Posted on Oct 30, 2018
Is it possible to attend OCS prior to completing a Bachelors degree?
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By the end of next year I plan to complete my bachelors degree, attend OCS, and commission into the USAR.
I have heard a couple of times that it is possible to apply for, and even attend, OCS prior to completing you degree, once you complete 90 credits towards your degree.
Is this still a valid program or a thing of the past?
I have heard a couple of times that it is possible to apply for, and even attend, OCS prior to completing you degree, once you complete 90 credits towards your degree.
Is this still a valid program or a thing of the past?
Posted in these groups: 
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
Recruiting
2LT
ARCC (Army Reserve Career Counselor)
Commission
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army) Recruiting 2LT ARCC (Army Reserve Career Counselor) Commission
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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Yes, that is still valid. I just graduated last month from the Guard OCS program. They're all federally recognized of course, however the reserve and guard programs will allow admission with a min of 90 hrs college credit. Go for it!
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CPT (Join to see)
Came here to say this exact thing. I've never met anybody who did it, but a friend of mine explained doing State OCS over the course of Senior year of college as kind of an "ideal" timeline for those still in college that want to do OCS. Of course, the same requirement applies equally to other commissioning sources, regardless of ability to earn your commission while working on your degree separately. My Commander at my last Company commissioned after being an E-7, got his Bachelor's Degree a few years later before pinning on his Captain's Bars. Technically you only need the Bachelor's Degree to make O-3 and can Commission with the 90 credits, though in practice a degree is kind of expected. Definitely go for it!
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SPC (Join to see)
Do you just need a total of 90 credits or do you need 90 credits that are going towards your specific degree?
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As things stand right now, applying for OCS on the Reserve side without a bachelor's degree will not net positive results. Continue your education, work on your GPA and APFT, then move forward with the application process. Best of luck to you!
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Yes. I graduated OCS while I still have a semester of my bachelor’s degree left. If you want to get promoted to 1LT, get that degree!
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2LT (Join to see)
2LT (Join to see) I went through traditional state OCS. All you need are 90 college credits to be eligible.
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SPC (Join to see)
So you can go to OCS with 90 hours, however you won't become a 1LT until you finish your degree? I'm in the Guard, I currently have 53 credit hours before I graduate, and I wanna go active as fast as possible. My recruiter tells me that I need to either:
A. Finish my degree and see him upon completion then he says he can get me an OCS spot if I'm qualified.
B. Sign an ROTC contract at my college (But I have to be in ROTC for 4 semesters).
C. See the recruiter and have him get me a DD-368 to be released from the Guard and get active duty, then later finish my degree and become an officer.
I've got a few options, however I don't want to have to wait 4 semesters to get a commission. What do you recommend?
A. Finish my degree and see him upon completion then he says he can get me an OCS spot if I'm qualified.
B. Sign an ROTC contract at my college (But I have to be in ROTC for 4 semesters).
C. See the recruiter and have him get me a DD-368 to be released from the Guard and get active duty, then later finish my degree and become an officer.
I've got a few options, however I don't want to have to wait 4 semesters to get a commission. What do you recommend?
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I graduated September and we had a guy in our class with just an Associate's degree. Also I do not know why, but apparently the Army has me listed with a 2 year degree (Associate's) on my ORB. In reality I have a 6 year degree (Master's).
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2LT (Join to see)
Sir, it could be an entry error or perhaps you don't have your transcript/degree uploaded to your iPERMS.
Your HR Sgt or ARA should be able to fix that.
Your HR Sgt or ARA should be able to fix that.
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2LT (Join to see)
I been told that my S1 at IBOLC (where I am currently at) will not fix it, I will have to wait until I get back to an actual unit. Oddly enough, my Bachelor's degree and my Master's transcripts are uploaded. However, my Bachelor's transcripts and Master's degree are not uploaded, even though I handed in all of it. Also my ORB is missing my Prior Service time and my awards. Seems the only thing that is right on it, is my name.
Ironically, I technically do not even have an Associate's degree. As I went straight for my Bachelor's, then Master's.
Ironically, I technically do not even have an Associate's degree. As I went straight for my Bachelor's, then Master's.
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As others have said, it is still valid. You don't even need to finish your degree before you finish OCS. The only caveat is that certain branches, medical for example, require you to have your bachelors to branch into them.
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I believe someone I was in BOLC with in 2016 went through OCS and does not have a degree so I would say yes.
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I'm pretty sure they ended that a few years back. Everyone I just went through with was required to have their bachelor's.
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The program is still valid. In my last state ocs class I had two classmates who were still working on their degree. As mentioned before for the reserve side of the house your degree is only required to make 0-3.
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SSG,
I commissioned ( prior service) thorught the OCS. I can tell you with certanty that OCS requiremen changes every year however, the requirement of having a degree stays the same. Look to the most updated info at HRC web page. Type HRC milper messages, click active and type OCS. the current Millper lays out all what you need. Good luck.
I commissioned ( prior service) thorught the OCS. I can tell you with certanty that OCS requiremen changes every year however, the requirement of having a degree stays the same. Look to the most updated info at HRC web page. Type HRC milper messages, click active and type OCS. the current Millper lays out all what you need. Good luck.
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2LT (Join to see)
Please elaborate.
Do you have a POC I could talk with?
Is there any reference material?
Do you have a POC I could talk with?
Is there any reference material?
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SGT (Join to see)
I’ve only heard it is because someone told me it was because I told them I’m technically in my senior year of college. [login to see] this is the g2g liason at fort Bragg. They will point you in the right direction.2LT (Join to see)
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SGT (Join to see)
This article from this website, https://www.thebalancecareers.com/army-officer-candidate-school-ocs-enlistment-option-3344804, states this sgt. “Applicants must have received a baccalaureate or higher degree. Applicants in their senior year of a 4-year college program may be enlisted into the Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP) contingent upon successful completion of a BA/BS. Army Reserve (USAR) OCS candidates do not require a BA/BS degree, but must have at least 90 semester hours toward a BA/BS. USAR Officers commissioned prior to degree completion must complete their baccalaureate degree prior to their consideration for promotion to Captain (O-3).”2LT (Join to see)
All About Army Officer Candidate School Enlistment Options
The Army is the only service where individuals must enlist before attending Officer Candidate School. Learn when applicants can expect to attend OCS.
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2LT (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) Rgr, I did see this one and it is promising, unfortunately the reg I found that supported this (AR 140-50) is from 1999, so it may not be valid anymore.
Good looking out though.
Good looking out though.
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