Officer Candidate School (OCS)

State Officer Candidate School
The State OCS option is a 15-month course of instruction conducted from March to June of the following year. Upon commissioning, each officer will attend an Officer Basic Course (OBC) within 18 months in the branch to which they are assigned.

Eligibility Requirements:
• Candidates must have a minimum of 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university
• Candidates must complete 90 semester hours to be commissioned.
• Candidates must be no more than 35 years of age at the time of commissioning.
• Candidates must sign a six-year enlistment.
• Candidates must have successfully completed both Basic Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). AIT may be waived in certain instances.
• Candidates must have an SAT score of 850 or better, or an ACT score of 19 or better. 
• Candidates must provide proof of US citizenship (naturalized or by birth).
More information

Accelerated Officer Candidate School
The National Guard Bureau (NGB) conducts two different eight week accelerated OCS programs for qualified personnel identified by their respective commands and enrolled in the course. Candidates must have 90 semester hours to start Accelerated OCS.

SD501 (South Dakota 501)
Candidates report for training assemblies at Camp Ripley in April, May and possibly June depending on the schedule. The course is conducted over 8 weeks, from Early June to Early August, at Fort Meade, S.D. Candidates are eligible for commissioning upon course completion.

AL501 (Alabama 501)
Candidates report for drills at Camp Ripley starting in November, December and January. The course is conducted over 8 weeks from Mid January to Mid March at Fort McClelland, Alabama. Candidates are eligible to commission upon course completion.

More Information on eligibility requirements.

Federal Officer Candidate School (Active Component)
The Federal OCS is conducted over a fourteen-week period at Fort Benning, GA.

Eligibility requirements are same as above.
More Information

Basic Branches

Direct Commission Program

The ARNG Direct Commission Program offers an alternate commissioning source to exceptionally qualified individuals. The program does not replace or otherwise affect any commissioning programs. The ARNG Direct Appointment Program provides for an individual to be nominated and selected for consideration to a direct appointment by the chain of command.
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Specialty Branches

ROTC and the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

National Guard Soldiers attending colleges sponsoring ROTC units are eligible to apply for the SMP option. SMP is a two-year program that provides cadets a monthly subsistence allowance. Students may also apply for a Two-Year Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship or a Two- or Four-Year Dedicated National Guard Scholarship. Scholarships in ROTC programs pay for most tuition, and a flat rate for textbooks, classroom supplies, and equipment. Graduates may be offered a commission as a second lieutenant. SMP cadets are non-deployable assets, and may be assigned to one unit but attached to another. Basic and Advanced Training are deferred pending completion of SMP and commissioning. Ask your recruiter for information and a list of colleges offering ROTC.
More Information

For further information please contact:

Assets-HRO@mn.ngb.army.mil
651-282-4155 or DSN 825-4155

Links
U of M Army ROTC
U of M Air Force ROTC