An officer candidate school (OCS) is a military school which trains civilians and enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a commission as officers in the armed forces of a country. How OCS is run differs between countries and services. Typically, officer candidates have already attained post-secondary education, and sometimes a bachelor's degree, and undergo a short duration of training which focuses primarily on military skills and leadership. This is in contrast with a military academy which includes academic instruction leading to a bachelor's degree.
Philippine Army officer candidates march on the parade grounds during Balikatan 2013 at Camp O'Donnell, Philippines, April 6, 2013
Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Philippine Army located at Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Capas, Tarlac, Philippines
A Sergeant Instructor disciplines an officer candidate
Army National Guard officer candidates, 2011
A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who does not hold a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. In contrast, commissioned officers usually enter directly from a military academy, officer training corps (OTC) or reserve officer training corps (ROTC), or officer candidate school (OCS) or officer training school (OTS), after receiving a post-secondary degree.
A sergeant of the Coldstream Guards addressing through the ranks during the rehearsal for the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Sergeant, Royal Artillery, on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, firing the one o'clock gun
A First Sergeant with the 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera) gets his soldiers ready for a uniform inspection