Can prior enlisted service make it more difficult to become commissioned as an officer?

PO2 Tim Waller — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 23:36:20 -0400

I get out of the Navy in 6 months and I am going to attend college. I am wondering, if I get my degree and try to serve as an officer, would it be difficult because of my prior enlisted service? Thanks
Petty Officer Waller

Response by PO2 Glenn Altschuld made Apr 7 at 2015 11:58 PM

PO2 Glenn Altschuld — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 23:58:54 -0400

No, it shouldn't be too difficult no matter what service you go for. ROTC is still available as well depending on what college you attend and how old you are. OTS/OCS avenues for all services are competitive so keep your GPA as high as possible and preferably in a degree they desire. Right now STEM (science, technology, engineering, medicine) are the top sought degrees.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Apr 8 at 2015 12:03 AM

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 00:03:09 -0400

How can it be difficult? Your entire purpose as an officer is to delegate and sign leave papers. I'm sure it's a daunting task but it's better than sweeping the P-way for XO happy hour.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 12:18 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 00:18:12 -0400

PO2 Tim Waller I can't speak for the Navy, but for the Army, this happens all the time. As long as you are honorably discharged, then returning as an officer shouldn't be to hard. The easiest way would be through ROTC are your university. That may be tricky find a NROTC if you to return to the Navy, however, not impossible.

Army wise, you can try and come back and request OCS (Officer Candidate School) in your contract. Having the degree helps.

Good luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 9:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 21:30:06 -0400

PO2 Walker,

I am currently serving on recruiting duty and learned something very interesting last week. You need a certain GPA in college to become eligible for OCS. I didn't realize this either until a fellow recruiter denied a Prior Service Navy Corpsman for going to college and having a 2.7 GPA. He got his degree while he was serving in the Navy, therefore my heart goes to him as he earned his 2.7, as I struggle every class to keep my GPA above a 3.5. Call a recruiter, and if they cannot cite their regulation, call me at [login to see] and I will put you in contact with a Navy Recruiter who will be able to point you in the right direction.
As a recruiter, I have to ask, have you considered going into the Army Reserve into the SMP program? This is a great way for you to serve 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year, have extra money for college, use the Reserve GI Bill and save your Active Duty GI Bill for a family member later on? Look into it. http://www.goarmy.com

SSG Allenbrand

Army Careers: Ways to Serve in the Army

Whether you’re interested in Army Reserve or Active Duty, there are many ways to serve in the Army. Explore the possible Army careers and contact an Army Recruiter.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Apr 8 at 2015 9:31 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 21:31:56 -0400

Have you considered switching to a reserve component during your time in college and going to OCS afterwards if they do not have an ROTC program that applies to you? Be nice to get a few more years in, utilize some of the benefits while in, and keeping in contact with possible units or jobs if you wish to stay in the reserves.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 8 at 2015 10:29 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 22:29:46 -0400

Served with several prior service officers including one who served in every grade E1 through O8. All were excellent officers.
Recommend you look into ROTC while in college.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2015 9:15 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 09:15:45 -0400

I was active duty Army as an enlisted Soldier first. I completed my initial contract and earned my degree and missed the military so I joined the Army Reserves and commissioned. From my experience, I was glad I was prior service first. I had a better grasp of the basic Army tasks when compared to a lot of my peers directly out of college and I also have more life experience to lean on when completing a task for the first time. A lot of the senior NCOs appeared to treat me differently than other LTs because they knew I could handle myself. My biggest complaint from NCO to Officer is you become strictly hands off. Instead of being on the ground doing the grunt work with your subordinates, building the relationships, you will be managing from above. I still get down and assist but am often told to take a step back because they can handle it. Those relationships are never as strong.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Apr 17 at 2015 11:36 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 11:36:26 -0400

Indeed it’s not difficult to commission after college, and as stated before the GPA plays an important part, not to mention the interview, and available billets. I too agree joining NROTC would be the best way to go, if unable then joining the Navy Reserves to keep increasing your years of service which will help come OE pay.

Keep in mind a career field you want to apply to as some are real competitive to get into and each career field has “X” number of billets available. When I looked into commissioning into the Navy, physical therapists were being down sized and they were not bringing any on active duty. You may also have to be flexible about which branch of service to commission in as well. I found a commission in the Air Force and do not regret it.

By the way, I have served with many Mustang officers from numerous branches of service. So be persistent!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Apr 18 at 2015 9:01 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 21:01:24 -0400

PO2 Tim Waller , your best bet of course is to speak with an Officer recruiter.

I do know that first and foremost it depends on what type of discharge and RE (reenlistment eligibility) code you get on your DD214 to determine if you're qualified for continued military service.

Secondly it also depends on your GPA when you graduate. From what I've been told if your GPA isn't competitive you stand almost no chance of being accepted into OCS or the various other commissioning programs.

But mostly, good luck with getting out and school!

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Feb 24 at 2016 8:39 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 20:39:22 -0500

In my case it was easier. I got credit for first two years of ROTC because of prior service and first semester of Senior ROTC because I had a H designator on my MOS and it was all about Instruction. Did 3 semesters and advanced camp. Most of that was easy for me except the couth classes. Always had trouble with how many cards to leave in the tray at the COs house, what utensil to use and how to seat folks and do reception lines. Barely passed. Once commissioned it took a while to get through my thick head that I did NOT work for a living anymore and would jump in and start working with my men, drive my own jeep, etc. Would infuriate my first CO. All in all not a big problem.

Response by SN Kevin Neff made Feb 3 at 2018 10:55 AM

SN Kevin Neff — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 10:55:38 -0500

How'd this go for you? I'm working on my degree in Cyber Security and am thinking of the same taking the same route. I'm wondering if I should go into the reserves now and work on commissioning when I graduate.

Response by SSG Keith Amacher made Feb 8 at 2018 2:56 AM

SSG Keith Amacher — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 02:56:44 -0500

No ex enlisted are considered some of the best Officers you go for it. What was hard is when I went from enlisted to Buck Sergeant and everyone thought I was still their friend. E6 SSG made the difference I was not their friend anymore I was their Sergeants boss. Guess what you don't have to deal with that just your NCO and he aint your friend and will let you know that listen to him or accept the consequences. He will take care of your enlisted.

Response by CW3 Michael Clifford made Feb 28 at 2021 2:28 PM

CW3 Michael Clifford — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 14:28:55 -0500

How are you gaining your commission (I.e. ROTC or OCS. The Marines and Navy have special rules for “mustangs”. I think that OCS acquisitions can only rise to either O-4 or O-5. Don’t quote me on this, as I retired in 1994 and even longer since I talked with a peer service promotion capabilities. If you like your career field, you may check to see if the Navy has warrant officers in your career field. A W-3 makes about the same as an O-4; a W-4 makes about the same as an O-5 and a W-5 makes about the same as an O-6. Go to school at night school, work on CLEP and ACT tests and earn your degree in that manner. Apply to go through the warrant officer basic course for your branch.

Response by CW3 Michael Clifford made Feb 28 at 2021 2:30 PM

CW3 Michael Clifford — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 14:30:31 -0500

The salary below is for retiree pay and not active duty pay.