Commissioned to Lead: An Overview of Officer Candidate School
Navy OCS
Army OCS
Officer Candidates School (OCS) is an intensive leadership training program designed for college graduates from a traditional four year college/university, enlisted personnel preparing to transition into officer roles, and Direct Commission Officers with professional experience appointed directly to officer rank. There are five types of OCS—parallel across the five military branches and service academies:
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Army Officer Candidates School (in Fort Moore, previously known as Fort Benning, GA)
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Marines Officer Candidates School (in Quantico, VA)
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Coast Guard Officer Candidates School (in New London, CT)
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Navy Officer Candidates School (in Newport, RI)
- Air Force Officer Training School (in Montgomery, AL)
While duration—ranging from 9.5 to 17 weeks—and type of training varies from school to school, all of them teach military subjects, leadership skills, and physical training in preparation for officer life. Upon successful completion of OCS, candidates are commissioned at a junior officer level rank of either second lieutenant or ensign depending on military branch. These newly commissioned officers are then obligated to commit a minimum of three years, but their service can be longer depending on the specific career field.
Merchant Marines OCS