Posted on Feb 15, 2016
I'm planning to seek a commission; what should I know about the process? What advice do you have for me?
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ETS is 30SEP2017. By that time I should be a tabbed Ranger with at least one combat deployment under my belt. I have a BA in Political Science, 2013, cum laude. APFT overs around 300, GT is 140. When should I start the process in seeking a commission, and what do I need to do to accomplish this goal?
Commission
Officers
Advice
OCS
Green to Gold
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 48
1) Be open to all branches of service. The Army is the most familiar and is likely to be your best fit, but explore all branches and see what is out there and available for you. At the very least, go through the due diligence.
2) Begin a conversation with officer recruiters (or whatever they are called in each branch early; like now). There could be some programs with huge backlogs of applicants, and 18 months out is not too early to begin the conversation.
3) Dual source every piece of significant or questionable information you get. If a recruiter says "no, you can't do that", but you want to do that, research it (respectfully) on your own. Don't take everything at face value.
4) Educate yourself on the different officer career fields before speaking to a recruiter. Go into the process with known preferences. Connect with other junior officers on RallyPoint who are prior enlisted and ask for a 10-15 phone call to tell you about their process, why they chose their MOS (if they did), and what they have learned about it.
5) Don't get tunnel vision on one career field. Be open minded.
2) Begin a conversation with officer recruiters (or whatever they are called in each branch early; like now). There could be some programs with huge backlogs of applicants, and 18 months out is not too early to begin the conversation.
3) Dual source every piece of significant or questionable information you get. If a recruiter says "no, you can't do that", but you want to do that, research it (respectfully) on your own. Don't take everything at face value.
4) Educate yourself on the different officer career fields before speaking to a recruiter. Go into the process with known preferences. Connect with other junior officers on RallyPoint who are prior enlisted and ask for a 10-15 phone call to tell you about their process, why they chose their MOS (if they did), and what they have learned about it.
5) Don't get tunnel vision on one career field. Be open minded.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
LTC Yinon Weiss Thank you for all your thoughts, suggestions, and advice. You have been most helpful.
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CPT (Join to see)
SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA - I have looked at the AF. They have a lot of options that you can't get anywhere else. I was looking at them for a while but it is very difficult to seek a commission there. If I had more time on my side I might be in the blue right now.
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Capt (Join to see)
SPC Henry, I would concur with the above, including the Major.
There are some HUGE advantages for you to commission, however having said, that the process is very daunting and I would encourage you not to give up. Point to point for me, particularly, it took well over 5 years to find a slot. I will add, however that for me I was not AD, but Guard (Air Force) and as a traditional guardsman, it's even more difficult. Needless to say, I stayed with it and eventually obtained my commissioning.
Stay the course and definitely seek other branches. I know that I looked at the Army, and the Navy. Best of luck and if you wish to reach out to me I will share what i know form the Air Force (National Guard) point of view.
Cheers
There are some HUGE advantages for you to commission, however having said, that the process is very daunting and I would encourage you not to give up. Point to point for me, particularly, it took well over 5 years to find a slot. I will add, however that for me I was not AD, but Guard (Air Force) and as a traditional guardsman, it's even more difficult. Needless to say, I stayed with it and eventually obtained my commissioning.
Stay the course and definitely seek other branches. I know that I looked at the Army, and the Navy. Best of luck and if you wish to reach out to me I will share what i know form the Air Force (National Guard) point of view.
Cheers
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You have a couple of options. First, look at Officer Candidate School. It sounds like you meet the requirements now and I know the Army is trying to expand that program. http://www.goarmy.com/ocs.html
I would start looking into that right away. The link is the goarmy.com site so that may be more for people with degrees that want to enlist for OCS but they also take enlisted Soldiers that have degrees.
Another option is ROTC Green to Gold. You can pursue the Active Duty Option for a graduate degree. This allows you to stay on active duty while you go to school and after two years, receive your commission.
http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/enlisted-soldiers.html
Again, start right away. Both programs require applications and letters of recommendation and those do not come overnight. Good luck with your decision.
I would start looking into that right away. The link is the goarmy.com site so that may be more for people with degrees that want to enlist for OCS but they also take enlisted Soldiers that have degrees.
Another option is ROTC Green to Gold. You can pursue the Active Duty Option for a graduate degree. This allows you to stay on active duty while you go to school and after two years, receive your commission.
http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/enlisted-soldiers.html
Again, start right away. Both programs require applications and letters of recommendation and those do not come overnight. Good luck with your decision.
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.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
Thank you, COL Jon Thompson, LTC (Join to see), LTC Roderic Hewlett, CPT Steve Curley, and COL (Join to see).
I am definitely interested in a graduate degree, but had not realized that there was a green to gold graduate program. This option sounds very attractive.
I very much appreciate all of your input, advice, and information. You all are very helpful.
I am definitely interested in a graduate degree, but had not realized that there was a green to gold graduate program. This option sounds very attractive.
I very much appreciate all of your input, advice, and information. You all are very helpful.
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COL Jon Thompson
COL (Join to see) - I agree. I have worked at two programs and prior service NCOs that were not part of Green to Gold have had the hardest time. I don't think I have seen one complete the program in 9 years. It is hard to go to ROTC and sometimes take it seriously when you have done it for real. They also think they should know everything and can be afraid to ask questions when they don't. You are right about ignorance being a plus.
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CPT (Join to see)
I have to partially agree with COL Thompson and COL Harrison. I entered the Green to Gold (ADO-Active Duty Option) in 2007. It was either the 2nd or 3rd year the program had been around. In my ROTC BN I was 1 of 2 G2G ADO NCOs. I will agree that it can be frustrating to deal with the ROTC-isms, but no worse than regular Army frustrations. If you are goal oriented, you will be fine. I would ask yourself 2 questions.
1. How quickly do you want to commission? (A few months or in 2 years)
2. Do you want to get your Masters now?
I have a good example for you. One of my best friends did the G2G ADO the same year as me. He was a SGT in 3/75 and had his undergrad done. He is married to a girl from Columbus, and wanted to stay here. So, he went to CSU and got his MBA while completing G2G ADO. He branched IN, did the minimum time as a big Army PL, and came back to 3/75 until MCCC. He is in Hawaii now, and will be trying to come back to REGT for CO CMD.
The ADO program was great for 5-10 guys that I know who've done it. You will assigned to the US Army Student Detachment. You spend a couple years as a non-rated NCO, on AD, with all pay and allowances, and accruing leave, etc... Your responsibility is to go to class, make good grades, and take part in ROTC functions. If you are dumb enough to step on your crank, you will go back needs of the Army for 4-6 years. You will also get to explain to your new bosses why you don't have NCOERs for "X" period of time. The reason being, you got kicked out of ROTC. If you weren't motivated enough, that should keep your head on straight.
1. How quickly do you want to commission? (A few months or in 2 years)
2. Do you want to get your Masters now?
I have a good example for you. One of my best friends did the G2G ADO the same year as me. He was a SGT in 3/75 and had his undergrad done. He is married to a girl from Columbus, and wanted to stay here. So, he went to CSU and got his MBA while completing G2G ADO. He branched IN, did the minimum time as a big Army PL, and came back to 3/75 until MCCC. He is in Hawaii now, and will be trying to come back to REGT for CO CMD.
The ADO program was great for 5-10 guys that I know who've done it. You will assigned to the US Army Student Detachment. You spend a couple years as a non-rated NCO, on AD, with all pay and allowances, and accruing leave, etc... Your responsibility is to go to class, make good grades, and take part in ROTC functions. If you are dumb enough to step on your crank, you will go back needs of the Army for 4-6 years. You will also get to explain to your new bosses why you don't have NCOERs for "X" period of time. The reason being, you got kicked out of ROTC. If you weren't motivated enough, that should keep your head on straight.
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LTC (Join to see)
That about sums it up. I earned my "power point ranger" tab within the first couple of months of being commissioned.
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your polical science degree will help you very well in unconventional warfare subjects live Civil Affairs covers what you already knew but have not really applied...yet!
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Just know going into it that you should salute 1LTs and you will be just fine.
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SGT Richard H.
Is there some sort of thread or something that you could point to that might provide some empirical evidence to support this?
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SGT (Join to see)
Should always salute a superior, it's in the AR
Enlisted shall always salute and officers of the same rank don't have to; only to superiors
;Military Customs and Courtesies
Enlisted shall always salute and officers of the same rank don't have to; only to superiors
;Military Customs and Courtesies
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SGT Richard H.
SGT (Join to see) - The reference here was to a thread called "Should a 2LT salute a 1LT".
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After you get your commission and complete your officer, basic and advanced courses, I suggest you add the Civil Affairs Branch as your functional area and join them as a Senior 1LT. This will give you COIN experience and you may be able to find and airborne CA unit. It did not hurt me. I was not that focused earlier in my career and I made Major. My fomer company Commander was Airborne, Pathfinder, Ranger and a one of my BCs was SF tabbed so your combat arms skills are not overlooked!
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
LTC (Join to see) Thank you for your thoughts and advice. I appreciate your input.
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Ensure your GT score is 110, Iperm your degree, continue the PT regimen. Be open to what the Army chooses for you. Start studying the materials they test in OCS, the wall locker set up, bed layout, check your uniforms for servicibility. BLUF, attention to detail is the key.
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1LT A. Uribe
SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA - Good luck, that's what we're here for, to coach, teach, mentor and learn from others.
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SGT Richard H.
Sir- Technically, your BLUF is a BLAB (Bottom Line At Bottom). Sorry. We all have our pet peeves.
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Not sure on the active component but this will be easy for you in the ARNG or the USAR.
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LTC (Join to see)
I joined in 1996 at age 33 years 9 months after being a year as a SPC4 and going through the California State OCS which had USAR and ARNG officer candidates.
I am sure you will cruise through OCS since you already have been ranger tabbed and the infantry they teach at OCS will be a review for you. Active component OCS not sure but even with the sequestration, they will RIF too many and others will be promoted or get out so you will have a slot somewhere. I am sure others here will help fill in the blanks here for what I missed or do not know at this time.
I am sure you will cruise through OCS since you already have been ranger tabbed and the infantry they teach at OCS will be a review for you. Active component OCS not sure but even with the sequestration, they will RIF too many and others will be promoted or get out so you will have a slot somewhere. I am sure others here will help fill in the blanks here for what I missed or do not know at this time.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
LTC (Join to see) I would prefer to remain active, but would go reserve or NG if necessary.
To clarify, I do not yet have my Ranger tab, but I do anticipate getting it before ETS.
To clarify, I do not yet have my Ranger tab, but I do anticipate getting it before ETS.
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Follow the application criteria, seek letters of recommendation from your company and battalion commanders and CSM and be thoughtful on why you want to become a commissioned officer. I recommend you say nothing about the Ranger Tab and deployment until they are completed and earned. You can say I have a slot for Ranger Class # or am in the deployment window for my BCT if the app has to be submitted by a certain date. Good luck.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
BG Keith Gallagher, FACHE Thank you for the advice, Sir. I will keep it in mind.
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LTC (Join to see)
To follow up...good advice here by BG Gallagher. Begin your application to OCS as soon as is practical rather than putting it off. Deployments and the tab are distinguishing items but are by no means required to be accepted. Be mindful of timelines though. It is possible that you would have to decide between attending a specific OCS date versus deployment or Ranger School. Check out https://www.hrc.army.mil/OPMD/ORD%20Accessions%20Branch for information and links to Officer Accessions and OCS. There are also ROTC programs out there that could get you a Graduate Degree, although this is a more difficult path. Finally, you could check on Direct Commission. As far as I can tell, the Regular Army is not offering Direct Commissions at this time, unless it is for fields like Medical or JAG, but Officer Accessions can give you better information on this.
Finally, branch assignment depends on the needs of the Army. The higher you are in class rank (assuming you go OCS) the more likely you are to get your choice of branch, but if the Army doesn't need Infantry at this time but does need Military Intelligence, that may be what you get. Some branches require lots of Lieutenants (Infantry, Armor, etc...) but fewer Captains and above, whereas other branches (Military Intelligence, Civil Affairs, etc...) need more Captains and above but not as many Lieutenants, so the Army may still conduct Branch Detailing where you serve in a detail branch that needs lots of LTs until you're eligible for Advanced Course as a promotable 1LT, personally I think this is a great program and I hope it is still out there and available for OCS candidates.
Finally, branch assignment depends on the needs of the Army. The higher you are in class rank (assuming you go OCS) the more likely you are to get your choice of branch, but if the Army doesn't need Infantry at this time but does need Military Intelligence, that may be what you get. Some branches require lots of Lieutenants (Infantry, Armor, etc...) but fewer Captains and above, whereas other branches (Military Intelligence, Civil Affairs, etc...) need more Captains and above but not as many Lieutenants, so the Army may still conduct Branch Detailing where you serve in a detail branch that needs lots of LTs until you're eligible for Advanced Course as a promotable 1LT, personally I think this is a great program and I hope it is still out there and available for OCS candidates.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA Good for you!!! Always be humble, first and foremost. Second, you need to think about why you want to an Army Officer? Please remember, as a leader, as an officer, it is never about you.
Your credentials are exquisite. It appears all you need to do is apply for OCS, and make thru.
Your credentials are exquisite. It appears all you need to do is apply for OCS, and make thru.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
COL Charles Williams Thank you, Sir. I will re-read "The Mission, the Men, and Me," to remind myself of this leadership principle.
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