Week Three of Navy Officer Candidate School

The Third Week of Navy OCS

Academic Week: This week, you will begin academics, which will take up the majority of your time. The academics at OCS are not difficult; however, the nature of the learning environment is substantially different from that most are accustomed to. All test questions come from what are called “enabling objectives” which are outlined at the beginning of each chapter, and pay close attention to the reviews, if given, by the instructor because these are also commonly test questions. All exams are multiple choice. A score of 80% is passing at OCS; however, an overall academic average of 80% is needed for off-base liberty when your class secures.

The following chart gives the general academic schedule that is followed at OCS. Test dates are subject to change depending on special circumstances, but they should still fall on the given week. By this time at OCS the time after dinner chow (starting approximately 1830) is usually reserved for you and your class. Your class will be responsible for cleaning the battalion, practicing drill, studying, holding class meetings, attending to personal matters, etc.

At first, it may seem that you have plenty of time at night to accomplish everything you need to, but you will realize how quickly your time gets taken up. The most important thing to remember is to make time to study, and start studying early. As your time at OCS increases, so does your responsibility and duties. Do not expect to be able to cram the night before tests.

You are required to stay awake in class and take the opportunity to study whenever you get a chance otherwise you will regret it when test time comes around. Most candidates fall into the trap of wasting the entire night preparing their uniforms for the next day. Use Sunday afternoons to press your uniforms and no more than 30 minutes of study period for shoe shining. One uniform can feasibly last one week (depending on how much you’re RPTied). An un-kept uniform cannot cause you to roll – a failed examination can.

Another trap candidates fall into is the “teamwork trap.” Teamwork is crucial at OCS. However, you must complete your work individually. Although it is a good thing to help your shipmate if he is falling behind, it is a far better thing to keep yourself from falling behind as well. Dole out your time for others sparingly.