OCS training

rpbear · Feb 1, 2004

I've never heard those terms, but for the Air Force, nurses attend COT, a four week orientation course into the USAF.

check this site out. http://ots.afoats.af.mil/23ts/index.html

Kora0880, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2004

I found out the answer: (Navy)

OIS- Officer Indoctrination School, so basically you are in, they just gotta "make" you into an officer, lasts 6wk

OCS- Officer Candidate School- so you are there to prove yourself you can make it in order to be an officer, so it will make you or break you, I think it lasts about 13wk

but still wish to talk who has been through IT?

Calfax · Feb 26, 2004

I found out the answer: (Navy)
OIS- Officer Indoctrination School, so basically you are in, they just gotta "make" you into an officer, lasts 6wk
OCS- Officer Candidate School- so you are there to prove yourself you can make it in order to be an officer, so it will make you or break you, I think it lasts about 13wk
but still wish to talk who has been through IT?

OCS is held in Pensacola......for those officers preparing for careers on the flightline or on ships...things like that. Contains some extra practical military stuff like navigation on top of the regular indoctrination stuff. http://www.navy.mil can give you the specifics. Nurses go to OIS in Newport, RI.

When I went thru OIS in Rhode Island a couple of years ago......kind of like going to summer camp.....but with marching. I had a good time....and that's more than you can say about boot camp. OIS is NOT boot camp.....but you will be expected to maintain at least a minimum effort to get into shape and to stay awake during classes.

You have classes that teach about military life, how to have a career in the navy, and how to function in a group and work together in a group. If you're dumb enough to join the navy without knowing how to swim, they'll teach you that as well.

It's not "Full metal jacket". No running around with weapons...cause it's not a good idea to give doctors, nurses, and lawyers guns. You will have a couple of marine gunny sgts there. but that's only because it takes drastic measures to get college grads to learn to march in a group.

I went to both NYC and Boston on my "Liberty" weekends.....and Newport is really beautiful during the summer. I do hear they've changed things somewhat since I went thru....but hey, it's six weeks. You'll be going to Iraq for a lot longer than that! :coollook:

tribe0701 · Feb 27, 2004

I found out the answer: (Navy)

Kora,

Did you ever look at the Air Force Nurse Corps? Might be worth a call to the local Air Force Health Professions Representative. Don't you owe it to yourself to check it out too?

Air Force member 13 years and still going.....

Kora0880, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2004

Actually I have looked into the AF as well, spoken to AF healthcare professionals and so on. . .I heard mostly good things. . .but I decided to go with the Navy. . . there is always the possibility of switching branches if it doesn't work out, although I have been told this may not be as easy as it seems. . .thank you for your suggestion

So why did you chose the AF?

fry.girl · Feb 27, 2004

Kora,
Did you ever look at the Air Force Nurse Corps? Might be worth a call to the local Air Force Health Professions Representative. Don't you owe it to yourself to check it out too?
Air Force member 13 years and still going.....

Does the Airforce offer a program similar to the Nurse Candidate Program that the Navy offers?

I checked out two of the websites suggested here for the Airforce and did not see anything mentioned other than a up to $10,000 signing bonus.(not that 10K is nothing), just curious...

TaraSC · Feb 27, 2004

I've spoken with an AF recruiter and they do not offer a program like then Navy's NCP. They only offer a couple different sign on bonus' or the option to have student loans paid up to a certain amount.

Calfax · Feb 27, 2004

Welcome to the Navy shipmates......and remember....(picture a huge smirk).....it's not just a job, its an adventure!!!!!!!!!!!!

ldshaw · Feb 28, 2004

Welcome to the Navy shipmates......and remember....(picture a huge smirk).....it's not just a job, its an adventure!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just so you know...They have changed OIS in the past year. It is not as easy as it used to be. I was stationed in Newport Rhode Island for the past five years and know an Officer who is in charge of the OIS students. They have made the training much harder and no more liberty weekends. I just would hate for you to go and then be in shock when you realize it is not going to be a walk in the part. OCS is still much more difficult than OIS.

Just FYI

Good Luck