I have two years of college left. Is it possible to become an Active Duty Officer if I'm Enlisted Reserves?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 13:13:54 -0400

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 1:16 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 13:16:04 -0400

Yes, talk to ROTC. 2 years is what you need.

Good Luck

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 3:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 15:13:46 -0400

You can commission after your degree is complete, not before. You can contract into the ROTC now

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Mar 16 at 2020 3:25 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 15:25:48 -0400

Yes, since you are already enlisted, you are exempt from the first two years of ROTC. You can join as a junior, do the Advance Camp between your junior and senior years, and commission when you graduate. Be aware that Active Duty slots are competitive and you need to finish in top of the class to make it. Also be aware that you get a wish list of Branches you would like as an officer, but the final decision is needs of the Army.
If you decide on that route, I highly recommend that you do Simultaneous Membership with the Reserves while you do it. You get some more experience on the officer side, you get paid as an E-5 while you are in the program, and you don't lose an Time In Service.

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 4:25 PM

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 16:25:32 -0400

I've known a few in the Navy Reserves who have done that.

Response by LTC Joe Anderson made Mar 16 at 2020 5:43 PM

LTC Joe Anderson — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 17:43:22 -0400

You have serval options. I joined as a junior, I did two years of ROTC, was in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), went to Advance Camp between my junior and senior years, and early commissioned in 1990 (I had an extra year tacked on because I lost some credits when I transferred from Charleston Southern University to Northern Michigan University (You may no longer be allowed to early commission IDK)). You should know you're not guaranteed active duty. You have to compete and be selected. If you get a reserve commission you can always go active via the Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) program.

You can also work with a recruiter and apply for Active or Reserve OCS. After OCS you would go to your Officer Basic Course and on to an active duty career. If you go with a reserve commission as a senior LT or junior CPT you can apply for the AGR program (Maybe as early as LT now a days, not sure (I did 5 years in the AGR program on a Casual Tour)). Once accepted as an AGR you'll be active duty in the Reserve or Guard depending on which branch you go with. I Recommend Reserves not because they are any better. But because they line up with the active Army and you can hold regular active duty slots when your not stationed in support of a TPU unit. However you should also know all the "Combat Arms Units" are in the Guard not Reserve. But the Reserves does have PYSOP and CA which gets you into the Special OPs (not SF) community (Guard has SF). Also from time to time CA needs officers on Active Duty and open up Active slots for revisit to fill permanently or make it easy for them to come on as AGR's. AS a reserve AGR you get many of the same assignments as an active duty officer and still get active duty retirements, benefits... In the Guard you can also mirror activity assignment but you must go Tittle 10. It's a bit more competitive to get a Title 10 slot and you have to already be in the Guard IOT apply.

I did the One Time Casual then just did the Guardsman and later Reservist on Title 10 tours till I retired. It's hard to retire this way unless you find a unit to grant you "Sanctuary" or you have your 18-20 and retire for Medical Reason (I was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2017 and was Granted my 20+ via a Medical Retirement I also I had enough Active duty time since 08 to qualify for early Reserve retirement at age 50). But as you can see you have quite a few options to get on active duty.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 6:38 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 18:38:24 -0400

I can’t speak for the Army, but that’s what I did. I enlisted at 17 with full intention of drilling through college, going to OCS in the summers, and getting an active duty commission when I get my degree. And that’s exactly what happened.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 1:14 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 01:14:32 -0400

Yes. Talk to ROTC. Since you're already reserves, you can skip the first two years of ROTC.

Response by MAJ Rj M made Mar 17 at 2020 11:41 AM

MAJ Rj M — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 11:41:49 -0400

I've seen people on the 5 and 7 year plan in college get commissioned with a year to go in college. In fact one of my best friends was able to do so and complete their degree while at OBC....but that was many moons ago

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 17 at 2020 3:20 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 15:20:33 -0400

Yes. After you complete your degree--or at least get very close--you should talk with recruiters from all 6 Services. Depending on your degree and scores on qualifying tests, the Service recruiters may offer you an opportunity to attend OCS. If you like the Reserves, be sure to talk to a Reserve and Guard recruiters also.