OCS accomplishes this mission by building the foundations of professional “OFFICERSHIP” — Leadership, Profession of Arms, Academics and Fitness.
Leadership: Instilling within candidates the qualities of a Professional Naval Officer. These qualities include Honesty, Integrity, Work Ethic, Military Bearing, Character, Dependability, Initiative, Accountability, Toughness and Teamwork. Further, OCS develops officer candidates to perform capably under pressure and in adverse conditions while testing and strengthening their time management skills and confidence. Profession of Arms: Instilling discipline, military bearing, attention to detail, patriotism, pride, and building esprit de corps. Fitness: Instilling a “Culture of Fitness” that will endure well beyond OCS through the entirety of a career. A professional Naval Officer must be physically strong and resilient — ready to LEAD/sustain a culture of fitness in an austere and challenging sea-duty environment. Academics: Providing candidates a fundamental knowledge of the Naval Profession through classroom and practical instruction that forms the basis for their commitment to the Naval service and establishes personal standards of excellence which will remain with the graduate throughout the individual’s professional career.”
Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) is one of four officer training schools located at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. This 13 week course is designed to provide a working knowledge of the Navy (both afloat and ashore) in order to prepare you for a commission in the world’s greatest navy. In order to earn that honor, OCS will test you morally, mentally, and physically to see if you have what it takes to both lead sailors and conduct worldwide naval operations in defense of our nation. OCS is divided into four main phases, Indoctrination (INDOC), Junior Officer Candidate (JOC), Senior Officer Candidate (SOC), and Candidate Officer (Candio). Each phase presents its own unique challenges and experiences that build upon one another in order to prepare you for life as a commissioned officer. Your personal Honor, Courage, and Commitment will be tested at OCS and you will be challenged to live up to the highest standards of these values. A successful officer candidate is one who embraces the mission of OCS, and develops the ability to execute basic Naval officer functions that are expected upon earning a commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy.
Naval officers are expected to be a model of physical fitness to their sailors and the American public. Candidates who successfully complete training at Officer Candidate School (OCS) within the 13-week course, arrive meeting above average physical standards. Candidates who arrive at minimum physical standards will struggle to complete the school in the allotted time, and are also subject to disenrollment. During the first two days of training, candidates will undergo a Body Composition Analysis (BCA). If a candidate is found to exceed allowable limits, they are subject to removal from their class and / or disenrollment from the program. During the first week of training, candidates will be required to pass an initial Navy Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) to determine suitability to initiate physical training. Candidates must be able to complete the initial PFA with a minimum passing score of Satisfactory Medium in all categories (push-ups, planks, 1.5 mile run). Proper form is essential to successfully completing push-ups and planks. Your recruiter can provide further instruction on proper form.
Candidates who do not pass the initial height and weight check will be further assessed to determine if they meet the Navy's body composition standards. This determination is made in two different steps. The first step is abdominal circumference. Candidates are expected to be within the following Navy standards:
OCS provides the baseline level of knowledge required of all commissioned officers in the United States Navy. Over the 13-weeks course, candidates will be instructed in the following areas:
***If you stay out in town and do not obtain a CNA you will not be compensated for any amount above the government per diem rate*** (This can equate to $150+ per night of uncompensated dollars in the Newport area due to the high cost of local lodging.)
The items needed to begin training are listed below. No more than what is listed should be brought. During check in, any candidate without the required items will be required to purchase them. Regular trips to the Navy Exchange may be made after the first week of training. NWPT_OTCN_STUDENT_CONTROL@us.navy.mil (for direct assistance).
Upon arrival at T.F. Green Airport (Providence/Warwick, RI, website*): Please make your way to the ground transportation in the baggage claim area. The airport is 29 miles from the base. Taxi fare from the airport to Naval Station Newport is approximately $100. Officer Training Command does not endorse any Taxi service; however be advised that not all Taxi companies have access to Naval Station Newport. Taxis without base access authorization can go no further than the main gate of the Naval Station. Verify with the Taxi driver or taxi company that the driver has full access to the base. Lyft and Uber do not have base access. Click here for a list of taxi and shuttle services: http://www.pvdairport.com/get-here/taxi-ride-share **Every attempt should be made to fly into TF Green Airport. A rental car from the airport is not authorized unless specifically stated in your military orders. Students will be reimbursed for taxi fare. Automobiles: You must be protected by liability insurance for personal injury of a minimum of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 property damage before you are permitted to operate the vehicle on Naval Station Newport. Parking is limited and will be at some distance from your living quarters. Students are not allowed to utilize staff parking areas. Driving of POVs will not be authorized during training. Opportunities to start your vehicle may be available during liberty hours. If driving to Naval Station Newport, the directions below are provided. Use the following as the destination address: Nimitz Hall (1356 Meyerkord Avenue, Newport, RI 02841). You will need to modify the route to use Admiral Kalbfus Rd to take you to Nimitz Hall via Gate 1 (Front Gate).
If you drive to Newport from the south, use Interstate 95 to Exit 7, then Route 138 East across the Newport Bridge (toll of $4.00). Bear left after the bridge and turn left at the second traffic light (Admiral Kalbfus Road). Proceed to the traffic circle. Continue through the traffic circle (2nd right) about three-tenths of a mile to Gate 1 of Naval Station, Newport. You will be required to show government issued ID and your orders to get onto base. Turn right at the next intersection (Perry Road). Following the road you will cross over a bridge and come to an intersection with a four-way stop. Turn left at the intersection onto Meyerkord Avenue. Go straight, passing through one stop sign. A drop off area will be marked on your right.
If you approach Newport from the north, use Interstate 93 to Route 24 South to Route 114 (West Main Road), continue south to Coddington Highway. Turn right onto Coddington Highway and proceed approximately 1.6 miles to the traffic circle. Exit at Admiral Kalbfus Road (first exit on right out of traffic circle) about three-tenths of a mile to Gate 1 of Naval Station, Newport. You will be required to show government issued ID and your orders to get onto base. Turn right at the next intersection (Perry Road). Following the road you will cross over a bridge and come to an intersection with a four-way stop. Turn left at the intersection onto Meyerkord Avenue. Go straight, passing through one stop sign. A drop off area will be marked on your right.
Upon arrival to OTC, check-in wearing appropriate civilian attire. OCS check in is on Saturday. Arrive between 0800 and 1600 on Saturday. Ask the Base gate guard for directions to OCS and follow the posted signs that read OCS Arrivals. This will take you to Nimitz Hall. Designated parking will be provided. If arriving in Newport prior to the Saturday report date, you will need to make your own lodging accommodations as OCS does not house students prior to Saturday. You can find lodging information at the bottom of the page.
Navy Gateway Inns & Suites Building 443, 443 Perry Rd Newport, RI 02841 Phone - (401) 841-7900 Newport Chalet 1290 Perry Rd Newport, RI 02840 Phone - (401) 841-0800 External Hyperlink Disclaimer Notice: The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense, the United States Department of the Navy or Naval Service Training Command of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy or Naval Service Training Command do not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD web site.