Posted on May 27, 2014
Finished up my degree while in the Reserves - advice for my next step?
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I served in Active Duty for my initial contract and then made an unsure decision to get out and continue my career in the Reserves while completing a degree. I graduated this year and now I don't know what to do. I am continuing on with my Masters degree but no matter what job I have, I am not satisfied. I have been applying to things all over the place and I am not getting any feedback. Lately I have been thinking of getting my direct commission and getting back into the Active Duty component and changing my MOS to Military Intelligence. Is there anyone on here who have been through a similar struggle? Is there anyone on here in the MI field? What should I be looking at or for, so the decision I make is the right one for me and my family?
Posted in these groups: 
Civilian Career
Military Intelligence Transition Course
Civilian Career Military Intelligence Transition Course
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
SSG Stevens,
We have hundreds of MI officers on RallyPoint - it may be helpful to connect with some to ask specific questions about their experience.
These are all the 35Ds, but if you used the Advanced search you can look for folks in more specific fields: https://www.rallypoint.com/specialties/35d-all-source-intelligence/primary
We have hundreds of MI officers on RallyPoint - it may be helpful to connect with some to ask specific questions about their experience.
These are all the 35Ds, but if you used the Advanced search you can look for folks in more specific fields: https://www.rallypoint.com/specialties/35d-all-source-intelligence/primary
Find All Source Intelligence (35D)'s on RallyPoint
Connect with other 35Ds. Share you knowledge and get the career advice you need from others with your experience.
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If you are looking into getting into the MI field I would highly recommend speaking with a recruiter. And ask him what options you have.
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SSG (Join to see)
I know, I would just like to hear from some who have gone through it... someone who has walked the walk. The grass is always greener when you're not the one cutting it haha! Thanks for the feedback.
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SSG Stevens,
The chances of going Direct Commission to Active are slim to none for basic branch Officers. There just is not a process in place for that to happen. I am a ODC Commissioned Officer and it is a Reserve only program. We can apply to AGR, but that really depends on your branch and the NOTA. Many people find it extremely challenging to get selected for AGR. The next opportunity to transition to Active Duty would be as a Captain after Captains Career Course. There is a Call to Active Duty program, but it requires CCC complete and a STEM degree to even be able to apply. That is at least 5 years away from your date of commission before you could apply.
The programs that offer Diect Commission for Active Duty are specialty areas such as AMEDD, Chaplains, JAG, etc.
You might consider completing ROTC if you can stretch your Masters over two years. That would give you an avenue to compete for Active Duty slots against other Cadets. MI is a hypercompetitive branch for ROTC, but it is a possibility.
OCS could be another option for going Active Duty. You would have to get a Conditional Release from your Reserve CoC and then put your packet together for OCS.
The chances of going Direct Commission to Active are slim to none for basic branch Officers. There just is not a process in place for that to happen. I am a ODC Commissioned Officer and it is a Reserve only program. We can apply to AGR, but that really depends on your branch and the NOTA. Many people find it extremely challenging to get selected for AGR. The next opportunity to transition to Active Duty would be as a Captain after Captains Career Course. There is a Call to Active Duty program, but it requires CCC complete and a STEM degree to even be able to apply. That is at least 5 years away from your date of commission before you could apply.
The programs that offer Diect Commission for Active Duty are specialty areas such as AMEDD, Chaplains, JAG, etc.
You might consider completing ROTC if you can stretch your Masters over two years. That would give you an avenue to compete for Active Duty slots against other Cadets. MI is a hypercompetitive branch for ROTC, but it is a possibility.
OCS could be another option for going Active Duty. You would have to get a Conditional Release from your Reserve CoC and then put your packet together for OCS.
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SSG (Join to see)
Thank you. I will have to look into that at my University. Do you know anything about going from one branch to another? Say I sign into the Navy, could I sign in as an Officer there? What would the track be after that? Any ideas?
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CPT (Join to see)
You would have to be released from the Reserves (if you are still in) in order to pursue commissioning in another branch. Each branch will have it's own options such as ROTC, OCS, etc. The only way to know is to speak to each branch to see what options you may have. For example, AFROTC may be an option for a graduate student, but NROTC I do not believe permits graduate students....but you could apply to OCS for the Navy or USMC.
I am sorry that I can't be more help.
I am sorry that I can't be more help.
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