During Army OCS, candidates receive a wide variety of instruction to include leadership, Soldier tasks, Infantry Battle Drills, Land Navigation, Drill and Ceremony, Marksmanship, Physical Fitness, and much more.  In fact, a total of 71 tasks are taught and tested during Army OCS.  All classes are designed to help develop the Officer Candidate into a competent, Army Officer.

During Army OCS, candidates must be prepared to experience mental and emotional stress.  In some ways, OCS is similar to basic training where the instructors “break you down” and mold you into a new person (i.e. Soldier/Officer).   Simply put, Army OCS is tough.  It is designed to weed out the weak and develop new, competent leaders, capable of leading Soldiers on the battlefield. 

What I find fascinating about Army OCS is that it enables enlisted Soldiers the opportunity to become Commissioned Officers.  From my 15 years of experience in the military, I’ve found some of the best Officers were commissioned through Army OCS.

On Active Duty, all OCS candidates attend the full-time OCS program either at an Active Duty installation or at a Regional Training Institute in the Army National Guard.

Army National Guard OCS Program

In the Army National Guard, Army OCS is offered in two different formats.  The traditional Army OCS program is a 16-month course conducted from April to August and consists of four phases:

Phase 0: This phase consists of two drill weekends and is designed to prepare OCS candidates for the Army OCS program.  This phase gives candidates a taste of what the OCS program is like and weeds out many of the candidates who truly aren't all that interested in completing the program.

Phase 1: This phase of the Army OCS program is a 15-day annual training, usually held in June.

Phase 2: This phase is a one-weekend-per-month phase for a period of 13-months.

Phase 3: This is a final 15-day Annual Training period, culminating with graduation and commissioning.

The Army National Guard also offers an accelerated Army OCS program for interested OCS candidates.  This phase is an 8-week, full-time program.  Upon successful completion of this 8-week training period, OCS candidates are commissioned as Second Lieutenants.  

As a stipulation, these Officer Candidates must complete all phases of the Basic Officer Leaders Course within 12 months.  In addition, Officers who are commissioned from this Army OCS program receive the same type of federally recognized commission as officers who graduate from the Active-Duty Army OCS program.

In my opinion, there are many reasons to attend the OCS program and become a Commissioned Officer.  


Top 10 reasons to Attend Army OCS.

1.  To Serve Your Country: Serving as an Officer is a great way to serve your country.

2.  To Become a Leader:  Officers are leaders.  If you are looking to develop your skills and become a better leader, you will learn these skills in the OCS Program.

3.  The Challenge: OCS is a challenging program.  It's not for the weak or indecisive.  Serving as an Officer is also a huge challenge.

4.  Personal Development: The Army OCS Program will challenge you.  You will develop your skills and become a better person and leader.

5.  Have a Fulfilling Career: If you plan on making the military a career, why not be an Officer?

6.  Earn More Money:  Money isn't everything.  But why not earn more money, while you serve.  This will improve your lifestyle and standard of living.

7.  Lead Soldiers: Leading Soldiers, especially in combat, is a great experience.

8.  Enjoy a Better Lifestyle: As an Army Officer, you will enjoy a better lifestyle.

9.  Be Part of a Proud Tradition: When you serve as an Army National Guard Officer, you will become part of a proud tradition, dating back nearly 400 years.

10.  The Responsibility: If you like responsibility, you will enjoy serving as an Officer.  You will supervise lots of Soldiers and be personally responsible for millions of dollars worth of equipment.

These are my top ten reasons to attend the Army OCS Program and join the Officer ranks.

In conclusion, the Army OCS Program is a great way to earn a commission.  Many of the Army’s most competent Officers first served as enlisted Soldiers.  If you are currently enlisted, but are considering transitioning to the Army officer ranks, OCS is your best bet!

Good Platoon Leader eBook for Army OCS Candidates.