If I enlist and apply to OCS (have bachelor's degree), would I just go to BCT, then OCS for 14 weeks, then back home? Recruiter said NO AIT?

Jessica Walker — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 14:32:51 -0400

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made Jun 28 at 2017 2:44 PM

LTC Orlando Illi — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 14:44:08 -0400

If they still have the College Op program as they did in 1977 - that is correct. However, after Commissioning all 2LT in my 1977 OCS class went to their Officer Basic Course and then to their units. No one went HOME. However, not to discourage anyone, College Ops had it tougher than most candidates because their only exposure to the Army was 9 weeks of BCT - while the average Officer Candidate had 2-3 years enlisted service. I am not sure what the recruiter told you. But Graduation from OCS is NOT GUARANTEED by any means. It may well be the toughest thing you ever do - up to that point - in your life.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jun 28 at 2017 2:58 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 14:58:34 -0400

No enlisted AIT, but you would still be required to attend your Officer Basic for whatever branch you are assigned before you go to your first unit. That is unless you are active reserve or national guard, then you may go home until they get you slotted for a school.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2017 4:21 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 16:21:47 -0400

I saw in one of your comments that you are going into the National Guard. Not sure if anyone has mentioned it to you but you should be able to do the state OCS instead of the Federal OCS if you prefer. State OCS will take a lot longer but is done the same as drill. One weekend a month, two weeks in the summer. The upside is, it may be easier than federal OCS. The downside is it takes 16-18 months. I know a guy going through it now. There is also a National Guard Accelerated OCS which is 8 weeks. I know nothing about that though. Good luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2017 4:52 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 16:52:18 -0400

On the OCS glide path, you would go to Basic, OCS, and then a Branch specific Basic Officer Leader Course. It use to be called Officer Basic course. It's like AIT for Officers.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Jun 28 at 2017 5:50 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 17:50:56 -0400

Why would any sane person want to be an officer? Enlisted have more fun!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 29 at 2017 9:36 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 09:36:57 -0400

Jessica Walker, I consider CPT Private RallyPoint Member the resident expert on OCS, whether Federal or State, traditional or accelerated. By way of this correspondence, I'm asking him to provide some additional guidance.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2017 1:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 13:09:42 -0400

First, are you talking about National Guard? If so then he is correct. Your MOS would be 09S, officer candidate. If you joined as anything else then you would have to go to a AIT. But after basic you would go into a Pre-Ocs program then to OCS. That is only for the Guard.

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 12:34 PM

BG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 12:34:24 -0400

The recruiter is correct. No need for you to go to an AIT as, upon graduation from OCS, you will be assigned a branch and attend the BOLC for that branch. BOLC is the equivalent of AIT for officers.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jul 6 at 2017 1:10 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:10:29 -0400

The best advice I can give you is bring these questions to your recruiter, and if not satisfied, go to his supervisor. Also, there are a variety of official recruiting information on websites provided by the specific military branch for you to do your own research. (go to the official branch recruiting websites, not others like military.com) The variety of answers you receive on a forum like this don't always take into account variables such as changes in policy, training paths, etc. Things change, and what may have been true years ago, or 6 months ago, may be different now. Also, assumptions are made without knowing all the facts, such as you are a National Guard applicant, not Regular Army. There are vast differences between the two, and their recruiters and recruiting programs are under entirely separate commands. I can't guarantee you that every sergeant on recruiting duty is 100% knowledgeable and professional. But I can guarantee you that the answers you seek are in a regulation, policy letter, or operational message somewhere. Make that recruiter do their job and find out. Good Luck!, and if you are checking out other branches, see the Army and Army Reserve.