I've been selected for a direct commission. What do the commissioning process and timeline look like?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 09:37:55 -0400

Hello all! I've recently been selected to direct commission into the Army! Can anyone help clarify what to expect next? What is does the commissioning process look like? What does the timeline look like? Any recommended resources I should be reading before bootcamp? What's the one thing you think I should know at this point? Other advice? As I Dietitian, I believe I'll be part of AMEDD, I don't know if this makes a difference. My recruiter is amazing, but she's unavailable at the moment to get these details. Eager to learn everything I can!! Thank you all!

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Apr 30 at 2019 9:46 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 09:46:26 -0400

Congratulations on your selection and appointment. You are now at the ‘hurry up and wait’ stage as the process begins but it will probably be slower than what you would like. And the recruiter can not do much to speed it up. I received a DC but was a seasoned NCO and E7 at the time. You will have the ceremony where you take the oath of office and sign your documentation. Make sure you have it explained to you and you review everything before signing. Practice push ups sit ups and two mile run constantly as you will be required to take the Army Physical Fitness Test two times a year

Response by CPT Enrique M. made Apr 30 at 2019 9:51 AM

CPT Enrique M. — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 09:51:24 -0400

Genevieve ,
In your case not sure if you are going active duty or reserves but the process will be similar.

1) You need to take your Oath into the reserves as an officer. That means a small ceremony with you swearing in. Until that point you are not yet an officer.
2) If you are going active duty your recruiter will let you know your timeline. Usually it goes you get your Direct Commissioning Course date , followed up with your BOLC ( Basic officer leadership course). For both of those you will be en-route TDY until you get to your designated unit ( recruiter will also tell you about that) Sometimes you won't know your unit until BOLC.

If you are reserves you will take your oath. And then wait for orders to be cut that designates you
a) as an officer in army reserves
b) the unit you will report to.

Once that is done , your reserve unit will register you for DCC and BOLC.
Side note there is no "boot Camp" for direct commissioned officers. The courses I listed above are your required courses.

My recommendation for you is the following

1) Get ready to pass your APFT and start working on getting used to doing an ACFT. So start getting into a work out routine. Even if you are in shape. This will also help for BOLC.
2) DO NOT , I SAY DO NOT injure yourself prior to going to BOLC. Don't do anything dumb or move stuff. More people get kicked out of the army when you can't even pass your first commitment of doing BOLC. Hate to say this but you can be on profiles all day long after BOLC but before it stay healthy!

Here is a preview of my BOLC graduation video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfNBe0RzeMA

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask me via IM or here.

Welcome to the family by the way!

AMEDD BOLC 17-176

BOLC Class of 17-176 From Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSBOLC176/ Note from the creator: We don't own the copyrights to the music or MotionArray transi...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 30 at 2019 4:14 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 16:14:44 -0400

Do you know if you are going to a regular boot camp, and regular OCS?

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2019 6:46 AM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 May 2019 06:46:09 -0400

I am a direct commission Chaplain, so I will answer assuming your process will be similar to my own. First you get orders to swear into the IRR as a reserves officer. You won't drill or draw pay; it's just administrative. You then wait until you have a seat at BOLC. I waited about 4 months. Upon arrival you swear in as an AD officer and officially begin your career. BOLC includes 4 weeks of Initial Military Training (may have expanded to 6 weeks as this was being discussed during my CH BOLC). This phase helps you transition from civilian to Soldier and is the closest to basic as you will come. However, I suspect you will have private officers quarters, etc. The next phases of BOLC include a mixture of officer common core subjects and branch-specific training. After BOLC you will report to your first duty station. We had our assignments before BOLC and wore our future unit patches during training, but your time line could be different. Tips - show up ready to pass the current APFT. You will take several diagnostics before the record at the end of BOLC, but you are expected to show up ready and fit. You will make gains while there, so don't worry. But put in the training now. Also, if you are close to an Army or AF post, you can get your ACUs. Have your tapes made and sewn. Don't do the Velcro. When you have orders in hand, you can also go and have a CAC card made at the DEERS office. These steps may save you some headache at the beginning of BOLC. Congrats and welcome to the Army family!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2019 8:40 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 May 2019 20:40:16 -0400

Well I just completed this process as an AMEDD reserve officer in the Army. I was boarded and approved for my packet in February 2018. All of my slots were filled for my occupation (might not be the case for your AOC) so I had to wait until October 2018 when they ran another board and the new fiscal year began and they opened more slots. I was then accepted and commission approved. Then once your commission is approved it goes to congress for what is called scroll approval. I received scroll approval about 2 months later. I did a small commissioning ceremony with my father some coworkers and some friends at work and took my oath. At that point you are an officer administratively. I then had to take what is called the OPAT. It’s basically a mini physical fitness test that is based on your occupation in the Army. You can YouTube it to see what you do. It’s not hard. Once you pass it they can then submit your packet to get orders cut. I then had to wait for orders to be cut by Army Human Resources command. It took about 4 months or so to get my orders cut.

Once you get orders you can locate a RAPIDS facility to take your orders and get your military ID (common access card or CAC) this allows you to gain access to your military email and get on base to purchase uniforms.

My next step is to speak with my home unit I have been assigned to and set up my direct commissioning course.

If you are active duty then I cannot tell you the exact process. All I can say is be very patient. The process is a lot of hurry up and wait. Things have to run through the process. You can’t skip to step C before doing steps A and B.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2019 1:43 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 May 2019 01:43:32 -0400

Hello! I was also selected as a Dietitian (Active Duty). I'm waiting for the appointment letter. Are you reserve or AD?

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made May 16 at 2019 9:21 PM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Thu, 16 May 2019 21:21:39 -0400

Congratulations for now and Hurry up and wait until we ALL find out More !!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2019 5:08 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 17:08:27 -0400

Hello! Congratulations on your selection! I was selected on the Nov board as a Family NP for AD in the Army. I signed my oath of office and commissioned in March 21. Where are you in the process so far? I am currently awaiting my orders for DCC, BOLC, and my first duty assignment. It sounds like you are doing everything you can to be prepared. It's very frustrating, but usually there is nothing we can do from our end but to wait.

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Jul 27 at 2019 2:38 PM

1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 14:38:19 -0400

I was a direct commission, Air Force Reserve Medical Service Corps officer. I was prior enlisted, so I had a rack of ribbons, which gave me credibility as a “butter bar” who had some smarts. All we had to do was a week long MIMSO, or military Indoctrination for Medical Service Officers. It was basic how to wear a uniform (we prior enlisted had a line outside our room where the doctors, nurses, dietitians, physical therapists, pharmacists.....so we could help them set their uniforms up for the first day they would wear them. Lots of fun! We also held marching practice out behind the living quarters.

You army folks have a lot more than we did....but then again, we all know that the Air Force is the Civil Service branch of the DOD......

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 28 at 2019 12:58 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 28 Jul 2019 12:58:38 -0400

Congratulations on the momentous event. All I ask is to take care of our soldiers.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Jul 29 at 2019 10:13 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 10:13:29 -0400

Hooah. And yes your recruiter being an NCO would have no idea what to expect. My recommendation is to work out daily enabling you to score well in the new Army Fitness Test. Review the requirements and train to Max the test.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Oct 31 at 2019 5:40 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 17:40:47 -0400

It seems like those young ones who have responded already have given you good current advice. You are all ready to serve in your specialty. Now all you have to do is see how it all fits into the army. Be patient with all that army stuff, because we need you to do your thing in the great army family. The combat arms and combat support guys and gals may seem a little rough on the edges, but they respect what you do in the big team. Thank you for choosing to serve in the army.