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Looking for a female perspective on OCS
- Thread starter TrickyFish
- Start date
lyricsavvy
SWO, ENG-R- KILL!
OCS questions from a woman...=-)
Sirs (I don't know if there are any women in this forum...if so, PLEASE answer!),
I am just beginning to check out info on OCS for Navy, Airforce and Coast Guard. Even though I'm sure many of you have posted on what to expect at OCS...please indulge me and post your opinions below.
I am a 26yr. woman, holding a published Thesis and BA in History from Christendom College. I come from a TRADITIONAL military family (father is now ret. Colonel--Army Reserves), with two of my siblings ENLISTED Navy seamen (mwahaha).
I am very interested in Military Intelligence, and am trying to focus on this specialty if I am, indeed, accepted into OCS in any of the branches.
Although I have requested info from the three branches above, the Navy has been the only one to respond quickly.
Question- Do Officer Candidates receive incentives (monetary) for joining up after college? (One would think, since ROTCs get full tuition, and Enlisted receive signing bonuses, we would receive something similar).
I have already begun training on my own, even though I haven't (obviously) spoken with the OCS Recruiters, and would ask you all some pointers to really SUCCEED in OCS. I don't mean to sound presumptuous, but I'd prefer to be at the front of the pack rather than middle or last. I'm not in the greatest of shape, but should be in 2-3 months from now (I can walk/run 1.5 mil. in 11 min.)
Whatever you might suggest, I do appreciate your opinions!
Thank you!
Sirs (I don't know if there are any women in this forum...if so, PLEASE answer!),
I am just beginning to check out info on OCS for Navy, Airforce and Coast Guard. Even though I'm sure many of you have posted on what to expect at OCS...please indulge me and post your opinions below.
I am a 26yr. woman, holding a published Thesis and BA in History from Christendom College. I come from a TRADITIONAL military family (father is now ret. Colonel--Army Reserves), with two of my siblings ENLISTED Navy seamen (mwahaha).
I am very interested in Military Intelligence, and am trying to focus on this specialty if I am, indeed, accepted into OCS in any of the branches.
Although I have requested info from the three branches above, the Navy has been the only one to respond quickly.
Question- Do Officer Candidates receive incentives (monetary) for joining up after college? (One would think, since ROTCs get full tuition, and Enlisted receive signing bonuses, we would receive something similar).
I have already begun training on my own, even though I haven't (obviously) spoken with the OCS Recruiters, and would ask you all some pointers to really SUCCEED in OCS. I don't mean to sound presumptuous, but I'd prefer to be at the front of the pack rather than middle or last. I'm not in the greatest of shape, but should be in 2-3 months from now (I can walk/run 1.5 mil. in 11 min.)
Whatever you might suggest, I do appreciate your opinions!
Thank you!
It seems like you already know what you need to do physically.
OCS people do not get any kind of signing bonus (unless you're NUPOC - Engineer types). I wish it were different too, as I have a ton of student loan debt, but this is what I really want to do so it's worth it.
My only other piece of advice is to make sure when you apply that you really want to become an Officer in the Navy. You said you were very interested in military intelligence, which is awesome, just make sure that you are 100% committed to being an Officer and leader first.
I'm just a pre-OCS puke, but I hope my advice makes sense. This website is a great tool and there are a ton of people here that are willing to help you out. Good luck!
OCS people do not get any kind of signing bonus (unless you're NUPOC - Engineer types). I wish it were different too, as I have a ton of student loan debt, but this is what I really want to do so it's worth it.
My only other piece of advice is to make sure when you apply that you really want to become an Officer in the Navy. You said you were very interested in military intelligence, which is awesome, just make sure that you are 100% committed to being an Officer and leader first.
I'm just a pre-OCS puke, but I hope my advice makes sense. This website is a great tool and there are a ton of people here that are willing to help you out. Good luck!
Ok, you're looking for opinions? Well, unless your siblings are E-3 and below, no need to refer to them as seaman, Sailor would be appropriate. My brother may be an Army Intel-O, but I don't go around calling him an idiot on public forums.
As for the rest of the stuff, someone who has gone the OCS route can talk to that. Oh, if I'm not mistaken, OCS is still eligible for the GI Bill, which, given you serve enough time, can be given to spouse/children now.
As for the rest of the stuff, someone who has gone the OCS route can talk to that. Oh, if I'm not mistaken, OCS is still eligible for the GI Bill, which, given you serve enough time, can be given to spouse/children now.
First off, here's what I'm personally sure of: 1) No, no extra money out of OCS aside from your regular base pay, BAH, BAS. 2) After your training, putting on Ensign (or 2nd Lt) makes it all worth it.
Secondly, I've seen gouge online about what to expect week by week at OCS... suggest you do a search and read up on it. Also, take a hard look at SWO and decide if you'd be happy with it, since there's always a chance you could get that instead of Intel.
Finally, learn how to spell colonel.
Secondly, I've seen gouge online about what to expect week by week at OCS... suggest you do a search and read up on it. Also, take a hard look at SWO and decide if you'd be happy with it, since there's always a chance you could get that instead of Intel.
Finally, learn how to spell colonel.
Start doing pushups now, you want to be able to max out your In PRT, it will make things that much easier when you get to OCS. Once there you'll be expected to do the max for men in pushups and situps, ie 102 situps and 87 pushups, or whatever it is for your age group. Don't let that intimidate you, after all of the "work out sessions" at OCS you'll be able to do it.
Unfortunately, I don't think there are any money programs for post college applicants. But the great thing about OCS is you lock in what you want to do before you go, ie if you want intel and you are accepted, you are guaranteed intel. Good luck!
Unfortunately, I don't think there are any money programs for post college applicants. But the great thing about OCS is you lock in what you want to do before you go, ie if you want intel and you are accepted, you are guaranteed intel. Good luck!
Yes, the GI bill is available to OCS grads. You get E-5 pay while you're there but no other "incentives" are available barring the aforementioned program specific (I think it's just Nukes that offer sign-on bonuses but there are career incentive pay after a decade or so of service - again designator specific). Check this page out.
11 minutes is decent for your age/gender, but you'll want to be able to run it the whole way (walk = roll), and most of the females I saw had problems with pushups more then anything. Concentrate on that. Physical performance is the end all be all of OCS. If you can rock out your PRT in all three tests, you take faster steps towards earning your DI's respect. Needless to say, that is a major goal.
Before I submitted my application for the Navy, I looked into each service. Your experiances look pretty similiar to mine. The Navy/Marine recruiters were litterally the only ones to not laugh at me and have a conversation that lasted more then five minutes. Not to rag on the other services too much, but I had higher expectations from them and it showed me that the Navy is clearly the place for me.
11 minutes is decent for your age/gender, but you'll want to be able to run it the whole way (walk = roll), and most of the females I saw had problems with pushups more then anything. Concentrate on that. Physical performance is the end all be all of OCS. If you can rock out your PRT in all three tests, you take faster steps towards earning your DI's respect. Needless to say, that is a major goal.
Before I submitted my application for the Navy, I looked into each service. Your experiances look pretty similiar to mine. The Navy/Marine recruiters were litterally the only ones to not laugh at me and have a conversation that lasted more then five minutes. Not to rag on the other services too much, but I had higher expectations from them and it showed me that the Navy is clearly the place for me.
lyricsavvy
SWO, ENG-R- KILL!
Thanks to all for the suggestions thus far...mea maxima culpa for the typo turning COLONEL to COLONIAL.
I have seen the Gauge for OCS and have been reading up on it, but the thought came into my head that perhaps you all could add to what's been written, P3 FO.
As for my enlisted E-2 and E4 siblings, I'll take note to calling one seaman, and the other sailor. I do not mock their positions--I have high respect for all servicemen, I was commenting on the awkward state of brother saluting sister, that's all (he's a LOT bigger than I am--length and breadth!)
Thank you to the rest who have been kind enough to share your advice with me!
Pax
I have seen the Gauge for OCS and have been reading up on it, but the thought came into my head that perhaps you all could add to what's been written, P3 FO.
As for my enlisted E-2 and E4 siblings, I'll take note to calling one seaman, and the other sailor. I do not mock their positions--I have high respect for all servicemen, I was commenting on the awkward state of brother saluting sister, that's all (he's a LOT bigger than I am--length and breadth!)
Thank you to the rest who have been kind enough to share your advice with me!
Pax
Spekkio
He bowls overhand.
I think that being able to earn a commission in 3 months versus 4 years is worth any bonus that ROTC/Academy guys might get.
There are no bonuses available for intel, and it's an extremely competitive community to enter.
Prepare for OCS? Be in shape, be willing to do everything you are told, and don't quit. That's all there is to it.
No one maxes their in-PRT at OCS, even the manimal specwar guys (DIs love to zero them out and take off points because they know the candidates can do it). Considering it's a pass/fail evolution and it doesn't make a bit of difference how you do, don't sweat it too much.
I gave my older brother his first salute just over eight years ago. My oldest brother gave me my first salute back in December. Wasn't awkward at all. Other than that, best of luck to you.
lyricsavvy
SWO, ENG-R- KILL!
Yes, sir...I do believe that GAUGE site had the picture above as it's centerpiece.
Once again, mia culpa on the typing error--GAUGE for GOUGE....
sigh..:icon_tong
Once again, mia culpa on the typing error--GAUGE for GOUGE....
sigh..:icon_tong
Twitterpate03
Personnel Specialist
I have a question for you lyrics...
Why the pointing out about being a woman? You titled your post as if you needed/wanted femine responses(so I checked it), yet you didn't have a question that seemed to be specific for a female's answer or an answer related to being female.
Im sorry, not insinuating anything but highly curious as to why you pointed it out twice that you are female.
Does it matter?
Why the pointing out about being a woman? You titled your post as if you needed/wanted femine responses(so I checked it), yet you didn't have a question that seemed to be specific for a female's answer or an answer related to being female.
Im sorry, not insinuating anything but highly curious as to why you pointed it out twice that you are female.
Does it matter?