What is the NG OCS process for an E-3 already in the NG?

2017-08-17T15:41:49-04:00

My nephew is an E-3 in the Guard and is trying to submit a packet for NG OCS and I'm wondering how easy that is (I went through ROTC). His unit deploys next year so I'm trying to find out what his chances are of getting accepted to OCS in lieu of that as it would mean he'd miss the deployment. I would think they're low but I'm not sure how this works. I'm fairly new to the Guard myself.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2017 6:24 PM

2017-08-17T18:24:54-04:00

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member I think they have tried to make each state's OCS process similar. My cousin was enlisted throughout college, and then went through MO Nat'l Guard OCS afterwards. He's got a line for LtCol now. From what I remember, he did the normal drill schedule: 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks/year. I'm pretty sure there was an extended school somewhere in there, too.
From the website https://www.nationalguard.com/careers/become-an-officer/officer-candidate-school

Stated OCS (Traditional):
At your state's Regional Training Institute (RTI)
weekends only - 16-18 months of one weekends a month, plus 2 two-week periods

Officer Candidate School (OCS) | National Guard

Officer Candidate School (OCS) commissioned officers intense leadership training ground three options for attending OCS State OCS (Traditional) National Guard Bureau Accelerated OCS Federal OCS Fort Benning

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Aug 17 at 2017 8:45 PM

2017-08-17T20:45:46-04:00

How many hours of college does he have? If I remember correct he needs 90 to get accepted into OCS. If he doesn't get locked in now it's doubtful he will before the BDE goes.

Why not deploy and get the experience then try OCS? I might be reading this wrong but it sounds like he is looking to dodge a deployment by going the OCS route.

I can give you/him the contact info for the OCS training company if you would like it.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 18 at 2017 8:06 AM

2017-08-18T08:06:30-04:00

Unless it has changes since I came out, most states recruit for OCS once a year. In Ohio, it used to be in the late fall when the Commanders would forward any packets they recommended and schedule the aptitude test for OCS (do they still make you take that?). Any soldier accepted would get orders about 90 days before the start of the class, which was in June at the time. Ohio did not offer an accelerated course when I was there and it was difficult to get orders to attend it Regular Army, but a lot has changed since 2001.

Response by SP5 Norman McGill made Aug 21 at 2017 12:33 PM

2017-08-21T12:33:31-04:00

In my Guard unit it was up to the CO to recommend candidates for OCS and in our case pilot training. He would approach you rather than you approaching him but it never hurts to ask. Every time I had enough time in grade and was doing the job of the next position up I went and asked to be promoted to the job I was doing and got it every time. Nobody ever came to me and asked if I wanted to be promoted or put me up for promotion until after I asked for it. OCS is different as there has to be a slot open for you to go to after graduation. Should you be promoted you will most likely be transferred to some other unit unless your present unit has an opening for you. My CO did encourage me to go to OCS and pilot school at Rucker but I would have gotten transferred from Atlanta to Savanna, Ga. and I couldn't do that because of my civilian job. I did say that if he ordered me to go I would go and do my best but that never happened. By then I was a cook anyway and had it made so I'm glad I didn't get promoted to officer.