On The Job

I made it through OCS in the top 10%, made through Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course in the top 10%, and now I'm at my first Commissioned Duty Station. I just took my Platoon today, as an Armor Officer I am assigned to a Mechanized Infantry Platoon.

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Contracted

I signed the papers last Friday! I'm set to go to OCS on the 10th of September. This creates lots of questions though...

It's both good and bad for me and Ana. Mia is due on the 21st of September, which is the actual start date of OCS. We're hoping Ana can be "induced" and go into labor early. On the other hand, this leaves no gaps in our insurance and provides the security of having a job, which is good for us because we really don't want Ana to have to work.

Now that I've signed the contract, I'm going to set up a new blog... I'll post a link here when I get it established tracking my Delayed Entry Program time...

Contracting

In order to not miss more work or school I'll be waking up at about 3:30am to head to MEPS for the final part of the recruitment process CONTRACTING.  

What to know:

If you are PS and have already had the GI Bill or SLRP you won't get either now

If you are non PS, you will be able to choose either GI Bill or SLRP

If you are going Active Duty, there is no sign on bonus

If you are going US Army Reserve as of right now there is a 10,000 sign on bonus available

You cannot get anything extra in your contract

No Assignment of Choice

No Branch Guarantees

No Airborne School

No Ranger School

This is all for the most part earned or needs of the Army after you get in.

Now, I'm considering ending this Blog as it was only intended to track the process of getting in.  I may start another tracking preparation for OCS while I'm in the DEP waiting to graduate this Summer.

It still doesn't seem like the blog is being tracked yet, and I haven't seen it come up in any search engines, but I imagine it will in the near future.

5 Minutes Until the Rest of Your Life Starts...

I was selected today for Officer Candidat School.  It took about two months, which I've found out isn't anywhere near as long as other applicants.  There were a few applicants boarding in Atlanta and our interviewers were 2 Captains and 1 Major.  All Prior Service applicants were in and out withing 5 minutes (including me) and the non PS guys were actually interviewed taking around 20 minutes each.  

Anyone going I would suggest:

Know These:

How many branches are there in the Army

What are they

Which can you get into via OCS

What is each generally like

Be prepared for:

"Tell us about yourself"

"Are you married"

"Is your (significant other) happy with your decision"

"Why do you want to be an Officer"

"What Branch"

Also:

Check out tough interview questions online

Be prepared with a broad knowledge of current events

Understand your likely path (OCS, BOLC II, BOLC III, Possibly on to a Deploying Unit)

It was much easier and more laid back than I had expected, I was still a nervous...  

Number Cruncher to Officer Candidate

The next officer candidate board is on the 22nd of April, and I'm still waiting to hear from my recruiter if I'll be able to attend.  I should know by the end of the day tomorrow.  

I'm currently reading almost every post that comes up on www.armyocs.com and trying to find information anywhere I can on being a Platoon Leader, a Company XO, a Company Commander, and a rather awesome functional area which can be transferred into via selection around year 5 to 7 after commissioning called "Foreign Area Officer."  

The Foreign Area Officer, after a long interesting set of training, becomes a liaison in some means between their geographical assignment area and the United States Army/Government.  The requirements include exceptional evaluation reports from exceptional experiences and assignments, test scores from a language aptitude exam, and being eligible for a Top Secret Secured Compartment Information clearance with Counterintelligence Polygraph.  The training includes language school, travel throughout your geographic assignment to understand the culture, the completion of a Masters Degree that complements your new field, and completion of a course in your new host country either through their university system or their military.  Absolutely amazing!  I'm curious if being married to a Croatian citizen disqualifies me from a TS SCI clearance.  

AS FOR THE BOARD...

I'm pretty much ready to go, it will take place (if I make it to this one) right in the middle of my final exams, but with the hectic schedule I've been keeping it's always going to end up right in the middle of something.  

WORKOUT

I'm now very aware of how important physical fitness is when it comes to getting your preference when it comes time to branch at OCS.  I've been considering working out in the Cross Fit program.  I tried it out last night with my very limited amount of home equipment, and now I understand why the mascot is Pukie.  My goal is a solid 300 on the PT test.

APFT (Physical Fitness Test) Complete

I took the PT test after work today.  At 5:15 I arrived at the recruiting station and almost immediately began my push-ups, waited 10 minutes then did the sit-ups.  After that we drove to the local soccer fields and I ran 2 miles.  My recruiter allowed me to wear my IPOD/headphones which was nice, and a luxury probably not offered very often.

My Initial APFT: I'm 27

72 Push-Ups (close to max)

79 Sit-Ups (close to max)

15:40 run (very weak)

My total score was 267, and since I passed all events, I'll be able to go to the next selection board in Atlanta.

Post MEPS

I made it up to the hotel on Friday night, I drove myself, a luxury not offered when I enlisted back in 2000 for Active Duty or 1999 in the Reserves.  The hotel in Knoxville has changed, it is much nicer than the previous hotel, I won't go as far as to say which for OPSEC, but it was very comfortable.

On Saturday morning I followed the bus to the MEPS and processed through medical and security in about four or five hours.  I was out of there right at lunch time.  The whole experience was very smooth as we only had about fifteen of us there.  Normally this can take much longer.

My next step is the Physical Fitness Test followed by the Board Interview.  Almost there!

My weight was 216 and I needed 212, I taped at 18% body fat and I was allowed 22% so I'm good there...  I didn't think this would be too much of an issue...