Officer Candidate School

Once you have a bachelor’s degree, OCS is the primary entry point to becoming a Coast Guard officer. When you’re selected for this program, you’ll attend a 12-week course of instruction in leadership and military subjects to prepare you for any Coast Guard officer career.

Our officers embrace the highest ethical principles and the Coast Guard’s core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty. They also truly care about the personal and professional development of those they lead.

As a Coast Guard officer, you’ll gain experience in your choice of a variety of career paths such as aviation, afloat operations, response, prevention, and engineering, and cyber. You’ll also receive opportunities for advanced training and education.