Enlist or apply for OCS with a master’s degree?

Christopher C. — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 18:43:19 -0400

Hello everyone,

I’ve almost completed my master’s degree in Economics / Business Admin. with a 3.5 GPA (converted) at the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark - currently projected to graduate around May/June 2019.

I’m a US citizen and 25 years old. Would it make sense to enlist, or should I attempt to pursue OCS? I’m open to both branch and job function at the moment, but I find Military Intelligence interesting. However, understanding the process is quite difficult given that I can’t drop in at a recruiter’s office abroad.

Should I wait until I return to the US before pursuing this? Do you have any advice?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2018 6:55 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 18:55:24 -0400

Pursue OCS after competing your graduate degree. I am currently pursuing mine. I had more stress juggling both at the same time.

Response by SrA John Monette made Oct 15 at 2018 6:57 PM

SrA John Monette — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 18:57:10 -0400

I would certainly go the OCS route

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2018 7:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 19:04:18 -0400

OCS

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 15 at 2018 7:13 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 19:13:47 -0400

1. Start the process in the US.
2. Apply for OCS, but think of the AF, Marines, and Navy as well.
3. Enlist with the hope of going OCS.
4. Once you are in a branch, you can ask for a branch transfer.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Oct 15 at 2018 7:15 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 19:15:37 -0400

I used the GI Bill to get a college degree and then go ocs but kids came along and decided to be a cop! I'd say ocs!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2018 7:17 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 19:17:05 -0400

It really depends on what you want to do. You have virtually no control over your branch when you commission. If you enlist, you can pick your job including MI. The lifestyles are also quite different. I had a bachelors degree but I enlisted first because I was offered a significant enlistment bonus in 2002 to be an Arabic cryptolinguist for MI and the value of that bonus over 5 years in conjunction with my pay was higher than LT pay and the job was pretty cool. It eventually got to the point in my career where I knew I would stay in for 20 and had to decide if I would stay enlisted, go warrant, or go OCS. My personal decision was based on a lot of factors. I will say that as someone who commissioned as a SSG, there is not one life that is better than another. There are things I really miss about being an NCO and there are things I’m glad to have experienced as an officer. So truly, the answer is really about what you want to do.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 15 at 2018 7:47 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 19:47:45 -0400

One thing to consider is the age disparity between you and your peers.
3 years is not a huge difference between you and the rest of the LTs. 7 years between you and the rest of the PVTS is. Even if you are guaranteed SPC out of boot camp, you have an uphill climb until you are granted similar responsibilities to that which you are already used to. You are already an adult, living in an adult world, managing yourself like an adult. This is not to imply being a junior enlisted will be a step back, but it is definitely not a step up.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Oct 15 at 2018 7:56 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 19:56:13 -0400

Why don’t you just take up golf? It is equally as hard to master as a military career and just as frustrating.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2018 7:56 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 19:56:30 -0400

Research the different branches, and definitely OCS.

Response by SSgt Russell Stevens made Oct 15 at 2018 8:00 PM

SSgt Russell Stevens — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 20:00:33 -0400

I would enlist first. If the military suits you then you can certainly consider becoming an officer. Of the officers I have gotten to know during my time on active duty I found the best ones were prior enlisted.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Oct 15 at 2018 11:25 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 23:25:15 -0400

Only you can answer that question. For myself in your situation, I'd go the officer route.

Response by SSG Lyle O'Rorke made Oct 16 at 2018 12:10 AM

SSG Lyle O'Rorke — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:10:25 -0400

That is something you would have to answer yourself. But for me I would definitely go OCS. Simply because while your enlisted time may be beneficial in your time as an officer their is more opportunity to actually utilize your last 6 years of learning in the officer side of the house.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Oct 16 at 2018 1:37 AM

LTC Stephan Porter — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 01:37:17 -0400

Enlist, then apply to OCS from within.

Learn to be led before you lead!

Know why the challenges are of your Soldiers and of followership!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2018 8:53 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 08:53:11 -0400

OCS only. Enlisted would be too simple work for your background.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Oct 16 at 2018 12:36 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 12:36:13 -0400

You should wait to speak with recruiters. You should also seek mentor ship from Mid grade to senior Officers and Senior NCOs, of which there are many on this forum, seek their advice privately and have frank dialogs about who you are and what expectations you have. The military itself should not be entered into litely. Each path, Enlisted and commissioned has a great deal to offer, it is about personal preference. Good luck

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2018 7:10 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 19:10:01 -0400

you can also consider a direct commission

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Aug 19 at 2019 11:29 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 11:29:27 -0400

What did you decide?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2022 1:10 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Mar 2022 01:10:10 -0500

DONT GO TO OCS! Find another way. You do not want to risk your career. Or maybe you just want that GI Bill. That is fine. Some of my classmates were the same way. Me, I wanted to retire from the military taking the good with the bad. Do not go through OCS. Those TACs are taught to lie and cheat and you are taking a gamble if you go that route. I have two Masters myself, one from WTAMU and the other from University of the People. Yeah, well after what the US Army did to me I have not been able to get a decent job since to pay for a well known school. So I had to get what I could and even though it is an MBA, I still have yet to see a salaried position. I had my first Masters before I went into OCS. Because I wanted to make sure I would be in the running for FA 40 (Space Systems) once I hit Field Grade. Go another route: direct, ROTC, even look at direct from enlisted. Just Don't. Go. OCS. If you want a career in the US Army.