Heath Elliot Johnmeyer
OATH OF OFFICE
OCS Makes Navy OfficersThe Navy's Revolution in Training is taking another step forward in the move to produce a more highly trained naval force and offer better support to Sailors. As part of the revolution, Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) is being established to align enlisted and officer initial training programs under a single command structure. Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Naval Aviation Schools Command in Pensacola, Fla. is a rigorous course for new non-commissioned, unrestricted-line and restricted-line officer candidates. Over the course of 13 weeks, enlisted Sailors and civilians are transformed into Naval officers. Physically and mentally demanding, OCS requires absolute commitment to the goal of earning a commission in the Navy. According to Lt.. Enid Wilson, public affairs officer at OCS, "A candidate who is strong academically, physically fit, has attention to detail, displays teamwork and leadership traits and is determined to succeed" will complete training at OCS. About 90 percent of candidates make it all the way through. The rest either leave the Navy, or transfer to Recruit Training Command Great Lakes for enlisted basic training, depending on their Navy commitment. Eligibility requirements for OCS include:
Candidates complete two MTTs while at OCS, one in week four and one in week nine. "The academic grade makes up 45 percent of the overall grade at Officer Candidate School. Candidates generally spend six to eight hours a day on academics," said Wilson. Academic training includes courses on engineering, military indoctrination, Naval history, navigation, seamanship, damage control, Naval leadership, Naval administration and military law. Briefings include suicide awareness and prevention, Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor (DAPA) program, human resources and safety programs, counterespionage and AIDS. "Physical readiness is extremely important. The Class Drill Instructor stresses its importance daily. Individuals not performing up to standards generally have a difficult time in all areas," says Wilson.
Physical training instruction begins almost immediately upon arrival. Candidates are required to complete a standard physical readiness test (PRT) during their first week at OCS, and go through a regular regimen of calisthenics, running and aquatics for physical training. Candidates are encouraged to report in the best possible physical condition. During the detailed PIs, the candidates undergo thorough tests in uniform presentation and memorized knowledge. Precise measurements are taken of each uniform component to ensure observance of regulations. While their uniforms are being checked, candidates are tested on their knowledge of required memorized information-chain of command; code of conduct; general orders of a sentry; the lyrics to the National Anthem, the Navy Hymn, Anchors Aweigh and the Marine Hymn; and rank structure. Candidates complete two PIs while at OCS-one in week six and the second in week ten. Approximately 98 hours are spent learning and practicing drill. Candidates march to and from every class. The OCS graduation begins with the pass-in-review ceremony, the final test of their drill and ceremony skills. The final moment as a candidate is the commissioning ceremony, when the candidate is pinned and becomes a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. At least half of all the newly commissioned Ensigns are either Naval Aviators or Naval Flight Officers and stay in Pensacola to attend Preflight Instruction at Naval Aviation Schools Command. OCS also commissions Surface Warfare Officers, Submarine Warfare Officers, Special Operations Officers, Special Warfare Officers, Supply Corps Officers, Civil Engineer Corps Officers, Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officers, Intelligence Officers, Cryptology Officers, Public Affair Officers and Oceanographers.
Naval Base to Graduate Final ClassThe college graduates who are soon to complete training at the nation's oldest naval air station will be the final class to graduate from the base's officer candidate school, ending a military tradition that lasted nearly seven decades. After graduation ceremonies on Friday, the school will close and consolidate with a training center in Newport, R.I.
Just minutes after reporting for duty last July, a few of the candidates lost their composure, their voices cracking as instructors barked commands over the ocean breeze. It was a first taste of military discipline for some. When one candidate was slow answering a question, an instructor scrawled "Goldfish" on masking tape and stuck it on his back. "Goldfish die after a week, you know that? We might have to change your name to 'Gnat,' though, because gnats only live for day," he said. The closing after 68 years is also the end of an era at the base, where officer candidates run along the streets in their navy blue shorts and white T-shirts, and the sound of drill instructors often drifts into offices. "Every time we come across people out on the base, they let us know how long they have been supporting the officer candidate program and how sad they are to see it go," said William Brinkmeyer, an officer candidate from the final class.
Flight training at Pensacola Naval Air Station dates to 1914, but those original aviators came as officers from the U.S. Naval Academy. The base began officer training for aviators in 1936. In 1994, the Aviation Officer School was combined to include candidates in other career fields. "It's been such a visible aspect of the base for such a long time," base historian Hill Goodspeed said. And Marine drill instructors have always overseen the training. "Every candidate I've ever talked to always remembers their drill instructor because they are such a dominating presence, a larger-than-life presence," Goodspeed said. The drill instructor for the school's final class is Gunnery Sgt. Jason Jones, a veteran of two combat tours in Iraq. His gravely voice comes from years of yelling commands. The final class will be the 20th to graduate this year. Twenty five of its original 56 candidates dropped out, including the one labeled Goldfish. As graduation approached, students became more confident in their futures as Navy officers. Lt. Scott Kykendall, an instructor and Naval aviator, will return to Iraq instead of moving to Rhode Island. He said Pensacola will always be a unique place, especially for aviators starting their Navy careers. "It's just so motivating in the mornings to run students around these streets and see the history. When you think about the people who have gone through flight training here - Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, John McCain. Need I say more?" 
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