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I'm interested in joining the army as an officer and I have a bachelor's in business administration, but my GPA was quite low at 2.6. I understand that is not considered competitive, but I would simply like to know my odds of getting in with that GPA. My GPA declined my last year in college and this was due in part to working full time, participating in pitch competitions, and being in an on campus organization. I'm not excusing it, but trying to provide some background info. I am currently working in a field related to my degree and major as a project manager at a market research firm. I know that I would have to score extremely well with my PT score and I'm working with a trainer to improve that and I would also have to do well on the ASVAB. I normally test well and I'm also studying to prepare for that. I currently have four letters of recommendation: 2 from former employers, 1 from a former E9 in the navy, and 1 from a former O5 in the army. I'm also planning on getting one from the CEO/President of my current company. I know that my GPA works against me, but I would simply like some up to date odds on the likelihood of being able to join as an officer.
***UPDATE, 11/9/17: I requested information from all branches about joining as an officer and I've got serious interest from a Navy recruiter despite my GPA. He's pushing me to take the ASTB/OAR and get started on a packet. I will continue to update as this progresses.***
***UPDATE 5/11/18: I was waiting on my medical records to get info regarding an accident I had been in and I guess it took too long because now my recruiter won't answer my messages. I've reached out to the Navy for another recruiter. Hopefully I won't have to redo all the paperwork I've already done. I was told I wouldn't be forwarded to another recruiter until there was no contact for 6 months, but I'd rather not wait that long.***
***UPDATE 2/05/20: I decided to enlist as 35M and gain experience as enlisted before attempting to go Green to Gold later on. I'm currently attending language training.
***UPDATE, 11/9/17: I requested information from all branches about joining as an officer and I've got serious interest from a Navy recruiter despite my GPA. He's pushing me to take the ASTB/OAR and get started on a packet. I will continue to update as this progresses.***
***UPDATE 5/11/18: I was waiting on my medical records to get info regarding an accident I had been in and I guess it took too long because now my recruiter won't answer my messages. I've reached out to the Navy for another recruiter. Hopefully I won't have to redo all the paperwork I've already done. I was told I wouldn't be forwarded to another recruiter until there was no contact for 6 months, but I'd rather not wait that long.***
***UPDATE 2/05/20: I decided to enlist as 35M and gain experience as enlisted before attempting to go Green to Gold later on. I'm currently attending language training.
Officer
Requirements
Bachelors Degree
Military Career
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 40
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Your GPA is not that big of a deal. You need a degree, that's about it. Now your PT score on the other hand is a big deal. That needs to be good. The ASVAB is important also. But no need to worry about your GPA.
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SGM Erik Marquez
MAJ (Join to see) - My experience was otherwise sir.
Ranking overall in the region as a cadet
Leadership School ranking, and report
APFT score
GPA may be a decision factor someplace in the process but from 3 years as the MS3 Instructor / Advisor and the Ops guy, Oregon State University ......at least in Western Region , GPA seemed to be the last thing considered not a major thing.
Ranking overall in the region as a cadet
Leadership School ranking, and report
APFT score
GPA may be a decision factor someplace in the process but from 3 years as the MS3 Instructor / Advisor and the Ops guy, Oregon State University ......at least in Western Region , GPA seemed to be the last thing considered not a major thing.
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MAJ (Join to see)
SGM Erik Marquez The values fluctuate over time, but GPA is usually the highest ranking factor on the ROTC Order of Merit List. It was 50% of the value in 2006.
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SPC Zach Lockhart
LT Shannon R I had a 2.75 through undergrad and I’m in grad school now. Grad school is easier considering I’m a more responsible person now as I’m not binge drinking three nights a week. In my opinion, undergrad GPA is of little importance.
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SGT (Join to see)
GPA is a big deal, when trying to go OCS to be competitive you need to try and have at least a 3.0 minimum.
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I noted you talked with a "recruiter" who said your GPA would be a problem. Not demeaning recruiters, but ask the Marine Corps recruiter to put you in touch with the Marine Officer Selection Officer (OSO) and talk with him. Even if you are set on the Army, an OSO will know the requirements for all the services. Be careful though, they are good at what they do and might convince you of the error in your thinking which wouldn't be all bad since the Marine Corps has better looking uniforms and they don't change as often. (By the way, I was put out of college on academic probation and ended up going to OCS, then Navy Flight training where I was competing with mostly college grads from any university/college you could think of; you can get whatever you shoot for)
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SR Chris Leyda
I am looking into Naval careers with a similar GPA to the original poster. This post is focused on Army, do you have any advice on dealing with the Navy OCS selection process with a sub par GPA?
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LtCol Robert Quinter
SR Chris Leyda - As I recommended to Kaitlyn, the needs of the service are what determine qualifications sought after for enlistees and officer programs. Talk with the Officer Selection Officer in your District, or, if you are currently in school, your local recruiting office should be able to put you in touch with the appropriate people. There are all sorts of traits that indicate a qualified person for officer programs.
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Two thoughts which depend on how you want to serve, the Army Reserve is almost always willing to take any new 2lt's with a pulse, if you are interested in commissioning and staying at Fort Carson at your current job the reserves or National Guard can get you a commission without any issues. If you are only considering active duty (Reserves are great by the way) OCS or ROTC (masters degree) are the only real options for you. You can talk to a recruiter to see if you meet the OCS eligibility requirements, you'll go to basic then to an Officer Candidate School (OCS) and commission as a 2LT within a few months. If you are not eligible for ROTC or unable to do ROTC as part of a masters degree you may enlist as a SPC for a few years then submit an OCS packet and commission. My recommendation is to talk to all three recruiters (Active, Reserve and National Guard) and see what options you currently have.
Or you could always commission in the reserves and submit a packet for the Call to Active Duty program that they've had for the last year or two and take your chances.
Best of luck and thank you for your willingness to serve.
Or you could always commission in the reserves and submit a packet for the Call to Active Duty program that they've had for the last year or two and take your chances.
Best of luck and thank you for your willingness to serve.
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SPC Kaitlyn Adair
I would like to go active duty and I believe I meet the eligibility requirements, but have been told by recruiters that because my GPA is low I won't be accepted. I know I'll have to go through OCS and I would prefer to avoid having to do a Master's at this time.
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LTC Nick Bozick
I went in the Army in 65 with a year of college. On my second tour in Vietnam as an 11F, I was sent to Benning School for Boys (only men in the program there) and after 6-months was commissioned Infantry with a ticket right back to RVN. The Army was more interested in leaders than college degrees then. Later as a Captain the Army paid for my BS Degree. For you, I think there are five things to be cognitive of: Character, Appearance (not pushing the weight-height limits), Physical Attributes (near ability to max the PT test), Attitude, and the ASVAB (have seen quite a few college grads, many with 3+ GPA, that did not score well on the OCT portion).
Any one of these would be a killer especially the Appearance. I have seen many officers that, although they met the height-weight requirement, looked like Deputy-Dog. This is your first chance at a career job. Sell yourself; and try another Army recruiter office... they do have quotas for certain MOS's and try to push them instead of doing their job. Good luck.
Any one of these would be a killer especially the Appearance. I have seen many officers that, although they met the height-weight requirement, looked like Deputy-Dog. This is your first chance at a career job. Sell yourself; and try another Army recruiter office... they do have quotas for certain MOS's and try to push them instead of doing their job. Good luck.
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SFC (Join to see)
MAJ (Join to see) Pretty spot on with your advice sir. Right now it's fairly easy to get an OCS spot for Active. Also Active and Reserves are the same recruiter.
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MAJ Raúl Rovira
SPC Kaitlyn Adair - The only job you do not get is the one you do not apply for. I'd say apply. The worse they can do is say not today. Go for it!
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SPC Kaitlyn Adair
You have the main officer qualification behind you: you have your bachelor degree. Congrats!
Stop beating yourself up over the 2.6 and don't bring up the GPA unless someone specifically asks about it. After you complete your Basic course or your Masters, no one will likely ever ask what your BSBA GPA was again in your life unless it is on a government form.
So, let's have some confidence that you can get this done and you just need to find the path.
Can you join the Army as an Officer with a low GPA 2.6? Yes. It happens every year, not very much on active duty but in the National Guard and the Army Reserve.
If you competed for active duty, 1) you likely would not be selected due to GPA, 2) not get branch of any choice.
What is the benefit of joining in the Guard or Army Reserve? If you join Guard or Reserve unit and they agree to accept you, they will fund your Army branch school. If you do well, you may be offered active duty coming out of the class.
(I was a Reservist attending Active duty Signal school Oct 1990 - Mar1991 and came in top 10% of my class, they offered me to be retained on active duty and to attend Air Assault school.)
After you complete your basic branch training qualification you have a number of paths to get to active duty: 1) request a call to Active Duty, 2) request for mobilization, 3) mobilize with a unit, 4) apply for AGR, Apply for military tech (if in the national guard system)
You have the main officer qualification behind you: you have your bachelor degree. Congrats!
Stop beating yourself up over the 2.6 and don't bring up the GPA unless someone specifically asks about it. After you complete your Basic course or your Masters, no one will likely ever ask what your BSBA GPA was again in your life unless it is on a government form.
So, let's have some confidence that you can get this done and you just need to find the path.
Can you join the Army as an Officer with a low GPA 2.6? Yes. It happens every year, not very much on active duty but in the National Guard and the Army Reserve.
If you competed for active duty, 1) you likely would not be selected due to GPA, 2) not get branch of any choice.
What is the benefit of joining in the Guard or Army Reserve? If you join Guard or Reserve unit and they agree to accept you, they will fund your Army branch school. If you do well, you may be offered active duty coming out of the class.
(I was a Reservist attending Active duty Signal school Oct 1990 - Mar1991 and came in top 10% of my class, they offered me to be retained on active duty and to attend Air Assault school.)
After you complete your basic branch training qualification you have a number of paths to get to active duty: 1) request a call to Active Duty, 2) request for mobilization, 3) mobilize with a unit, 4) apply for AGR, Apply for military tech (if in the national guard system)
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Pretty sure OCS doesn't give a damn about your gpa. Just that you have the degree.
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SN Greg Wright
CPT T F - Fair enough. Can't argue with personal experience. It is, of course, a sample of one.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CPT T F - My experience is that the Army will look at the AFQT score and GT score before ever looking at your college grades. A 4 year degree, Cat I and a GT score over 120 should get you a slot. They used to make us take this weird Aptitude Test, but that hasn't been a requirement for years now.
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Current Army Recruiter. I'll just start by saying you meet the basic qualifications to apply for OCS. Your next step should be to go to the local recruiting center, and ask to talk to the Recruiter who has done the most OCS packets. He/she will be able to walk you through the finer details.
While a 2.6 is not super competitive it is just 1 piece of the packet. If you have good letters of recommendation, a good essay, and good PT score; and your board appearance goes well, you should get selected. It shoulds like the LoR are good, and I'm sure you can write an essay. Working in business you also are likely to present well to a board. If you have further questions please feel free to tag me and ask me.
While a 2.6 is not super competitive it is just 1 piece of the packet. If you have good letters of recommendation, a good essay, and good PT score; and your board appearance goes well, you should get selected. It shoulds like the LoR are good, and I'm sure you can write an essay. Working in business you also are likely to present well to a board. If you have further questions please feel free to tag me and ask me.
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I went the BCT/OCS route, so I can only speak that experience. I graduated college as a depressed, non-motivated, 300lb. man with a 2.16 GPA. I entered the workforce for six (6) years where I was able to grow up and find a sense of purpose.
I was 27 when I joined. My GPA was irrelevant; MEPS saw that I had a BA and I enlisted as a 09S (Officer Candidate). I had to board to get into OCS where I explained where I was then, where I am now, and how I got there. They let me in and I graduated as 1 of 13 in a class of 91 candidates and the top of my class in SBOLC.
I'm now finishing my MA summa cum laude. You can do it!
I was 27 when I joined. My GPA was irrelevant; MEPS saw that I had a BA and I enlisted as a 09S (Officer Candidate). I had to board to get into OCS where I explained where I was then, where I am now, and how I got there. They let me in and I graduated as 1 of 13 in a class of 91 candidates and the top of my class in SBOLC.
I'm now finishing my MA summa cum laude. You can do it!
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SPC Kaitlyn Adair Don't Ever Let Anyone Tell You NO! If You Want to There is Always a Way. The Army Turned Me down as a Chinook Electrician, I'm a Retired Navy Spook!
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SPC Kaitlyn Adair I would talk to an Army Recruiter for the best information. Working with a trainer to improve your fitness level is good. Best wishes, and keep us posted on your status.
http://army.com/forum/what-required-gpa-become-army-officer
http://army.com/forum/what-required-gpa-become-army-officer
What is the required GPA to become an Army Officer? | Army.com
I recently graduated from College Fall of 2010 and i was interested in joining the military as an officer. However I've read on other forums and google searches that you need to have a specific GPA or higher to become an officer. I was hoping I could get a definite answer on this site. My GPA now is 2.4 would that be good enough to qualify for OCS?
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