Posted on Dec 18, 2016
Do you have to have a bachelor's degree to become an officer? Or, can you get away with an associate's degree?
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Posted in these groups: 
Officers
Officers
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 14
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Air Force expects a Bachelor's degree for commission, if you want to make rank above Major need a Master's degree.
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I am an OCS Graduate. I am also a Graduate of both Army and USMC Command and General Staff College. I believe a Bachelors Degree is essential
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LTC Stephen Conway
True Sir and you don't have time to get your remaining units completed if you are in the USAR or the ARNG. Once you get commissioned its OBC/BOLC. I am a California Guard OCS Graduate. Now I am in the USAR. I did my Command and General Staff Officer Common Course with 2 weeks at Fort Dix, 8 weekends in a classroom over 8 months and then another 2 weeks active duty and working at UPS 50-60 hours a week did not make it any easier. Lot of reading, modules, papers to write on the weekends. I don't think I will take AOC but I am 54 and I will be happy retiring at age 59 or 60 as a LTC Godwilling. I have a below the zone look starting in January, 2017 but I am hoping for selection in 2018.
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LTC Stephen Conway
Something funny done by some ILE class prior to mine LOL at Fort Dix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa2dDXZwkro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa2dDXZwkro
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I will add that even IF the 90 credit/O3 option was available, I would wait until I finished my BA/BS. Why? If you're an Active Component O1 who just pinned you're going to be busy. Your supervisor is going to put you through the ringer with responsibilities. So much so that you'll find it difficult to handle your workload and complete your degree.
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Last I checked a 4 year degree was a requirement to become an officer.
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It used to be that you could become an officer with at least 90 credit hours and the stipulation that you needed to complete your Bachelors by the time you pin O3. However, with constricting budgets comes tightening of requirements. The one who would know best about the current requirements would be your ascension NCO.
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SGT Jerrold Pesz
Requirements change with need. During the late sixties they really needed junior officers and were commissioning high school graduates if they scored high enough on their entrance tests. We had lots of officers with no degree. My last company commander (03) didn't have any college and one of my platoon leaders was 19 years old. He went to OCS right out of high school. When Vietnam was drawing down they started getting rid of officers without a degree and NCOs without a high school diploma but when the war was at it's peak they made lots of exceptions.
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Don't forget the Master's Degree if you want to be career competitive. Lots of school assignments out there just for that purpose. It's considered an investment and you owe time in return. Schools aside, both ENL and OFF careers have a continual learning process. Things change all the time.
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It was that way in the California National Guard back in 1996. I personally know of a first lieutenant who got separated for not completing his requirements in 2004. Not sure if the New Mexico Military Academy still has graduations with the 2LT with just an AA degree? In today's competitive military I would not be surprised if they did away with 90 unit minimum to be commissioned.
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My thoughts that if you want become a Officer I would say it would a lot but not a Bachelors you could also I would wait until your a NCO of grade E5.
SSG MARK FRANZEN
US ARMY VET
Also My son Went from SSG To OCS and Got honor Grad and he retiring this year and I think as a Major I don't Know way to much on my Mind.
Good Luck
SSG MARK FRANZEN
US ARMY VET
Also My son Went from SSG To OCS and Got honor Grad and he retiring this year and I think as a Major I don't Know way to much on my Mind.
Good Luck
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