OCS
OCS
Posted on Jun 17, 2015
Army OCS Branching - What have been your experiences and what do you recommend?
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Heading to OCS in a few days. I have assembled a packet to submit for branching Field Artillery (as I am a 13F). The more I think about it the more I have second thoughts on pursuing this branch as a commissioned officer. Obviously I have some time before the decision has to be made and I hope to get some quality firsthand experience compiled here by the time I select.
I am looking for...
1. Personal experiences in branch selection (regardless of commissioning source) and things you wish you knew beforehand.
2. Your personal opinions and experiences in your branch of choice.
3. Recommendations for branch selection.
Thank you ahead of time.
I am looking for...
1. Personal experiences in branch selection (regardless of commissioning source) and things you wish you knew beforehand.
2. Your personal opinions and experiences in your branch of choice.
3. Recommendations for branch selection.
Thank you ahead of time.
OCS
Officer
Mentorship
13A: Field Artillery Officer
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 23
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Sgt. Everett,
Going into the same Branch as an officer as you were Enlisted is the easy route. You know the job, the community, the culture. You have to decide what's best for you and your family. This is a rare opportunity for you to challenge yourself and take your career to new direction. By going into another branch totally different from FA, you could capitalize on your enlisted FA experience and bring that to another branch. Or you could go back to FA and utilize your experience to the best of your ability. Bottom line, the Army will always make the best decision for the Army, but you can influence this decision with your "wish list".
Without looking at your file and knowing you or speaking with you, to advise on a specific branch would be folly and a waste of time.
You've got to evaluate yourself, your goals for the future, and come to a decision that's best for you. You've been in the Army long enough to gravitate to one Branch or another. Do your homework and seek out information personally through face to face interaction with officers of the branches you are interested in.
Best of luck!
RLTW!
Going into the same Branch as an officer as you were Enlisted is the easy route. You know the job, the community, the culture. You have to decide what's best for you and your family. This is a rare opportunity for you to challenge yourself and take your career to new direction. By going into another branch totally different from FA, you could capitalize on your enlisted FA experience and bring that to another branch. Or you could go back to FA and utilize your experience to the best of your ability. Bottom line, the Army will always make the best decision for the Army, but you can influence this decision with your "wish list".
Without looking at your file and knowing you or speaking with you, to advise on a specific branch would be folly and a waste of time.
You've got to evaluate yourself, your goals for the future, and come to a decision that's best for you. You've been in the Army long enough to gravitate to one Branch or another. Do your homework and seek out information personally through face to face interaction with officers of the branches you are interested in.
Best of luck!
RLTW!
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As an OCS grad myself, I will tell you that the Army almost always gives you the same branch you held when you were enlisted. I even went through with a guy who had been in the Ranger Batt, got out to get his engineering degree and tried to go Engineers, but they branched him Infantry. Hard to fight if you get a branch you don't want. 97% of OCS grads in my class were assigned to combat arms, even the gals.
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
Thank you for the info sir. I know with my current qualifications I would bring a good deal of experience and training with me into the FA officer corp. Not to mention the money saved on training in branch specific schools that I've attended. Thank you for taking the time to offer your experience sir.
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CPT Joseph Daugherty
I had been light and airborne Infantry for 9 years prior to going to OCS, and I was branched into Field Artillery. My "dream sheet" was:
1-Signal Corps,
2-Military Intelligence,
3-Infantry,
4-Armor,
5-Field Artillery.
One surprise in your question is that you say you're leaving for OCS in a few days but still have time to submit your branch preferences. When I applied for OCS in 1998, the branch preference and first duty station "dream sheet" was a required part of the application. When the official OCS selection board results were published, they included each applicant's name, current enlisted duty station, OCS class number and start/finish dates, and the officer branch OBC to which each applicant would attend upon successful completion of OCS. My initial branch as an officer was assigned as part of my acceptance into OCS. My first duty station of Fort Hood (also #5 on my "dream sheet") after completion of FAOBC was assigned by the FA branch during the first or second week of FAOBC. The only ways I could have changed my initial branch would have been: (1) contact the officer branch manager of my desired branch and convince him I was the greatest future Signal Corps officer the Army ever would see, and then he would have to contact the Field Artillery officer branch manager to try to convince the FA to give me up so the SC could have me, or, more likely, he would have to trade a SC officer candidate to the FA for me
1-Signal Corps,
2-Military Intelligence,
3-Infantry,
4-Armor,
5-Field Artillery.
One surprise in your question is that you say you're leaving for OCS in a few days but still have time to submit your branch preferences. When I applied for OCS in 1998, the branch preference and first duty station "dream sheet" was a required part of the application. When the official OCS selection board results were published, they included each applicant's name, current enlisted duty station, OCS class number and start/finish dates, and the officer branch OBC to which each applicant would attend upon successful completion of OCS. My initial branch as an officer was assigned as part of my acceptance into OCS. My first duty station of Fort Hood (also #5 on my "dream sheet") after completion of FAOBC was assigned by the FA branch during the first or second week of FAOBC. The only ways I could have changed my initial branch would have been: (1) contact the officer branch manager of my desired branch and convince him I was the greatest future Signal Corps officer the Army ever would see, and then he would have to contact the Field Artillery officer branch manager to try to convince the FA to give me up so the SC could have me, or, more likely, he would have to trade a SC officer candidate to the FA for me
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CPT Joseph Daugherty
Sorry, I wasn't finished when I accidently bumped the "post" button.
A second method OCS students had for changing their assigned initial officer branch was to find another OCS student in their class (or the OCS class immediately preceding or following) assigned to a different branch and convince them to trade branch assignments with you. If you could find someone willing to make a branch swap deal, you both had to put the requested branch swap deal into writing and submit it for approval through the OCS commandant to both of the affected officer branches' managers for official request, evaluation and approval or denial. During the request phase, both officer candidates agreeing to the branch swap usually had to meet with their OCS company commander, the OCS adjutant, and the OCS commandant/battalion commander to explain each person's desire to swap branched and confirm that the deal is a mutual agreement. In most cases, if it's a mutual agreement between the two officer candidates AND both successfully graduate OCS and receive commissions, then the swap is approved. I have seen branch swaps conditionally approved quickly by both branches only to have the swap cancelled after one of the officer candidates failed out of OCS and chose to return to his former enlisted unit rather than recycle into a later OCS class.
A second method OCS students had for changing their assigned initial officer branch was to find another OCS student in their class (or the OCS class immediately preceding or following) assigned to a different branch and convince them to trade branch assignments with you. If you could find someone willing to make a branch swap deal, you both had to put the requested branch swap deal into writing and submit it for approval through the OCS commandant to both of the affected officer branches' managers for official request, evaluation and approval or denial. During the request phase, both officer candidates agreeing to the branch swap usually had to meet with their OCS company commander, the OCS adjutant, and the OCS commandant/battalion commander to explain each person's desire to swap branched and confirm that the deal is a mutual agreement. In most cases, if it's a mutual agreement between the two officer candidates AND both successfully graduate OCS and receive commissions, then the swap is approved. I have seen branch swaps conditionally approved quickly by both branches only to have the swap cancelled after one of the officer candidates failed out of OCS and chose to return to his former enlisted unit rather than recycle into a later OCS class.
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James Hiler
I desperatly want to go OCS Infantry. If that's my first choice, are you saying there's a good chance I get it?
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CPT(P) (Join to see), First, Congratulations and Good Luck.
1. Why did you want to be an Officer? Why did you want to be an FA Officer?
2. Why are you having reservations about it now?
3. What do you want to do?
You need to pick a branch you will be happy in, and where your heart will be.
I was branched Armor out of OCS (1-85), but when we were selected we all knew when we got our orders what branch we were getting; from 80 to 84, I was an enlisted MP. I voluntarily branch transferred back to MP in 87. I could not see myself as a Armor Officer for a career. My heart was in the MP branch, and I felt like I was not in the right place. I was training for SFAS as well, as I was either going to be a MP again, or going to try for SF.
Now, as you know (since like 2010), OCS Candidates pick their branch based on OML, just like ROTC and USMA. That is a good thing. So, do your best, classes, PT, etc., so you can decide and get what you want. I (we) did not have that option. But, branching Armor (as a prior service MP) was the best experience I could have ever asked for. It made me a better MP Officer, I am certain, than if I was branched MP out of OCS.
1. Why did you want to be an Officer? Why did you want to be an FA Officer?
2. Why are you having reservations about it now?
3. What do you want to do?
You need to pick a branch you will be happy in, and where your heart will be.
I was branched Armor out of OCS (1-85), but when we were selected we all knew when we got our orders what branch we were getting; from 80 to 84, I was an enlisted MP. I voluntarily branch transferred back to MP in 87. I could not see myself as a Armor Officer for a career. My heart was in the MP branch, and I felt like I was not in the right place. I was training for SFAS as well, as I was either going to be a MP again, or going to try for SF.
Now, as you know (since like 2010), OCS Candidates pick their branch based on OML, just like ROTC and USMA. That is a good thing. So, do your best, classes, PT, etc., so you can decide and get what you want. I (we) did not have that option. But, branching Armor (as a prior service MP) was the best experience I could have ever asked for. It made me a better MP Officer, I am certain, than if I was branched MP out of OCS.
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1LT (Join to see)
Good Evening COL Williams,
Could you tell me more about your time in as an MP Officer? I'm currently an Officer Candidate now at OCS (set to commission in July) and am extremely interested in branching MP (I'm working on a branch packet now for it).
Very Respectfully,
OC Domby
Could you tell me more about your time in as an MP Officer? I'm currently an Officer Candidate now at OCS (set to commission in July) and am extremely interested in branching MP (I'm working on a branch packet now for it).
Very Respectfully,
OC Domby
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COL Charles Williams
U.S. Army Military Police Officer
Military Police is one of the United States Army's basic branches.
1LT (Join to see) - OCS 1-85
Well, in simple terms, if you like to move, shoot and communicate... If you like to do a wide variety of tasks... (MP = Multi-Purpose) in war and at home... If you want to be in a branch that is always in high demand... Especially in theater.... and if you like (as a Platoon or Company) to have more firepower and ammunition than a Light Infantry Company/Battalion, and best yet... you rarely have to walk... Then MP is a good choice. The only choice in my view. I don't like to walk in... I prefer to roll in.
MPs deployed do a lot of the same tasks they do at home... but instead of one car patrolling alone at Fort Bragg... it is a squad in heavily armed armored vehicles patrolling in the worse places on earth... ready to bring hurt when necessary. Good times.
At home we have a very real mission, both doing Law Enforcement and Corrections, and also training for War. When deployed we essentially do what Cavalry Scouts do (I can say that as it is true and makes sense, and because I was a Scout Platoon Leader); that is ... we look for the bad guys, protect the force, and when necessary we fight.
I many places, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan, I have had MP squads and platoons respond to reinforce and support Infantry units in contact. Those units don't care who comes, as long someone does... What could be better than a squad or platoon showing up with armored trucks, and lots of weapons, ammo, commo etc...
Being MP is great, but you need to have thick skin... as no one will give you a break... You will be the butt of many jokes... But, when it matters, Maneuver Commanders can't get enough MP support. You must know you that we matter, they can't live without us, but also that we are not the main effort.
The is Infantry is the main effort. The Army is built around Infantry. The rest of us support Infantry.
Try this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3aGShtma9w
Well, in simple terms, if you like to move, shoot and communicate... If you like to do a wide variety of tasks... (MP = Multi-Purpose) in war and at home... If you want to be in a branch that is always in high demand... Especially in theater.... and if you like (as a Platoon or Company) to have more firepower and ammunition than a Light Infantry Company/Battalion, and best yet... you rarely have to walk... Then MP is a good choice. The only choice in my view. I don't like to walk in... I prefer to roll in.
MPs deployed do a lot of the same tasks they do at home... but instead of one car patrolling alone at Fort Bragg... it is a squad in heavily armed armored vehicles patrolling in the worse places on earth... ready to bring hurt when necessary. Good times.
At home we have a very real mission, both doing Law Enforcement and Corrections, and also training for War. When deployed we essentially do what Cavalry Scouts do (I can say that as it is true and makes sense, and because I was a Scout Platoon Leader); that is ... we look for the bad guys, protect the force, and when necessary we fight.
I many places, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan, I have had MP squads and platoons respond to reinforce and support Infantry units in contact. Those units don't care who comes, as long someone does... What could be better than a squad or platoon showing up with armored trucks, and lots of weapons, ammo, commo etc...
Being MP is great, but you need to have thick skin... as no one will give you a break... You will be the butt of many jokes... But, when it matters, Maneuver Commanders can't get enough MP support. You must know you that we matter, they can't live without us, but also that we are not the main effort.
The is Infantry is the main effort. The Army is built around Infantry. The rest of us support Infantry.
Try this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3aGShtma9w
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1LT (Join to see)
Thank you for your in-depth response, Sir! MP certainly sounds like something I'd truly enjoy doing - even if it comes at the cost of some joking and harassment... I'm hoping that I'll be able to branch into that right out of OCS - I'm almost done with my branch packet, still working on getting some letters of recommendation.
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COL Charles Williams
1LT (Join to see) - Hooah, I was branched Armor and spent 2 years there. We could not compete for branching when I was there.
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