Accelerated OCS – 2

January 1st, 2010 Brad Posted in Submitted Stories | No Comments »

Ok I said I was going to wait until I was back.. then I thought I should talk a little about the NG process as it is different.

First If I had not mentioned I am 39, prior service Airborne Infantry (Desert Storm / CIB). The decision to come back into the military as a citizen soldier is motivated by an early retirement among others.

Anyway Phase 0 is conducted to evaluate soldiers while slightly adding stress on them prior to phase 1, out of our current class all but 5 dropped for various reasons and the rest of us are only being sent because according to the TAC’s who WILL be going with us we are EXPECTED to pass and they would not have sent us if they did not believe this. All told our state is sending only 5 candidates, maybe a 6th who missed last drill due to a family emergency and has to take another APFT and conduct a road march. Considering there will be 200 candidates there for training and only 5 states it makes us feel good to have the training staff place allot of belief in us as candidates. Our Senior TAC told us that while “there will be no stars in this bunch” he expects us to represent the state.

Phase 0 consisted of inspections, classes focusing on Phase 1, inspections, and PT evaluations. We were in general not smoked too much but the mental stress was high. All told no candidate under 32 is going.. I find that strange that the younger soldiers did not want to handle it. Notice I said did not want to.. I guess that is what the TAC’s were looking for.

Inspections were a constant reminder that nothing is right, and they were actually focusing on us all being the same. Little things like helmets all being painted, tees rolled correctly, clean barracks. You can expect that they will take the mentoring roll serious and if you listen and apply what they say they will stop messing with you. Those that quit never learned this. They have nothing but time in Federal OCS.. time to mess with you. In accelerated that time is limited and if you are squared away from the get-go they will move on to weaker prey. They give you the OCS guide for a reason, read it. FM’s for a reason, read them!

Other then that nothing different then what I expected. As prior service I am looking forward to accelerated because it allows me to stay in the zone, rather then jump back and forth into my civilian life and career.

Now to the expense part. Doug mentioned costs when he first got to Federal, its no different in the NG. I had to scrounge to find all my gear, most finally got to me through my unit but I ensured I had more then enough. I bought extra shirts and PT gear, socks and non-issue boots. Overall I have spent a solid 5-600 dollars, more then likely more. Now this will actually make it easier, small tees to roll for inspections, extra tees for less laundry, etc. Boots are a big big big deal. Now I bought the Converse on advice from a recent grad, out of the box into a 5 mile road march not a single issue. They have done great on the last few 6 miles and 8 mile that I did for PT. Buy some after market boots.. no matter how Hooah you are.

I will post prior to leaving / when on the bus traveling down.