What should I write my essay about for OCS?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 15:47:40 -0500

I just need a starting point. Can anyone help me

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2020 4:13 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 16:13:35 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Search on "essay" and find the posts dealing with this topic. Good luck.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Dec 22 at 2020 4:20 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 16:20:32 -0500

It would help if you gave us the question you need to answer. For myself I like to use the "3 Tells" concept: paragraph 1: Tell me what you are going to tell me. i.e. I want to be an Officer based on the influence of George Washington, the ordeals of Captain Fuzzybear, and my father who was a fill in the blank. Paragraph 2,3,4, are the "Tell Me" paragraphs. They will be one paragraph each on the reasons listed in Paragraph one. Last Paragraph is the "Tell me what you told me " or a review and closure of the document. This is how I would do it, but there are other ways, and I am sure others will chime in. I hope this helps.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2020 4:22 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 16:22:05 -0500

If I was to write an essay for OCS, I would focus on Army Leadership; most likely the foundations of Army Leadership. To be a good officer, I would think understanding that would be critical. Just my opinion, best of luck!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2020 5:12 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 17:12:55 -0500

How about the Army Values and how you would apply them in a leadership position.

That's laying it on thick though.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 22 at 2020 7:16 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 19:16:11 -0500

Isn't the prompt for the essay: why do you want to be an Army Officer?

Read the question, answer the question.

SomethingsI would address
- why are you seeking a commission?
- why do you think you are suited to be an officer?
- what will you bring to help the Army succeed in its missions?

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Dec 22 at 2020 7:30 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 19:30:00 -0500

Start: Brief background about yourself and why you decided to join the Army. Other things to fit in: Since joining how has the Army transformed you into a leader.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2020 7:38 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 07:38:05 -0500

Get ready for this.... you will end up having to write a lot as an Officer. If you don’t like writing you better get use to it because you will find yourself up late at night by yourself writing Operation Orders while everyone else is sleeping. Don’t even get me started on NCOERs and OERs.
Maybe you should write about how your so excited about writing your first OPORD as an Officer haha.
Good Luck

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2024 11:58 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 23:58:07 -0500

SGT- As a serving NCO, who wants to be an officer, I trust you to put in the time and effort to be able to reduce to writing an essay that will encapsulate to the selection board the value you will add to the officer corps.

Put in the time, effort, research a few topics that are important to you, and then kick that essay in the ass!!!

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Jan 27 at 2024 10:12 AM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 10:12:33 -0500

"YES".....
Write About Your OCS Test.
It'll Be A Novelty, Perhaps Impress Them,
Even Surprise The Sh*t Right Out Of Them.
But Either Way, I Notice You're SGT, Enlistee...
Do NOT Ever Forget Where YOU Started From.
And Broadcast It Widely, So Others May See Their Possibilities Of Advancement ALSO!
THIS Is FROM 2020... So, If Ya Read This, Let Us Know How You're Doing..

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Jan 29 at 2024 10:26 PM

Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 22:26:30 -0500

Find any of the great leaders of this country; this could include Washington, Pershing, MacArthur, Grant, Hopper, Collins, Armstrong, Aldrin, Davis, Davis, and James (and more). Study their lives and described the great leadership models they provided.