Posted on Feb 8, 2021
Considering career change - interested in Engineer Officer (12A), but recruiter suggested Enlisted (12B) first, then go to OCS - is he right?
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Apologies for the duplicate post - I posted an updated originally. Please delete
Hello,
I have a BS and an MBA in my field, have worked 10 years and have gotten to the point where I feel I've accomplished everything I want to in my field, from pay to title. While I haven't exactly decided what I want to do yet, I have always wanted to be an officer in the military (considered other branches too); however it was never the right time, but I realized it's never going to be the 'right' time. Either way, my desire to do something else and desire to become an officer have me here considering joining the army, either national guard, or just regular army. I am seriously leaning towards doing three years of active duty in order to have my schooling paid for and some salary while I go to school once I complete my active duty service. As I said I wanted to have a career change, so that is definitely a big incentive for me.
In looking at my 'choices', I have been strongly leaning towards combat engineering, and while I understand officer's don't pick their job assignments, a recruiter told me to sign up as an enlisted, 12B, and once I complete training, apply to OCS where I would have a better chance at becoming a 12A since I would already be a Combat Engineer. Is there any truth to that? Are there any downsides to that approach? I imagine it's based on number of openings, so could I see myself playing the waiting game and be stuck as enlisted for a while? Or would I be able to do OCS almost immediately after, then play the waiting game for an opening in EBOLC? I have this concern that I'm going to be stuck as enlisted for an indefinite amount of time until something opens up on the officer side.
Thank you.
Hello,
I have a BS and an MBA in my field, have worked 10 years and have gotten to the point where I feel I've accomplished everything I want to in my field, from pay to title. While I haven't exactly decided what I want to do yet, I have always wanted to be an officer in the military (considered other branches too); however it was never the right time, but I realized it's never going to be the 'right' time. Either way, my desire to do something else and desire to become an officer have me here considering joining the army, either national guard, or just regular army. I am seriously leaning towards doing three years of active duty in order to have my schooling paid for and some salary while I go to school once I complete my active duty service. As I said I wanted to have a career change, so that is definitely a big incentive for me.
In looking at my 'choices', I have been strongly leaning towards combat engineering, and while I understand officer's don't pick their job assignments, a recruiter told me to sign up as an enlisted, 12B, and once I complete training, apply to OCS where I would have a better chance at becoming a 12A since I would already be a Combat Engineer. Is there any truth to that? Are there any downsides to that approach? I imagine it's based on number of openings, so could I see myself playing the waiting game and be stuck as enlisted for a while? Or would I be able to do OCS almost immediately after, then play the waiting game for an opening in EBOLC? I have this concern that I'm going to be stuck as enlisted for an indefinite amount of time until something opens up on the officer side.
Thank you.
Potential Recruit
12B: Combat Engineer
12A: Engineer Officer
OCS
Officer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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Listen.. you're talking about attempting to be an officer in the combat MOS field. The problem with most officers, they don't know what it feels like to be at the bottom of the barrel.
Your recruiter is only trying to make a good recommendation for you. He knows obviously that if you meet the criteria for officer; that you could go that route.
Earn the respect of your men.... Experience what they experience.
If someone reads this and disagrees... All I have to say...
AUDIE MURPHY.
Your recruiter is only trying to make a good recommendation for you. He knows obviously that if you meet the criteria for officer; that you could go that route.
Earn the respect of your men.... Experience what they experience.
If someone reads this and disagrees... All I have to say...
AUDIE MURPHY.
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The recruiter is biased. He's under pressure to write contracts. Having an advanced degree will carry more weight in boards than the years enlisted. Boards will still run down your preferences regardless. There may not be a ton of 12A needs at that time. That's the crap shoot.
Also, the College Loan Repayment Program is rife with problems.
My advice is to call the recruiting battalion headquarters or the recruiting company leadership team and find an officer recruiter. There will be some stink between your recruiter/ Station Commander and whomever is the officer recruiter over who "owns" you, but let them deal with that.
Also, the College Loan Repayment Program is rife with problems.
My advice is to call the recruiting battalion headquarters or the recruiting company leadership team and find an officer recruiter. There will be some stink between your recruiter/ Station Commander and whomever is the officer recruiter over who "owns" you, but let them deal with that.
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He's not wrong, but it's his opinion. He has a mission to get enlisted members. So of course he would want you to go that route first. There are Officer Recruiters that you can speak with as well to help you make that decision. However unless you are going into a reserve component you are not guaranteed a branch. Exception for professional degrees like a Doctor, Lawyer Nurse etc...
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For what it is worth, my opinion. I had my BS degree and decided to enlist in the Army. Since I didn't have ROTC or Jr. ROTC I had no real idea of what military life was going to be like. I talked to my recruiter and he said I would have to go before a board to even get into OCS. He did say that once I was in I could submit for OCS. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense to go enlisted. What if I didn't like the military and now I would have to be in some type of leadership role. I am so glad I did. I went in as an E-3 and after basic training was promoted to E-4. To understand what it is like to be enlisted first made sense, if I wanted to be a great officer. I came across so many officers who truly didn't understand or appreciate the enlisted ranks. Not to say they all were like that but many were. I completed my enlistment but didn't go to OCS. A dual military couple with a child at the time I was in was VERY difficult and I didn't reenlist, but made the decision to be a stay at home mom for a while. Looking back I never regretted my decision of joining the Army and going enlisted. As a matter of fact, if I was in charge, I would make all officers serve at least two years of enlisted time first. One of the first principles of good leadership is to be able to be a good follower.
Proud to be an Army veteran.
Shirley Wendt
Proud to be an Army veteran.
Shirley Wendt
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Fuuu that. 12B is a dead end. Get a job that is a direct link to a civilian job. 20 year 12B and all I got was this disability rating.
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Thank you all for your replies! I will individually respond to them. To be clear, the recruiter mentioned enlisted as an option, but did mention the officer route, but seemed to push the enlisted route. It definitely sounds like enlisted shouldn't be considered in my case.
To clarify, I am not an engineer by trade, I work in finance. As noted, I'm interested in Combat Engineering, which is not engineering in the sense of a mechanical engineer (might be stating the obvious here to some of you), and I completely understand and am fine with that. Although mechanical/aerospace engineering is something that I have considered as a new career path after serving.
To clarify, I am not an engineer by trade, I work in finance. As noted, I'm interested in Combat Engineering, which is not engineering in the sense of a mechanical engineer (might be stating the obvious here to some of you), and I completely understand and am fine with that. Although mechanical/aerospace engineering is something that I have considered as a new career path after serving.
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LTC (Join to see)
To be fair, you must initially enlist if you are currently a civilian (I believe it’s coded 09S for new recruits with the OCS option). You would go to basic training and then attend OCS as an enlisted soldier. Upon OCS graduation, you would earn your commission. Maybe that’s what your recruiter is talking about?
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