Would I be competitive for OCS?

SPC Kevin Boothby — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 00:30:06 -0500

I am looking to go to OCS. I have only 3 years TIS and I am a Specialist. I am currently pursuing by Bachelor of Science in Religion. I have roughly 5 or 6 classes left, and I may have my degree this August (2016) My current GPA is 3.66. I do not have a security clearance; however I am confident that I can obtain one now. My PT score is around 270. I have recently been appointed a team leader by my squad leader. Based on what I have briefly written, would I be a good candidate for OCS?

Response by CPT Anthony Kennedy made Jan 21 at 2016 12:31 AM

CPT Anthony Kennedy — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 00:31:33 -0500

Apply apply and keep applying g till you get in

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2016 6:00 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 06:00:51 -0500

Leadership experience is a plus when applying for OCS. You need to get your PT score as high as possible and keep applying. Get great recommendations as well from LTC and above. It took me many failed attempts before I got into OCS so be prepared to keep trying. Hopefully, you will get accepted the first time.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Jan 21 at 2016 6:42 AM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 06:42:14 -0500

I applied and was accepted as a PFC so it is possible.

The things you would do to strengthen your file to get promoted are the same things that will help you for ocs. Good weapons, APFT, schooling, etc. Chase your dream and good luck.

Response by LTC Daniel Rogne made Jan 21 at 2016 6:55 AM

LTC Daniel Rogne — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 06:55:54 -0500

Take the shot and go for it. Make sure to get the maximum amount of letters of recommendation as the minimum may communicate that you are willing to do minimal things. In this case more is better.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2016 9:30 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 09:30:34 -0500

If you think you're up to it then go ahead and apply. The Army is looking for leaders and those that stand above the status quo. Half of my class was prior service enlisted (myself included) and we had everyone from former PFC's all the way up to SFC's. We had a prior service SSG drop because he didn't like being treated like PVT again (his words). OCS is demanding but it all depends on the individual.

PT and GPA are important but that won't carry you. I saw a graduate of a top university (who has a patent on some high speed medical device) completely freeze on the STX lanes. He was intelligent and physically fit but couldn't make a decision when push came to shove. Needless to say he didn't make it because, again, the Army is looking for leaders who will make decisions under pressure. Also, you don't always have to be right, but you better know when to own up and admit your mistakes.

The advice from others in this thread is good. Go above what is asked of you. I caution you though, being an officer comes with a lot of responsibility. Please make sure you want to do the job, as opposed to just receiving a boost in pay rate, or have to be saluted. If you commission and stroll up to your new unit with an attitude your NCO's will eat you alive, and your soldiers will see through your BS almost immediately. Trust them, and their experience.

To prep, study land nav, the TLP's, OPORD's, and WARNO's. If you have any questions please feel free to DM me. Best of luck to you.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2016 9:56 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 09:56:39 -0500

I've got a few questions for you:

Are you AD? I'm guessing you are based on your duty station. On that premise, OCS is very competitive to get into from what I understand for you AD folks. However, I would apply, apply, apply...as CPT Kennedy stated below.

Based on your current degree are you looking to join as a Chaplain?
If so, I believe you need a masters degree equivalent / attended seminary before being eligible for that but I would check that. If you are planning on going as a Chaplain you complete a totally different OCS course then what all eventual "General Branch" officers attend.

We need leaders like yourself in today's Army, your time in uniform & experience is going to be very valuable to all the 09S that come to OCS straight from Basic. You've got the motivation so either way you're already light years ahead of most folks. Best of luck and if you do get into OCS....BEWARE the history test!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2016 2:52 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 14:52:48 -0500

I applied as a specialist with just 9 months TIS. Never hurts to try!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2016 4:45 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 16:45:56 -0500

Good responses in this thread - all of it great advice. As a former SPC myself (OCS 2008) I concur to strengthen your file with the same items that make you better for your SGT board (APFT, weapons, college, positive leadership and rapport with your CoC.) The only thing I have to add to the conversation is my advice to apply. If it is a desire of yours and you have the afore mentioned qualities then going through the application process, although lengthy and sometimes stressful, will most certainly reflect positively upon you whether or not you are accepted. If its truly your goal - don't let anything stop you. The proof of your desire is your persistence so never give up!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jan 24 at 2016 7:01 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 07:01:26 -0500

I tend to like chatting about this sort of thing though I obviously know little about pastoral care things or chaplaincy aspects that being said though you are I gather army I might suggest a few thoughts such as they are from what I have generally understood though that is very little chaplains typically if that is what you might be aiming for often go through an OIS type of program as opposed to an OCS per se often 6 wks rather than 12 wks of course if you want some other line-type branch in whatever service then I'd expect that the normal OCS duration of 3 months Might be what you'd likely need to expect I did army rotc 3 yrs at a school in Brooklyn at a program that no longer exists then couldn't get into ft Bragg where the summer camp was and so went USAF ots in 79 at lackland in San Antonio where it was before now being at Maxwell in Alabama where I had to be recycled once to actually get through it OIS Indoc type programs are frequently for clinical legal chaplain or other specialized personnel as I said I'd known of I actually was in a grad school program some years later with a usn OIS grad who wore his class t shirt all the time so he and I would yak about it a good deal he was in a specialized instructor slot while navy that used OIS as its pipeline that's why he'd been through it though when I'd been at OTS one guy wore navy enlisted Dolphins so I knew of many who crossed over intrrservice depending on what service or work type you'd want there's also usmc platoon leaders corp (Plc) not an OCS though just s thought that might not have occurred to you though I'm not sure hoe long it lasts my mother in laws best high school friends son and I had been yakking at her birthday party with my wife he'd been army enlisted then went rotary wing flight through the WOCS at ft Rucker he never got deployed I understood thoug he then did jus bachelors in aviation through embry riddle and inter serviced to uscg which agreed to pick him up if army would release him so he finished out his 20 yrs with them as a rotary wing mission commander doing some neat stuff which while likely not your purpose I merely relate by way of illustration that was all look especially at the website for the OCS foundation s really good site for forums for the five normal services if you've any clinical thoughts look also at the usphs commissioned corps programs which often have higher age limits and if science look at the NOAA commissioned corps you could also try for a natl guard OCS as well or one of the other service warrant programs navy has the limited duty officer (LDO) program though you have to be pretty senior to get that o just mention it as not many know about it there's also AGR or guard or reserve tech spots if you want to try for dysl civil service drilling guard double dip retirement programs if heard of just s thought hope you find some of this of use if you'd card to elaborate more on your ultimate ambitions background hobbies etc I'd certainly be most eager to have a chance to chat further by all means anytime of course obviously as well

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2016 11:29 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 11:29:59 -0500

The first thing I always ask anyone wanting to go to OCS is why? Are you sure you understand the role officers play vs that of NCO's? An Officer's role is to plan and lead missions while an NCO's is to ecxecute. The higher in rank you go the less involved with troops you will be and the more administrative your role becomes. You are pretty much staff when you get to Major and above. The exception to that is being a Chaplain of course. If you think that being an officer is what you want to be, then go for it!