(Guard Officer Leadership Detachment)

OFFICER CANDIDATE SOP

I. PURPOSE: This pamphlet provides information to all Officer Candidates attending the 354th Army Gold Program with a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the program and their required duties and responsibilities. Familiarize yourself with this document.

II. MISSION: The mission of OCS is to TRAIN the Officer Candidate, DEVELOP leadership, and EVALUATE their leadership potential using TAC Officers, peer counseling and feedback.

III. OBJECTIVE: Officer Candidate School (OCS) is conducted in 3 phases.

Phase I training is conducted at Ft. Meade, South Dakota. The training objective is based on FM 22-10 Drill and Ceremonies and Basic Leadership skills, and Land Navigation. This training is conducted during the summer and is 2 weeks in duration.

Phase II training is conducted at Eastern Oregon University on IDT status. The training is classroom-oriented subjects such as military history, administration, military tactics, and leadership.

Phase III training is conducted at Ft. Lewis, Washington. The training objective is based on Squad and Platoon infantry tactics from FM 7-8. This training is conducted during the summer and is 2 weeks in duration.

An integral part of OCS training is the Leadership Assessment Program (LAP). TAC officers operating at squad level will evaluate your leadership ability and behavior traits, comparing them to those required for success as a Second Lieutenant. Self-evaluation and performance counseling will be completed within 24 hours of completing a leadership position. The AAR process is used throughout AT.

Assistant Platoon Leader assignments must be coordinated with 3-116 Cavalry, and approved by CPT Kotz. Acting Platoon Leader assignments will be restricted to Upper Division Students, and must be approved by CPT Kotz, and the Commander 3-116 Cavalry.

IV. KEY STAFF MEMBERS:

a. ARNG OCS Commander MAJ William Krei OMA RTI OREGON

b. ARNG 354th Commander CPT Dominic L. Kotz 354th GOLD OREGON

V. ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR OCS:

a. Age: Under 29 years (30-35 requires a waiver)

b. APFT: You must have a valid Army Physical Fitness Test within the last 12 months.

c. Weight: All Officer Candidates will be weighed, and taped as needed, during in processing. You must be in compliance with the standards of AR 600-9.

d. Citizenship: US Citizenship required.

e. ACT Score of 19 or SAT Score of 850 (not required if Baccalaureate).

f. GT Score of 110 or above

g. College: 60 Semester/90 quarter hours of college to enroll; a 4 year degree required for commissioning (GOLD prerequisite).

h. Security Clearance: Secret Security Clearance initiated.

i. Medical Exam: Current Chapter 2 commissioning physical within two years

j. Waivers: All necessary waivers approved and in file.

k. Complete Basic/AIT or equivalent

VI. ATTENDANCE:

a. Attendance for class and labs are mandatory. Unless previously arranged with CPT Kotz Officer Candidates will be considered absent. Physical Training (PT) is mandatory for all officer candidates. If absence is not pre-arranged with CPT Kotz then you will be considered absent. All absences will result with a negative spot report and will be filed in your packet. If you accumulate more than three absences in any one of these training exercises, it will result in banishment from the GOLD Program.

VII. PHYSICAL CONDITIONING:

a. GENERAL: OCS demands physical fitness. You will not be able to keep pace with this high intensity-training program if you are not in excellent physical condition. Some of the training and evaluation will require you to remain in a field-training environment with full equipment.

b. PREPARATION: You should already have a personal program for physical conditioning in place. If not, START NOW! It is a distinct advantage to arrive in excellent physical condition. To avoid injuries, your PT program should include vigorous outdoor exercise in warm weather to become acclimated to physical exertion, wearing your combat boots during outdoor physical training, and activities to break them in gradually to avoid foot injuries, and use of a weighted rucksack for extended road marches.

VII. APPEARANCE:

a. Haircuts and facial hair will conform to US Army standards as defined in AR 670-1.

b. UNIFORMS: The duty uniform is the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU). Unit patches, name tapes, and the US Army Tapes will be worn IAW AR 670-1. Wear brass OCS insignia on your beret and BDU soft cap and subdued OCS insignias on BDU's, cold weather clothing, and Kevlar helmet covers IAW AR 670-1. Class A uniforms need to be ready for special occasions and inspections. Army Physical Fitness Uniforms (APFU) will be worn for PT and Formation Runs.

VIII. MILITARY PAY:

a. All Officer candidates will be enrolled in the direct deposit program if they have not already done so. Once an individual is of Officer Candidate status their pay will be upgraded to an E-6 pay grade. Any problems with pay should immediately be reported to CPT Kotz.

IX. ADMINISTRATION:

a. MEDICAL AND DENTAL: Current physicals are needed prior to beginning OCS Phase I training.

b. TELEPHONES: Use of office telephones is permitted. Long distance calls need to be cleared with CPT Kotz first.

c. ACCIDENT PREVENTION: It is your responsibility to prevent accidents. Safety is a leadership responsibility, and you are equally responsible for ensuring that training areas and equipment are used safely. Common sense and a constant emphasis on safety will reduce the chance of injuries. The Camp Command S-1 is the POC for safety information dissemination.

d. IDENTIFICATION (ID) TAGS: You must have ID tags prior to arriving for PHASE I & III training. ID tags will be worn during all field training exercises and while traveling to or from AT. Each platoon will participate in an air-mobile operation during the platoon lanes phase of training. Without ID tags, you will not be allowed aboard the aircraft.

e. TOBACCO CONTROL PLAN: You will not use tobacco while attending class or lab indoors.

f. ALCOHOL POLICY: You will not consume alcohol while on duty or in uniform, or if you are under age.

g. UPDATES: Send updates or changes to your status including change of address, phone number, marital status, health status, as soon as possible to CPT Kotz and the 354th chain of command.

OFFICER CANDIDATE TA 50 EQUIPMENT LIST

WILL BE ADDED AT A LATER TIME





ITEMS THAT MUST BE BROUGHT TO OCS

CURRENT ID CARD WITH AN ETS DATE NO EARLIER THAN 1 WEEK AFTER COMPLETION OF PHASE III
ID TAGS
COPY OF CURRENT PHYSICAL TO INCLUDE ANY WAIVERS THAT MAY BE NECESSARY (VERIFY A COPY OF THIS IS IN YOUR STUDENT RECORDS)
CURRENT COPY OF COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT (VERIFY A COPY OF THIS IS IN YOUR STUDENT RECORDS)
COPIES OF OTHER WAIVERS NOT LISTED ABOVE (IE. CONVICTION OR AGE) VERIFY A COPY OF THIS IS IN YOUR STUDENT RECORDS
CERTIFIED VERIFICATION OF YOUR SECURITY CLEARENCE COPY OF BIRTH CERTIFICATE
COPY OF LAST APFT (DA 705) VERIFICATION OF CITIZENSHIP (IF NOT ON BIRTH CERTIFICATE) N

Eastern Oregon University

GOLD Program

La Grande, Oregon  97850