Navy e-Learning Classes Prior to OCS?

[oztin79]

I'm BDCP set to graduate in December, with an OCS date of 25 MAR 2006. My Recruiter told me that I can take ALL of my OCS academics online (<https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil>) so that I just have to concentrate on staying awake in the classes since my scores will have already be processed before arriving.

My questions:
1) Is this true?
2) If so, which courses must I take to complete the academic portion of OCS?
3) How do I register for them at Navy Knowledge?

Any help is really appreciated!

 

[Tempest]

I'm BDCP set to graduate in December, with an OCS date of 25 MAR 2006. My Recruiter told me that I can take ALL of my OCS academics online (<https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil>) so that I just have to concentrate on staying awake in the classes since my scores will have already be processed before arriving.

My questions:
1) Is this true?
2) If so, which courses must I take to complete the academic portion of OCS?
3) How do I register for them at Navy Knowledge?

Any help is really appreciated!

I can't speak for OCS, but Leadership Continuum Traing (LCT) classes have moved to E-Learning. Half the class is taught via E-Learning. If the same applies, then he is speaking the truth. Get on NKO and browse around the my education section. You might find the required classes. If you find them and do them and they don't count, your still way ahead of the game. Learning things the second time around is much easier than battling it the first time on minimal sleep and under pressure. Best case scenario, he is right and you have one less thing to worry about in OCS. Either way, E-learning is a flawed system and is pretty easy to manipulate into giving you a passing grade (but that is another thread).

Registering for them is not too tough. Once you get to the NKO education page look at the fine print. Last time I checked the e-learning section looked like an advertisement banner, but it has been about a year since I had access.

 

[jg5343]

I don't think they count, and the when I went through in the spring only History was available. Don't waste your time, enjoy it while you have it. The academics at OCS are a joke and you will most likely be given perfect gouge to each test to study by the upper classes. You will also have computer access to all those courses online while you are there so you can study the questions prior to taking the tests. The best thing you can do before you get there is get in shape and study the Big 4. Period. Good Luck!

 

[oztin79]

Good to know and I appreciate your answers. Hopefully the classes do count, but I'll do them either way since I have a little extra time to study this semester.

If anyone else has any definite answers out there as to whether the classes actually do count, it would be useful knowing and appreciated.

 

[bennett4362]

my husband went to ocs a year ago (off the street), and there were several classes he had to have completed before he went. he had to take a printed out "certificate of completion" to ocs with him. i can't remember if they were things covered at ocs or not, though.

 

[jg5343]

All that BS on service etiquette and nav hist did not count at OCS and they didn't care if you brought them or not. They told me the same thing, I showed up with nothing and I was fine (finished #1 in the class). They never even really talked about it. If you have to know, write them an email. You can request a sponsor through the OCS website. They actually encourage you do that. I did and my sponsor was my class officer. He sent me a but ton of gouge, but like I said before, you don't really need to do anything. Big 4, workout, and enjoy the time off that the Navy is not paying you for anyway.

 

[oztin79]

All that BS on service etiquette and nav hist did not count at OCS and they didn't care if you brought them or not. They told me the same thing, I showed up with nothing and I was fine (finished #1 in the class). They never even really talked about it. If you have to know, write them an email. You can request a sponsor through the OCS website. They actually encourage you do that. I did and my sponsor was my class officer. He sent me a but ton of gouge, but like I said before, you don't really need to do anything. Big 4, workout, and enjoy the time off that the Navy is not paying you for anyway.

I'll sign up for the sponsor as mentioned and will enjoy the free time the Navy is in fact paying me for. Any magic tricks to memorizing rank structure? Thanks for the help!

 

[puck_11]

...enjoy the time off that the Navy is not paying you for anyway.

Unless you're BDCP
Then you can really enjoy your time off

 

[jg5343]

You got it, they are paying you to go to college not study for OCS.

As far as rank goes, you just have to notice the patterns and associations and it becomes easy. Try to get your sponsor to send your current chain of command too.

 

[jg5343]

I have been asked to provide how to get a sponsor so here goes:

Go to http://www.nsgreatlakes.navy.mil/otcp/
Click 'contact us' on the left hand side
Type in that you are in class XX-XX or your start date and that you would like to request a sponsor

A couple of days later someone should write you with all the info you need, and an email of a contact you can deal directly with. Good luck!

 

[supplywife]

My husband is currenlty in OCS and he said a lot of the classroom knowledge is similar to what he did in the NKO classes before he went, especially the history. Hope this helps!

 

[talbotta]

I am graduating in December as well with an OCS date of Jan. 7th. I was told the reason that they have the online courses posted is because OCS used to be 13 weeks, now it is twelve. The online courses are the ones that they took away to shorten the OCS, and if you don't have them done, it is your responsibility to get them done in the twelve weeks that you are there. I took it as though you better have them done to lighten your load a little while you are there. Not to sure though, this is what I was told by my officer recruiter. Good luck

 

[oztin79]

Everyone in my position, including myself, appreciates all the feedback you guys have provided. My assigned Class Officer/OCS Sponsor (see above re getting a sponsor and GET ONE) helped me get to the bottom of all this. There are 4 (or in my case 5, included mandatory SERE preparation) classes required through NKO before arriving at OCS. I had understood from my recruiter that these classes were identical to those at OCS and even counted in their place. This is NOT the case, as there are around 8 classes required for completion at OCS, so NKO basically halves the academic load at OCS. However, perparation is still possible (if you care for it--I understand OCS classes are supposed to be a "joke"). Check out the naval curriculum for NROTC and it'll be identical at OCS, just streamlined.

By the way, OCS is 12 weeks now? I've heard 13 and 10 weeks at different times. So, definitively, how long will I be staying at the Pensacola House O' Pain? Thanks.

 

[BigIron]

The classes aren't a joke when you've been up for days at a time, but maybe they've changed that now. Several candidates screw up the tests and end up on the "bubble."

The OCS website says 12 weeks. It used to be 13 weeks. The big caveat here is "rolling back." If you get injured, fail certain portions of the syllabus (including the Intake PRT, and/or cannot keep up with your class, you get rolled back to the class behind you. In some cases they may be 2 weeks behind, so 12 turns into 14 weeks, etc. There were some candidates there that had been on medical hold for 6 months or so....just waiting to class up again.

Be strong, safe, and sane. Play the games and have fun.

 

[oztin79]

Be strong, safe, and sane. Play the games and have fun.

Advice well given and well taken. Thanks.