Officer Candidate School

In the United States armed forces, Officer Candidate School (OCS) is a training program for non-commissioned officers, soldiers, and recent college graduates to acquire commissions as officers. The courses generally last from ten to twelve weeks and include classroom instruction in military subjects, physical training, and leadership preparation.

The four sources by which one may gain a commission in the United States armed forces are through OCS or OTS, by staff appointment, through ROTC, or through one of the four military academies.

The Officer Candidates School of the United States Marine Corps, the initial training of Marine officers, is located at MCB Quantico.

The Officer Candidates School of the United States Navy is located in Pensacola, Florida

The Officer Candidates School of the United States Army is located at Fort Benning, Georgia.

The Officer Training School of the United States Air Force is at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. In Air Force lingo, OCS is called OTS.