How can my daughter pursue becoming an Army officer?

SPC Alisha Barca — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 19:42:06 -0500

At 14, She just started homeschool in an effort to slow down graduation, which was set for next year at cyber school. She does musicals, track, dance, gymnastics, majorettes, anime club and sports med. She has been tested at the gifted level, been accepted to community college, studies 3 foreign languages, psychology, art history, and more to take ap tests. What would be the best option for her?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2017 7:44 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 19:44:04 -0500

At that age, no better time to get into an ROTC program.

Response by SFC George Smith made Jan 17 at 2017 7:46 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 19:46:33 -0500

great grades and a Strong Military History back ground and be well trained Physically...

Response by LTC Erik Spike Thiesmeyer, Sr. made Jan 17 at 2017 7:51 PM

LTC Erik Spike Thiesmeyer, Sr. — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 19:51:45 -0500

What does she want to do? I see lots of liberal arts, what about some hard sciences or math? If she is doing that well in school, she should probably attend a brick & mortar high school and pursue an appointment to a military academy. Then she would be commissioned upon graduation. But the service academies love those hard sciences. Physics, mathematics, engineering. Again, what does she want to do? Being an officer is a serious commitment. Best of luck to her! Oh, and three languages is awesome!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jan 17 at 2017 8:26 PM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 20:26:56 -0500

SPC Alisha Barca If her grades are solid, you should pursue any of the service academies and through this process she will become better qualified for any ROTC program of any service.
She can compete for an Army ROTC scholarship for all four years depending on what she is deciding to major in. It is OK for to obtain college credits and have her to start college at 17.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jan 17 at 2017 8:28 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 20:28:24 -0500

The "best option" depends on a lot of factors. Here are some of the standard routes people take to getting a commission (under the assumption that she wants to go active duty):

-Join ROTC while in college (can also be done while serving in the Reserves or NG)
-Pursue admission to the United States Military Academy (very competitive)
-Go onto active duty and try for Officer Candidate School (also competitive, and not many slots)
-Get a college degree and try for a direct commission (very few slots, and normally in specialized areas)

Those are listed in order of likelihood, based on the number of active duty commissions granted each year. I enlisted onto active duty right out of high school, and then joined ROTC after I ETS'd (and while in college). I think being prior enlisted made me more competitive to get into ROTC, as well as getting onto active duty in my branch of choice. The tradeoff is that it took me four extra years to get to that commission. So, some alternative/hybrid paths do exist.

For now, the best things to do are:
-Make good grades
-Stay fit
-Demonstrate some leadership abilities
-Learn about the different branches (MP, MI, Engineer, etc.) to figure out her career interests, and to help select a supporting college major
-Stay out of trouble

If you think she'll go the ROTC route, feel free to connect with me directly, and we can discuss that more in-depth. Regardless, best of luck to her!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2017 8:36 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 20:36:24 -0500

I was homeschooled too. Just ensure she is credited for her coursework-if she's already been accepted to a CC it shouldn't be an issue. It sounds like she may be a candidate for acceptance to the United States Military Academy at West Point, I would contact a USMA recruiter for specific requirements. A second option is ROTC; she won't be immersed in the military culture like USMA, and ROTC cadets typically have the option to drop from the program prior to their Junior year when they contract. The third option is OCS, and she will need a degree already for that.

West Point is difficult to get into, but if she is accepted it is fully funded. As far a military pedigrees go, there are none better. She has to be fully committed though; most of the West Pointers I know have burnt out and left the service. The upside is that there seems to be a pretty good alumni network, and she will have an engineering degree from a prestigious school.

ROTC is an option if she want more of a moderate, typical college experience-that's not to say they don't produce some outstanding officers as well. The first two years will be spent learning basic soldiering; junior and senior years are spent learning and developing leadership skills. ROTC programs vary from campus to campus, so I'd advise visiting the ones she is interested in prior making her choice. Funding through your GI Bill or scholarship may affect the choice as well.

She can also pursue a commission through OCS. She can enlist and complete her degree on active duty using Tuition Assistance/GI Bill, then put her packet in; or complete her degree and enlist solely for OCS.

None of these options are any better or worse than the others, they are just different means to the same end. What is required from all commissioning sources are a good GPA, good physical fitness, and the demonstrated potential to lead others. Just my two cents.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2017 9:03 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 21:03:50 -0500

I was homeschooled as well. As long as her GPA is strong along with good extracurriculars, she should definitely look at applying for a federal scholarship with ROTC. If she's proficient in the foreign languages that she's studying, it'll look even better.

There's a lot of options. Getting into a service academy is probably the best career-wise. ROTC is also a great option, especially under a federal scholarship.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2017 9:43 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 21:43:33 -0500

Something some of the National Guard and Reserve guys are doing is enlisted for 6 Years.
After BCT & AIT they return home and join their unit and go to monthly drills.
Once they join their unit they inform their COC that they're going to College with ROTC.
You finish College and ROTC and are Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and as I understand the Army pays for most if not all.

Is she staying home schooled? JROTC might be an option to start her education towards it. Slots are limited but JROTC Cadets can receive an appointment to a Military Academy. I knew some who were going to West Point because of JROTC.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 17 at 2017 10:17 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 22:17:12 -0500

I'll do wet blanket duty on this one. With an extremely bright, energetic, teachable and fast tracking young one, the question morphs more into what will the kid be held back on. One thing about the military, it goes at it's own pace. It's incompatible with internships and fellowships. It is limiting in itself. If she loves what she's doing and has a greater hunger for more of one or two things, then that's likely the direction to go. Military doesn't do "gifted" too well. There's always some drag force to not allow the brilliant ones to climb faster. That is driven both by policy and fear. I was always amused, and discouraged, watching senior leaders go into awkward mode in dealing with great talent. They failed to have the skill in steering and reverted to control.

Bottom line, just looking at the descriptors, the Vegas odds say there's more opportunity for growth and excellence outside the military. Of course, results will vary.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 17 at 2017 10:22 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 22:22:36 -0500

SPC Alisha Barca I find myself deferring to LTC Kevin B. , as he has some good advice. That mechanically is the path to a commission. Consider the following factors:
- at the current burn rate, she will be about 18 when she graduates from college. I am assuming she will meet all requirements to be a high school graduate with a diploma and transcripts.
- minimum age for entry to ROTC is 17. 19 for a civilian attempting OCS.
- her unconventional path may help with entry to a service academy. They typically want to see student team and leadership among their experiences. So does ROTC if you are competeing for a scholarship.
- either ROTC or OCS programs would require an accredited four year degree. The whole 120 credits thing changes frequently, and is dicey as you then have to beg borrow and steal to get degree completion or time to finish. Assume credits will drop off. Community college won't cut it. Perhaps consider a college/university that has a 3+2 dual degree program.
- your daughter's year group peers will be significantly older. Along with Some relatively significant life experience, especially at that age. Your daughter's soldiers will be older than her. Couple that with the usual LT hazing/razzing. This may also impact her ability to successfully compete physically.
- I am sure your daughter is bright and gifted, but has she had the chance to develop as a person since she has been fast tracked?
- what is her interest in this process? What does she hope to gain as a commissioned officer? What branch does she want? What branch(es) is she prepared to accept that weren't her number 1 choice (just finished that 22 year experiment)?
- As another has pointed out, her interests are in areas that do not line up with a career field. What is her desired academic field? How does that align with a branch?

Response by Cpl Zach Wellborn made Jan 17 at 2017 11:17 PM

Cpl Zach Wellborn — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 23:17:38 -0500

She's 14 I'd make it her choice if she wants to by the time she's legally able to. Which would be 21-22 at the earliest. If she's set on it I'd get her reading every book on leadership you can get her hands on. Also some type of martial arts would be a big benefit. Look at prerequisites for free college into the military programs that are available.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 17 at 2017 11:25 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 23:25:51 -0500

Please provide guidance into making your daughter a 'good' citizen.

Teach her to savor the moment, the Earth, life and a respect for religion.

Achievements do not ganantee happiness.

Personal happiness balances personal achievement.

Best Wishes!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2017 11:42 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 23:42:32 -0500

SPC Alisha Barca If this is what your daughter wants, I wish you and your daughter luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2017 1:23 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 01:23:37 -0500

She can also be in the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard if she wants to have two careers or continue with her civilian dream job. You can have your cake and eat it too. I was in the National Guard though the last 11 years has been in the Army Reserve.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jan 18 at 2017 7:07 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 07:07:02 -0500

Stay in school and develop her God-given talents and abilities as much as possible.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jan 18 at 2017 7:51 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 07:51:07 -0500

To quote CAPT Kevin Ball, I'll also be a wet blanket here. Why are you asking this? Are you trying to push her into the Army or is this something she has indicated se wants to do? Given your background you probably lean/push towards Army, but let her look at other services as well; she may find another service that more aligns with her interests than the Army. If she really wants it, I agree with what LTC Kevin Broom said but would lean towards ROTC while in college. This will get her exposed to the military and allow her to decide if that is the way she really wants to go without getting locked into any long term commitment, at least for the first couple of years. Given what you say about her accomplishments, I suspect she will be able to get an ROTC scholarship, but would hold off on that until she is really sure she wants to join.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jan 18 at 2017 3:16 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 15:16:01 -0500

First you have to qualify to be in the Army. Diplomas from home schools and "cyber schools" are not considered what the Army calls Tier 1 education credentials. I am not saying that those credentials will not qualify your child for enlistment. However, those credentials have to be evaluated and approved by an Army Education Specialist and meet all the established criteria to be accepted. I would advise that you contact an Army Recruiting station to get the latest criteria requirements for this kind of education, just to ensure that your program will meet the requirements to be accepted as a high school diploma graduate. 15 Semester hours of community college on top of it all will be considered a HS diploma graduate regardless. I have had applicants who scored very high on the ASAVAB, but their home school or private school credentials did not meet the acceptable criteria and they could not enlist until they completed 15 semester hours of college. Of course, there are paths to becoming an Officer as many people here have explained. If this is truly a goal, then it would be important to know now what the qualifications are so you can ensure you are on the right path to get where you want to be.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2017 3:20 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 03:20:25 -0500

SPC Alisha Barca the age will hold her back until she is legally able to join the military. She could try to go basic then apply for OCS after basic to go officer the quickest method if she already has a degree by then. As others have stated rarely will the military reward the gifted by promoting early, but rather they are lumped in with everyone else.