OTS Weeks 2018

Before Arrival

• Complete Prerequisite course on Wings Holmcenter and download/read the (Officer Training School Manual (OTSMAN)
• Items to Purchase:
  • 3x – ABUs (DO NOT HAVE RANKS SEWN ON)
  • 2x – Blues
  • 1x – Mess Dress
  • 4x – PT Gear
  • Also see list provided
• Preparation of items:
  • Get them fitted (ABUs, Blues, Mess Dress)
  • Take a lighter to your ABUs to rid of any “cables”
• PREROLL ALL YOUR CLOTHING!!!!  You will find access to the Dorm Guide on ots.blackboard.com which will show you how to rolls shirts, shorts, hang ABUs, etc.
  • Having all this done and packed into your suitcase will make your first week MUCH easier
• Look up videos on YouTube on how to march.  Knowing how to march will make your first week MUCH easier, too.

Week 1

• Prepare to wake up every single day at 0430 hours and expect to be back at your dorms by 1900.  The days are very long during the first week.
• Academics start Week 1, too.  Make sure you have good time management so you can prepare for the test during Week 2.
• My advice would be to at least preview the slides/reader the night before…  FOCUS ON THE COGNITIVE SOBs (Cognitive Samples of Behavior) because these are the only things that you get tested on.
• Meet your Flight and Flight Commander.  Flights usually consist of 14-16 people.  It is IMPERATIVE that you all work together the whole time.  If you do, OTS will be much easier.
• During Week 1 you will have to be marched by MTIs until you pass your pennant test during Week 2.  When you get available time, your Flight needs to practice marching.  Our flight practiced marching for 5 hours in 100+ degree weather.  You should have no excuse not to practice.
• Again, A LOT of marching during this week.  Be prepared to get yelled at for everything.
• Additional duties will be assigned.

Week 2

• Academic test #1 and review (MUST SCORE ABOVE AN 80%!)
• Paper #1 briefing from the staff (pay attention to detail with regards to the format)
• Leadership Readiness Course (LRC) events (field based test).  The staff wants to know how you perform as a leader and as a follower.  You cannot be a good leader if you are not a good follower.  KNOW THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT for each event.
• Best thing to do during LRC DELEGATE the work.
  • Assign someone to keep track of time
  • Assign roles and a play to people’s strengths
  • Accept possible solutions from ANYONE!  It is best to hear out different ideas from your subordinates, because one of them may have a really good solution.  But then it is up to the leader to delegate the roles to accomplish the mission.
• Take advantage of AOPS time (study hall time that is conducted in your flight room)
• You will take your first Physical Fitness test during this week.  Best advice: Score above a 90%

Week 3

• Academic Test #2 and review
• Paper #1 due at the beginning of the week (Sunday).
  • Must score above an 80% on this too
  • Grading on it usually takes a couple days
• A LOT of Flight Room lessons.  Again, make sure you read ahead and at least know the SOBs for that lesson.
• There will also be a lot of Heritage Series during this week with Chip (the guy is hilarious,) and you can somewhat relax during these.  These are usually done in the auditoriums so the whole class can fit)
• HELPS – this is a field event in which you need to show leadership skills just as you did during the LRC events.
• Briefing #1 – know the ROEs!  The briefing must be between 5 – 9 minutes and must have at least 3 credible sources when presenting.  Also pay attention to how the slides have to be set up.
• SPT #3 – test over the OTSMAN

Week 4

• Peer Feedback – this is where you all sit down as a flight and discuss with each other what you like/dislike about one another.  Basically, what people could work on and what people do well.
• Academic Test #3 and review
• M-9 Qualification
• WELPS – another field leadership exercise.  Again, just be a good leader and delegate roles.  Make sure everyone has a voice, but you are the ultimate voice.
• AFEX – classroom and computer-based exercise.  Your team must practice in order to know how to play the game!  Will be 1 leader and it is up to the leader to delegate roles.
• SPT #2 – test over the OTSMAN

Week 5

• Training starts to slow down a bit but do not become complacent
• Briefing #2
• Pictures with your flight and individual pictures.  Make sure your blues are clean and pressed!  Make sure your service coat looks good too.
• 10K with the squadron – come prepared with jodies!  Also, take my advice and do not be a road guard.  They do about twice as much running…  not fun.
• AEF Intro

Week 6

• A LOT of Flight Room lectures and Heritage Series with Chip
• AEF – this is a multiple day field exercise in which people are split up into 3 different teams, the Elysians, the Olympians, and the Titans.  Each team is handed a set of scenarios and it is up to your leaders to determine how to act with the scenarios.  PAINT BALL guns are involved.
• You receive your RIPS and your orders

Week 7

• AEF may continue into this week.
• AFEX #2 – different leader this time.  It is important that the leader assigns roles and develops a strong, well thought out strike package.
• A LOT of AOPS time (study hall) in your flight rooms.
• Parade practice for graduation
• Tuskegee Airmen Museum (really cool and moving)
• Final physical fitness test.  This is the one that is recorded so do well!

Week 8

• Super chill week
• Combatives 3 mornings in a row
  • Best advice to make sure you don’t get injured is to injure the other guy first
  • JOKING!  Do not try to injure anyone
• More parade practice
• Thursday: Awards ceremony
• Friday:  Commissioning Ceremony