RIARNG OCS PROGRAM BRIEF

1. RIARNG OCS PROGRAM BRIEF • By CPT Daniel Espinal

2. What is Army Officer? • First and foremost, an Army officer is a leader. The officer plans the work of the organization, assigns tasks to subordinates, and sees that the work is accomplished to the highest standard. In that regard, an Army officer is similar to a manager in a corporation. But that is where any comparison to the corporate world ends. Officers lead by example. An officer must be willing to personally undertake any task that is assigned to a soldier. • Over the years, three words have become the hallmark of what it is to be an Army Officer. Those words are Duty, Honor and Country.

3. Why Become An Army Officer? • Develop New Skills (delegation, organization, leadership, etc) • Self Fulfillment / The Challenge • Revamp my Army Career / Civilian Career • Money $$$

4. Four Ways ROTC / USMA (West Point) Federal OCS State OCS -Traditional M-Day * -Accelerated OCS Program Direct Commission How does a person earn a Commission as an Army Officer?

5. Why Traditional M-Day OCS • Flexibility – works well within how the Guard calendar (follows same two weeks / 1 weekend a month) • Quality of Life (you will not have to leave for a long period of time like Federal or Accelerated) • “Walk in the shoes experience” - Gives you the skills to become a leader in the National Guard under the same conditions • Faster than ROTC / USMA – only 16 months (April through Aug) • Top instruction and real world experience from some of the Best Instructors and Leaders in the RIARNG

6. What do I need to enter into the OCS program? • Recommended by Unit Commander • AGE Minimum age for enrollment is 18 Maximum age is 42 (commissioned by) • Citizenship Must attain US Citizenship

7. What do I need to enter into the OCS program? • Education -Certified copy of an original transcript from accredited college or university documenting a minimum of 60 semester hours (PS enrollment) and 90 semester hours (OCS Contract 09S) prior to enrollment (as late as May-PH 1) -Must have official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended

8. What do I need to enter into the OCS program? • Medical -Must Pass Chapter 2 Commissioning Physical Examination -Over 391/2 yrs old will need over 40 Chapter 2 Physical -Chapter 2 Physicals are valid for appointment for two years from date of the examination -All waivers for disqualifying conditions must be approved by NGB prior to the first day of training

9. What do I need to enter into the OCS program? Medical (Continued) -Any P3 must be approved by State Surgeons Board then NGB -Meet Body Height/Weight standards IAW AR 600-9 prior to enrollment -Pass APFT IAW AR 350-1 and FM 21-20 prior to enrollment (DA Form 705 required)

10. What do I need to enter into the OCS program? • GT Score 110 (non-waiverable, but you can retest) • Police record/background check (or a conviction waiver for minor offense, traffic, DUI, etc) • Military Training • Basic Training, AIT, one year of service • OCS options do not need AIT

11. What do I need to enter into the OCS program? • Security Status • Applicants will have a final Secret clearance IAW NGR 600-100 for commissioning • OCS will accept memorandum from State Security indicating that EPSQ has been submitted or status of clearance process

12. The Four Phases of OCS • PHASE 0 – Indoctrination of OCS • PHASE I – “The Test” • PHASE II – Home Station • PHASE III – The Capstone Event

13. Phase 0 - Indoctrination 3 IDTs - APR – MAY – JUN • MAR - Board • Intro to OCS environment • Review of OCS Course Management Plan (CMP) • Medical / Administrative Heavy Period

14. Phase I – “ The Test” -Annual Training(AT) 16 Days at Niantic, CT -The Basic Training of State OCS Program -The toughest two weeks of the Program – both Physically and Mentally (maybe of your Army Career) -A blend of Physical Challenges (Emphasis on physical fitness and Land Navigation, to include Academic Exams (OPORDs, Risk Management, Map Reading) -First Week – More Classroom Based -Second Week – More Field Based

15. Phase II – Home Station - 11 IDTs – AUG thru JUN - Conducted at Camp Varnum, RI - Work with RI Platoon Trainers and RTI Staff - First Half is primarily Academic & Testing Based - Second Half is primarily Tactics Based • Heavy emphasis on Operations Orders (OPORDs), Troop Leading Procedures, Real World Teaching Experience and Planning Drill Weekend Training as a leader in the National Guard.

16. PHASE III - Capstone - Annual Training - 16 Days – Fort McClellan, AL • Takes All that you have learned and puts it together • Mostly Field operations and heavy on Troop Leading Procedures, OPORDs and Tactics

17. OCS Environment • Stressful/Demanding • Mentally & Physically • Time Commitment • Personal Appearance • Honor Code • Standards of a 2LT

18. Initiative Followership Delegation Problem Analysis Sensitivity Admin Control Technical Competence Physical Stamina Mission Accomplishment Decisiveness Judgement Planning/Organization Influence Written/Oral Communication Oral Presentation OCS Environmentits our job to develop:

19. OCS Environment Assessment • Academic Examinations • Physical Fitness • Leadership Assessment • Peer Evaluations “You may start the program unproven, however, you will not finish it unproven.”

20. What Do You Get Out of OCS Program • Learn the Art of Delegation • Become a Better Planner • Increase your Leadership Experience / Knowledge • The Ability to Earn a Commission as Army Officer

21. In Summary Officer Candidate School (OCS) is an intense leadership training ground. It's physically and mentally challenging, and not everyone's cut out for it. But those who are accepted, and make it through, agree it's one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. Whether you're a first-time Soldier or have prior military experience, OCS will transform you into an effective leader.

22. Questions