Direct Commission Army Reserve component: Any input?

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:12:31 -0400

I have heard that the Army Reserve component is offering direct commissions into basic branches (other than medical, JAG, or Chaplaincy). Can anyone confirm if this is true? I also heard that the commissioning age in the Reserves is up to 41? That's hard to believe considering active duty is 33. Thanks in advance!

BREAK! BREAK!

I forgot to mention that my highest civilian education is a Master's degree and I do not plan to pursue another degree/additional schooling (second Masters/Ph.D) anytime soon.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 1:14 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:14:52 -0400

I would say to find the nearest Reserve Center and talk to a Retention NCO. Or even talk with a Recruiter and see if they have any info.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made May 5 at 2015 1:14 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:14:53 -0400

When they are thinning the ranks in the Post-GWOT Army, I find it hard to believe, but then again I am out of the loop.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made May 5 at 2015 1:17 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:17:15 -0400

Been out too long, but yes there was a program, and there were some wavers one could get. Best to consult a recruiter or retention NCO.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 1:32 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:32:54 -0400

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member. This is true, though I believe the maximum age is 35. Contact your RSC Retention Office for details.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 1:44 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:44:50 -0400

Yes, the Reserves have a Direct Commissioning option. That is how I received my commission. It is a board process. I'm not sure what the age cut off is at this time.
Contact a Reserve Retention NCO and he/she should be able to give you more information on the requirements and current likelihood of being accepted.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made May 5 at 2015 1:48 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:48:00 -0400

Another solution is to check with your local reserve units, to see what they know or are offering, because in the past direct commissions were used for key education/MOS. Given the current focus it is safe to say tech and intel are very critical, that includes certain languages.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 2:22 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 14:22:02 -0400

I commissioned through Direct Commission.

Your best bet to get the most current guidance by speaking to a Special Missions Career Counselor. They can give you the full run-down on requirements, options, and the process.

Since you are currently a member of the Guard, have you considered looking at their OCS and Direct Commission programs? I know that their DC Program is a much less publicized and selective than OCS (and may not exist anymore) but it would be easier to process within your current component then switch components.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 4:32 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 16:32:21 -0400

Each region in the USAR has counselors that deal with officer accessions whether warrant or commission. There is a board that is done at the regional level then those packets are submitted to HRC for consideration. The board is fairly simple, but you have to start while you are still in. The next best thing would be looking at green to gold program.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 4:35 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 16:35:27 -0400

Yes, the Reserves are always short of 1LT's and as we don't typically retire at 20 years the typical officer is much older than Active (promotions are much slower as well)

I would always recommend ROTC to any individual that has not completed college, but if you have a degree or are not going to school full time Direct Commission is a great option. The also offer commissions (occasionally) to pre-degree individuals but if you don't finish in 5 years your commission is forfeit.

I've never seen a USAR OCS the National Guard has a good OCS program if you are contemplating that route.

Basic information brochure.
http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/oa_preq.htm

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 3:18 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 03:18:43 -0400

There are direct commissions for other branches, but they are rare in my understanding. Special branches get the bulk of direct commissions but I had an XO that was a direct commission into the engineer branch. Best COA is to talk to recruiting and see what the needs of the army are. Please be advised that many of the direct commissions that were taken at the time were during the Surge. Best of luck.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 5:03 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 05:03:38 -0400

I commissioned DC as a 92A and a rigger company. Was 43 at the time. Got my jump wings 3 days before my 44th bday. Special Assessions Recruiter told me she had commissioned a 47yo butter bar. LT Oakley gives you the right scoop. Track down the recruiter for the current answers.

There is a board process. Complete the packet and it goes before the board. Do the physical. Raise your hand. Have the Silver Dollar ready.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 10:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 10:14:08 -0400

Here is a link to the contact information for all of the Army Reserve Career Divisions Battalions. Contact the one that covers your area and ask for contact information to the Special Mission NCO.

http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/region_contact.htm

Army Reserve Careers Division Contact Information

Contact information for Army Reserve Career Division, to include, Army Reserve Career Counselors, Army Reserve in Europe, Army Reserve in the Pacific, Deployed Reserve Soldiers Reenlistment Assistance, and the Webmaster

Response by SGT Curtis Earl made May 6 at 2015 3:23 PM

SGT Curtis Earl — Wed, 06 May 2015 15:23:31 -0400

I've looked into going warrant and commissioned in Commo. I'm a sysadmin/netadmin by trade and I thought it'd be a natural fit. But I can't see giving up nearly a year to take training I already have degrees and industry certifications in. I'd gladly take whatever tests were required to prove I knew the material. But I also know that the army wants to teach me how to things the 'army way'. So I guess I'll never achieve my dream of being an officer. I can't justify it to my family. I'd serve a deployment without complaint. But leaving my family and essentially taking a huge pay cut just to be a butter bar or gain a pip? I should have done it years ago.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 8:19 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 08:19:42 -0400

I agree with most of the comments above. Yes, Reserve component has a higher age but that is not exactly a gurantee. With the Army drawing down, the Reserve has become more selective and age has become an unspoken discriminator. As SFC Golden stated, use the link and contact the local Army Reserve Career Counselor who will place you in touch with the Special Missions Team(they specialize in OCS,ODC/odA and WOC). I would not recommend utilizing a Recruiter. Dependent upon your age, OCS would be great for anyone seeking commission. The training is unparralled, although, from my experience, the longer SOME have been an NCO the easier the transition through ODC. If ou have more specific questions, please let me know. I was on Special Missions for three years prior to my current position.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 8:21 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 08:21:35 -0400

email me at [login to see] if you need further assistance.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 9:46 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 May 2015 09:46:54 -0400

I DC'd back in 2013 as a reservist - it was an exceptionally painless process. I'd also point out that I commissioned into a non-basic branch (Aviation) because of my background as a flight warrant. That means that if you have translatable skills, I wouldn't write off the idea of some of the more technical branches - just be prepared to state and defend your case.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 9:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 09:41:02 -0400

I am in a reserve drill sergeant unit - direct commissions seem to be pretty common. I know 2 of our guys, out of about 36, got direct commissions during our last deployment (came through after the deployment, but they completed the process, except the physical, while deployed). About half the officers on that mission had also beeen direct commissioned drill sergeants (2 of 2 Lt's, 1 of 2 Cpt's and 1 of 2 LTC's, but 0 of 2 COL's).

As I understand it, the USAR is short of company grade officers.

Personally, I'd do it, but I think JAG is all I'd be likely to get (49 year old lawyer in civilian life) and that is both more competitive and not something I want to do.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 11:14 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 11:14:32 -0400

What is your MOS? That is a key factor in any direct commission. Many, if not most, medical specialties are DC. So, the standard answer applies.............it depends.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 4 at 2015 11:22 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 11:22:39 -0400

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member, according to http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/become-an-officer/how-to-become-an-officer-in-the-army/direct-commission.html it looks like the only fields that are currently taking Direct Commission Officers are Medical, JAG, and Chaplain.

Since I wasn't in the Army obviously I don't know if that's 100% true. But if it is and those aren't fields you're interested in, the Navy's Direct Commissioning program offers career fields such as Supply and Intelligence. Those were the 2 examples I could find quickly. I'm sure other career fields are also available. That is of course considering you're interested in any branch other than the Army!

Army Direct Commission Officers

Learn about Army direct commission requirements. The eligible areas for direct commission are the Army Medical Department, Jag Corps and the Army Chaplain Corps.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2016 6:15 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 May 2016 06:15:10 -0400

SGT

Yes, it does in fact exist. In fact, I am a product of that program. Though be warned, it is an extremely competitive process.

V/R

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2017 6:44 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 18:44:12 -0500

I keep getting turned down for direct commission due to age. Any way around this?

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2017 6:15 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 18:15:54 -0400

How do I get a DC application?

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Nov 1 at 2018 12:02 PM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 12:02:04 -0400

Only jag doc and chap sorry!!

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Feb 19 at 2020 8:57 PM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 20:57:39 -0500

Contact HRC LT’s branch and Army ‘Reserve’ Recruiter/Unit.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2021 3:06 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 03:06:21 -0500

Hi, were you able to commission, I am a sergeant looking to direct commission in reserve component. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.