When some people hear the word ?school? they shy away. For others, this means an opportunity to advance their education.
As an Army Officer, you are a leader. From training to leading others into battle, you know that many people are relying on you.
Are you interested in becoming an Officer? If so, attending Officer Candidate School could be the best decision you ever make. Not only will this put you on the right path to a better future, but you are able to choose from one of 16 career fields ranging from communication to finance among others.
Requirements
Unfortunately, not everybody is qualified to attend Officer Candidate School. To be considered, you must meet the following requirements:
– United States citizen
– College graduate
– At least 18 years old at the time of enlisting
– Not older than 30 when entering active duty
Eligibility
Even if you meet the requirements above, you may still be up in the air as to whether the Officer Candidate School is the right choice. There are two ways that you can get involved:
1. Active Army. To get started with this option, speak to your recruiter. Soon enough, you will be starting the application process and hopefully moving closer to realizing your dream.
2. College option. As noted above, applicants are required to have entered active duty prior to their 30th birthday. For those interested in becoming an Army Reserve Officer, the age cut off is extended to 35.
Training
From military skills to leadership development, the training that you undergo in Officer Candidate School will be intense. In addition to learning hands on in the field, you will spend a lot of time in the classroom.
As you get started, you are required to attend a nine-week basic training course. During this time, you learn more about becoming a soldier in the Army. From here, you are ready to get started with Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning in the state of Georgia.
Courses
Your current status ? whether you are in the Army or just joining ? will determine which courses you take.
For those who want to be a leader in the Army, the 12 week Officer Candidate Course is well worth the time and effort ? and it does require a lot of effort!
As you get started, you are grouped into teams that allow you to gain experience in many areas of leadership. Along the way, it is the goal of the program to turn you into a leader from a mental, physical and emotional point of view.
2 Phases of the Program
There are two phases of the Officer Candidate program:
Phase 1: the focus is on learning leadership skills to help you excel as a commissioned officer. The challenges that you face will help you develop the desire to lead others in the future.
Phase 2: this is when the skills you have been learning are put to use. You will be tested in the field on your ability to work with others as well as your leadership skills. During this 18 day training mission, all of your skills are refined and taken to the next level.
Officer Candidate School may not be the same as college. However, this is one educational experience that you will never forget.