What should I expect at Warrant Officer Candidate School?

2015-05-08T18:09:25-04:00

I've heard the "physical fitness, road marching with heavy equipment and the time management" piece. Honestly, I am not too worried about that department. People also say study up on land nav because it gets a lot of people, yet I was told by current WOs that it is a self correcting course.. how do you fail that?

I guess what I am asking is what else should I expect at Warrant School?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 6:17 PM

2015-05-08T18:17:55-04:00

For the Land Nav portion, it is a breeze. If a reservist like me can beat a Ranger and a Sapper, I think it should be easy!
But, soldiers do fail. You are not allowed to talk to anyone, you must stay off the paths, and you must find the correct points. There will be some confusion out there, but that is normal. The time limit is also key. You must hit around 1800-2000m in less that 2 hours. Sounds easy, but the school makes it difficult.
Best advice I can give you is to brush up on how to plot points, get a really good pace count, and work on your "range walk".
Good luck Candidate!!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 7:03 PM

2015-05-08T19:03:36-04:00

Hey SSG, I think you're tracking the PT and Land Nav portions of WOCS. The only thing I'd add there is that I don't remember the course being self correcting.

As for what else to expect, WOCS is made to be all about attention to detail. Prior to "pick-up" day, you're given something called the WOCSOP. This is your bible for the duration of the course. It ranges from how your socks should be stenciled and positioned in your drawers, to how to format any memos you might have to write for receiving a spot report (not the kind you're probably thinking).

The average WOCS day is PT, hygiene, breakfast, class, lunch, TAC officer time, class, dinner, taking care of your stuff for the next day, hygiene, taps. The biggest thing that seems to get some NCOs is going back to a BCT type training environment where you have little free time and you have to let others lead.

If you're going flight warrant, you can probably get some good G2 from this site: http://helicopterforum.verticalreference.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&section=search&do=search&fromsearch=1

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 8:29 PM

2015-05-08T20:29:04-04:00

Just show up ready to run everywhere and do repetitive exercises of patience and futility for no reason in particular. Bring extra PTs, and don't sweat the little things. If you don't know land nav by now, no amount of studying is going to make you any better at it. I found the course particularly easy, but we lost 15% of our class to it (2/3 of them ended up passing second time around)

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 5:20 AM

2015-05-09T05:20:02-04:00

Expect to lose 6 weeks that you can never get back. Half way through, I realized that these classes were all the same classes I'd gotten in PLDC. Essentially, it was a 6-week hazing session, made tolerable only because I knew I'd be going to Flight School when it was over.

Response by CW5(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-05-09T14:54:05-04:00

I believe I'm too far removed to provide accurate feedback on the current course. I would say expect to be treated like a private. Understand that there is a finite amount of time that you will be there and there is a goal at the end. From every experience you go through there is good and bad everywhere, so learn and take away from the course what you want and discard the rest. I've seen some people quit, as they are thinking in the moment and not the future of their Army career. Go to the school, lead and be led, and then be welcomed to the best groups of brothers and sisters the Army has. Best military decision I ever made.

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made May 9 at 2015 4:24 PM

2015-05-09T16:24:43-04:00

Take your time on the DL portion. If you fail, it counts as a failure when you get to Fort Rucker.

Watch this to help: https://www.facebook.com/USAWOCC/videos/ [login to see] 48512

Then go to CandidateNet to find out what you need to do:

https://www.milsuite.mil/book/community/spaces/apf/usawocc/warrant_officer_career_college

The U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College | Facebook

Warrant Officer Candidate School #WarrantOfficer #WOCC #Stewardship

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 6:41 PM

2015-05-09T18:41:11-04:00

Never thought I would see the day Phill... Congrats Brother! Are you going for Flight Warrant? I don't have any advice that could be better than what all the WOs have given you. Good luck!

Response by SGT Richard H. made May 9 at 2015 7:31 PM

2015-05-09T19:31:03-04:00

I've haven't been to WOCS, but I would assume that you should expect to work hard for 6 weeks and become a Warrant Officer.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 10 at 2015 8:14 AM

2015-05-10T08:14:10-04:00

Training,Training and more Training.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-05-11T13:28:51-04:00

Phil,

If you just got off the trail, I don't think you will have a problem. Know what you are good at, admit your weaknesses, and find someone in your class to help you. If you are terrible at writing memos, first, sucks to be you, second, find some 420A in your class or the next best thing who is awesome at it and get all the info you can from them. Being a WO is all about helping your fellow WO's get their job done. Tech, AV, doesn't matter. We just don't let other WO's fail, period.

Maximize your own time for your own improvement, but always make sure you are doing your part so the group meets the standard first.

For me, I latched on to the Intel and Signal folks. They were some of the smartest people I had come across in a military school. I was, and am still proud to know them.

Response by CW2(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 7:01 PM

2015-05-11T19:01:36-04:00

Expect they will make you feel uncomfortable, really tired, and challenge your decision to become a WO. Other than that have fun. Not knowing is half the fun. Oh and it is not a self correcting course; just listen to the instructors and do as they say.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jun 15 at 2015 10:16 AM

2015-06-15T10:16:59-04:00

I am chiming in late, but seriously as a SSG it is merely being able to swallow the pill. The pill is being at the bottom of the totem pole and having to get past the gatekeepers yet once again (usually the first one is your drill sergeant at basic). It is Army, everyone has said the courses and academics are in line with what one knows as a NCO before getting there. It was the best physical fitness of my 28 years to date, being ready for that is essential for survival. Being able to read, comprehend and follow written directions also (some actually lack at application). Just enjoy the time, you will be glad its over when done and share what you experienced after graduation here so everyone can benefit from your turn at WOCS.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2015 4:29 PM

2015-08-30T16:29:54-04:00

Thanks for the great advice everyone. I am scheduled to attend WOCs in March 2016. I am going to brush up on my land navigation and take my time on the DL portion.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2015 4:46 PM

2015-08-30T16:46:55-04:00

When I was considering WOCS, I was given two pieces of advice. One, remember that the clock does not stop and the sun will always set and rise. Second, time management. You will never have enough time to complete what they ask of you. Make good choices such has personal hygiene and leadership type choices. Things like making your bed or clean up around the barracks are lower on the priority list.

Response by CW2(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 10:23 AM

2015-09-22T10:23:52-04:00

Hey everyone,

Just letting you know I was selected for the Warrant Officer board! Thanks for all the input!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 9:57 AM

2016-04-20T09:57:43-04:00

The one thing that I believe you should expect and understand in Warrant Officer Basic is everyone (except aviation) is a knowledgable NCO. That means that everyone wants to be the guiding force. What has to happen is as a team the class must come together to achieve goals. That means egos aside coorperation is critical. Good luck. I am sure you will do fine.

Response by PO1 Bill O made Feb 14 at 2017 7:37 PM

2017-02-14T19:37:51-05:00

Lots of hard work, and years of happiness to follow!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2017 8:41 AM

2017-02-24T08:41:28-05:00

If you are going to Fort Rucker it is not a self correcting course, unless it changed since 2014. As far as surviving the school,learn how to be quiet and you will be fine. When its your turn to lead, lead. When its your turn to follow, follow. Too many Chiefs and not enough Indians about sums it up.

Response by CW2 Stephen Pate made Mar 12 at 2017 11:52 PM

2017-03-12T23:52:19-04:00

I think it's been said a few times already, but just keep a cool head. There are a lot of Senior NCOs there who all have a way they think things should be done. Confidence is not a bad thing, as this is what's expected of a senior NCO, but it causes drama and conflict because most if not all are type A personalities. Try not to stress, be where you are supposed to be, and memorize the WOCSOP! EVERYTHING you need to know is in there, regardless of what the other Candidates are saying. Convincing your Standards person of that is the key to the success of your class.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2017 6:03 PM

2017-05-13T18:03:48-04:00

CW2(P) Private RallyPoint Member ...So how about an update. How did WOCS compare with your expectations?