Does the Coast Guard Academy offer an officer candidate school?

I'm interested in becoming an officer and considering different paths. Does the Coast Guard Academy have its own officer candidate school, or would I have to go through a different program to achieve my goal?

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy directly commissions graduates as ensigns, or junior officers, in the U.S. Coast Guard, so in that sense, it functions somewhat like an officer candidate school. However, the Academy is a four-year undergraduate institution where one earns a bachelor's degree along with their commission.

If you're interested in an expedited or alternative path to becoming an officer, the U.S. Coast Guard does have a separate Officer Candidate School (OCS). This is a 17-week program in New London, Connecticut, where the Coast Guard Academy is also located. To be eligible for OCS, you would need to have earned, or be in the process of completing, a bachelor's degree. You would also need to meet other eligibility criteria such as age limits, physical fitness standards, and security clearance requirements.

So, in summary, while the Coast Guard Academy and the Officer Candidate School both commission officers, they follow different processes and cater to different types of individuals. Choose the option that best fits your educational background and career aspirations.