Are Prior Service Active Duty Army more competitive than civilians applying for Active Duty OCS? If so, how?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 May 2017 13:15:23 -0400

I am currently putting my packet together to return to active duty as an officer but am wondering if I'm competitive enough for active duty. I would like MP as my branch but I know it's up to the Army and based off the OML.

Background:
- I ETS'd as a SPC
- Last PT test was a 300
- Currently in graduate school and working full time
- Hold a clearance

I appreciate any input
Thank You

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2017 1:23 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 May 2017 13:23:04 -0400

Yes the army wants people with prior service experience. I think you will have no problem being accepted as long as there is nothing negative you left out of the post.

Response by SN Greg Wright made May 21 at 2017 2:04 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 21 May 2017 14:04:44 -0400

Good luck, Specialist. I can't imagine the Army wouldn't want someone like you, who seems to be a hard-charger.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2017 2:39 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 May 2017 14:39:53 -0400

You have about half of it soundly covered, the rest is going to be your interview with the the board. When I was the Ops OIC at a recruiting BN I was in charge of conducting the boards and the interviews and on more than one occasion we voted civilians off the street higher simply based on the way they presented themselves. Expect a lot of questions about your prior service and your reasons for wanting to return to service as an officer.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2017 3:38 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 May 2017 15:38:40 -0400

Practice you board appearance, just like a promotion board you will have to answer situational questions, as well as those about your background. Low grades, career goals, and any other signs that indicate inability to rise to the challenge.
I will tell you that after 24 months of doing OCS boards I am more interested in applicants that can briefly communicate answers and own the facts.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2017 5:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 May 2017 17:18:21 -0400

Call me at [login to see] . I'm currently a recruiter for the Army and have experience with doing officer packets for RA and AR.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2017 2:31 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 May 2017 02:31:44 -0400

Make sure you find a recruiter willing to help you out on OCS packet. Since you're a prior service, you need to submit DD368 through a recruiter to suspend your IRR status.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made May 26 at 2017 10:29 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Fri, 26 May 2017 10:29:22 -0400

Why Active Duty OCS?
If you are competitive and have a degree you can apply fir a Direct Appointment in the Army Reserve. See a member of Army Reserve Retention Transition Division RTD for details and NOT USAREC.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made May 26 at 2017 10:30 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Fri, 26 May 2017 10:30:33 -0400

You will ultimately be a USAR officer anyway...

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2017 9:44 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 May 2017 21:44:36 -0400

I went through the processes as a college op and I was not as "qualified" as you are. However it all comes to the board. If you don't do well they won't select you. Your prior service will help your packet for sure.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2017 3:49 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:49:27 -0400

Make sure you find a good recruiter willing to help you out on OCS packet, and you need to suspend your IRR status via submitting DD368. Call Army HRC at [login to see] for DD368. Good luck!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2017 2:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 14:02:23 -0400

If you haven't gotten help on this yet let me know. I've helped many applicants through the process and so far 100% of our applicants have been selected.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2017 9:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 21:16:40 -0400

It is way easier to get selected as a civilian than in the Army. If you have ETS’d then you shouldn’t have any trouble. The company I am in has had 100% selection for OCS applicants since I have been here.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2018 12:29 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 May 2018 12:29:10 -0400

If you’re in graduate school now and willing to switch to being a full-time student, consider ROTC as an option.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2021 9:25 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:25:13 -0500

I see you made it - congratulations LT!!