A South Carolinian Collegiate Guide for Applying to Military Officer Candidate School Compiled by Austin Hood SCHC Honors Thesis Project December

About This Guide The purpose of this guide is to help individuals who are interested in careers as officers in the U.S. military through acceptance and completion of Officer Candidate School for each of the respective branches of the military. Specifically, this guide is designed for individuals who: Attend college or university in the state of South Carolina Are set to graduate within 1-2 years Have a strong interest in a challenging but rewarding career What is OCS? Officer Candidate School (OCS for short) is a program developed by the four largest military branches of the United States (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines) that enables individuals with college degrees to become military officers, regardless of whether or not they were previously enlisted, participated in ROTC, or attended one of the service academies like West Point or Annapolis. Each branch has a specific program of varying length that essentially streamlines months or years of training into a compact, multiweek school, preparing individuals who complete it for careers as officers in the U.S. military. 2

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How To Get There - Checklist 1.Select a branch (or branches) 2.Contact the nearest Officer Recruiter (see page 5) 3.Begin application paperwork -Application for Appointment -Security Questionnaire (SF 86) -Armed Forces Processing Record (DD 1966) -Recommendation Letters -Official Copy of college transcript 4.Complete written/computer tests (see page 6) 5.Complete physical tests if necessary (see page 7) 6.Complete MEPS (see page 8) 4

Officer Recruiter Locations in South Carolina Army COLUMBIA 1313 ASSEMBLY STREET, SPACE C COLUMBIA, SC CLEMSON 1010 TIGER BLVD, SUITE A CLEMSON, SC WEST ASHLEY 1660 SAM RITTENBERG BLVD, SUITE 17 CHARLESTON, SC Navy COLUMBIA 121 EXECUTIVE CENTER DR. COLUMBIA, SC Air Force COLUMBIA 1315 ASSEMBLY ST. COLUMBIA, SC CHARLESTON 975 BACONS BRIDGE RD, STE 102 B SUMMERVILLE, SC CLEMSON 1010 TIGER BLVD, SUITE B CLEMSON, SC Marine Corps COLUMBIA 601 MAIN ST. COLUMBIA, SC

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MEPS – Military Entrance Processing Station What is MEPS? MEPS is where applicants have themselves tested to ensure that they are physically capable of serving in the U.S. military. The only MEPS location in South Carolina is located at Fort Jackson, near Columbia. Your recruiter will set up a time and date for you to attend. Fort Jackson MEPS 2435, Marion Ave Fort Jackson, SC What to Expect -An overnight stay at the Marriott on Assembly St. in downtown Columbia -Follow bus with enlisted applicants in personal vehicle to Fort Jackson -Enter MEPS and listen to overview of day’s items -Paperwork -Tests for blood pressure, heart rate, vision, hearing, flexibility, balance, and motor response times -One-on-one exam with practitioner to review medical history as submitted in previous paperwork -Check out at the front desk and exit the base 8

What Happens Next…. After completing all the paperwork and tests, the Officer Recruiter will submit the total application to the nearest Recruiting District Station. From there, a board will convene at a future date where they will examine all available applicants and determine who will be accepted to OCS. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months before the results are sent back to the Officer Recruiter, who will in turn relay them to the applicant. From there, assuming the applicant is accepted, it’s all about preparation for what’s to come at OCS. For more information about OCS, the application process, or preparation for OCS, please visit the link below to view a compilation of resources organized for applicants to find more information on any OCS- related topic. 9