Am I competitive for OCS at 35?

2017-03-23T10:33:22-04:00

Hello,
It's been a bit challenging for me as to getting some consensus on where I stand regarding my competitiveness for OCS. So I figured I'd just post everything here. I am 35 with a Bachelors of Arts at GPA 2.9 (yes, I know what your thinking). GT 121, AFPT 251, 2 AAR's, 8 years experience as an assistant professor overseas prior to service. Honor Grad from BCT. AFPT award from AIT (it was over 280 back then). On average I max pushups, my sit-ups are decent but my run time suffered alot being that I'm in the ER. Run time took a dive (from a 14:00 to 17:00). Seemed to happen to everyone I meet around my duty station.

I am currently working on getting my PT up to a 270. Thoughts?

If your wondering about my age and rank I joined pretty late at 33 years of age.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2017 10:38 AM

2017-03-23T10:38:33-04:00

The better question: Do YOU think you're competitive for OCS at 35?

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Mar 23 at 2017 12:44 PM

2017-03-23T12:44:51-04:00

AF Health Professionals, chaplains, and JAGS can be granted an age waiver. I did BMT at 19 and the COT at 47. Was it difficult? Having someone in your face and the lessons for the most part were a rehash of 27 years of lessons- it has to be within you to want it. I was pretty disciplined before so it was not that hard mentally. Physically was competing against people half my age was the most challenging part in my mind. Good luck.

Response by MAJ James Goldberg made Mar 23 at 2017 1:12 PM

2017-03-23T13:12:23-04:00

I went to OCS when I was 25. OCS Class 5-82. (yea, a long time ago). Other than combat, it was the most demanding, challenging thing I have ever done in my life. You will need to be in the best shape of your life. Don't base your fitness on a score. You will need to be able have the energy and stamina to run 5 miles every morning, in formation, at a pace that exceeds the usual "morning formation runs", and then you will run EVERYWHERE you go, in formation or not. I ran 5 miles every day at Noon in the heat of summer in West Texas to get ready. Figure out any and every way you can to push yourself in your personal training harder than any 300 score on a PT test will get you. Your unit's physical training schedule will not get you ready enough for OCS. You will need the stamina to survive a non-stop physical environment all day. The candidates who found it most difficult to maintain the "physical-ness" of OCS were the ones coming straight from Basic. Despite being in great shape, it wasn't enough for OCS. Get yourself in the best shape of your life. Then get a little better. If you cannot maintain your stamina and energy, your college GPA won't mean squat, because you will be too weary to do well mentally and academically. Stop worrying about the numbers. They are for soldiers who have to maintain the "minimum standards". Much much more will be expected of you.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2017 1:43 PM

2017-03-23T13:43:59-04:00

Just to add some perspective to those who have posted the regs concerning age and waivers... I was selected for OCS in 2009 at the age of 39. The max age was higher then, as the Army was very short on junior Officers. When I got picked up, I heard the selection rate was around 85%. When I got there, there was a glut of people waiting to class-up. In December 2009, the HHC (those waiting for class slots) was over 300 people. Every 2 weeks, you could compete for a slot via an APFT. The cutoff for classing up rarely went below 280. The only exceptions were for Guard and Reserve people, who only had to pass (180) because their slots had already been paid for. So a 251 won't cut it.

Running is everything at OCS. You run everywhere; to the Combatives Gym and back, Doughboy Stadium (where you will run the stairs for about 45 minutes straight) and back, and just regular runs. There are timed runs that are graduation requirements, where the distances gets longer and your allotted time gets shorter. If you're not a marathon runner or someone who enjoys running, OCS is not the place for you.

When I left OCS after being diagnosed with bad knees and put on a permanent profile (late 2010), the max age limit went down to 35. I am not sure what it is now, but I doubt it's too much higher, if at all.

You can apply for an age waiver, but the chances of getting it are directly proportional to the Army's need for junior Officers. Good Luck!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2017 4:57 PM

2017-03-23T16:57:26-04:00

No offense to those who have gone to OCS, but it is not Ranger School. I understand the demands are high but they are not insurmountable. Moreover, the current prerequisites are as follows:

1. You must be a U.S. Citizen
2. GT Score of 110 or higher.
3. You are 18-32 years old. (This may be waived but good luck)
4. Must possess a bachelor's degree.
5. Have a Security Clearance (Interim Secret OK)
6. Can pass a standard 3-event APFT and meets ht/wt standards.
7. In compliance with Tattoo, Branding and Body Mutilation Policy, AR 670-1, Para 3-3g.
8. Can pass a Chapter 2 Appointment Physical (per AR 40-501).

Do you meet the criteria? If so, great! The caveat is you will have to consider others who are also competing for an OCS position. Their resume may be stronger than yours which will affect your ability to be selected. That said, if you really want to be an officer then give it a shot. Good luck!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2017 5:56 PM

2017-03-23T17:56:48-04:00

2LT Private RallyPoint Member You have received some great advice. I wish you the best going forward.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2018 10:34 AM

2018-10-09T10:34:47-04:00

As a Green to Gold ROTC guy, I cannot speak intelligently about OCS. However, if commissioning is more important than the source, ROTC does have age waivers available. I believe you would be prohibited from receiving scholarship funds, but if you are selected as an ADO or use the GI bill this is a non issue. I would visit the post education center and find the information on a Green to Gold brief.

Response by 1LT Carla Singleton made Jan 20 at 2019 4:32 AM

2019-01-20T04:32:32-05:00

For my OCS class you took a pt test the first day and and PT cut off was 270. Regardless if you were a off the street or enlisted changing to officer.