at the situation and act accordingly. Maybe you'll do some non-deployed PL time then linger on staff until you go over to AG. I'd suggest becoming familiar with your BN S1, perhaps you can get slotted there early.
Bottom line , don't just give up, do what you can, make sure they're aware of the situation. You'll be fine.
Bottom line , don't just give up, do what you can, make sure they're aware of the situation. You'll be fine.
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So....why didn’t they branch you in the QM ? Wouldn’t that make sense ?
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2LT (Join to see)
More than likely because my packet was never actually submitted or looked at it. As I been told that the OCS company I was with just went by MOS codes. If you had an O9S MOS code, they assumed you were straight from basic.
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2LT (Join to see)
Being Prior Service with a break (less than a year) in service caused my MOS code to reflect as an O9S.
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Your question is "what will happen to me". Probably the same thing that happens to everyone that fails a basic officer leadership course.
1. You'll get recycled.
2. You'll try again - and if you fail, they'll weigh the options and give you one - which will likely be a med-board.
You've gotten yourself into a pickle. Why did you do this knowing that ALL BOLC courses have a standard 5 mile? Even signal has it. Same with rucking or PT.
1. You'll get recycled.
2. You'll try again - and if you fail, they'll weigh the options and give you one - which will likely be a med-board.
You've gotten yourself into a pickle. Why did you do this knowing that ALL BOLC courses have a standard 5 mile? Even signal has it. Same with rucking or PT.
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2LT (Join to see)
Also as for why I jumped from Enlisted to Officer, simple. Dozens of times I saw Lts and other Junior Officers get into trouble and the NCO take the blame for it.
Two Examples:
We had a FARP closed down twice because of orders that came from an Lt to an NCO. Two months later the Lt got an award, the NCO got a bad NCOER. I even asked the Lt on why he didn't step up and take the blame for his orders, his reply "I don't want to get into trouble". This was the guy that was supposed to be my leader?
On another occasion we had a fuel shortage of 30K, I came to find out that our Lt (different one from above) did not know how to properly convert the fuel figures. However, our Plt Sgt was signing off on them thinking the paperwork was correct. The Plt Sgt would eventually be chaptered out, later as a PFC I taught that Lt how to calculate the fuel numbers correctly.
I am that guy that believes that all Officers should spend time on the Enlisted side of their branch. Learn the basics and move up in the field. Before the Army, I was a Manager at Walmart, I would had been fired in a second if I asked the cashier or janitor for help in doing my work. For that reason alone, I should had been sent back as a Quartermaster. I can walk into a Support Platoon and I already know how to accomplish 90% of the job.
Two Examples:
We had a FARP closed down twice because of orders that came from an Lt to an NCO. Two months later the Lt got an award, the NCO got a bad NCOER. I even asked the Lt on why he didn't step up and take the blame for his orders, his reply "I don't want to get into trouble". This was the guy that was supposed to be my leader?
On another occasion we had a fuel shortage of 30K, I came to find out that our Lt (different one from above) did not know how to properly convert the fuel figures. However, our Plt Sgt was signing off on them thinking the paperwork was correct. The Plt Sgt would eventually be chaptered out, later as a PFC I taught that Lt how to calculate the fuel numbers correctly.
I am that guy that believes that all Officers should spend time on the Enlisted side of their branch. Learn the basics and move up in the field. Before the Army, I was a Manager at Walmart, I would had been fired in a second if I asked the cashier or janitor for help in doing my work. For that reason alone, I should had been sent back as a Quartermaster. I can walk into a Support Platoon and I already know how to accomplish 90% of the job.
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2LT (Join to see)
So another one of my fellow graduates got back to me. The 5 mile pt event is a thing at Engineer BOLC. I been told similar to the way IBOLC is setup to transition you into Ranger school, EBOLC is setup to transition you into Sapper school.
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CPT (Join to see)
I am not trying to be Johnny Raincloud here, but if you (Like LTC Weaver mentions below) are focused on the minimums, you'll be another one of those guys that is at the back of the pack with a cadre yelling at you. You need to focus on at least middle of the pack or what the max's are. Shoot for those numbers, not what the passing minimums are. You'll hit close to what you are focused on.
Yes, I realize there are physical limitations we each have. I can't slam dunk a basketball for example. But every BOLC has achievable goals that most anyone can "pass". So my recommendation (as a friend, not a Soldier) is to start running, every day. Run at least a two mile every morning, push yourself. Then after 2 weeks, go to 3 miles, every morning.....take Sunday's off. (Shea Labouff "DO IT"). Guess what - come the 5 mile, you'll be mid pack or better and thinking about this ridiculous thread on the internet will become fuel. Now go run ya filthy bastard.
Yes, I realize there are physical limitations we each have. I can't slam dunk a basketball for example. But every BOLC has achievable goals that most anyone can "pass". So my recommendation (as a friend, not a Soldier) is to start running, every day. Run at least a two mile every morning, push yourself. Then after 2 weeks, go to 3 miles, every morning.....take Sunday's off. (Shea Labouff "DO IT"). Guess what - come the 5 mile, you'll be mid pack or better and thinking about this ridiculous thread on the internet will become fuel. Now go run ya filthy bastard.
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2LT (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) - Agreed, either way win or lose, I will give it everything I got.
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I attended OCS at the age of 29. Being 10 years older than your peers has some unique advantages and disadvantages. If with less than 10 years of service you question your ability to graduate a basic level course due to physical capabilities I would reevaluate my long term professional and family goals in the military.
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2LT (Join to see)
I only question my ability to run 5 miles at an 8 minute pace. I passed the OCS 5 mile company run. IBOLCs 5 mile on your own 8:00 pace is a different story.
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