Officer Candidate School (OCS)

Course Overview

a. General: Reserve component OCS is a 12- to 15-month (traditional program) or 8-week (accelerated program) Leaders’ Course of Instruction, taught in a high-stress environment, during which the cadre develop and evaluate the performance of the candidates as it relates to their potential for commissioning as second lieutenants in the Total Force.

b. Program of Instruction (POI): United States Army Infantry School (USAIS) prepares, publishes, and distributes the OCS Course Management Plan (CMP) and Program of Instruction (POI). The course of instruction will not exceed 16 months and is presented in three phases. The OCS Battalion or Company Commander directs phase advancement, dependent on candidate performance and completion of requisites.

(1) PHASE 0. Although not a formal POI phase, traditional OCS programs typically conduct a three to five month IDT period Phase 0 program. This phase consists of instruction in basic Soldier skills, drill and ceremony, physical training, and administrative preparation. The goal is to prepare prospective candidates to succeed in OCS. Each Phase 0 candidate must pass the three event APFT in order to advance to Phase I.

(2) PHASE I. Consists of one 16-day annual training period, which includes a travel day. Training focuses on the individual, squad and platoon levels. Candidates receive military subject, land navigation, and leadership training under high stress conditions. Candidates in Phase I maintain a climate of strict discipline as the cadre convey OCS standards to the candidates and then expect the candidates to meet these standards. Candidates train under extremely demanding mental and physical conditions.

(3) PHASE II. In the traditional program, Phase II occurs during IDT weekends, between the first and second annual training periods. In the Accelerated Program, Phase II is a four week ADT period. Phase II is characterized by increased platoon trainer officer teaching and a slight reduction in stress producing situations. Training focuses on the individual, squad, and platoon levels. During this phase, candidates continue to perfect the skills learned in the basic phase and strive for tactical and small unit leadership skills and confidence. Candidates will assume additional responsibilities designed to refine their leadership skills through additional challenges of maintaining a completely functional student chain of command.

(4) PHASE III. This final phase consists of one 16-day annual training period, which includes a travel day. Training occurs at individual, squad, and platoon level; with the focus on tactical operations and field leadership. Officer candidates focus on polishing leadership skills. The main focus is leadership, but application of tactics through leadership is the mode of evaluation. The platoon trainer officer role is that of a teacher, mentor and role model. This phase is the final refining of the candidate done by the cadre to ultimately prepare the candidate for the officer environment.

 

Course Standards

a. The standards required of an officer candidate will be of the highest order.  Character and integrity must be an inspiration to others and conduct at all times must be above reproach.  Personal appearance, military bearing and military courtesy will be of the highest standard at all times. Proactive, not reactive, leadership is the goal.

b. Officer candidates must meet the following standards necessary for graduation from OCS:

(1) ACADEMICS.  Pass all examinations. 

(2) LEADERSHIP.  Serve in various command positions during all phases of training and achieve at least one satisfactory leadership rating in Phases II and III.   

(3) MORAL CHARACTER.  Each officer candidate must have high moral character considered necessary for a commissioned officer. 

(4) MEDICAL.  Each officer candidate must pass a physical examination as prescribed for appointment as an officer in AR 40-501.

(5). PHYSICAL FITNESS.  Each officer candidate must score a minimum of 60 points on each event of the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) with a minimum total score of 180 points, IAW NGR 600-100 and FM 21-20.  A large portion of the OCS environment is physical conditioning and requires stamina.  Each officer candidate must participate in scheduled physical training.  Candidates must complete all foot marches within prescribed standards.  During Phase I candidates will complete a five mile foot march.  During Phase II candidates must complete seven- and ten-mile foot marches.  Candidates who fail to meet the standard will be allowed one retest.

(6) WEIGHT STANDARDS.  All officer candidates must meet the weight standards as published in AR 600-9. 

(7) ATTENDANCE.  Each officer candidate is expected to attend ALL training periods.  The loss of 12 hours of training is grounds for dismissal.

 

Phase 0 Requirements

a. APFT #1 – Must pass standard APFT IAW FM 21-20 within 60 days of (and prior to day one of) Phase I training.

b. Course Prerequisites – Must provide all required documentation to confirm candidate meets course prerequisites prior to the start of Phase I.

 

Phase I Requirements

The following events must be successfully completed prior to the end of Phase I:

a. Five-Mile Foot March - Must complete five-mile foot march without assistance within 1 hour and 45 minutes.  Uniform must include ACU, LBE/LBV, KEVLAR, M16 Rifle, and rucksack. Rucksack must weigh from 35-40 pounds at the beginning and completion of the foot march.  Successful completion of the five-mile foot march is a Phase I requirement. A five-mile foot march retest must be completed by the candidate within 1 hour and 45 minutes without assistance in Phase I before the candidate is credited with completing Phase I.  A five-mile foot march shall be conducted toward the beginning of training to allow enough time for at least seven days recovery time before being retested. The failure of a five-mile foot march must be annotated on a DA Form 4856.

b. Peer Evaluation #1 – Must complete peer evaluation #1. 

c. POI Training – Must attend or makeup all Phase I POI training.

d. Examinations – Must pass all four Phase I exams or retests.  Candidate must score 70% or greater on each exam.  Phase I exams include: Training Management, Land Navigation Written, Land Navigation Day Practical, and Land Navigation Night Practical.  All exams and retest must be completed prior to the end of Phase I.

e. Leadership Position Evaluations – Must receive and complete a minimum of one leadership position evaluation during Phase I.  See Chapter 6 of the OC Guide for details concerning the Leadership Assessment Program.

f. Warrior Tasks & Battle Drills (WTBD) – Candidates must instruct at least one of the WTBDs and demonstrate task mastery through skill application of all Phase I WTBDs.  Candidates must receive a go on all WTBDs and have documented evidence of task mastery on each task. 

g. Must be recommended by the OCS company commander (by signature on the End of Course Summary Sheet, Phase I) as possessing the ability to acquire the leadership skills, attitudes and knowledge required of a second lieutenant prior to graduating Phase I training and beginning Phase II training.

 

Phase II Requirements 

The following events must be successfully completed prior to the end of Phase II:

a. Peer Evaluation #2 - Must complete peer evaluation #2. 

b. POI Training – Must attend or makeup all Phase II POI training.

c. Examinations – Must pass all eight Phase II exams or retests. Candidate must score 70% or greater on each exam.  Phase II exams include: Operations, Tactics, Call for Fire, Leadership, Military Justice, Heritage and History, Supply Activities, and Elements of Military Intelligence.  All exams and retests must be completed prior to the end of Phase II.   

d. Peer Evaluation #3 - Must complete peer evaluation #3. 

e. Seven-Mile Foot March - Must complete the seven-mile foot march without assistance within 2 hours and 30 minutes.  Uniform must include BDU/ACU, LBE/LBV, KEVLAR, M16 Rifle, and ruck sack (must weigh between 35-40 lbs, not including water, at the beginning and completion of the foot march).

f. Ten-Mile Foot March - Must complete the ten-mile foot march without assistance within 3 hours and 30 minutes.  Uniform must include ACU, LBE/LBV, KEVLAR, M16 Rifle, and ruck sack (must weigh between 35-40 lbs, not including water, at the beginning and completion of the foot march).

g. APFT #2 - Must pass standard APFT IAW FM 21-20 within 60 days of Phase III start date.  For Accelerated OCS Phase II APFT #2 must be prior to and within 20 days of Phase III start date.

h. Three-Mile Formation Run - Must complete a three-mile run in formation without assistance. Candidates are not authorized to walk at anytime during the run.  If this occurs, the individual will be considered a failure in this event.  Uniform will be the IPFU.

i. Leadership Position Evaluations – Must receive and complete a minimum of one leadership position evaluation during Phase II. See Chapter 6 of the OC Guide for details concerning the Leadership Assessment Program.

j. Must receive an “E” or an “S” on a leadership evaluation and must be recommended by the OCS company commander (by signature on the End of Course Summary Sheet, Phase II) as possessing the ability to acquire the leadership skills, attitudes and knowledge required of a second lieutenant prior to graduating Phase II training and beginning Phase III training.

 

Phase III Requirements 

The following events must be successfully completed prior to the end of Phase III:

a. Combat Water Survival Test – Must attempt the three event combat water swim test.  

b. Obstacle or Confidence Course.  Must conduct obstacle or confidence course training and make a valid attempt at each obstacle on the course.  

c. POI Training – Must attend all Phase III POI training.

d. Leadership Reaction Course (LRC) – Must participate as a squad member and as a squad leader at LRC training.

e. Leadership Position Evaluations – Must receive and complete a minimum of two leadership positions evaluation during Phase III (LRC & FLX II). Both may be on the FLER (Field Leadership Evaluation Report Form). Candidate must attain an “E” or an “S” on his/her FLX II evaluation to graduate from Phase III. See Chapter 6 of the OC Guide for details concerning the Leadership Assessment Program.

f. Must be recommended by the OCS company commander (by signature on the End of Course Summary Sheet, Phase III) as possessing the leadership skills, attitudes and knowledge required of a second lieutenant prior to graduating Phase III and OCS.

PACKING LIST

NOTE:  ACU’S WITH DESERT BOOTS ARE THE ONLY AUTHORIZED UNIFORM.  BDU’S AND DCU’S ARE NOT AUTHORIZED.  BROWN T-SHIRTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED WITH ACU’S.  OD VELCRO NAMETAPES, US ARMY TAPES AND RANK ARE NOT AUTHORIZED WITH ACU’S.  EQUIPMENT:  WOODLAND EQUIPMENT (LBE/LBV, RUCK, etc.,) IS AUTHORIZED WITH ACU’S.

1.    Tobacco products, to include smokeless

2.    Alcohol

3.    Any supplements taken to enhance performance to include vitamins

4.    Medications not prescribed by a Physician

5.    Food (to include gum, candy, cough drops, mints, etc.) No food will be taken out of the DFAC or brought back from the field

6.    Irons

7.    Stoves

8.    Heat tabs

9.    Cosmetics

10.  Contact lenses

11.  Hair nets and curlers

12.  Perfumes (to include perfumed or scented lotions), colognes, body sprays or after-shave

13.  Electric or battery operated razors

14.  Digital/tape recorders, CD players, Walkman or MP3 players, Radios, portable TV/DVD players

15.  Cellular phones, pagers, beepers

16.  Laptops, PDA’s, or any hand-held games/computers

17.  GPS devices

18.  Magazines and Newspapers

19.  Civilian clothes, except as directed above

20.  Bayonets, fixed-blade knives, or knives over 3”

21. Adult material of any kind