How long does it take to become an officer when you're enlisted with a degree?

Toshi Nara — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 01:56:34 -0500

I'm 25 years old working as a business consultant. I want to go OCS path, but it may take a while to get recommendations, study ASVAB, etc. I've recently been thinking about enlisting first but worried because I hear that it's quite difficult to become officer route as it might take some time. Any advise and/or facts? Thanks!

Response by WO1 Ricardo Eva made Nov 20 at 2020 6:02 AM

WO1 Ricardo Eva — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 06:02:36 -0500

Further to my last message: Also, if you are now an enlisted member, since you mention the recommendation letters, and if you've stayed out of trouble, you'll find that most officers are more than willing to help you out in attaining your goals, specially when your goal is OCS. Becoming an officer after having experience as an enlisted member has many advantages: A bit better pay but, more importantly, as you have experience as an enlisted it gives you a unique view of how enlisted view officers and are able to apply that knowledge to better compenetrate with your troops as you (should at least) understand their points of view. Additionally, many officers who have NOT had that experience will come to you for advise on how to handle many situations involving enlisted members that can place you in an enviable spot and ready for quick promotions, if you do your homework. Hope this helps and good luck!

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Nov 20 at 2020 6:09 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 06:09:34 -0500

If becoming a military officer is your goal, then stick to it . Word of advise: there are age limitations based on service; become familiar with it and each service’s OCS enlistment program protocol. Can you enlist and then request to attend OCS? Must definitely. But like I mentioned, there are age limitations and your chain of command will not entertain your aspirations from the get-go. Before they endorse you, you ought to proof your worthiness to them. And that is not going to happen over night.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2020 8:22 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 08:22:30 -0500

It’s not difficult to go the officer route. Yes, it will take a little more time up front. You will have a longer wait period between signing up and going to training. But don’t worry about the paperwork, recommendations, or studying for the ASVAB. I talked to an Army recruiter in January, and went to the board in March. I went to basic August through October, OCS November through March (including holdover time) and Basic Officer Leadership Course after that. It took me about a year of training, but if you do enlisted you won’t be able to go the officer route for at least 2 years, and then try to get a spot. Also you get paid better right off the bat, and can live off post whether you’re single or not. You will not want to live in the barracks if you’re 25 and single. Biggest advice is to get into really good shape not just to pass the PT test, but to crush it and get close to the max score before you even go to basic. Please let me know if you have any questions, I’d be happy to help. What branch are you thinking of joining?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2020 8:23 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 08:23:43 -0500

If your goal is to become an officer, apply for OCS. Do not let them con you into enlisting first as it complicates the process. You'd have to serve 4 years and a day enlisted to qualify for the "E" pay as an officer anyway which would put you close to 30. Not sure what the current age cutoff is, it's seems to change on a somewhat regular basis. If you are officer material, the ASVAB should be easy. Find an officer recruiter and apply. Don't just go into a recruiting office and talk to the first green suiter you see because, most likely, they don't handle officers and will try to convince you that enlisting first is the way to go.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 20 at 2020 9:04 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 09:04:57 -0500

Do not enlist! Talk to recruiters from all 6 Services. Take the tests and physical. Apply for OCS in every service that allows you to. Even if it takes a year or 18 months it’s shorter than a four-year enlistment. If you are interested in aviation add applying for flying training with the Air Force or Navy. Also check out Army Aviation Warrant Officer program.

Response by MAJ Jeffery Ward made Nov 20 at 2020 9:06 AM

MAJ Jeffery Ward — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 09:06:18 -0500

You can call me and I can explain everything. Much easier then text

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2020 9:27 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 09:27:59 -0500

I’ve seen Multiple privates walking around with masters and bachelors degrees who were recruited and told going green to gold would be easier than it turned out to be. Take the advice of those below and get a direct path.

Response by Capt John Schmitt made Nov 20 at 2020 11:38 AM

Capt John Schmitt — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 11:38:19 -0500

My Uncle, Airforce Master Sgt. told me, If you can graduate college, go officer. Life style is better and you're able to choose more of what you do, what must be done.
As a Marine Capt., commissioned after graduating from University, THE best officers tend to have military family background, or enlisted experience.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Nov 20 at 2020 11:59 AM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 11:59:18 -0500

Do you want to carry the mortar, or do you want to tell people where to put the mortar?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 20 at 2020 11:59 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 11:59:57 -0500

What is your GPA?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2020 1:58 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 13:58:02 -0500

If you are not yet in the Army, talk to a recruiter and do the research on your own to find out what you need in your OCS packet. Start putting it together so the recruiter doesnt have to do anything except validate it and submit it to the selection board. Once you ship out to OCS, provided you got selected, it’s a 14 week program(unless that changed) plus you have to go to basic training if you haven’t been in the Army before. You are looking at 23-25 weeks for both basic and OCS depending if your OCS class starts immediately after basic. If you really want to go Officer, make sure you get OCS (09S) in your contract before you sign the contract. If you get an enlisted MOS first, you are running the risk of never being selected. When you enlist, your command does not have to work with you to send you to OCS if they don’t want to, don’t like you, etc.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Nov 20 at 2020 10:32 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 22:32:01 -0500

If you enlist first then it is up to your Chain of Command to recommend you for OCS. If you enlist for OCS then your definitely going to the school. You have to be careful of the former option because it could well be that you do not like or get along with your Chain of Command (or they do not like you) in which case they will never recommend you for OCS and you will be stuck as Enlisted. So that is the basic difference in options. If I were in your shoes I would get the second option which is a guaranteed shot at OCS prior to signing any paperwork.....versus a verbal promise they might consider you later.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 21 at 2020 9:02 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 09:02:52 -0500

If you are looking at the Army, you can enlist with an 9D OCS Option if you have all the prerequisites. That will get you sent to Basic Combat Training, then straight to OCS. That would be the most direct route if you have a degree.
You can enlist and then apply to go to OCS when you hit your first unit after AIT, but if your goal is a commission, I don't see a reason to go that route. That said, I enlisted with a degree and served a couple of years before I was approached to see if I was interested in OCS. I said yes. I don't regret my enlisted time at all.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2020 2:10 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 14:10:17 -0500

Consider talking to an ROTC program recruiter. I knew a person that already had a bachelor's degree that enrolled as a third year MS3 student in ROTC in a Master's program. Rules may have changed, but gou could skip the first two years and still commission through ROTC. Going through ROTC you are more likely to get your desired job/branch choice and have more time to adjust to military life. OCS is very competitive and are assigned needs of the Army what is left over after West Point and ROTC cadets receive their branches

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 21 at 2020 2:53 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 14:53:20 -0500

What is your GPA?

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2020 5:35 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 17:35:08 -0500

If you go straight to OCS...

You’ll have to do all the typical “get into OCS” hurdles. And you have your day job, in case the process is lengthy, and they reject you for some reason.

If you go enlisted first....

You must feel like you deserve extra challenges and really drag the process out! First, you have to go through all the typical “get through the recruiter” hurdles. Then, assuming you made it, ship to basic and AIT—and you still haven’t made one move towards OCS. At some point, you’ve checked into your unit, and they own you and expect you to work primarily for them. Wait—it gets better. NOW when you apply to OCS, it isn’t going directly through an OCS recruiter—now you get the awesomeness of trying to jam a package through your own chain of command, from inside the Army! And that sergeant who hates you gets a say, and your idiot lieutenant who doesn’t even know you and gives everybody low ratings. And so on. Lots of places for you to get hung up. Oh, and it added 6-12 months into process of actually applying to OCS.

You’re qualified today? Degree, etc? Just apply directly. Skip a few unneeded steps.

Response by SFC Chuck Martinez made Nov 21 at 2020 8:44 PM

SFC Chuck Martinez — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 20:44:23 -0500

If you enlist with a four year degree after going through BCT and AIT, it takes about 5 months after you submit your packet. Your recruiter will tell you all the facts you need to know and you must bring your BA with you for verification. First you must pass the ASVAB test which identifies which Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) you qualify for! There are actually free practice test on line to give a feeling what they are all about! You have to apply and ready to go before your 30th birthday.