Posted on Dec 31, 2019
How long do you have to be enlisted before you can apply for OCS?
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I am about to obtain my bachelors and enlisting in the army soon...hopefully. I want to have experience in 42A, but want to be an officer in the army also. Any advice about obtaining OCS as fast as possible. Also I have a low GPA, but tons of experience in leadership roles and physically active.
Posted in these groups: 
College
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
College Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
Posted >1 y ago
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Question: why aren’t you enlisting to go OCS? Or maybe ROTC grad school option? If you are enlisting for the sole purpose of going officer, that would be more logical. If enlisting though, you can technically start the packet process as soon as you arrive to an active unit. However, I would caution you. You need the full support of all officers in your chain of command. We take it very seriously and won’t support your pocket process unless we are absolutely sure you would be a good officer and contribute to the corps in a positive way. Very few commands will support the packet of a brand new specialist no one really knows. My advice: get your 42A if that is your route, work hard and pick up at least the rank of Sergeant. Along the way become VERY familiar with what an officer does. Then at Sergeant, assess your options. You may prefer to go Warrant, stay enlisted, etc. Also the knowledge and experience you gain along the way is extremely beneficial. Trust me. Good Luck!!!
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1LT (Join to see)
I’d add that he would also need to gain the support of all the NCOs in his NCO support channel. If your NCOs don’t support your OCS packet, good luck getting your CO to buy in. Without that, your packet is dead in the water.
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Officer Candidate School and Army OCS Requirements
Army Officer Candidate School gives college graduates an opportunity to be leaders and officers for Active Duty or Army Reserve. Learn about Army OCS requirements.
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Elston Harris Talk to a recruiter and find out your best course of action.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/army-ocs-mostly-enlisted
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/army-ocs-mostly-enlisted
Army OCS mostly enlisted? | RallyPoint
I have gotten the impression from posts here on RP that Army OCS is by a large majority prior enlisted personnel. When I contrast that with my own service, I see a different story Feb 14 Rated OTS board: Board’s selection rate of 30.39 percent, 93 applicants were selected to serve as Air Force officers. Of the 93 selected, 21 enlisted members. Oct 14 Rated OTS board: Board's selection rate of 76.57 percent, 304 applicants were selected to...
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