Are you a former soldier, sailor, or airman who left the service without getting the most out of your potential? Are you a leader in the civilian sector who knows you have more to give back to the country you love so much? If so, you should consider entering the Army, Army Reserves, or Army National Guard, earn your commission as a Second Lieutenant, and begin or restart an exciting career as a leader in the world's best military. The Ultimate Officer Candidate School Guidebook explains everything you need to know to achieve these goals.
Earning the right to become an officer in the U.S. Army is an honor and a privilege. There are few ways to achieve a commission in the U.S. Army and the deck is stacked against people and soldiers older than 25 because the training is rigorous and time consuming. However, if you are between 18 and 40, have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college, have or can attain a minimum GT score of 110, and can pass an Army Physical Fitness Test, you can attend Officer Candidate School and earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. Getting accepted to OCS is not automatic, and your choice of when and where to enter is limited. Federal OCS, held at Fort Benning, Georgia, and the numerous state traditional and fast-track programs offer potential officer candidates a choice about how and when to earn their commission.
Author Ryan N. Pierce, an OCS graduate and former TAC Officer, offers 20 chapters of information to guide potential candidates down the path of earning a commission in the Army. The Ultimate Officer Candidate School Guidebook covers everything you need to know, from the application process, to stressors from TAC officers while attending OCS, to deciding what branch to choose upon earning your commission. It even includes pages with pre-made terrain model kits to assist you while attending OCS for those who are serious about leadership and finishing strong. Are you up to the challenge?
Prefaca vi
Introduction viii
Chapter 1 Why do You Want to be an Officer? 1
Chapter 2 Requirements for Commissioning 8
Chapter 3 Packet Preparation 11
Chapter 4 TAG Introduction 14
Chapter 5 Course work 19
Chapter 6 Physical Training 29
Chapter 7 Rating Scheme 42
Chapter 8 Schedule Breakdown 71
Chapter 9 Troop Leading Procedures 78
Chapter 10 Orders 81
Chapter 11 Success During Squad Training Lanes (STX) 85
Chapter 12 Officer Branch Information 115
Chapter 13 What to Take, What to Leave Home 126
Chapter 14 Top Seven Mistakes You will NOT Make 133
Chapter 15 Role of TAC NCO 136
Chapter 16 Company Leadership Positions 138
Chapter 17 How to … 146
Chapter 18 Basic Training vs. Officer Candidate School 156
Chapter 19 Composite Risk Management 158
Chapter 20 Interviews with OCS Graduates and TAC Staff 161
Appendix A References 171
Appendix B Useful Field Manuals and Army Regulations 173
Appendix C Leadership Evaluation Report 174
Appendix D Recommendation for OCS Example 181
Appendix E Officer Candidate Biography Example 182
Appendix F Reports 185
Appendix G Operational Graphics and Terrain Model Kit 189
Index 203
Overview
Are you a former soldier, sailor, or airman who left the service without getting the most out of your potential? Are you a leader in the civilian sector who knows you have more to give back to the country you love so much? If so, you should consider entering the Army, Army Reserves, or Army National Guard, earn your commission as a Second Lieutenant, and begin or restart an exciting career as a leader in the world's best military. The Ultimate Officer Candidate School Guidebook ...