How hard is it to go to National Guard “Traditional” OCS?

2020-11-11T17:12:49-05:00

Are we talking units that have anyone with a pulse & a Bachelor’s will be hounded to go, or is it a fairly selective process, such as Federal OCS? Not looking for something easy, just want to see where I’m strong & lacking

If you could talk about your personal experience, general expectations both in school and on your time, as well as the process for branching, that would be fantastic!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2020 8:58 PM

2020-11-11T20:58:44-05:00

Traditional OCS will vary from state to state. The benefits of Traditional is the ability to digest the information over the course of a year, rather than drink from a fire hose for the 4 weeks of Phase 2. Phase 1 and 3 are both 2 week trainings that are mainly all field time, while Phase 2 is more classroom and tests. I enjoyed the traditional route, even though I know I could have completed the accelerated just as easy.

Response by COL John Rosnow made Nov 11 at 2020 10:27 PM

2020-11-11T22:27:06-05:00

I graduated from Minnesota Military Academy as an Army Reservist. Granted, it was awhile ago.

For Reservists, we had to meet all commissioning requirements before we were allowed to attend. National Guard Soldiers could work on those requirements while attending OCS.

Academic requirements were the same as Federal OCS. In fact, we took the exact same tests. The benefit to Federal OCS is you get it done all at once. Several people can't take that much time away from other commitments, so the State OCS program works well for that. Many find it difficult to stay motivated and go month after month. We lost over 50% of our initial class.

I would certainly recommend the program.

Response by COL John Rosnow made Nov 11 at 2020 10:38 PM

2020-11-11T22:38:38-05:00

Regarding branching, we all got whichever branch we wanted. That may no longer be the case though. It is always subject to the needs of the Army.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 11 at 2020 10:54 PM

2020-11-11T22:54:54-05:00

The selection process is relatively the same as Federal OCS, take into consideration that I commissioned in 1985 during the Reagan build up. At that time, the State would solicit all those that met the basic qualification, a degree and a 110+ GT Score to see if you were interested in OCS. We then had to take an aptitude test, and if you scored high enough, the rest of the process much like you have today. You submitted a packet with LOR's from your commanders, then went before a board. Although it was allowed to Commission in the Guard and Reserve with only 90 credit hours, all of the class I commissioned with had 4 year degrees.
The actual schedule for the traditional route varies a bit from state to state, but generally one or two "pre OCS" drills, then an AT period, a year of drill weekends, then a final AT period and commissioning at the end. The first couple of drills tend to be a combination of getting you the requirements and harassment. The harassment will continue throughout the school.
Upside is that you can work civilian job and commission. If you are smart and actually study between drill periods, the academics are not difficult.
The downside is having to psych yourself up once a month to put up with all the BS harassment. I detested my TAC's and still do to this day. I finally just considered them a trial I had to overcome to get what I wanted.
When I attended, most of us already knew what Branch we would commission. If there is one big advantage, it's that you have much more control of your branch. If you are planning to stay in the Guard, I would look at the units in the state. Combat Arms are the biggest branches, just like the regular Army, followed by Engineers. I commissioned Infantry and later branch transferred to the Engineers when I moved to Kentucky.
From that point, the schools move back to Active Army.
The drop out rate in the Traditional OCS is much higher than Federal OCS. IMO, the big reason is that it is hard to maintain a high level of motivation over 14 months.

Response by MAJ James Fitzgerald made Nov 12 at 2020 9:44 PM

2020-11-12T21:44:46-05:00

You should expect that the standards will be applied either way. There are several good comments about OCS, both Active and Guard. You should take my comments with the knowledge that I was commissioned in 1974. We graduated 23 from an original class of over 50 at the beginning. That class produced multiple O-6’s, LTC’s and one Major General. The MG was a life-long friend, as well as a fellow classmate. We buried him at Arlington in February, 2019. My point is that regardless of which commissioning method you select and commission from, your performance as a 2LT will be more important than the route you select to get there. Your Tactical Officers (presume they still exist with that title) you will never forget. I can still recall the names of my Tac Officers all these years later. If you are committed, you can achieve the goal of becoming a commissioned officer. You must be committed to over come the ups and downs emotionally, if you select the State OCS path. We lost more than 50% of our class for a variety of reasons, including lack of motivation, physical fitness and the last week before commissioning to academics in the case of one person. Good luck with your decision!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2020 11:09 PM

2020-11-12T23:09:15-05:00

SPC Carroll,
Generally in the Guard you will get the branch you request. While the comment by CPT Medvec with regards to the LOA generally seals the deal as you now have Battalion Commander fighting for you to be in his/her formation. As far as traditional v accelerated, I preferred the accelerated as it allowed me to commission one year prior to my classmates that went traditional and also allowed me more flexibility with my teaching position. You can't go wrong with either route as the standards applied are the same for that state...you might encounter slightly different/modified standards based on each state's interpretation of Benning's book on the matter as we are all modelled after the Federal Program. So long as you haven't been busted for DUI, can pass/maintain a security clearance background check and have 90+hrs of College you should be accepted into the program. What you do after that is entirely up to you and the internal motivation you bring to your future job. Good luck!