Posted on Feb 27, 2020
SGT Fire Support Specialist
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I'm finshing my degree in May and planning to go thorough OCS after. I know your branch is mainly based on the needs of the Army, but how likely is it that if I request a combat branch(Infantry, Armor, Field Artillery) that I'll get it?
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LTC Wayne Brandon
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Selection, as you say, will depend upon the needs of the Army.
However, your chances of being selected for the Infantry right now are better than average.
You didn't mention what your degree represents but that may sway the reviewer one way or another.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best.
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LTC Wayne Brandon
LTC Wayne Brandon
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LTC (Join to see) - I saw much of that at my commissioning as well but the Army was in a draw down (RIF - 1974) at the time so it made some sense, I suppose.
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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LTC Wayne Brandon - I could somewhat see it if Chemical was an easy field to find qualified people for. But I had 2 years experience doing chem warfare research on army contracts when I got commissioned. Hell, I was on the team that developed and tested most of the equipment that is in the Army's M93A1 Fox CBRN vehicle. You would have thought they would have been slobbering over me to become a chemical officer.
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LTC Wayne Brandon
LTC Wayne Brandon
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LTC (Join to see) - One would surely think so.
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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SGT Dan Gray - think of what makes the most sense and then do the exact opposite. Army logic 101
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Lt Col Jim Coe
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If you haven't committed to the Army (signed a contract), I think you should shop around. Your profile is incomplete so I don't have much to go on. However, you should talk to recruiters from all the Services, Active and Reserve Components. Decide which Service offers an officer opportunity that most closely matches your near- and mid-term life goals. For example, if you want employment that expands your academic degree in civil engineering (or whatever it's really in) then look for opportunities in the associated MOS/AFSC. If you're hard over on ground combat arms, then the Army or Marines would be best. Also look for the best deal in terms of accession date, post-training assignment location, credit for enlisted time, post-OCS training. Take the offer that most closely matches you priorities.
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CPT(P) Miccc Student
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With all due respect, none of the comments here are accurate. It's based on OML and what HRC offers your class. Your class will get a certain number of slots in most branches (all combat arms branches will be available in some capacity). You select in order of OML like a draft. Every time someone picks, the slot is removed from the selection board.

Bottom line, perform your best at OCS and you'll be higher on the OML. Higher you are, the more likely you are to get the branch you want.

Source: OCS graduate
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How likely is it that i can get a commission into a combat branch in the Army?
SPC(P) Brandon Jenkins
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I know some of the guys I entered with had contracts for OCS, and they already had a good idea for what they wanted to branch, but each and every one of them got branched somewhere different. In fact, one friend of mine who wanted to branch intelligence got branched Infantry, while the other one who wanted Infantry got branched Intelligence. Go figure.
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SPC(P) Brandon Jenkins
SPC(P) Brandon Jenkins
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BTW, they each entered at the same time from the same MEPS, and served in the same battalion in BCT.
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MAJ Matthew Arnold
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Because of the great numbers needed in infantry, armor, and field artillery, usually if you request them you'll get one of them. However, during my career I did know a couple officers who were assigned to one of those obscure branches that nobody wants, like chemical corps, due to the needs of the army at the time of their commissioning.
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1LT Field Artillery Officer
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If you’re a 13F and you want to be an FA Officer, there’s a very high chance you’ll get it as long as you have a decent OML score. FA is constantly growing.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
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Are you planning on staying National Guard or are you going to go Active Duty? While both are needs of the Service, you would normally know when you apply in the Guard what you will be branched. Active Duty is a bit more of a gamble. I don't have a feel for the odds today. I commissioned in 1985 during the Reagan years rebuilding and I don't know anyone that requested Combat Arms that was turned down.
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COL Armor Officer
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It just comes down to the needs of the Army. During the height of OIF/OEF (2003-2010), if you wanted combat arms you were going to get it. Now it's a bit difference but if you list combat arms as your first three choices, the odds are that you will get one of the three.
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1LT Robert Murchie
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11A is the more likely appointment due to the Army's current needs.
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LTC Drew Byrd
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OCS primarily feeds officers into combat arms. If you ask for Field Artillery, you will probably get it as it's not asked for very often. However, if you have a tech degree, they might put you into Cyber or Signal.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
MAJ Ronnie Reams
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If I wanted FA, I would go to OCS at Fort Sill. Go to the OCS at the branch that you want school. Inf Benning, SC Gordon. EN Belvoir, etc
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