When requesting Commission, and attending OCS, what are some challenges that one can experience? And how did you over come them?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 22:18:44 -0500

Response by 1LT Christopher Sorge made Feb 9 at 2016 10:37 PM

1LT Christopher Sorge — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 22:37:03 -0500

One does not request a commission, one earns a commission. There are plenty of challenges but remember if you want it bad enough do not give up!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 10:41 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 22:41:59 -0500

Well those are two different challenges. I start OCS next week and it took 6months to obtain the recommendations needed. It really was a struggle to just get the paperwork in from of the general. My commander signed he paperwork in August and it took having my NCO support lines to help move it up the chain to finally reach the generals desk. Now the next challenge starts.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 7:01 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 07:01:36 -0500

Wording/verbiage will matter more as an officer.
My biggest struggle was being hands off. I was accustomed to working with Soldiers (as an E3-E5) that having to tell them what to do and walk away was hard.
There is much more paperwork on the officer side of the house. Referenees will be your biggest friend. Prepare to do many additional duties and risk assessments.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Feb 10 at 2016 9:59 AM

MAJ David Vermillion — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 09:59:09 -0500

Communicating your thoughts and ideas and most important of all being a good listener with your head, ears, eyes, hand gestures, body language and knowing when to speak. Listen, listen and not being a know it all.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 11:22 AM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 11:22:27 -0500

If you are a competent person with a level head you'll be just fine. Take it seriously at all times (even when it's game playing time). Be in great shape. Don't build up OCS to be something that it's not. It's not difficult to pass, it's more difficult to excel. Effort is everything.

Greatest challenge will be to keep your head in the game as a prior service candidate. You're not too good for anything they do. If you ever think you are, they will identify that and being on the bad side of the cadre is almost a guaranteed recycle.

Peer reviews matter. A lot. So use your experience to help the candidates in your class. Peers aside, helping other people will benefit everyone.

I just went this past summer so if you want more info PM me. This school changes all the time. Experiences will reflect that.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 10 at 2016 11:36 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 11:36:35 -0500

It was a breeze for me as I had a supportive commander.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 12:56 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:56:28 -0500

Here's a couple pointers I have some buddies getting ready to to go Benning for OCS:

1) Be healthy and good st PT.
2) Keep your head in the game the whole time. For me, the mental aspect was more challenging than the physical aspect.
3) Study for your tests, ESPECIALLY for the history week (10 days).
4) Act like an officer. We sometimes get bad reps from our enlisted Soldiers, but you're there to become an officer despite that. Embrace it. Act like the professionals we ALL are in the military, but you have to lead that culture of professionalism.
5) LT Everett said it perfectly, "it's not difficult to pass, it's more difficult to excel." This could not be more true. Everyone there is going to be on top of their game and you should be too, especially when it comes to branching week!
6) Be prepared to make mistakes and be very open to criticism. You're going to mess up, take the ass chewing but KEEP the advice and guidance your mentors provide after.

Good luck!

Response by CPT Gary Jugenheimer made Feb 10 at 2016 1:59 PM

CPT Gary Jugenheimer — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:59:31 -0500

I wish you the best and commend you for your desire to improve as a person and a soldier...I attended OCS at Fort Benning in 1968 and it was one of the most memorable times in my life....sure, it was a challenge and many times the methods of the tacs were in question....how about this, we as a platoon had done something wrong, I cannot remember what the infraction was, but on a daily basis there was always something....the tac woke us early, it was dark out yet, and told us to get in formation in the company area.....we moved to the Airborne track across the street and they made us low crawl around the track....unbeknownst to the tac was that they had put fresh tar on the track the previous evening and we low-crawled a streak of tar from the track to the company area....then we had to get, believe this or not. brushes and rags using gasoline to remove the tar from the concrete.....someone got hell for this I am sure....Dustin, you will be challenged on a daily basis...trust in your classmates, give them support as this is a team effort...you will become discouraged at times, but look to the end result....you will become a 2LT and this is the bonus you are seeking!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 4:48 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 16:48:23 -0500

My experience wasn't with Army OCS...but there are doubtless common elements:

1. As a "prior", you're going to probably feel like they're making you do things "all over again"...that's going to sting a little, but always bear in mind that your experiencing the same old harassment package from a different perspective...eventually, your experience will make HUGE differences.

2. We all know the worn out adage, "I ain't paid to think", is a myth at any rank...but you will be evaluated on your ability to think under pressure in a leadership role in much more focused way. It helps to develop a sense of the "bigger picture" early on.

3. You will be competing more than team building...and against younger folks. The cons are that up to now, you've been part of team achievement, whereas now, you'll be individually assessed. The pros are that you understand how it feels to be part of a team much better than most, which will ultimately make you a better leader.

4. Mr. Everett has laid down some great advice...I'll leave it at that.

Bonne Chance!

Response by MAJ Jack Horn, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, CCTP, CCTP-II, CCFP, CDBT made Feb 16 at 2016 1:19 PM

MAJ Jack Horn, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, CCTP, CCTP-II, CCFP, CDBT — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 13:19:02 -0500

I went through in 1979. I also found that the mental aspect was more important than the physical (not that being in excellent condition wasn't important.). The TACs were always scheming to get into our heads. I had a nice chat with my TAC Officer after graduation. He told me that I had been identified early on as discard material by several other TACs and they expended extra effort to break me. I mean, big time efforts. Unusually so, even with a nearly 50% loss rate in our class already. He laughed as he told me this, because he told them they were making a mistake. My personality profile is not the standard one and it is often mistaken as weak, when it is not. Not only did I graduate, but I was an honor graduate, which, IMHO, was the best possible revenge.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 1:35 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 13:35:09 -0500

It depends on the individual. For those OC's who are newer to the military, the learning curve might be a little intimidating. For prior service NCO's, I think the hardest thing is to NOT carrying those who are falling behind. I've seen it as Officer Candidate, and as a TAC Officer.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 1:13 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 13:13:32 -0400

It becomes you believing in your reasons to become an officer. It becomes your character as to how you handle those obstacles now - They are a base line to how you will handle them as an officer. Do not bad mouth anyone. No one owes us anything. People may know when they do right or wrong. Master the process focus on study and remember, America needs moral and ethical leaders, you are competing with thousands of people for limited opportunity. What makes you the best candidate is to understand the investment the Government is making and your plan to see it through.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 26 at 2019 1:59 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 01:59:24 -0400

Trust me...getting done...been there, done that (BTDT) (three times, honest, once trying through Army ROTC, and going through USAF OTS twice)...actually, you're genuinely lucky being prior enlisted, for real, you'll adjust a WHOLE lot faster to the role than I EVER did, honest...I mean, God knows, it'd have helped me, definitely, for sure, I kid thee not....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 26 at 2019 2:02 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 02:02:13 -0400

As for getting done, also, truly...there but for the grace of God went I, I kid thee not....