OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL (OCS)
State Officer Candidate School
If you already have at least two years of college credit, no prior service, and you meet the eligibility requirements, you can join the Army National Guard under the State Officer Candidate School (OCS) enlistment option. Current members who meet the eligibility criteria may also apply for state OCS. The state OCS program is a 16 month course of instruction conducted from March to June the following year. Upon successful completion of OCS, you will become a commissioned officer in the Army National Guard. In order to qualify for OCS, you must meet the following eligibility requirements: have 60 semester hours of college to enter the OCS program; complete 90 semester hours to be commissioned; be no more than 35 years of age at commissioning; sign a six-year enlistment contract; have an SAT score of 850 or better or an ACT score of 19 or better; be accepted in the OCS program; and complete basic training. While enrolled in OCS, you are eligible for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) which pays 75 percent of your college tuition costs up to $200 per semester hour and up to $500 in fees. The total amount of FTA cannot exceed $4,000 per member, per year (in FY 04).
In addition to the State OCS Program, there are two other Officer Candidate School options.
Accelerated Officer Candidate School
The Army National Guard conducts a seven week accelerated OCS program for qualified personnel. Candidates report for drills in April and May and attend the course from June to August at Camp Meade, South Dakota or Fort Lewis, Washington. Candidates are eligible for commissioning upon course completion, pending federal recognition.
Federal Officer Candidate School
The Federal OCS program is an active army course at Fort Benning, Georgia. The program is conducted over a 14 week period. For more information about any of the Officer Candidate Programs, contact your local Army National Guard Recruiter, state Officer Strength Manager, or your unit administrator.