Officer Candidate School (OCS)

“Leaders aren’t born they are made.”

Officer Candidate School (OCS) is an excellent way to become a commissioned Officer. It is an efficient and effective school designed to bring out the very best leadership qualities in you. You have what it takes to reach your objective. The Army Guard can help take you there. We want to give you the opportunity to realize your potential as an Officer in the Army National Guard.

Click here to download the OCS Initial Screening Checklist

Three Paths to an OCS Commission

In the Army National Guard, we offer you the flexibility of three different paths to Officer Candidate School.  They are listed below:

• Federal OCS
  The Federal OCS program is held throughout the year at Fort Benning, Georgia. As in all of the OCS options, this 14-week program of instruction is designed to train and commission 2nd lieutenants. You will be challenged physically, mentally and emotionally. Here you will learn the fundamentals of leadership and basic military skills, Army Values and build a foundation of becoming a successful officer.  90 semester credits are required to attend this course.  Prospective applicants must apply for acceptance by Fort Benning’s OCS Regiment, 11th Infantry.
• Accelerated OCS
  The National Guard Bureau-sponsored Accelerated OCS program is compressed into eight intensive weeks. The three phases of this program can be held in three difference locations. Travel between the different locations is marked by the advancement to the next phase of OCS training.  90 semester credits are required to attend this course.
• State OCS (Traditional)
  Traditional OCS Candidates attend Pre-OCS (Phase 0), followed by Phase I as their Annual Training (AT) the first summer. They then drill in an IDT status for Phase II until the following summer. Next they attend Phase III as their AT the second summer. Phase III completes their training and then the candidates then qualify for appointment as Federally Recognized Second Lieutenants.  Traditional Candidates receive the advantage of being able to train in an IDT status. This gives them the opportunity to plan and conduct leadership training in a manner similar to what they will be expected to do once they are commissioned and assigned to a unit.  60 semester credits are required to begin the traditional program; 90 semester credits to graduate the program.  The traditional program is broken into four phases:
  • Phase 0:
    Begins at the 208th Regional Training Institute and is usually three drill weekends prior to the beginning of Phase I.  During this initial phase, Candidates meet the RTI and TAC staff, finish required paperwork and prepare for Phase I.
    
  • Phase I:
    Begins at Fort Meade, South Dakota.  Junior Phase focuses on the foundations of leadership. It is physically demanding and teaches the importance of teamwork and leadership responsibility. The primary event at Phase I is the FTX for Land Navigation.
  • Phase II:
    Focuses on the major coursework of OCS. Subjects include:  Leadership, Field Artillery, Military Intelligence, Combat Service Support, Communications, and Tactics. Physical Fitness requirements are continuous and there are several road marches culminating in a 12-mile road march.  Upon completion of Phase II, the candidate will advance to Senior Phase located at Fort Lewis, Washington. Focuses on leadership in a tactical environment. Candidates will spend the majority of their time in the field conducting squad and platoon missions. The primary goal is the assessment of the Candidate’s ability to lead a platoon in a combat environment.

RANK STRUCTURE: AT A GLANCE

SECOND LIEUTENANT (2LT) (Addressed as "Lieutenant")

Typically the entry-level rank for most Commissioned Officers. Leads platoon-size elements consisting of the platoon SGT and two or more squads (16 to 44 Soldiers).

FIRST LIEUTENANT (1LT) (Addressed as "Lieutenant")

A seasoned lieutenant with 18 to 24 months service. Leads more specialized weapons platoons and indirect fire computation centers. As a senior Lieutenant, they are often selected to be the Executive Officer of a company-sized unit (110 to 140 personnel).

CAPTAIN (CPT) (Addressed as "Captain")

Commands and controls company-sized units (62 to 190 Soldiers), together with a principal NCO assistant. Instructs skills at service schools and combat training centers and is often a Staff Officer at the battalion level.

MAJOR (MAJ) (Addressed as "Major")

Serves as primary Staff Officer for brigade and task force command regarding personnel, logistical and operational missions.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL (LTC) (Addressed as "Lieutenant Colonel " or "Colonel")

Typically commands battalion-sized units (300 to 1,000 Soldiers), with a CSM as principal NCO assistant. May also be selected for brigade and task force Executive Officer.

COLONEL (COL) (Addressed as "Colonel")

Typically commands brigade-sized units (3,000 to 5,000 Soldiers), with a CSM as principal NCO assistant. Also found as the chief of divisional-level staff agencies.

BRIGADIER GENERAL (BG) (Addressed as "General")

Serves as Deputy Commander to the commanding general for Army divisions. Assists in overseeing the staff's planning and coordination of a mission.

MAJOR GENERAL (MG) (Addressed as "General")

Typically commands division-sized units (10,000 to 15,000 Soldiers).

LIEUTENANT GENERAL (LTG) (Addressed as "General")

Typically commands corps-sized units (20,000 to 45,000 Soldiers).

GENERAL (GEN) (Addressed as "General")

The senior level of Commissioned Officer typically has over 30 years of experience and service. Commands all operations that fall within their geographical area. The Chief of Staff of the Army is a four-star General.

GENERAL OF THE ARMY (GOA)

This is only used in time of War where the Commanding Officer must be equal or of higher rank than those commanding armies from other nations. The last officers to hold this rank served during and immediately following WWII.