What is the step-by-step process for prior-enlisted to apply to OCS?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 14:45:06 -0500

Good Morning everyone. I'm hoping to get a little assistance from anyone who has previously applied for OCS as a current/prior enlisted soldier.

I am nearly done with my packet, and everything on my end has been completed. I'm currently working with my BDE S1 to get my structured interview set up, however I have one issue with my packet. My CDR must sign a Commander's Clearance memo, part of which states that he has called the OAB for OCS and confirmed that my physical has been uploaded and cleared. However, I was under the impression that everything in my packet gets submitted through my S1 at one time, including my physical. Could anyone give me some clarification on this? I have called the OAB myself, and never got a response back, and my BDE hasn't had an OCS packet put through in a while so they also seem a little lost as to how to help. I'm just trying to figure out if it's the chicken or the egg first, and how I go about working that out.

As well, if anyone has any tips on the structure interview, or more information on what their application process looked like, that would be a great help.

Thank you!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 2 at 2019 3:10 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 15:10:20 -0500

I don't know. Maybe you can call OCS to hear it from the horses mouth.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jan 2 at 2019 4:17 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:17:06 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Like the MAJ says below, call OCS. Tell them you have some questions about your package. It does 2 things, 1 it shows OCS that you are motivated and they remember you (in a good way, not like remembering in boot camp), 2 you get the latest most up to date info for what are the proper procedures. Best of luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 4:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:43:32 -0500

If you want to be an officer, these are exactly the type of things you will be expected to hunt down the answers for. The two places you should always start are the Regulation/MILPER/ALARACT and the source. In this case, OCS has a MILPER with the instructions and a point of contact if you have questions. You need to show that you are capable of finding answers with minimal guidance.

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made Jan 2 at 2019 7:47 PM

LTC Orlando Illi — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 19:47:21 -0500

SPC Adamson - when and if you get to the Crucible that is OCS - you will be evaluated upon your ability to solve complex problems with minimal guidance. Accordingly, I would suggest that you research the applicable regulations like I did in 1977.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 10:28 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 22:28:18 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I submitted my packet a couple of months ago for the Jan 2019 board. I can confirm that everything is submitted through your BDE S1 once the structured interview is complete. Your S1 will serve as the POC between the Officer Accessions Board. The commanders clearance memo will have to be signed and added as a part of your packet before your BDE S1 submits it to HRC. Once your BDE S1 submits your packet to HRC, Mr. Preetorious of the Officer Accessions Branch will review it for corrections and will let your BDE S1 know if corrections are needed. Once S1 confirms they turned your packet in, keep a lookout for Mr. Preetorious to let them know your packet is in with no corrections. Once that happens the confirmation you will get to know your packet is turned in is a code on your ASK account that says “you have been accepted into OCS/WOCS”. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I had to go through the application process twice due to errors by my BDE S1.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jan 3 at 2019 9:01 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 21:01:12 -0500

Request to see your CO and then your BN CO. It will take their recommendation anyway.