Posted on Oct 12, 2018
Minimum College GPA to Qualify for Army OCS?
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My son is a college graduate and is interested in going to Army OCS. He's 24 years old and in excellent physical condition. He was a solid C student while in college so his GPA was not stellar, but it was more due to a lack of effort than lack of intelligence. He's snapped out of it now and has realized the value of giving everything he does his very best (be all you can be!), and he REALLY wants to be an Army officer, but the recruiter he spoke with is insisting he can't go to Army OCS without a higher GPA.
My understanding is that the Army does not have a minimum GPA requirement for OCS -- so long as the person applying has earned a degree from an accredited college/university and has no other issues, they are qualified to be considered.
Is that still true -- that the degree itself is the main criteria -- or have the standards changed for admission to OCS and there is now a minimum GPA required?
My understanding is that the Army does not have a minimum GPA requirement for OCS -- so long as the person applying has earned a degree from an accredited college/university and has no other issues, they are qualified to be considered.
Is that still true -- that the degree itself is the main criteria -- or have the standards changed for admission to OCS and there is now a minimum GPA required?
OCS
Recruiter
Officer Candidate
Potential Recruit
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
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I was reading it is a big determinant for active-duty. I was the not the most Stellar student and my cumulative GPA was 2.84. I did not go into OCS to the California Army National Guard until way later. When I was completing my course most recent course CGSOC, I had a commutative average of 92%. If your Son does not get selected, tell him to go into an Army Reserve or National Guard unit and later go to OCS and he will make it! I am proof positive that you can reinvent yourself. I went in as an officer when I was almost 34 years old. My next Duty assignment will be as a deputy commander of a regional support group so don't let this situation phase you or your son! Patience and persistence will pay off.
SN Greg Wright MAJ Ken Landgren CPT Lawrence Cable LTC Trent Klug LTC Jeff Shearer LTC Stephen F. SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint
COL Mikel J. Burroughs CSM Charles Hayden CPT Chris Loomis MAJ (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
SN Greg Wright MAJ Ken Landgren CPT Lawrence Cable LTC Trent Klug LTC Jeff Shearer LTC Stephen F. SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint
COL Mikel J. Burroughs CSM Charles Hayden CPT Chris Loomis MAJ (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
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LTC (Join to see)
CGSOC is command and general staff officer course required for Majors to prepare for the higher rank of LTC.
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LTC (Join to see)
MAJ Ken Landgren - I hated the procurement part the most but I learned what how the checks and balances were thrown out the window after 9/11 for the F-35 and how its $165 Billion and 6 years behind back in 2015. I can imagine it is much higher now. Canada has opted out of the Jet as well.
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According to my criteria sheet for entrance into OCS you had to have a GT score of 110 or higher in addition to my Bechelors degree. The GPA wasn't a consideration...that I am aware of.
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Well, I guess the old mantra of "2.0's a GO" may need to be reconsidered.
My GPA wasn't stellar either and I made it in and have lasted this long.
My GPA wasn't stellar either and I made it in and have lasted this long.
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LTC Trent Klug
I was a 2.9 Social Sciences with minor in Administration of Justice kind of guy. It was the best of the majors Portland State offered at their satellite campuses. I was working a full time job with the Federal Prisons, and was a Platoon Leader, Company XO, and Battalion S1 all while finishing college.
You should have no problem with your major and GPA
You should have no problem with your major and GPA
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Yes, a 4 year degree from an accredited college and a 110+GT score on the ASVAB. I would ask to talk to a career counselor that deals with OCS.
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Patricia McIntosh-Mize commissioning requirements fluctuates based on accession goals. Perhaps another recruiter? Did he talk to an OCS specific recruiter or was it the local area recruiter? The link below will take you to OCS recruiters.
My academic record was not stellar either. On paper I was not a rocket surgeon, however I was not in the right academic field.
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/officer-candidate-school.html
Other options
- enlist and attempt OCS as an enlisted soldier. Enroll in a few college classes to work on a new GPA.
- go back to school and either get a masters or second bachelor's in something and that is easier to pump up the GPA. Enroll in ROTC.
My academic record was not stellar either. On paper I was not a rocket surgeon, however I was not in the right academic field.
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/officer-candidate-school.html
Other options
- enlist and attempt OCS as an enlisted soldier. Enroll in a few college classes to work on a new GPA.
- go back to school and either get a masters or second bachelor's in something and that is easier to pump up the GPA. Enroll in ROTC.
Officer Candidate School and Army OCS Requirements
Army Officer Candidate School gives college graduates an opportunity to be leaders and officers for Active Duty or Army Reserve. Learn about Army OCS requirements.
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Patricia McIntosh-Mize, this link doesn't mention minimum GPA requirements, but if you Google the question, I think you'll get more definitive answers.
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/officer-candidate-school.html
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/officer-candidate-school.html
Officer Candidate School and Army OCS Requirements
Army Officer Candidate School gives college graduates an opportunity to be leaders and officers for Active Duty or Army Reserve. Learn about Army OCS requirements.
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LTC Stephen C.
Patricia McIntosh-Mize, here's another link that may be helpful.
http://www.benning.army.mil/MCoE/199th/OCS/
http://www.benning.army.mil/MCoE/199th/OCS/
Fort Benning | Officer Candidate School
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No minimum GPA. They only care that he has the degree and his ASVAB scores. Talk to a different recruiter.
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OCS has a lot of benefits, he might also consider a direct commission.
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/become-an-officer/how-to-become-an-officer-in-the-army/direct-commission.html
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/become-an-officer/how-to-become-an-officer-in-the-army/direct-commission.html
Army Direct Commission Officers
Learn about Army direct commission requirements. The eligible areas for direct commission are the Army Medical Department, Jag Corps and the Army Chaplain Corps.
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Patricia McIntosh-Mize
I will pass this along but I don't think he's really got the background for any of those things at present. Thank you, though!
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LTC (Join to see)
Patricia McIntosh-Mize - Direct Commissions are fine but they can't be commanders. Going through regular ROTC, West Point or Officer Candidate School allows you to have a regular commission. You are not stuck. I went from Military Police to Armor that way. I am in the process of getting picked up to be a Deputy Commander of a Logistics Brigade. I could not do this with a Direct Commission.
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