Advice on pursuing a commission in the Reserves after ETSing from active duty?

2015-07-22T08:06:37-04:00

I have less than a year on active duty and I plan to go into the reserves while continuing school. I hear so many different routes to take and just want information regarding the process of going commisioned after being active ? What are he requirements? Will I have to stay in the same job field ? Should I request commission as soon as I go start school? All information is great thanks

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jul 22 at 2015 8:22 AM

2015-07-22T08:22:21-04:00

You cannot request a commission as soon as you start school. Well, you might be able to request it, but it won't happen. Historically, they have been fairly squishy on actually requiring reserve Officers to have a bachelor's AT commissioning. However, they have always been pretty firm on requiring X number of credits towards the degree.

The most important question to ask yourself at this point is why you want to be an Officer, and on what status. If you want to be an Officer on active duty, I would highly recommend NOT going reserve, and doing either OCS or Green to Gold. If you want to be a reserve Officer, then you could do ROTC, OCS, or apply for a direct commission. I expect direct commissions, except in the specialty branches to be becoming scarce over the next few years.

There is no NEED for your enlisted MOS and your commissioned branch to align. It makes some things easier, but it also makes some things harder. Especially stepping back and letting Soldiers and NCOs do THIER job, when you think you could do it better/faster.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 22 at 2015 8:28 AM

2015-07-22T08:28:25-04:00

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member I think it is a great idea! I did exactly that when I left active duty and I have never regreted the decision. I'm more than happy to speak with you one-on-one about the requirements and you balance your family/personal life and outside occupation at the same time, if you have any questions. PS. A four year degree is a must!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 22 at 2015 10:12 AM

2015-07-22T10:12:21-04:00

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member Before you ETS you need to look at the Active Army Green to Gold program, you may get a scholarship and full pay while in school. If not this program you may compete for a Guaranteed Guard/Reserve Scholarship, 4 yrs paid, but you must fill a NG/Reserve commissioned slot. I can get you in contact with ROTC sources at Ohio State or Louisville if this will help.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 10:14 AM

2015-07-22T10:14:56-04:00

I have been active duty and then went into the National Guard only to later Commission. My background while I was in the Regular Army was airborne infantry.

I can really only speak for the Guard. The reserves do things a bit different. But in the National Guard it can vary by state. But first there are a few ways to get a commission.

1. State/NG OCS. I went this route. There is a weekend version of OCS that lasts a year long that is composed of two 2 week annual trainings and a whole lot of weekend drill. There is also an accelerated OCS that can be completed in two month. I did AOCS. For my branch I had the ability to do a wish list. But it falls on the needs of my state's National Guard. Your prior experience may affect your branch. But it doesn't guarantee it. If you are a Engineer and your state doesn't really have any Engineer Units then you really can't be an Engineer Officer. Some states have no infantry units. So in those states you don't have a choose in that. You can't be infantry. But a good way is to look online to find out about what the State has for it's Guard.

2. Federal OCS. A select few can go to Federal OCS at Benning. But it is dependent of you qualify for it and if the state wants to send you. Keep it in mind that they can save a lot of money by sending you to either the traditional OCS or the accelerated OCS. Funds are a factor. It is rare to see national guard there but it is a option a state has. Your branch will still be handled at the state level.

3. The last one is ROTC. Once you are contracted and are about to grad they will branch you. But an option you have with the National Guard here is the Simultaneous Membership Program. That is where you drill with the National Guard as a cadet and go to ROTC. It prepares you to be an officer while drilling with a unit. You can't deploy and get drill pay and benefits.

I hope this helps.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Nov 22 at 2018 10:19 PM

2018-11-22T22:19:33-05:00

I would think it’d be up to the Reserves to put you where they feel is best to fulfill their mission needs.. Hang in there, SGT (VTS)...

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Feb 4 at 2019 7:57 PM

2019-02-04T19:57:46-05:00

Go to OCS or ROTC