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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?
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?
Posted in these groups: 
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Navy)
Recruiting
Enlisted
Advice
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army) Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Navy) Recruiting Enlisted Advice
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
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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.
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.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SN Greg Wright - Still alive. About 2/3 done. Had to do some writes. Got stalled while working on the PhD.
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Christopher C.
Thank you for the reply, Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS. I also thought about that somewhat, and I see what you mean.
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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.
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Christopher C.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. There’s a lot of wisdom in what you’re saying, and I really appreciate the advice. I’ve also got a number of factors weighing in on my interest, but chiefly, challenging myself and applying analytical and management skills to help others are motivating for me.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Christopher C. Mastery of those skills is something inherent in both the enlisted and officer pathway.
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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!
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Pursue OCS after competing your graduate degree. I am currently pursuing mine. I had more stress juggling both at the same time.
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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
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Christopher C.
CSM Darieus ZaGara, thank you for the advice, and for your service. I think this is what I will try and do, making an informed decision is definitely important.
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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.
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Christopher C.
SSgt Russell Stevens, thanks for the reply. This is also what I hear from others - including family members who are serving or have served. I suppose it provides the kind of perspective that people would appreciate in a leader.
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Why don’t you just take up golf? It is equally as hard to master as a military career and just as frustrating.
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