10 year active duty waivers for OCS

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:03:14 -0400

A few years back, the Army put out you cannot have over 10 years of active duty time and are no longer accepting waivers for it.

I think this is a slap in the face for Soldiers that were getting their degrees, while also fighting in the longest running war. It took me from 2001 - 2012 to get mine, with 5 deployments squeezed in there.

Just wanted to know advantages of not accepting candidates that have over 10 years.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 8:07 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:07:10 -0400

not sure of advantages or disadvantages of not having candidates with over ten years for officers, but you could still go warrant officer!

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 16 at 2014 8:29 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:29:41 -0400

This rule is in effect because to go from enlisted to officer, you'll need at least 10 years as an officer to retire with that rank.

The Army was able to temporarily reduce this to requirement...the Navy still has this through 2018.

Here's a reference:
http://www.tradoc.army.mil/board/Extension%20Approval_Army_8%20vs%2010%20CYOS%20(2).pdf

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 8:46 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:46:25 -0400

This requirement sucks because I'll finish my BA when I hit 10yrs.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 8:54 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:54:19 -0400

Not that I'm agreeing with this statement, as I had 7 years enlisted before I went Officer, but it probably just comes down to the estimated cost of the transition and what some higher up's deem as a "good investment". So, the view might be why would we invest money in this Solider who will only stay in for x-amount of years, versus the Soldier who can stay in for more x-amount of years.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Apr 16 at 2014 12:13 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 12:13:48 -0400

There is no advantage that I can think of. In fact, the requirement should be that you serve at least 10 years after commissioning.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 12:35 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 12:35:38 -0400

Even more basic than the 10 years commissioned to retire as an officer: OCS is NOT the primary (or preferred) commissioning source for the Army.  USMA (West Point) and ROTC has been and will continue to be the source for the vast majority of commissioned officers.  I don't necessarily agree with this system but they didn't ask me. :) OCS exists to 'fill the gaps' when the other two sources fall short so during the decade long build up to meet the OIF and OEF mission, OCS expanded GREATLY and virtually everything was getting waivered.  I snuck in on a time in service AND age waiver; over 15 years active duty and over age 41 at commissioning (the age waiver to 42 was only offered for 8 months).  As soon as they axed the "three additional divisions" plan, OCS was reduced dramatically; when they announced a total force reduction, it was cut again. So why do they turn away otherwise qualified candidates with sometimes arbitrary requirements?  1.  It reduces the number of applicants that they have to dig through. 2.  The saying "War is a young man's (or woman's) game" has been around for centuries and many of the policymakers subscribe to it; limiting age and TIS gives you younger officer candidates (this is another one I might not necessarily agree with; there is something to be said for life experience in a leader).3.  When they are trying to reduce the total force, OCS is the easiest spicket to turn off;  West Point and ROTC is a five your throughput system so it takes five years to reduce the flow of officers from these sources.  They, of course, have the option of just booting people out of USMA and college ROTC but due to contractual obligations, that opens the Army up to a whole boat load of legal and compensation problems.4.  This one is just personal opinion but the majority of the people making these decisions came out of West Point or ROTC so which programs do you think they would set up the rules to favor? Bottom line, with every branch of service in full redux mode, it has switched from a floodgate of getting warm bodies into uniforms to a complete buyers market.  I would not be surprised to see entrance requirements for enlistment, TIS/TIG requirements for promotion, and requirements for in service advancement programs (OCS, Green to Gold, etc.) all getting even tougher over the next 3-5 years.

Response by SPC Todd Hanson made Feb 5 at 2018 9:03 PM

SPC Todd Hanson — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 21:03:08 -0500

Submit a green to gold packet to get your masters.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2019 12:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 12:35:36 -0400

I just got my 10 year mark and was just told I couldn't put in my OCS packet because of my TIS. I work for a 4 star, do you think he could make a few calls so HRC could make an exception ?