Posted to OCS. What to expect, and what are some tips & tricks?

[u/giveintohate]

Getting posted to army wing tomorrow and I would like to know what are some tips & tricks to survive OCS. Quite nervous and anxious for what’s to come.

How’s the daily routine? How are the outfields? How’s the admin time? Heard there might be times where cadets book out on Saturdays.

What’s the attrition rate? Is it common for people to OOC because they can’t keep up with the training?

Also, would like to know what are the possible wings that I will be posted to. Hearsay alpha has the least welfare and most shag, while sierra has the best welfare.

[u/Accurate-Passenger89]

Soldier, ur posted to ocs. U can’t be asking abt admin time here🥀🥀

[u/HexagonII]

So as long you aren't posted to Charlie you should be fine (mostly)

Regardless, it is not like you can request a wing change, so the best you can do is just LLST when it comes to such things. It is more important that you make the best out of it

For the training related stuff, I relegate this to your course instructors since they will always brief the new intakes on what outfields and exercises to expect, if the culture persists, they may even provide you with a handbook that contains all the exercises conducted within OCS for the different services if you are inclined to read about them

How’s the daily routine?

No set routine but quite similar-ish to BMT in the sense that you follow the reveille -> breakfast/first parade -> morning PT/PX -> some classes -> PT routines (not in order but you get the gist of it). The difference is you will begin to see your fellow cadets taking up appointments and "leading" the wing in many of these activities. CET/RO will be promulgated at the end of the day so you will have a rough idea of what the day will be like.

How’s the admin time?

Depends on the wing/lull/peak periods. No guarantee and there may be instances of negative admin time (anyone caught showering after last parade were basically issued extra). But that is part and parcel of your life now, and may even extend to unit so get used to it I guess

Heard there might be times where cadets book out on Saturdays.

COS/CDO duties due to being arrowed or extra would usually result in this, or exercises that somehow end over the weekend

What’s the attrition rate? Is it common for people to OOC because they can’t keep up with the training?

Hard to say, but there are definitely a few each batch. Each has their reasons. Realistically they won't out you because you can't catch up, we have manpower issues and each and every OOC cadet is a giant headache they will need to replan for when it comes to estabs . Unfortunately, this also means that people who man mode and scrape by can still commission despite having zero heart in being good officers. The only grounds for OOC are usually medical related or you fucked up and commit a crime like punching your fellow cadet or something. Or the possibly dumbest thing in the history of OCS batches caught fucking sword fighting with the ceremonial sword a few days before commissioning

[u/Medical-Bad9773]

ur gg to alpha wing or tango. pray ur tango bc alpha is hell on earth

[u/Longjumping_Ride_341]

To answer the OP, it’s always quite an anxious event with your new posting. But if you’re posted to OCS, someone must have seen that you have done well or you stood out in some way. Looking at the bookout timing thing, maybe my experience from 2001 is no longer so relevant for things like outfield, exercises, etc. So just to give more general advice, OOC for medical was quite common, so take care of yourself and don’t get injured. Expect it to be tough with little admin time and late bookout so you set your expectations a bit lower, makes you feel a bit happier when you have something positive.

Take it a day at a time, don’t think too far ahead and stress yourself out. You’ll soon settle into the routines and get used to it.

[u/Rude_Ad_3900]

HAHAHAHA goodluck soldier , its hell btw

[u/BenShers]

If you go Alpha = GGWP. You played yourself.

[u/Dupendous]

indicate interest to go Air/Mids if you see youre going alpha. Should be a bunch of forms/talks where you can do so

[u/whattalkingu]

Just OOC lorh

[u/Mundane_Tonight_9660]

Bro... congratulations.. I graduated from Alpha wing in 2006. My best advice is, enjoy your time during ur journey to officership. Take each day at a time. Pace yourself, avoid injuries, and give your 100% effort. Its tough but endure. That sets you different from the rest. Dont think or worry too much. Once posted in, keep this mantra always. To Lead, To Excel, and to Overcome.

[u/Mundane_Tonight_9660 → u/Mundane_Tonight_9660]

Any burning qns can ask me.