Most people consider it a privilege to be involved in an officer training program. These classes are very competitive and only accept the best of the best. There are different types of officer training programs with military and civilian agencies; after completion of the program, candidates are eligible to become officers.
In the United States, one well-known military officer training program is the Marine Corps officer course. This curriculum is offered to students who already have a four-year degree or who are currently attending college. The program is designed to give candidates leadership skills, confidence, and knowledge of the Marine Corps. Individuals who hold a degree participate in the Officer Candidate Course, while those still in college are part of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. When students finish the course and college, they will become a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps.
An aspect of the Naval Reserve Officer Program is that students who are still in school have the option to join the Marines or the Navy when they graduate. Initially, the course was only for men and women who were planning to join the Navy. Over the years, the program changed and individuals can now join the Navy or the Marines in the reserve program as a commissioned officer.
The US Army also has its own training program for individuals called the Army Officer Candidate School. There is only one training facility for commissioning Army officers, at Fort Benning, Georgia. Enrollees must already have a bachelor's degree and be least 18 years old. In the program, students are taught to become a leader in and out of the classroom. Graduates receive the designation of Second Lieutenant and will be enlisted in the Army, the Army Reserves, or the Army National Guard.
In addition to the military, civilians also have options for officer training programs. The most common two choices are training for a local law enforcement officer or a specialized officer such as in the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. People who want to enter one of these officer programs must also have a college degree or high school diploma. The officer curriculum teaches problem-solving skills, crime procedures, and basic law enforcement tasks. Students must pass a written exam as well as meet requirements for the agency he or she is applying to work in.
Many officer training programs are very selective and only accept a small number of applications. Candidates may need to be physically fit as well as pass a criminal background check. Some agencies or military branches also have minimum requirements for education, age, and health.
