Can I submit an OCS packet if I am in AIT and have my bachelor's degree?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 20:01:16 -0400

I am not a MSgt. I enlisted in the army with my bachelor's degree. I am in a yr long AIT program. Can I start on my OCS packet while in AIT? Does the army consider your past background experience ( ie I have a background in Chemical Operations) when selecting the field for you as an officer?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2019 8:16 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 20:16:00 -0400

You cannot apply to OCS until you have completed AIT and arrived at your first duty station. Your branching is based on your OML through the program and the availability of branches at the time your class convenes (grades, physical fitness scores, etc.). Your past specialities may have some weight and you can bring that up through the accessions process or trade branches with one of your fellow candidates.

Now although the rules are written such that you can technically apply to OCS when you arrive at your first duty station, you need to understand that your packet requires full support of your chain of command. If you don’t have their support or the belief of the officers of your unit that you would be a good officer (and this is important to us), your packet will not move. Put yourself in their position. Soldier arrives from AIT in a billet they need. Brand new to the Army. First thing the Soldier does is request to begin an OCS accessions process. I’ve seen this before. It’s not pretty.

My recommendation: go to your unit. Perform well. Learn about the Army from the enlisted side. Pay attention to the things you learn like leadership, property, Army systems, and the values. Pick up Sergeant. Then decide if officership is the thing for you. If you are a tight performer, you will get a smooth process for your packet.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2019 9:14 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 21:14:31 -0400

CPT Sharp absolutely nailed it. I don't think anyone could've said it better.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 1 at 2019 10:09 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 22:09:50 -0400

http://www.ocsfoundation.org

You might find the forum pages on this site useful....

OCS Foundation

SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 1 at 2019 10:37 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 22:37:49 -0400

http://www.usphs.gov

Would you be willing to try to go intersvc at all? Look on the site here at their Jr and Sr COSTEP, their analogues to ROTCs...I think they can be used to go grad level...I've also seen matl on here about doing FORCe for grad level as well...if you go commissioned, regardless of svc, you're gonna be expected too get masters minimum, even if only part time...I saw you're biomed equipment...do you want a clinical field of commissioned? would you consider warrant? Abby flight or cyber interests? What major was your bach? Grades? GPA? Any advice before the bach, with same info, if possible? The more you relate to us, the more options we can suggest...Army, while good, isn't the only svc...I'd been Army ROTC, then went USAF OTS...I trained with enlisted from all svcs who'd attended OTS with me...the more flexible you are, the likelier you can find something more immediately, or more suited to you, that's my sole point...what grad level do you want? What field? Masters? Doctoral? Clinical? Allied health? you're gonna have to figure on needing at least a masters, ASAP, minimum, anyone who tells you otherwise, in my view, from what I've seen, is wrong, honest, regardless of svc, esp if you commission...give me as much as you can about all your STEM coursework, and non-STEM, math, physics, chem, comp sci (CS), IT, bio of any type, clinical of any type...did you get a mil transcript yet from DANTES or American Council on Educ (ACE)? Those are the things that'd really help us help you more coherently, honest, that level of detailed biosketch is essential to try to answer you properly, I've found, in many career/educ questions I've read like yours, OK? No rush, whenever you'd want, I'd you want suggestions, just lemme know, I'd i think of other things that might be useful to you, I'll try to send them as well, it'd just be easier to help you, knowing more, so far as possible, OK? You're fortunate being enlisted, I wasn't first, those who were all generally adapted far more rapidly than I did...however, I didn't plan properly, I'd wanted the clinical side when I'd been in, I could never get it, I went doctoral allied health, I'd wanted to go USPHS, as I extended under an O-6 of theirs, I just got total perm disabled, and was never able...benefit from yrs of aggravation trying on my oart, by letting me try to help you the right way, OK? Any research interests? Have you published at all? What types of biomed equipment have you trained for thus far? Are you inclined to try to stay on the clinical side? If so, as what, soecifically, not just degree tyoes, actual work tyoes, RN, NP, PA, doctoral clinical? Would you want to go PhD or some other academic or clinical doctorate...remember, try to be as specific, and detailed, as humanly possible, and I'll try to give you my thoughts, that'd also help others here try to answer you with other possibilities as well, OK!

www.usphs.gov

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Sep 2 at 2019 2:05 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 14:05:19 -0400

Technically until you have your MOS, you what not lived up to your contract, therefor I doubt they would pay attention to your packet.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2019 8:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 20:19:38 -0400

Why didn’t you go ocs from the beginning?

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2019 12:51 AM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 00:51:52 -0400

After the Army has invested in training you, it will generally expect some return on its investment, in the form of you performing a minimum time in that job. So you know, there are many enlisted Soldiers with their degrees, so that fact alone doesn't necessarily make a candidate the most qualified. CPT Sharp provides excellent guidance. Completing your first contract may help give some perspective for when you drop an OCS packet.