Is there a way to become a Reserve Officer without being Enlisted?

2018-03-29T15:33:25-04:00

Is there a way to become a Reserve Officer without being Enlisted? I have a bachelor's degree (2.98 GPA). I graduated in 2012. I'm 33yo.

I went to a recruiter and they said I had to be Enlisted then put in a packet to apply for OCS.

Is there a way to "bypass" being Enlisted? Is there a way I can contact an Officer Recruiter? I'm in San Diego.

A friend of mine (former Marine) said that recruiters are like sales people and will try to meet quotas for Enlisted so, some may be "aggressive" toward you to join Enlisted if you have a bachelors degree.

I'm confused.

Thanks,

UPDATE (4/9/2018): I was able to get in touch with an officer recruiter (Navy) and they said, based on my GPA, I qualify for two jobs, 1)Intel and 2) Supply. The next step is for me to REALLY well on the OAR.

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Mar 29 at 2018 3:37 PM

2018-03-29T15:37:21-04:00

People do it all the time, Gabe Malinis You and I are the same age. If that is what you want to be, don't let anything stop you. Know your worth!

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Mar 29 at 2018 3:41 PM

2018-03-29T15:41:02-04:00

I will advise you to study hard, do whatever it takes to daily, or even hourly remind yourself of who you are and what you want out of your life. Also keep in mind that the urge to serve your country should be at the foundation of your spirit. This country needs people who will defend it and also show others the honour of being an American serviceman. Even at a lower rank, you can still make a difference for yourself and others. Now, stay hungry and keep going for your goals. Gabe Malinis

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Mar 29 at 2018 3:42 PM

2018-03-29T15:42:53-04:00

I'm enlisted and thanks to Rally Point I'm a part of huge network of great mentors, supporters and also people just like me. Gabe Malinis Of course, I'm not giving up on my goals. I just want to serve my country and not waste any more time with being a civilian bystander while others defend my country for me. I'm sure you deep down feel the same.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 29 at 2018 3:54 PM

2018-03-29T15:54:32-04:00

There are only two ways to becoming an Officer in an non combat environment. One is to go to West Point, the other is to complete ROTC. It takes years of preparation to become an Officer, the degree is only on component. Frankly this is like asking why I cannot join the Army as a Sergeant. You have to earn your stripes. Follow the guidance below and realize we all have steps to follow. The military would be mighty week if we bypassed training and development. Good luck.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Mar 29 at 2018 4:18 PM

2018-03-29T16:18:13-04:00

There is a way to bypass it but you have to have a higher GPA and by the look of it you GPA isn’t not very high, high Asvab score and almost max out your PT test. It harder to come in as an officer then to be enlisted and switch over. You basically have to be perfect to come in as an officer unless you went to West Point or ROTC.

OAN: what state you in?

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Mar 29 at 2018 4:52 PM

2018-03-29T16:52:23-04:00

NONSENSE...you do not have to be enlisted to become an officer...even in the reserves. You apply with an Officer Recruiter. The normal recruiters will sell you on being enlisted first then officer which isn't a bad route...did it myself but it isn't required. Stand your ground to become an officer if that is what you want to do. If accepted you will go to Officer Training School or ROTC if you are working on your Masters Degree. Go to a ROTC unit and ask them what is available and if they can't help you, they can point you in the right direction.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 4:58 PM

2018-03-29T16:58:39-04:00

Gabe Malinis - the Army Reserves has 3 commissioning options: Direct Commission, ROTC, and OCS. The Army also has its OWN officer recruiters that specialize in getting officers into the military. For Direct Commission, you undergo a competitive board process wherein you are pitted against other civilians and military personnel who are vying for a limited number of slots each year. Additionally, these slots are only available in certain positions - Medical, Legal, Chaplain, and Cyber Warfare. ROTC is handled through a university. You would first be accepted to a program and then speak with the ROTC office on-campus to see what is required to join that program. You can do this with a Masters degree as long as you have 2 years remaining. The third option is OCS - this option requires you to attend basic training and then OCS - so Enlisted First and then Officer "Candidate." There is no guarantee you will finish OCS and be awarded a commission.

Your challenge is going to be your GPA and age for some of the other options. My recommendation would be to speak to an officer accessions recruiter or an ROTC program.

Best of luck!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 5:47 PM

2018-03-29T17:47:18-04:00

You only have two options, OCS (which isn't really enlisting as your actual MOS is an officer candidate) And ROTC, to do that route you still need 2 years of ROTC usually done in conjunction with a masters degree. I also have one question, what do you have against enlisting is it just basic training, or something else?

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Mar 29 at 2018 6:08 PM

2018-03-29T18:08:10-04:00

If you attempt to become an Army or Marine Corps officer through OCS, you will still have tough tactical training alongside officer training. Army makes college graduates going to OCS complete basic training first as a prerequisite. Marines make college graduates going to OCS complete basic school afterwards as a follow-on.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 29 at 2018 7:46 PM

2018-03-29T19:46:32-04:00

I was Army ROTC then went USAF OTS without being enlisted first, though, had I been, I think it would've helped me adjust more...try to elaborate somewhat...what major? Any masters or grad level coursework? What type of civilian work, as well? What level of work, so far as you can explain...if possible, do a very thorough, detailed bio sketch, reading, hobbies sports interests, which services you'd want...would you have any clinical interests? The USPHS Commissioned Corps has considerably higher age limits, one doesn't have to be a clinician, engineers, comp sci(CS), IT, are all ised,, plus other svcs might be more flexible...I've never r known of an instance where enlisted was reqd before an OCS, or OIS (direct commission indoc program) of necessity, try to elaborate, the more you explain, the more I and/or others can possibly suggest, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 29 at 2018 7:47 PM

2018-03-29T19:47:13-04:00

And that you have a friend hod been USMC is obviously helpful, certainly, of course....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 29 at 2018 7:48 PM

2018-03-29T19:48:39-04:00

I'm just saying there might ne ways, however, please try to list actual course titles, if possible, as well, all serioius STEM topics, especially, OK?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 8:16 PM

2018-03-29T20:16:12-04:00

You can do ROTC. You can go to grad school and enroll in ROTC for two years. You can do a direct commission if you have prior professional experience and education like a doctor, nurse, scientist. I do know some direct commission military intelligence but they were prior intelligence NCOs. Doesn’t happen often- special relationship with the command so it really isn’t the norm. Good luck.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 9:16 PM

2018-03-29T21:16:24-04:00

What is your degree in?

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Mar 30 at 2018 5:30 PM

2018-03-30T17:30:31-04:00

Sure you can, get your Undergrad and Graduate degree in Medicine, Law, Dental, Religious Ministry or anything else that I can't think of. Doctors, Lawyers, Dentist, or Chaplains get direct commissions from the military. Don't forget ROTC and OCS. Just a thought.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2018 2:03 PM

2018-04-09T14:03:09-04:00

You can do what I did. I joined the Army National Guard and went to basic training for the military police School. I was now in mp. I happen to be on the early American online and I happen to speak to a captain who told me that my own unit did not inform us that the 40th Infantry Division in the California guard at Los Alamitos had a symposium for OCS so he hook me up with the phone number for the OCS school at camp San Luis Obispo and I went there after getting orders cut and I was able to get into the OCS program. The California OCS programs about 16 months long which is cutting it pretty clothes for you if you are living in California. I commissioned at 33 years 9 months. I'm still going strong at 55 years of age and I'm very certain I will make Lieutenant Colonel this summer. There are also OCS courses that or through Fort Benning or through some other state OCS like Fort McClellan Alabama in Georgia. Let's see what others have to say here but I think you can make it in time. I knew a former drill sergeant who was our honor graduates who was commissioned one week prior to his 35th birthday. He made lieutenant colonel before he retired.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2018 3:12 PM

2018-04-09T15:12:57-04:00

Having a bachelor's degree is all you need to make up to lieutenant colonel. I had a 2.65 GPA and I made it this far. I was more focused when I took my command and general staff officer course and I had a 92% average. They may say you have to have a higher GPA but I think that's unfair considering you've been out of school for a long time.