How does Green to Gold work if you already have a 4-year degree?

2019-10-31T16:04:15-04:00

While I am in college, I have been periodically talking with the local recruiting center. I have been going in there for the last few months. I have already met with the Captain of the center as well. He and the recruiters provided me with insight on OCS, Enlisted, as well as some information regarding the Green to Gold program. The information on the Green to Gold program was a limited and the go army.com information is not very clear regarding those who already have a degree.

I have no problem going enlisted first than working to become an officer. If that route is the best for having the most complete understanding of what an officer's duties are, then it is the route I will take.

The only questions I have are:
a) How does the Army's Green to Gold program work if you already have a Bachelors Degree?
b) Which route to becoming an Officer would provide me with the best experience and equip me to be the best Officer in your opinion?

Degree: B.A. in Psychology with a Cluster (similar to a Minor) in Leadership and Organizational Studies

If someone could provide some further insight on the program as well as any Officer experience they have, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

Note: I apologize if I am using this site wrong or if I have used the topics/tags wrong.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2019 4:19 PM

2019-10-31T16:19:15-04:00

The Green to Gold program is mainly for those that don't have a degree yet and will work on getting that degree while being a member of ROTC as the commissioning source. Since you already have a BA in Psychology, my recommendation is to either contact an AMEDD Officer Recruiter for a possible Direct Commission or enlist and then apply for Officer Candidate School

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 31 at 2019 4:22 PM

2019-10-31T16:22:53-04:00

If you go OCS, make sure it's on your contract. I think you will be required two years to qualify you for GTG.
As for quality of officer most of it is based on you.
.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Oct 31 at 2019 4:38 PM

2019-10-31T16:38:45-04:00

Direct Commission is your route to the officer ranks. G2G is for those looking to become an officer while finishing a degree.

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Oct 31 at 2019 5:15 PM

2019-10-31T17:15:53-04:00

Good advice from those above, but a bit of clarification. Your degree is not a therapeutic psych degree, so the direct commission in the Medical Service Corps is unlikely, though the Air Force commissioned me to be a medical administrator with degrees in physiology and teaching. All depends on the needs of the military at the time you encounter them.

Your degrees are good preparation for the commissioned route, and I advise against going enlisted “first”. If you want to be an officer, go for that. I am what the Air Force calls a “Mustang” (no idea why) because I was getting ready to put E-6 on the sleeve when I was commissioned. I did active duty right out of high school. Got out, taught, practiced as a Paramedic and went to college to get my AA, BS and MEd. Then I started over again as a MSC Officer. My situation changed and I was able to pursue my doctorate while working in the college and church....something had two go, and it was the Air Force Reserve. I finished my doctorate and was then Ordained as a Lutheran Pastor.

Define your goals, go after it, surround yourself with folk who will be honest with you about you!

God bless you on your journey.

Response by PO2 Karl Lehn made Oct 31 at 2019 5:24 PM

2019-10-31T17:24:25-04:00

My best advice is to approach the officer recruiter about a direct commission. He will lead you down the proper path. Remember if you choose Army you will have to attend Army boot camp before OCS. The Navy doesn't do that, the Marines don't do that and I cannot speak for the Air Force.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2019 5:36 PM

2019-10-31T17:36:30-04:00

Green 2 Gold is an ROTC program, it's used to pay for a degree, and can only be used to pay for a new level of degree. You couldn't use it for another bachelors but you could use it for a masters.

As far as degrees go, the Major is irrelevant unless it leads to some type of certification. There are a few in the Healthcare field that allow a direct commission with a bachelor but they are like Healthcare admin or something along those lines. Your Psych degree presents no more certification than a Liberal arts or Criminal Justice degree, so direct commission will not be a route for you.

OCS isn't necessarily a better or worse route for you. Commissioning routes really come down to what your situation can handle. Being enlisted first won't make you a better or worse officer, the first Senior NCOs who mentor you will shape the kind of officer you become. If you can handle being a poor college student the next few years and a masters degree is important to you then G2G may be your best option. If you have a family you need to support or you're just ready to jump right in, then enlisted to OCS may be the best route. It's all about finding the route that best fits your circumstances, one isn't any better than the other and in my experience one doesn't produce better officers than the other.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Oct 31 at 2019 7:30 PM

2019-10-31T19:30:09-04:00

If you have the opportunity to go directly to a commissioning program rather than enlisting and hoping to gain acceptance in a commissioning program later, I would recommend shooting for the commission immediately. While I value the short time I was enlisted, I don't feel one has to have enlisted experience to be an exceptional officer. OCS and your post commissioning training provide you with the technical skills and overall knowledge of what an officer must consider regarding their unit's mission and the principles of military leadership. Hearing what your people are saying both vocally and through their actions and attitudes tells you what problems or situations you must address as a leader to inspire and free them to accomplish the unit's mission. Your education so far should have provided you with additional academic principles that you will have the opportunity to apply to the mairead of situations you will face.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Oct 31 at 2019 8:20 PM

2019-10-31T20:20:11-04:00

With a bachelors degree you want to go Direct Commission, not enlisted and hope someday you commission. As others have stated you will learn and have great mentors to seek out.

I would also recommend you speak to officer recruiters from all branches of service to do two things: 1) make an informed decision which branch to commission with and some branches might be able to tell you up front what career fields you can commission into and 2) increase your opportunities to commission as some services might have limited opportunities or sparse boards.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2019 11:44 PM

2019-10-31T23:44:26-04:00

I think we have a bit of a nomenclature issue here. "Direct Commission" is for those with specific degrees in specific fields (medical, legal, chaplaincy, etc.). Those who qualify for a direct commission do not attend ROTC or OCS. Instead, they attend a course that is designed to teach basic military and officer skills to direct commissionees. As someone else said, you probably don't qualify for a direct commission. What you want is OCS, which is NOT the same as a direct commission. You could go Green to Gold, but it would take much longer, and you would have to earn a Master's Degree in the process.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2019 5:51 PM

2019-11-01T17:51:44-04:00

It doesn't.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 1 at 2019 11:50 PM

2019-11-01T23:50:11-04:00

I think you would go Direct Commission

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2019 12:08 PM

2019-11-03T12:08:45-05:00

First, thank you for the responses. I will continue along the original plan I had of pursuing OCS once I graduate.

Second, brief clarification regarding the degree, I Majored in Psychology because it is an open degree. Having a much wider range of applications I could use it for both in the corporate world and the military world. Although clinician is a route (providing I pursue my masters), the ability to better understand those around you both allies and enemies on a more fundamental level can prove invaluable in any circumstance. My goal is to do activity duty with a combat MOS, favoring Armor or Infantry. I view the degree as a tool rather than a specification. Something I use to supplement my own talents and God given abilities.

All of you have provided fantastic advice and insight. I thank you for your time and your service.