Officer Training School Questions?

Question

1. What are main differences between Army, Navy, and Marine OTSs?

2. How long is OTS and what happens if you don't "pass?" What are you actually doing when you sign on the dotted line?

3. Do you get paid while attending OTS or only upon completion? Any "sign-up" bonuses, etc.? What kind of salary can one expect after completion? Vacation/Leave, benefits, etc.?

4. Where do you attend OTS, the nearest location to where you currently live or do they send you wherever they have "room?"

5. Is there a lot of travel involved in OTS and/or for the Officers that graduate? (I love to travel, although maybe not on a sub!)

Thanks in advance everyone! Just thought I'd check in here before contacting an actual recruiter...

P.S. I already have a 4-year degree (B.A. in Design/Computers)

Answer 1

Let me try to tackle this one:

There isn't a lot of difference between OTS in the various services, although the Marines REALLY stress the physical training more than the others. Depending on what service you go into, OTS is 13 to 18 weeks long.

If you don't pass OTS, you get what they call an entry level separation, which has no negative repercussions for you in the future.

You do get paid while you attend, and you may be able to get a signing bonus depending upon what military "job" you have (infantryman, medical, legal, law enforcement, security, intelligence, etc.)

You earn 2 1/2 days of leave every month, but you're only allowed to have a leave balance of 60 days when the new fiscal year rolls around on October 1st, so if you have more than 60 days and you don't use it, you lose it.

Your medical and dental are covered 100%, and you can sign up for up to $400,000.00 worth of life insurance through Servicemen's Group Life Insurance.

If you're selected for OTS, you'll have to go to a base where they have OTS (in the Air Force, there's only one -- Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama).

As for salary, I'm not 100% sure but I think you're looking at around $2,700.00 a month as an OTS graduate, plus a subsistence allowance and a housing allowance that are non-taxable.

Does that help

Answer 2

in the Navy, It's called OCS, and you get trained by Marines. it's like 3 months ish long..I forget exactly, it's been 5 years since my husband went through it. You will be given every opportunity to pass all aspects, from the academic, to the physical to the military bearing. If you fail a particular test you are normally accorded one opportunity to pass. But that doesn't mean if you fail it a secoind time you are booted. As long as you can demonstrate a willingness to try, they might move you back a week or two first. allowing you additional time to soak up the knowledge.

You will be paid during OCS. If you go in prior enlisted, you will be paid as an E5 or your current paygrade if higher. If you come in straight from the real world, you get paid as an E5. After OCS, you get paid as an O1(an O1e if you have more than 4 years prior enlisted service) You will also have to buy all of your uniforms. they give you a loan to cover this cost, as it's a pretty hefty chunck of change to get a seabag ready.

Navy OCS is at Pensacola Florida. There are no other places.

as for travel opportunities, it depends on your Community. if you go SWO.. oh yeah, your first two (at LEAST) duty stations will be sea duty..on board a ship. figure around 2 years each duty station, give or take..

Navy OCS is very competetive right now. Depending on your GPA, you may or may not have a decent shot at getting in. your Degree is a sought after one, especially for Intel, IP and IWO, although SWO would take you as well. generally speaking, you need a 3.5 or higher to have a good chance at getting picked up.

Any benefits are the same across the board for enlisted and Officer..30 days paid vacation per year, acrrued at 2.5 days/month. All medical and dental is covered at no cost for you.

Bonuses are at the discretion of the community you enter. Some of them can be as high as 50,000 once you make grade.