How to succeed in Army OCS

Learn about the big hurdles like the history test and land navigation, learn about branching and the OML, and tips on success. Opinions are my own and not that of DoD.
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[@robertprice9052]

Thanks for pointing out that the course evolves and changes. I graduated in 1984 and was a TAC years later. The course changes. Land Nav was always a big killer. Call for Fire and Training management kicked a bunch. My advise as a grad and TAC is to show up in great shape with a solid attitude. Polish you soldier skills and realize its a leadership course. Be a leader and a good follower. Keep your eyes open and learn from your mistakes and other's. Great video - thanks

[@richfrazier8756]

Graduated from Army OCS in class 27-69. Back then OCS was 6 months. The test everyone feared back then was Tactics not land nav although we had a few guys fail land nav. They had one chance to retest and were recycled if they failed a second time.

[@mikelobes3659]

I'm cross decking from being an enlisted Marine to Army OCS. Thanks for the help. This seems very useful. #thumbsup

[@zobekguerrero1366]

Same here. How would you compare Marine enlisted bootcaamp and Army OCS?

[@dylancubilette6843]

Super helpful video thanks.

[@123admini2r]

Welcome back dude

[@hannafarmer9760]

Have a great merry Christmas

[@silencedknight]

What are the most in demand branches? You mentioned being MI as number one which is on par with other videos.

[@dylandrake5352]

I am really considering doing Army OCS as an Infantry Officer. I know that this is the most likely path for getting accepted into Army OCS, plus I want to serve my comrades into combat. My only problem is I don't have much leadership experience. I have many mangers and employers who could give me great reviews and speak the world of me and what a great employee I am. Other than that, I don't have much of a leg to stand on in terms of leadership, although I think I have what it takes. What is the best path to take and the best case to make in front of the board?

[@MrBowjingle]

Why is MI high in demand? Is it really that cool of a job?

[@LegarretaRandom]

Thanks Man

[@Mythrilx2]

Should I be worried about the PT? Got a slot for 09S. Going to basic soon, and then straight to OCS afterwards. Got a little bit of anxiety about leaving the civilian side haha. Awesome info by the way!

[@AlexCook]

I mean I left a high income finance job so whatevs. Do what you want. But anyways - have you done some mock PT tests? How have you been doing? One thing in BCT that I had to get used to, but didn't take long to adjust, was the grading for pushups, which was stricter than how I was training. Be sure to go all the way down and lock out elbows at the top. Do that in practice, and in performance you'll be fine.

[@mikeouellette111]

Sean hajdu loves you!!

[@taileezz]

Quick question about the history test, are they multiple choice or some essay questions? What are the topic of the paper if there is one that people need to write in ocs?

[@robertpereira4395]

Do you have any suggestions for individuals with no prior military experience going into OCS? I'm a College Grad in route to basic ----> OCS. Just doing a bit of research before August rolls around!

[@AlexCook]

I had no prior experience either. There's likely going to be a good number of prior experience Soldiers in your class or at least there was for mine, but the cadre is there to train everyone up regardless. The worst part of Basic is 1) reception, when you're just sitting and waiting to get your stuff, and 2) the very last week before graduation when you're just cleaning up and turning in equipment, and also everyone hates each other by that point lol. Once you actually start training, it goes by fast.

[@hannahlockwood9407]

Do you have any more information about the grad run? I start basic in a month and then OCS immediately following

[@AlexCook]

Sure. As of FEB2017, the run was from the OCS campus (you can find that on Google maps) to the Chattahoochee river, which is almost exactly 2.5 miles. You will then pause there at the river for a ceremony. When you first class up into OCS, you paint a rock with your name and a gold bar, representing the 2LT rank. The graduation runs are for the entire OCS battalion, meaning HHC, Alpha Co, Bravo Co, Charlie, everyone. The graduating class is the lead element with subsequent classes trailing and HHC in the rear. On your graduation run, once at the river for the ceremony, you will throw your rock into the river, and the legend is that the further the rock goes, the further your career will go. You will then run back to the OCS campus on the same route, so another 2.5 miles. However, this time you will be going uphill more of the way, including this one hill called "Cardiac Hill" which is often used for hill sprints. Overall pace is about 9 minute pace. tl;dr, be comfortable running 5 miles in 45 minutes with some hills here and there, and you will be good to go--especially since you have a break in between for the ceremony. For PT, we'd do runs from the OCS campus to the National Infantry Museum which is a more challenging run than the grad run, so we were pretty squared away. Moreover, like I said, this is for the whole battalion, so before your grad run, you likely will have gone on 3 or 4 other grad runs in honor of the other classes, so it won't be your first time on that route. If you branch Engineer, you will end up running on Car Wash Hill at Ft. Leonard Wood and rucking up 6 Mile Hill and 8 Mile Hill on the Sapper School course, all of which make Cardiac Hill look small by comparison. Not saying this to try to sound all high speed or what not, but the grad run is DEFINITELY doable as long as you put the training in, and if you branch combat arms you will likely have more demanding training later so just put things in proper perspective. Hundreds if not thousands of 2LTs have done this grad run before you, and there's no reason why you can't either. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

[@0ryGreg1]

Hey Hannah. How did it go for you? I'm about to do the exact same thing

[@Science_WithSimon]

Do you have any recommendations for preparing for the Army History portion before going to OCS? I have a few months split option before I attend OCS and if its as rigorous as what I'm hearing it is, I'd love to get a jump on the curriculum if I could. Do you sell your notes or are there particular textbooks you use that I could purchase?

[@cookiesinmynose69]

Cant really do that its a up to the instructor what material is on the test and it follows the METT-TC he puts on the slideshows and lectures. He states that using things besides the book and slideshows will be bad for you. Its really not bad just read ahead and review the study guide before and after class.

[@AlexCook]

Just take good notes in class and do study sessions with your peers at night. You don't need to prep for history before you ship off. Spend that time running and hitting the gym.

[@macsdaddy3383]

Quick question. I herd an off-hand comment that the Army is now requiring all its regular (e.g. those not professional degree direct commissioning types) NPS (Non-Prior Service) OCS candidates to go through full Army BCT first, before they then access to the Army OCS Program. This is a very interesting concept and I could see it being very beneficial to make better quality & trained officer's, esp. those coming from civilian college life directly into the service. Any truth to this, and if so, when did the Army start doing this?

[@AlexCook]

It's been the case for a long time. I shipped off to BCT in August 2016 but it was going on long before then. Marine OCS is different in that you go straight to OCS although their OCS is more "boot camp" style, and then an Officer training program they call The Basic School before functional training. Army is BCT, OCS, functional training (BOLC). Not as familiar with other service branches.

[@Conrad1867]

Really appreciate this! So, how old were you when you went into OCS? I'm 32 and just started getting my application ready. Still waiting on one more recommendation letter until I have my initial checklist application ready for the recruiter.

[@AlexCook]

29

[@cokamo86]

Me too 32 and I’ve just began my packet. I’m a little nervous.

[@Conrad1867]

Full speed ahead, brother. Scheduled to do MEPs in a couple of weeks and should have my Board interview in July.

[@cokamo86]

Conrad1867 lol good luck let me know how the interview board goes I’m nervous about that and one small thing .... I’m 100% female. Haha maybe I should add a picture. Lol

[@IrishPennant0311]

I’m about to turn 32, and am PS considering OCS. I feel old as shit sometimes haha!

[@isaiahstevenson8923]

I have a question for you. Im currently going through AIT at Fort Lee and my MOS is 92F as an E-4. My goal is to pursue OCS next yr. I have a master degree on top of that. My plan is to talk to my NCO when I get to my station because I want to enroll into the Fast program to improve my GT score. Do you suggest I go E-5 first and than OCS? I just need a little direction.

[@AlexCook]

I know that it's a totally different ball game for in-service applying for OCS than it is for civilians just walking in off the street, which is what I was doing. My advice would be if your career goal is to become an Officer, go for it at your soonest opportunity. We had a number of NCOs in my OCS class, but again, this depends on your personal career goals, if you want to get some junior enlisted/NCO time for your own personal experience or not. Since you already have a Masters degree I don't think your various ASVAB scores are going to be too big of a deal as long as you meet the qualifications. That said, absolutely kill your APFT and try to max that out.

[@isaiahstevenson8923]

Alex Cook thank you I really appreciate the advice sir

[@nagantm441]

Are you active or guard/reserve?

[@ginaseo3960]

Anyone has samples of recommended letter?

[@Rameses3113]

Are you active duty?

[@ReassuringSmile]

How long is active duty obligation upon conclusion of OCS?

[@AlexCook]

ADSO is 3 years from your successful completion of OCS and commissioning. The clock starts when you pin on 2LT. BCT and OCS itself don't count toward the ADSO. BOLC and follow on schools (Ranger, Sapper, etc.) do count, however, since you're already a 2LT at that point.

[@ReassuringSmile]

what's the graduation rate of OCS?

[@peteyBron23]

How many candidates are there generally per class?

[@AlexCook]

Mine graduated 67 but that was definitely on the low end and unusual. Normally it's closer to 100 or more.

[@jessicashaw6785]

What did you branch?

[@AlexCook]

Engineer

[@laxthor09]

What is MI?

[@nagantm441]

Military intelligence

[@ChrisHawkinsE]

I want to go JAG. I am prior service (11B) I am about to get my BA in history. Is it possible that I go through OCS and not get JAG? Cause I do not want to go back to infantry lol.

[@AlexCook]

JAG goes through Direct Commission Course (DCC), not OCS. OCS did not have JAG slots, just like it doesn't have Doctor or Chaplain slots. Not sure if you need your law degree in advance or not - your best bet is to talk to a recruiter.

[@ChrisHawkinsE]

@@AlexCook thanks man

[@dillonzhang978]

I think you should have the highest IQ score possible to get your desired internal branch.

[@TheKittyClink]

IQ isnt a good measure. You need to have high Asvab scores with with in GT and helps alot I'd you score high in all line scores. I dont want some high IQ person who's gonna get stressed and die. I would want a well rounded officer. My opinion after 10 years in the service as an NCO. I'm an infantry NCO going to OCS and having a blast. So easy tbh

[@darellbell9023]

I went to ARMY OCS. I got my GOLD BARS. I am a FORMER soldier.

[@javierrivera6030]

Darell Bell hey mate random questions, the exam are in multiple choices?