Revisiting the OCS option

[Edmond]

A couple years ago, I looked into OCS for the USMC. Long story short, I didn't go that route.

Now, I'm looking into it again but for the Army. My sister and brother in law are in the Army so I guess that has some influence to it.

I've already met with the recruiter and the paperwork is filled out. I'm taking my test, medical and security clearance interview all scheduled on the 23rd.

Then I'll go before the panel and do an interview. After that, I'll see what I'm offered and either accept or reject what I'm offered.

9 weeks of basic training and then 14 weeks of OCS.

I'm already getting into better shape for it.

The only thing I've ever worried about was running as I do not like running. But I did a timed run for a local PD a couple weeks ago and clocked 11:30 for 1.5 miles. I'll have to do a 2 mile run for the Army so I'm going to add on the extra distance and get ready for 2 miles.

Any comments from the Vets here?

[KANE]

A couple years ago, I looked into OCS for the USMC. Long story short, I didn't go that route.

How did it turn out?

I was an Army OCS grad myself. People often say that West Point is where officers learn their bars. OCS is where you'll earn your bar.

You'll love the midnight 3 mile runs, eating an entire plate of food in three minutes, massive thunderstorms, ghastly heat and humidity, roaches the size of poodles... but hey- it's South Georgia; and if aint raining... we aint training!




All joking aside- Ft. Benning is rich with history. From the Airborne school towers, to the stadium, Iron Mike, and the Ranger school... you'll never see a place quite like it.

[Edmond]

Last week, I took and passed the medical and scored an 89 on the ASVAB.

I just have to go before the board and interview. After that, I'm set to sign and will probably ship out to BCT in Jan. I was hoping for a Dec. class but they don't have that. First I go to BCT and then to OCS and then to more training.

[twiget]

Good luck with the Army, Edmond. Like you, I've never been a fan of running. I did find out in boot camp (Navy) though that the key is to focus on your breathing. Singing cadence helped me with that. Ever since boot camp, every time I did a PT test, I would sing cadence to help control my breathing. I got a lot of weird looks, but I passed the PT tests.

Jason

[Edmond]

Have an update:

Everything is done and I'm shipping out to Basic at Fort Benning, GA on January 14, 2009. After Basic, it's off to OCS, also at Fort Benning.

09 Sierra!

[KANE]

Have an update:

Everything is done and I'm shipping out to Basic at Fort Benning, GA on January 14, 2009. After Basic, it's off to OCS, also at Fort Benning.

09 Sierra!

CONGRATS!!!!!

[Mac]

Have an update:

Everything is done and I'm shipping out to Basic at Fort Benning, GA on January 14, 2009. After Basic, it's off to OCS, also at Fort Benning.

09 Sierra!

Congrats, Edmond! I'm sure you'll do great!!

-Mac

[Edmond]

I'm 29 now. I'll be the old man at basic training but I think that this old man will do well. Physically, I'm in good shape but I'll show up in better shape than ever before. Mentally, I think I'm a little wiser than the usual kids going to basic.

I think that real life experience, especially the last few years of working full time in various professions, has prepared me well to undertake this mission.

[Mac]

I'm 29 now. I'll be the old man at basic training but I think that this old man will do well. Physically, I'm in good shape but I'll show up in better shape than ever before. Mentally, I think I'm a little wiser than the usual kids going to basic.

I think that real life experience, especially the last few years of working full time in various professions, has prepared me well to undertake this mission.

The oldest in my basic training was a 45 year old and she was a great shape... plus she had the right kind of attitude... I'm sure you'll do fine!

What does the lady in your life think of your choice?

-Mac

[Yoda]

Edmond,

The smartest, sharpest person there will be your DI and anything else that has a stripe or walks upright

It's not rocket science, and it's been perfected over the years, and trust me the DI's have seen it all, and can handle it all too..

Try to enjoy, "Boot" experience, it's just the beginning of a very enlightening experience

You'll be fine, and make a good Osicerfer

Bud

[rascal_rascal_99]

Remember that part of the purpose of basic training is to GET people into shape, so showing up in decent physical condition at all will make things easier. You'll see some guys show up from both ends of the spectrum from being too tiny and weak to do hardly anything, to the overweight crowd...the ones that can't handle it at first will end up going through the Fat Tired and Ugly program for a short time, then begin basic training once they're in better shape. (okay, that's what we called FTU, actually it's supposed to be "fitness training unit")

Do what you can to enjoy it, hard as that may seem at times, you'll make some very close friends while you're there and a ton of memories.

Oh, as for the running part, 2 miles is the distance for a PT test, 5 miles is closer to a normal daily run...and you'll be running a LOT!! You'll be a lot better off if you start telling yourself right now that you like the wind in your face and the ground flying by under your feet. Jason is right, cadence helps you keep a breathing rythm and you get into that and you'll start clicking off the miles no problem. Start changing your mindset about liking it though and you'll be wayyy better off.

[67vet]

Congratulations on being selected Edmund.
I went through USAF basic training 41 years ago on the 22 of Nov. I don't think I could run like I used to but pace and cadence is everything. Good luck.

[rwpeders]

Last week, I took and passed the medical and scored an 89 on the ASVAB.

I just have to go before the board and interview. After that, I'm set to sign and will probably ship out to BCT in Jan. I was hoping for a Dec. class but they don't have that. First I go to BCT and then to OCS and then to more training.

I went through OCS forty years ago, so it probably has changed a lot since the sixties but certain aspects are sure to continue. First, your physical training will continue at a high rate with a lot of running day and night. Second, attention to detail will dominate everything from the barracks life through academics. Third, stress will be used constantly to see how you react and overcome that demanding environment. Fourth, teamwork is success while solitary excellence is generally punished.

I wish you the best of luck and success. If you get a chance to get online and let us know how you are doing, please do so.

[Edmond]

Just a quick update:

I've been running a lot more, much more than I ever have in my life. It's going to get better but I'm running 7:30 miles and can sustain that for 30 minutes. I could probably run longer than that and faster but my running partner called it at 30 minutes.

I have about a month to go and I'm going to hit the running even harder, especially when Christmas break at work comes around (I work in education).

Now the thing I'm concerned about is learning how to swim.

[Bioscache2]

Don't worry about swimming, you just need to not drown. Also don't know how long it will last but while everyone else is laying off the Army is hiring. They just shortened their promotion timeline for officers:

2LT to start
1LT at 18 months in (stayed the same)
CPT at 37 months in (shortened by a month)
Maj at 9 years in (shortened by 6-12 months)

Also Maj selection rates are above 90%, while Lt Col rates are above 80% from what I've heard. Mostly from people getting out and the grow the army initiative