Posted on Sep 2, 2020
How competitive is the OCS selection process? How will going enlisted first impact my competitiveness?
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Prior to Monday, my plan was to pursue the route of OCS. This would be going as a civilian and filing a packet. I have no prior service. I did not do ROTC. I graduated college with a few dings along the way, but I finished with a 2.879 (not the greatest, I know). Sharing all of this with the recruiter as well as telling them who would be writing my letters of recommendation, they gave me some honest feedback. That I am not competitive enough. My GPA wasn’t high, my letters aren’t from anyone notable (associate professor, professor/boss [with prior military service as an NCO], associate pastor [associate pastor is second in charge at this church]) and the current climate of applying for OCS as a civilian is very very competitive right now. They stated, “Instead of competing on a local level like you used to, now you’re competing on a national level.” With all of this being described and some further discussion, the plan is to enlist for a few years then push for an OCS packet. I have read on other places that that is next to impossible, but I know everyone on here, just like that recruiter is a straight shooter. This post is not meant to say that I don’t believe the recruiter, but only to do my due diligence and sure up any information. Moving on to the questions:
1) Is the climate for OCS more competitive now than it was, ex. 10 years ago?
2) Does the process consist of a national comparison rather than a local one?
3) Is going Enlisted first going to be a detriment to an OCS Packet?
4) Am I as uncompetitive as it seems?
Note: Whether I go Enlisted or end up going OCS, it does not really matter. My reasons for wanting to join remain the same. It was never about the money, benefits, or what ever prestige might come with it. I want to join because a multitude of other reasons. Again, this is not to discredit my recruiter or draw negative conclusions about anything, I am simply doing my due diligence. I apologize if this is not an appropriate question, the information online is rather fickle . Any information or opinion is appreciated. Feel free to be direct.
Update: After thought, some prayer, and some additional motivation, I’ve decided to Enlist. If all goes according to plan, MEPS will be next week and the report date is the 9th of October. Thanks for the advice everyone, I greatly appreciate it. God willing, I’ll be able to call myself one of y’all by the end of basic.
1) Is the climate for OCS more competitive now than it was, ex. 10 years ago?
2) Does the process consist of a national comparison rather than a local one?
3) Is going Enlisted first going to be a detriment to an OCS Packet?
4) Am I as uncompetitive as it seems?
Note: Whether I go Enlisted or end up going OCS, it does not really matter. My reasons for wanting to join remain the same. It was never about the money, benefits, or what ever prestige might come with it. I want to join because a multitude of other reasons. Again, this is not to discredit my recruiter or draw negative conclusions about anything, I am simply doing my due diligence. I apologize if this is not an appropriate question, the information online is rather fickle . Any information or opinion is appreciated. Feel free to be direct.
Update: After thought, some prayer, and some additional motivation, I’ve decided to Enlist. If all goes according to plan, MEPS will be next week and the report date is the 9th of October. Thanks for the advice everyone, I greatly appreciate it. God willing, I’ll be able to call myself one of y’all by the end of basic.
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 13
I know it happens, but why would you want to go straight into OCS? You would have no military experience and then in a few weeks you are in a leadership roll. I'd say you have a better shot at going enlisted and getting some experience under your belt then applying for OCS. What is your degree in?
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MAJ Brents Pepper
I was wondering if your degree could warrant a direct commission. A bachelors in psychology wouldn't get you a direct commission though.
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CPT (Join to see)
MAJ Brents Pepper - I think that's a very narrow path sir. I did it myself in the USAR, but from the inside as an NCO into a very undermanned Branch (Logistics).
Right "now" from the outside into Active Duty, Cyber seems to be the only opening other than medical, legal, or chaplain for Direct.
Right "now" from the outside into Active Duty, Cyber seems to be the only opening other than medical, legal, or chaplain for Direct.
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MAJ Brents Pepper
CPT (Join to see) - That is what I was thinking. Unless you are medical, legal, or a chaplain, direct commission is slim. The Alabama National Guard got short on officers and started direct commissioning some enlisted. You had to have your bachelors degree, be E-5 or above and there were a few other details. The state selected your branch based on need.
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CPT (Join to see)
MAJ Brents Pepper - I wish my branch was chosen by need as well. The first time I chose Intel based on my MOS, only to be naive and get bumped out of any hope with only 12 vacancies across the state to be shared among ROTC, and OCS. Then the next time around I learned how to look up vacancies and picked Logistics because there were 200 openings at CPT and below. So I figured there was NO WAY those were all going to get filled. So if I was told no at that point it was ME, not someone bumping me out.
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Update: After thought, some prayer, and some additional motivation, I’ve decided to Enlist. If all goes according to plan, MEPS will be next week and the report date is the 9th of October. Thanks for the advice everyone, I greatly appreciate it. God willing, I’ll be able to call myself one of y’all by the end of basic.
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