New to OCS, what to do?

[RicoDeElite]

............

[matthew.ritchie]

Good questions. You really should raise these issues with your Recruiter.

Everyone incurs a statutory military service obligation of eight years upon initial entry into military service. Usually this is lived out by drilling with a unit for six years, then remaining on the callback list for another two years (no drill requirements, no pay/benefits). You will incur a contractual obligation upon enlistment of six years (your statutory and contractual MSO will each run concurrently). Thus, when you enlist you'll have an eight year total obligation, but upon commissioning you'll have a six year obligation as an officer.

2. OCS is very physical. I recommend running (for general stamina and fitness), then pushups, then situps in that order of priority.
3. Most likely there's a place for you in this unit. Speak to a Recruiter.
4. You can't be mobilized for federal service until you have completed your initial training, which for an officer is OCS and BOLC-II (common core) and BOLC-III (breanch-specific).
5. It's not likely.
6. This is too complicated to handle here, speak with your Recruiter about SLRP.


ok so I've recently decided to join the Army National Guard, and I'm one semester away from graduating an accredited college, and want to join OCS as well. I'm not exactly sure as to how the whole process works just yet, so if possible could someone explain the entire thing to me, starting from basic training.

1)I know the minimum time to serve the first time is 6 years, now does that start the day you go into Basic, or does that only begin once you're commissioned as an officer?

2)OCS itself, what kind of things does it consist of, mostly physical, mostly academic, from the site I noticed it only seems to focus on academic, but I highly doubt that's the case. What kind of physical requirements should I be able to meet prior to enlisting to make my time a little easier, such as 1.5 mile times, # of pushups, or situps, etc.?

3)I also have a cousin who is Enlisted, as an E-4, and he said he could get me into his unit, but is this true, and would I be guaranteed a spot in his unit?

4)During my total time in training to become an officer, can I be activated, or is it true that I will not be activated until I have been commissioned?

5)I'm looking to join this January or February coming up, and I'll most likely have a Communications MOS that takes approximately 30 weeks to complete AIT, but towards the end of that time, I may need to leave the country (to go to England) for one weekend to attend a wedding that I have promised to be the best man at, so would this even be a possibility?

6)Finally, with regards to student loans, and tuition costs for the remaining semester(s) at college, what exactly will the army pay off, and what won't they pay off? Same for Grad school, I'm looking to go for a Master's in Criminal Justice after graduating w/ a BS in Computer Information Systems.

I think that's a good enough batch of questions to start off with, I'll have more eventually though. Any help would be appreciated. I figure the more informed I am going in to talk to the recruiter, the less time I have to spend there asking questions, and going over little details.

Thanks in advance,

Rich

[matthew.ritchie]

You really need to address these sorts of questions to your recruiter.

You'll complete Basic Training, then OCS, then get your commission, then attend BOLC-II (common core) and BOLC-III (branch-specific) for your career field. Your state will take your preferences into consideration when assigning you a career field.

[Mike]

Is being accepted for OCS based on the State's need for Officers? If so, what if the State I am in does not need Lieutenants, etc?

I have been separtated from the Army for 8 years and have since completed a BA. I am considering joining the NM National Guard, but would only consider a "long term" commitment if I could do so as and Officer. Mike

[Mike]

I would like to reenlist in the New Mexico National Guard, after leaving the Army (Active Duty) in 1998. I have since completed a BS and would like to return as an Officer.

Are OCS acceptances based on my States requirements for Officers, etc? What if my State doesn't need Lieutenants, etc?

I'm waiting on an email reply from a local recruiter (Albuquerque) who will likely answer these questions, but I thought someone my have some experience to share. Mike

[b747dogg]

Do you have to attend Basic before starting State OCS?

Thanks:cool:

[matthew.ritchie]

I would like to reenlist in the New Mexico National Guard, after leaving the Army (Active Duty) in 1998. I have since completed a BS and would like to return as an Officer.

Are OCS acceptances based on my States requirements for Officers, etc? What if my State doesn't need Lieutenants, etc?

I'm waiting on an email reply from a local recruiter (Albuquerque) who will likely answer these questions, but I thought someone my have some experience to share. Mike

Somehow I imagine they'll squeeze you in. Second Lieutenant is an entry-level grade, and because of the long training pipeline, they need to "keep the funnel full" (so to speak) to ensure that the ranks stay full. Even if they're 100% today, you're planning to fill a billet in 1-3 years, not today.

Call MAJ Leal at (505) 681-4765.

[b747dogg]

Do you have to attend Basic before starting State OCS?

Thanks:cool:

Anyone? I read you don't, been told you do.

[gsrtonv]

Anyone? I read you don't, been told you do.

yes you have to go to Basic.

[matthew.ritchie]

Anyone? I read you don't, been told you do.

BCT is a prerequisite for OCS. If you've seen documentation to the contrary, I would be interested to see that.