How long will I will be obligated to serve as an officer after attending OCS?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 06:06:00 -0500

Hello. This is specialist moon, been in army active duty around 2 years now. I am planning on going ocs next year if possible. Before I drop my packet I want to know exactly how much i will be obligated to serve when I become an officer. I have contacted and googled everywhere but could not find the answer. Thank you!!

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 13 at 2019 9:48 AM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:48:49 -0500

Anyone entering the US military has an initial obligation of eight years. Commissioned officers generally have to serve three or four of those years on active duty (depending on which service pr program commissioned them). Once that period has been served, they may elect to be released from active duty and transferred to a Reserve component for the balance of their time. Or they may elect to continue serving.

Officers do not sign enlistment contracts. They serve at the pleasure of the President. Once the initial service obligation is completed, they continue to serve until the resign, retire, or are relieved. This last may not necessarily be for less than honorable reasons. From time to time, usually at the end of a war, the military cuts back on their officer strength with a Reduction In Force (RIF), wherre officers’ records are reviewed with the purpose of cutting active duty strenth. Officers selected for this are discharged (usually honorably) or, if they wish, transferred to a Reserve component and allowed to serve until retirement. There have been times when an officer is selected for removal but is close to retirement eligibility; he may be allowed to sign a Specified Period of Time Contract which would allow him to retire as soon as he is eligible.

https://www.quora.com/How-long-are-US-Army-Officer-contracts

How long are US Army Officer contracts? - Quora

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 13 at 2019 10:38 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 10:38:09 -0500

OCS and non scholarship ROTC Officers incur a 3 year Active Duty Service Obligation, with a total Military Service Obligation of 8 years. You can find that in AR350-100.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 13 at 2019 1:13 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 13:13:28 -0500

Do you know what branch you want?

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Nov 13 at 2019 6:40 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 18:40:58 -0500

If you are worried about how long you are OBLIGATED to be an Officer, maybe commissioning isn't for you.....

Response by Cpl James R. " Jim" Gossett Jr made Nov 14 at 2019 3:01 PM

Cpl James R. " Jim" Gossett Jr — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:01:55 -0500

Long, Long Ago...I was approached to go to OCS, when I asked how long would I serve after...
The Major told me it would be a 6 year commitment...looking back...