Posted on Mar 24, 2020
George Callas
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Hello everybody. Back in October, I signed an enlistment contract in the US Army Reserves. Joining the army was an easy decision as I knew I wanted to follow my grandfather's footsteps, yet since I didn't know much about the inner workings and considerations of choosing an MOS and difference in career paths I foolishly just relied on my recruiter. But, as my appointment at MEPS was approaching, I had family members approach me about holding off because I was set to graduate with my undergraduate degree in December 2020 and it would make more sense for me to enlist as an officer candidate and go straight to OCS after BCT. When I expressed this interest to my recruiter, he brought in the state's recruiting CO and I was kind of pressured into the enlisted MOS we had planned on. I haven't thought a lot about it since then, but as my ship date to BCT quickly approaches in late May I have been having serious regrets about my decision. I still want to serve, but I want to make sure I do what's best for me. If I stay on track with my academics, I would be graduating in December 2020 and would be eligible to apply directly to OCS. But, under the contract I'm currently signed on as just enlisted, my graduation is pushed to May 2021 because I'd be out for BCT/AIT from May thru December and now charted path to become an officer in the future. Since I haven't shipped out yet, could I still change my contract? If I back out of this contract, will this negatively affect me when I try to apply directly to OCS when I graduate?
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 7
LTC Tom McNew
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IMHO, spending a few years as an Enlisted man, before you go to OCS will give you a much better perspective of the stupid things that come out of every Officer's mouth!!!

I was enlisted for four years before I went to OCS and I wouldn't have done it any other way. Go to Basic Training, work in your MOS for a while, do all the crappy "hey-you" stuff for a few years, learn to be led so that you can learn to Lead!!!

Good Luck and God Speed
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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No, you cannot. Once you sign a reserve component contract your service begins. It's not like an Active Duty contract with the Delayed Entry Program that doesn't really bind you until you ship out. There is no backing out of a RC contract, you're already obligated. At this point you can only be a no show and be discharged for unsatisfactory performance
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1LT Operations Officer
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These are some well written comments. I don't think I could have said it any better. I'm in OCS now on the National Guard side. You have to have a degree to even be considered for a slot. And failure to adhere to your contractual agreement in the Reserves will probably affect you adversely. You don't want to do that.

Additionally....I've had experience as an NCO before going for OCS. I'm nearly done with OCS (this pandemic is just delaying the completion of the course....no fault of mine or any of my classmates, obviously).

Stay the course. You'll get insight into how the Army works a little better when you go along the path you've set. Plus you get a bit more respect when you spend a little time on the enlisted side and then go officer. The ones who go straight into commission get looked at differently. Trust me.
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