{"id":247,"date":"2016-10-17T09:49:44","date_gmt":"2016-10-17T19:49:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiarng\/?page_id=247"},"modified":"2026-05-12T09:27:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T19:27:41","slug":"ocs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiarng\/recruiting-and-retention\/ocs\/","title":{"rendered":"Officer Candidate School (OCS)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Officer Candidate School is an enlistment option for those looking to become a commissioned officer. Commissioned officers in the National Guard are responsible for leading and training enlisted Soldiers, planning missions, and organizing internal and external affairs. Officers are entrusted with the Soldiers’ welfare, morale, and professional development under their command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officer Candidate School (OS) allows educated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be commissioned as officers. Through classroom instruction and training exercises, candidates learn to become leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the National Guard, you have three options for attending OCS State, Accelerated, and Federal. These options differ in their eligibility criteria, training location, and length of training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STATE OCS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

State OCS is conducted part-time. State OCS candidates train one weekend per month for 18 months to complete their OCS school. These training weekends are conducted at the Readiness Training Institute in Waimanalo, Hawaii. In addition to the monthly training weekends, State OCS candidates attend a yearly two-week training block in the summertime. Candidates enlist as an E-4 and are paid at an E-6 rate once in the OCS program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ELIGIBILITY:<\/em> All applicants must have a 110 GT score (a line score derived from the ASVAB), at least 90 college credits completed, and must meet the age requirement of commissioning by the age of 42 (commissioning happens right after the completion of the OCS program).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACCELERATED OCS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Accelerated OCS is conducted full-time. Accelerated OS candidates attend 8 weeks of training in South Dakota or Alabama. Accelerated OCS is offered every summer and winter. Candidates enlist as an E-4 and paid at an E-6 rate once in the OCS program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ELIGIBILITY:<\/em> All applicants must have a 110 GT score, at least 90 college credits completed, and must me the age requirement to commission by the age of 42.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FEDERAL OCS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Federal OCS is conducted full-time. Federal OCS candidates attend 12 weeks of training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Federal OCS candidates enlist as an E-4 and are paid at an E-5 rate once in the OCS program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ELIGIBILITY: <\/em>All applicants must have a 110 GT score, a completed Bachelor’s Degree, and must meet the age requirement of commissioning prior to their 34th birthday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n