Posted on Jul 24, 2018
Is it possible to drop an OCS packet after arriving to your first duty station?
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Is it possible to drop an OCS packet after arriving to your first duty station? Is anyone aware if there is a specific wait time or time that one needs to be at their duty station for this to happen? I have my degree already but wanted to enlist first to have some understanding how the army worked. I want to attend OCS but am also willing to go back to school for my masters. Who could i talk to at ft Irwin about this
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Officer
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
Enlisted-to-Officer
Green to Gold
Officer Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army) Enlisted-to-Officer Green to Gold
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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This is your first duty station? You’re straight out of AIT? What experience in the Army do you have? Technically, there is not a limit but your chain of command has to support your packet. Each chain of command is different, but they might not be positively influenced by you taking the expensive AIT training and then dropping OCS as soon as you arrive. When I went OCS there were a few of us who were mid level NCOs (I was a SSG) and a few E4s. The chain would not support the E4 packets except one and that was because he was a hard charger who led a team during our last deployment and led them very well. I will be honest, I don’t know what your chain is going to be like but everyone from your platoon sergeant/platoon leader to your BC and CSM need to be in support of this packet. To me, any officer should be very selective as to who they endorse for commission into this institution because we all know what happens when people who shouldn’t become officers, become officers. I would recommend you put in a bit more time, maybe even wait until you pin on your stripes so that you really learn operationally and in garrison what the Army is about. Trust me when I tell you, it will help you out a ton during your platoon leader and company commander time.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Officially, this is the requirement. "•Active Army warrant officers or enlisted members who have completed AIT and reported to their first permanent duty station may apply." Of course, there is this too. "For current military, the very first thing you want to do is to check with your chain-of-command (Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Commander) about applying for OCS. If your chain-of-command won't support you, your application is "dead on arrival." As with civilian applications, the process begins with completing a DA Form 61, Application for Appointment. On the DA Form 61, in item 6, applicants will indicate at least 10 branch preferences in order of preference."
They actually solicited me to apply as an E4, must have been hard up for help back then ;^).
They actually solicited me to apply as an E4, must have been hard up for help back then ;^).
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MAJ (Join to see)
Actually that’s a very good point. I’ve met a number of E4’s that I thought would be good officers since I commissioned and I’ve tried to entice a number of them to cross over and helped with their packets when needed. As a staff officer at Brigade level my presence at Division was not weird, so if there was a packet sitting in limbo somewhere I usually had a good relationship with someone who could offer a status or get a quick signature, etc. But again, that comes from proving yourself and your value. I too had a Commander who kept trying to encourage me, but back in 2005, Arabic linguists could not put in a packet until their current contract is up. They changed that rule in 2007.
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Some great advice being said here. As long as you're pursuing another degree as an enlisted Soldier that Tuition Assistance is a great benefit you don't get as an officer. Before you have all the responsibility on your Shoulders working on or achieving that second degree won't hurt!
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I am in the same postition as you. Slightly different as I done 10 years in the Marines and am now in the Army. I checked in July 9 and my command is totally behind my OCS packet already. I have a bachelors degree and graduate with my MBA this Friday. Again, slightly different but nearly the same.
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SGT (Join to see)
Would you recommend I drop a packet straight away. Or that I should wait and start working on some masters credits. I too was planning on pursuing my MBA with TA
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SGT Terrell Houston
I would talk to the command and get their opinion on the options. It doesn’t not hurt to try
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SPC (Join to see)
Hello, I a foreign citizen/ US permanent resident, I hold a foreign bachelors degree and US masters degree . I just enlisted into the army and shipping for basic training next month. My desire is to became an officer in the army. I am in need of answers to questions below
1. When do i put in application for citizenship? during basic and AIT or after?
2. Am I eligible for OCS with foreign bachelors degree ?
3. I am 31 years old , when do I put in application for OCS to avoid age cuttof ?
4. With my family beig in a foreign country i wish to know how the army will determine my BAH while am on training?
your answers and advice needed
1. When do i put in application for citizenship? during basic and AIT or after?
2. Am I eligible for OCS with foreign bachelors degree ?
3. I am 31 years old , when do I put in application for OCS to avoid age cuttof ?
4. With my family beig in a foreign country i wish to know how the army will determine my BAH while am on training?
your answers and advice needed
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