How long do you have to be enlisted before you can apply for OCS?

Elston Harris — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 18:19:24 -0500

I am about to obtain my bachelors and enlisting in the army soon...hopefully. I want to have experience in 42A, but want to be an officer in the army also. Any advice about obtaining OCS as fast as possible. Also I have a low GPA, but tons of experience in leadership roles and physically active.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 6:21 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 18:21:35 -0500

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/officer-candidate-school.html

Officer Candidate School and Army OCS Requirements

Army Officer Candidate School gives college graduates an opportunity to be leaders and officers for Active Duty or Army Reserve. Learn about Army OCS requirements.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 6:29 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 18:29:06 -0500

Question: why aren’t you enlisting to go OCS? Or maybe ROTC grad school option? If you are enlisting for the sole purpose of going officer, that would be more logical. If enlisting though, you can technically start the packet process as soon as you arrive to an active unit. However, I would caution you. You need the full support of all officers in your chain of command. We take it very seriously and won’t support your pocket process unless we are absolutely sure you would be a good officer and contribute to the corps in a positive way. Very few commands will support the packet of a brand new specialist no one really knows. My advice: get your 42A if that is your route, work hard and pick up at least the rank of Sergeant. Along the way become VERY familiar with what an officer does. Then at Sergeant, assess your options. You may prefer to go Warrant, stay enlisted, etc. Also the knowledge and experience you gain along the way is extremely beneficial. Trust me. Good Luck!!!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 7:39 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 19:39:07 -0500

If you are about to obtain your bachelors, I would wait then apply directly to OCS with a recruiter. There is no guarantee once you enlist you will get the bopportunity to apply for OCS. You have to get your Chain of Command to support your packet, and they are not going to recommend you for OCS as soon as you get to your unit. They are going to want to observe your character and work ethic and physical fitness to see if you are officer material. If they do support you the process could still be two years because you can’t apply when you are in Basic or AIT. Just wait until you graduate with your degree then apply as a civilian.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 7:52 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 19:52:33 -0500

Elston Harris Talk to a recruiter and find out your best course of action.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/army-ocs-mostly-enlisted

Army OCS mostly enlisted? | RallyPoint

I have gotten the impression from posts here on RP that Army OCS is by a large majority prior enlisted personnel. When I contrast that with my own service, I see a different story Feb 14 Rated OTS board: Board’s selection rate of 30.39 percent, 93 applicants were selected to serve as Air Force officers. Of the 93 selected, 21 enlisted members. Oct 14 Rated OTS board: Board's selection rate of 76.57 percent, 304 applicants were selected to...

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Dec 31 at 2019 9:46 PM

CPT Andrew Wright — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 21:46:14 -0500

With your degree you can contract for OCS by going to the OCS Board at your Recruiting Battalion HQ. You will need to take the test and physical at MEPS, get recommendations, and go before their Board. It is actually more guaranteed than applying for OCS after enlistment which would likely be much more competitive. Low GPA might not be a big hurdle. What counts is attitude and wanting to be a leader! Best of Luck.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2020 1:16 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 01:16:00 -0500

Just pull out of Enlisting without OCS in contract. Don’t do OCS after enlisting. The headaches are not worth it. Trust me. I was in your shoes. Getting Command support is hit and miss. Get it in contract: problems solved.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2020 2:30 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 02:30:26 -0500

If you really want to be an officer do not enlist unless it's for OCS (OCS in the contract)
Better yet, talk to ROTC at a near by school and get a Masters while doing ROTC.

The recruiter is playing you to get you in.

Response by LTC Mark Beattie made Jan 1 at 2020 9:01 PM

LTC Mark Beattie — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 21:01:01 -0500

Don’t sign an enlistment contract without the guarantee of OCS in writing if your goal is to get commissioned. GPA was not a factor when I attended OCS or I wouldn’t have been accepted.