I'm planning to seek a commission; what should I know about the process? What advice do you have for me?

It sounds to me like you could probably apply for OCS now if you have made your decisions on where you want to go in the Officer Corps.

SPC E. My advice is to apply NLT early 30's but by all means before 35. The law use to be not later than 35 but I believe it has changed a bit (Check it out to help make your mind up). As far as your branch (I agree with the others' who have posed.) Be open and keep in mind, one day you will not be in uniform and therefore having an experience in finance, HR or logistics can only help.

Some folks have already stated this, but I will emphasize that it's important that you know WHY you want to become a commissioned officer. Recognize that there are THREE officer Corps and they each serve a specific function to the service.

NCOs are the backbone - taking care of Soldiers, enforcing discipline and policy, getting the job done, etc. They are HR experts and task managers.

Commissioned officers are Resource Managers and Planners. They start off Tactical, but quickly progress to Operational and Strategic effects.

Warrant Officers are the technical experts. If you want to know the how and why of process, procedures, and anything technical, ask a Warrant.

Once you know WHY, then figure out and execute the how.

Ensure you define your goals, if your goal is to get to the officer rank, then start talking to your monitor and a recruiter right now to discuss what programs they have. If they don't want to help you I would talk with a Navy recruiter about a commission and look to the SEAL program, however, you will have to go through BUDS. I would also talk with the AF and/or Marines. The Army has you and enlisted are harder to keep so they may not be energized to help you, thus you may have to move to another service. Remember - This is about YOU and your CAREER, you can serve this country in another uniform if necessary.

I wish I could help you but I have been retired for more than 40 years. There have been many changes in the Army since I retired (some good, some really bad). I wish you success with Ranger School ( I was in class 1-50 and served in the 1st Ranger Company in Korea 1950-51).

First of all, thank you for your service. Best of luck with your goal of earning your Ranger tab and in perusing a commission.
I was commissioned through Officer Candidate School during the ‘90’s drawdown, and there are some similarities between that environment and today.
During drawdown, the supply of applicants usually exceeds available training seats, so the services can afford to be very selective, and you will likely face stiff competition. You don’t sound like you will be daunted by this, but you will want to do everything you can to make yourself an attractive candidate for selection boards.
First, excel in your current duties. Continue to seek out difficult challenges, not just to improve your chances of selection, but to make a big as possible contribution to your unit. Learn from mistakes and setbacks and set everyone around you up for success. That is the single most important thing you can do now.
As others have advised, look at all services and get current, authoritative information and advice. For the Army, carefully read the pertinent regulations and MILPER messages, and routinely check for updates and new information as you work through the application process. Start gathering any records or documents for your application NOW and keep it up to date.
Sit down with an NCO or officer and do a hard scrub of your Official Military Personnel File. Then do it again with a personnel NCO or Officer. When you get promoted, assuming you have a good relationship with your rater, ask him or her to include a remark about your potential to serve as an officer. When you apply, make sure your photo is perfect.
The rest of this pertains to Army Officer Candidate School, but the ideas apply to any commissioning source
It wouldn’t hurt to contact the OCS cadre at FT Benning and ask what makes a successful candidate. Find some officers who have sat on OCS selection boards and talk to them. The OCS board is very much like a job interview, and you will want to convince the board that your selection will help the Army accomplish its mission. Remember, it’s not about your career objectives or desires, it is about the troops who you would lead and needs of the service. Your desire will be apparent in your service record and preparation for your application.
When you go to the board, be prepared to talk about your accomplishments in tangible terms, for example, “I brought my team’s average APFT score up by 15% by teaching my Soldiers about proper nutrition.”
In the past, candidates needed to write a short essay on “Why I Want to be an Army Officer” by hand when they appear before the board. This is both a chance for the board to understand your motives better, and a test of your writing skill. If this still applies, be well prepared. Tell your story, not some BS you think the board wants to hear. If writing is not your forte, practice ahead of time and get others to critique your drafts. Just know you will have to write it unassisted from memory when the time comes.
Ask your leaders for letters of recommendation. The most persuasive are those from officers who actually know you and can talk about why you would make a good officer.
Be in the best shape you can be in. Check to see if you will need a medical waiver. Note that accession standards are higher than retention standards, so don’t assume that just because you meet retention standards you are good to go. If it turns out you do need a waiver, you will want to show that the condition will not hold you back in OCS or as a lieutenant. It’s about the physical demands you WILL be facing, not what you’re doing now. Also, check to see if you will need any other waiver (i.e. age, time in service, etc.). If you need a waiver, don’t let that hold you back. Request the waiver and make your best case as to why it should be granted.
ROTC may also be an option. Talk to the Professors of Military Science at the schools you are interested in for current information. You can also talk to the staff at Cadet Command.
You could also consider the Reserve Components. For the National Guard, your best bet is to talk to Army or Air Guard recruiters in the state(s) you may interested in.
I hope this helps. Again, best of luck.
Ian

Secure a copy of AR 601-100 and follow exactly you are looking for Direct Appointment process

As a 'Mustang' I understand and will gladly assist.

Start getting letters from Superiirs and from reputable members of the Civilian community

Call me some time evening call please.
Home [login to see]

What I'm seen on your explanation is that you already have a BA so, ROTC should be out the checklist, for Officer Candidate School the requirements are:
A college graduate with at least a four-year degree (done)
•Must not have more than six years of Active Federal Service (AFS) upon arrival at OCS
•Between 19 and 32 years old (you must enter active duty or ship to training by your 33rd birthday and accept commission prior to age 34)
•Eligible for a secret security clearance

For direct commission If you have a background in the medical, legal or chaplaincy fields, you can earn a direct commission as an Officer (Since your BA is in political science, law school would beneficial to commissioning you as an LT).

It sind like your knocking off quite a number of requirements with gumption. I expect that you have already spoken with your rater and senior rater, and if your CSG and Cdr weren't one of those, they would be key in any recommendations a Commissioning Board would like to hear from.
Direct Commissions can be immediate (I know someone who had just submitted her packet and her CG personally promoted her within the month), and I've known an individual who (without alot of support from his command) took over a year.
Seeing a Unit Career Counsellor would also help.
I apologize for not being more specific with your individual situation, but not knowing you specifically or witnessing your leadership ability (though it sounds on paper like you would be on the top of the rating pyramid), I would seek advice from the leadership and mentors who know you best.
I wish you all the best, and stay safe.

Along with all the great comments provided by my "brothers in arms" below, from a personal perspective, I transitioned from enlisted to the officer corps in the early 80's. The four years I spent as an EM were probably the best years I had in the Army. What you learn from going through that process can't be taught to West Point or ROTC cadets. Don't get me wrong our Army has had and will continue to have great officer prospects coming from these two venues but the day-in/day-out regime of enlisted life, as you know, is the best OJT one can have especially in making the transition to a commissioned officer. I was fortunate to not only be selected for OCS after completing my masters degree as an E-5 but also selected for a Direct Commission. I chose the DC route as the branch offered was Medical Service Corps (MSC) although I really wanted Infantry, as at that time I was serving with the 25th ID in Hawaii. Bottom Line Up Front: Keep an open mind, LISTEN to your NCO's; always know that the "buck" stops with you whether you're a PLT LDR, CO or staff officer and ALWAYS remember that the decisions you make directly affect the soldiers you're responsible for.

ATW! and best of luck