How competitive am I for OCS?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:17:58 -0500

I am a 5 year member of the national guard getting all of my paper work together to apply for active duty OCS. I have two MOS’s and Army Airborne school. I graduate from Purdue in May with a around a 2.8 gpa. My GT is over 110 and my pt is a 300. I am just wondering in today’s climate what the odds were.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 11:29 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:29:15 -0500

The odds for what? For getting into OCS? Branching something in particular? GRADSO/ACS Program’s?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 12 at 2018 11:40 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:40:09 -0500

Assuming the your EER's are clean and decent, I would say fair to good. Have you done BLC or whatever they call it these days? Hitting your command up for some Letters of Recommendation saying how wonderful you are doesn't hurt.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 6:39 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 18:39:20 -0500

Your past experience would be an asset to the Officer Corps. However, when you start OCS your are learning a new role as a leader. Your old rank goes away and as a Officer Candidate, you won’t even wear your tabs. I went through with some fellow prior service soldiers and even some prior NCO marines, and at the end of the day it wasn’t who had more experience and credentials, but who could rise as a leader.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Feb 12 at 2018 7:24 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 19:24:58 -0500

2.8 is not very competitive at all...

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 8:06 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 20:06:27 -0500

With a 2.8 GPA you will have to interview well at your board. Aside from that your PT is solid. It will truly come down to how strong your board recommendations are, the selection rate that year, and the need for OCS officers (based on ROTC + USMA numbers). With the Army downsizing 4 years ago, ROTC numbers shrunk some. With it growing now, and those classes graduating there may actually be a little more wiggle room than normal. Good luck!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 12:29 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 00:29:33 -0500

From my experience with OCS, it all came down to the board, bar none. Go to the board with a solid plan: what you want to branch, career goals, and most importantly, why you want to lead and become an officer. Think of a positive way to portray your low GPA (experience gained from jobs, projects, internships, etc.) and demonstrate how college + prior service will make you a great officer. Good luck

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2018 7:12 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 19:12:21 -0500

I'm going through right now, my credentials are very similar to yours. Once your packet is approved, PT was the factor that differentiated who got in ("classed up") and started the course. Get good LORs and interview well and you'll do fine.