MONMOUTH, Ore. - A diverse group of two-dozen soon-to-be-officers meet for the first time to conduct “Phase Zero” during the Officer Candidate School at the 249th Regional Training Institute, Monmouth, Ore., March 5.

During “Phase Zero,” a three-month preparation phase for OCS, candidates complete a two-mile road march, a land navigation course, an Army Physical Fitness Test, and polish their drill and ceremony skills.

“Phase Zero helps determine if the candidates are ready to ‘Fast Track,’ or go the traditional route,” said Maj. Kirk Mikelsen, OCS commander for RTI.

Candidates in the National Guard have two options for OCS. The traditional route is conducted over an 18-month period that allows soldiers to stay in their civilian employment and further develop their leadership skills. The “Fast Track” program is an eight-week accelerated program that allows candidates to receive their commission as an Army Officer earlier. Either “Fast Track” or traditional 18-month, all OCS candidates go through Phase Zero together, at RTI.

However, before candidates begin either program, they are inundated with information such as Army Regulations, which will help them through OCS and their career as an officer.
“With this volume and pressure, we ask the candidates to be sponges to absorb as much as they can so as to form a strong core of officer ship.” said Cpt. Matthew Cofer, Platoon TAC (Teach, Assess, Counsel) at RTI.

During “Phase Zero” emphasis is placed on being physically fit and building endurance needed for training.

“Physical training is huge because [other phases are] more physically demanding,” Cofer said. “It would not reflect well on Oregon if the candidates were out of shape.”

Phase Zero is an important step for future success to help candidates navigate through the program, receive their commission and prepare them for successful careers as officers in the National Guard.

The Army uses the crawl, walk, run phases for teaching. Phase Zero is the crawl phase.
“It’s not as stressful here as it will be during Phase One,” said Sgt 1st Class Jesse Austin, Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge for OCS. “The candidates are allowed to make mistakes that they can learn from.”

The “Fast Track” program has an 80-percent graduation rate while the traditional program has a 90-percent rate.

“We do an outstanding job producing outstanding officers for the Army National Guard,” said Mikelsen.