For those of you who have gone through CG OCS, did you think it was hard? Also in terms of the difficulty, was it more mentally, physically, or academically challenging?
My yardsticks are snapshots in time: Parris Island in the late 1980s & Yorktown in the early 1990s. I can't for example compare Cape May of 2005 with New London OCS of 2007. That said:
OCS is mentally more challenging--OCs are required to balance time and effort, e.g., leadership responsibilities, with military and academic ones. There is constant decisionmaking in a way not needed in boot camp.
Physically--PI was much harder.
Academically--OCS considerably harder. The course material was more challenging, and my classmates on average much more academically skilled.
An added dimension: in boot camp, there are not that many prior-service people, and those are not in much position to make full use of their experience--collective effort is paramount, but knowledge pre-dating boot camp is of little use. In OCS, there are some very experienced and mature people from many walks of life, including people who have been chiefs & warrant officers, and even line officers in other services. My class reached an amazing level of cooperation in which we pulled together to share our talents for the collective good.
Ok, understanding that I went through both NAVY OCS Prep School and CG OCS (when it was in Yorktown) I have to say that the most challenging part of OCS was "time management". At the same time, it was the one thing I learned that I have kept using in my life. The other stuff you mentioned above, naah. Should not be a problem, and if it is, then perhaps you need to reconsider whether OCS is for you and if you belong in the program. But for what I recall, the average person if organized, should do well.
I liked OCS so much, I may try to go back (although not as an OC this time).
I sailed in EAGLE from Tenerife Canary Islands to Hamilton Harbor Bermuda, got to know all of my classmates well, form a lot of friendships, received a commission at the end, and got the opportunity to go afloat upon graduation.
It was mostly a mental challenge for me. The academics were tough for some of the non-prior enlisted (civilians and CSPI).
Don't let OCS hold you back. Jumping the fence is a big decision for many reasons. The degree of difficulty of the program really isn't a consideration in my opinion. Just like any other form of pain - OCS is temporary. The real learning comes when you go to your ship after you graduate. I'm in the global if you have questions.
I think OCS is tougher for prior enlisted people because we've experienced the real CG and have done the mission. You get put in the "Chase Hall experience" and next thing you know, your asking yourself if you made the right choice. The big question you need to ask yourself is what do you want to do in the CG.
The real challenge is sporting the "butter bars". You would be wise to keep the lips zipped and the ears perked for at least the first 18 months. If your prior, OCS is a cake walk.
I was prior enlisted when I went to OCS. The jg's that pushed us tried to knock us down a peg initially to impress the new OC's, but they knew down deep that they needed us to be cornerstones for each platoon. The kids looked up to us for guidance. Just suck it up and take it. Lot of BS. OCS is more demanding academically than bootcamp was. By the way, I went to bootcamp in '61 and it was 13 weeks of rowing a 26' monomoy in Cape May Harbor come hell or high water.
My move to the Officer Corp was well worth it especially now in retirement - more $$$$.
I agree with all prior OC's. The first few weeks were disorienting trying to figure out what the heck the instructors wanted (they just wanted us to gel as a team). Once your class becomes tight its gets easier.
OCS is a commissioning source, therefore a starting point and not a finish line. Some very seasoned prior POs and CPOs forget that. Your true test will come as a JO (O-1 to O-3).
As an O-1 & O-2 you have to be a sponge and work you butt off the learn a ton and grab quals in a very short amount of time. HARD WORK + EXPERIENCE = REWARDING/HIGH JOB SATISFACTION
As an O-3 you have to put the mission ahead of all else, make the tough calls, and sometimes make yourself unpopular to get the job done. MORE & HARDER WORK + LEADERSHIP + KEEPING FOCUSED ON BIG PICTURE = DIFFICULT AT TIMES
If you want a hand on the throttles and a hand on a gun stay enlisted...If you feel like to direct and lead the folks with guns and boats from an office or stateroom go to OCS.
Those who go strictly for the $$$ are found out pretty quickly and NOT often asked to stay too long or given decent jobs.
