Do reserve and national guard soldiers have the choice of applying for active duty OCS?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 12:46:03 -0400

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2020 12:53 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 12:53:07 -0400

Short answer is yes. I commissioned through federal OCS (I’m ALNG), but I got it in my initial contract. I’ve been told by a recruiter in my state (so it may be different in your state) that it’s easier to get a federal slot that way. If your state has its own OCS program, they may not want to send you to Benning. I would definitely look into it though.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2020 12:57 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 12:57:09 -0400

Yes, but you'd have to get a conditional release from your unit before you could be accepted or start OCS.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2020 12:59 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 12:59:32 -0400

Its possible, however its a joke. Youll learn a lot more and be better off if you go NG OCS whether its traditional (16 months one weekend a month style) or accelerated 8 weeks in SD, AL, or PA.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2020 1:02 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 13:02:12 -0400

PS-no disrespect for those who have gone Federal OCS. I have a few peers both whom I work with and were at BOLC with that states "Federal OCS is a joke". Just had to clarify...

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Sep 3 at 2020 6:21 PM

CPT Andrew Wright — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 18:21:59 -0400

Not a choice. Army Reserves are more likely to get a Federal OCS slot than a Guardsman. Most Guardsman will still go to their State OCS. Only a small percentage of Reservists or Guard will get Active Duty OCS and those that do get in have either a very good packet or friends in high places!