Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Officer Training School (OTS) is the commissioning route generally geared toward college graduates who are entering the U.S. military outside of service academies or ROTC.
Each branch offers a version of this program: the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard. These programs range from 8-17 weeks and prepare candidates to lead through military training, leadership development and physical conditioning.
Graduates are commissioned as officers and continue specialized training in their respective fields, serving as leaders in areas such as aviation, intelligence, engineering, logistics, and ground or maritime operations.
Officer Candidate School Requirements
To qualify for OCS, applicants generally must be U.S. citizens, hold a bachelor's degree, meet age requirements (usually between 19 and 32, depending on the branch and role) and pass a physical exam. Candidates must also meet moral, legal and medical standards and may need to pass a background check or security clearance.
Each military branch has its own selection process, which may include aptitude tests, interviews and leadership evaluations.
To prepare, applicants should focus on physical fitness, develop leadership skills, and research the expectations and culture of their chosen branch. Strong academic records and professional readiness also improve competitiveness.
Army OCS
The Army OCS is a 12-week course to train enlisted personnel, warrant officers and civilians with college degrees to be Army officers. Conducted at Fort Benning, Georgia, OCS takes place over two phases. Weeks 1-6 focus on basic leadership skills, physical training and military instruction. Weeks 7-12 emphasize field exercises and practical leadership.
Enlisted soldiers and warrant officers must have 90 semester credit-hours of college before applying. Civilian applicants must have a bachelor's degree. OCS commissions approximately 800-1,000 officers annually, comparable to the number commissioned through the U.S. Military Academy. About 65% of OCS applicants are accepted.
Navy OCS
Officer Candidate School is a primary path for civilians who already hold a bachelor's degree and wish to become commissioned Navy officers. Applicants must meet the age, education and physical requirements for the officer community they are applying to -- such as surface warfare, aviation, supply, intelligence or civil engineering.
Once accepted, candidates attend a 13-week training program at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. OCS prepares them physically, mentally and professionally for the responsibilities of commissioned service. Upon successful completion, graduates are commissioned as ensigns (O-1) in the United States Navy.
OCS is also used as the final step of commissioning for applicants from several programs, including the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program, Direct Commission Officer Programs and others. The acceptance rate averages around 30%, though it varies by desired warfare specialty.
Air Force and Space Force OTS
Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama offers a path to commissioning for those with a bachelor's degree, including both civilians and enlisted airmen. The program serves future officers in both the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force.
Most candidates complete the nine-week Basic Officer Training (BOT) program, which includes leadership, communication and military studies as part of the modern "OTS-Victory" curriculum. Those entering specialized professions such as law, medicine or chaplaincy may qualify for a shorter five-week Commissioned Officer Training (COT) track. Multiple classes are held each year, and graduates are commissioned as second lieutenants.
The acceptance rate is below 20%.
Marine Corps OCS
OCS is the most common route for Marines to become commissioned. Located at the historic Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, the school educates and trains officer candidates in the knowledge and skills necessary for commissioning.
Additionally, the OCC is pre-commissioned training for college seniors and graduates who want to be Marine Corps officers. Upon graduation from college, candidates attend one 10-week officer training course and receive a reserve commission upon successful completion of training.
The acceptance rate is not publicized by the Marine Corps.
Coast Guard OCS
The 12-week OCS program is designed for college graduates, prior service members and Coast Guard enlisted personnel. Conducted at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, the course focuses on leadership and military subjects to prepare candidates for officer roles.
The selection process is highly competitive, requiring applicants to demonstrate proven leadership abilities, relevant professional experience such as project management, and a strong academic background.
Candidates must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 21 and 41 and must meet certain educational and physical requirements. Read more details here about eligibility.
The physical and academic curriculum is demanding. In addition to physical training, candidates study navigation, ship operations, seamanship, Coast Guard orientation and leadership. Upon completion, candidates are commissioned as ensigns in the Coast Guard Reserve.
The acceptance rate is not publicized by the Coast Guard.
What to Expect at Officer Candidate School
For both OCS and OTS, the main goal is to transform civilians or enlisted members with college degrees into competent, ethical and resilient military officers. The general goal across all branches is to build leadership, physical fitness, military knowledge and command readiness while testing candidates' discipline, decision-making and adaptability under pressure.
While the core mission is consistent, each service branch structures OCS differently in terms of length, intensity and focus.
In the Army, OCS runs for 12 weeks and is broken into three phases. You'll start with the basics of leadership and military customs, then move into field training and tactics, and finally take on more responsibility as you prepare to commission. It's very hands-on and grounded in small-unit leadership under pressure.
The Navy's OCS lasts 13 weeks and blends academic learning with physical and leadership training. You'll study naval operations, ethics, navigation and damage control, while also going through leadership labs and simulations to prep for life on a ship or at sea.
For the Marine Corps, OCS is 10 weeks long -- or two 6-week blocks for some college routes -- and is famously tough, both mentally and physically. The goal is to see how you lead under stress, and you'll spend a lot of time in the field with team-building challenges and high-stakes decision-making.
The Air Force and Space Force offer OTS, which is a bit shorter at 8-9 weeks and tends to be more academic. There's still physical training and leadership development, but there's also a strong focus on strategic thinking and learning how the Air Force or Space Force operate.
The Coast Guard has the longest OCS at 17 weeks, and it's heavy on academics. You'll dive into maritime law, navigation, leadership and mission-specific training such as search and rescue. It's intense, but the mentorship and structure are strong throughout.
Want to Know More About the Military?
Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox.
