OCS before or after joining SOF for CA School?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 20:09:48 -0400

I want to accomplish both but I'm trying to figure which would be better. I'm considering my age at this point (34) and I'm leaning towards Civil Affairs school first then commissioning. Any insight you give would be appreciated.

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made Jul 26 at 2016 8:13 PM

SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 20:13:02 -0400

2LT Private RallyPoint Member ,
Leans towards the opportunity that has the window closing the fastest, so that you can at least give it a try before discriminators come into play; such as age. Best of luck!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 8:14 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 20:14:43 -0400

It wouldn't matter once you commission you have to choose a branch or one is assigned to you. But you can not branch CA

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 26 at 2016 8:52 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 20:52:07 -0400

Based on your age, and assuming that you're accepted, I'd consider attending OCS first, 2LT Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 26 at 2016 10:53 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 22:53:18 -0400

Would consider OCS first, window may already be shut. CA is a non-accession branch, so when you are a senior 1LT, that window will just be opening.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 3:46 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 03:46:23 -0400

OCS should come first. When you commission you will gain another MOS. If you're RC, then it wouldn't be too hard to transfer to CA after you commission and get your PL time completed.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 12:51 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 12:51:02 -0400

Since you'll be required to go to the CA Officer's Qualification Course anyway after you receive a commission, I would encourage you to go to OCS first unless an opportunity such as DLI is part of the package. Absent that, there is little advantage to going to the CA enlisted course if your plan is to get a commission.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 2:12 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 14:12:45 -0400

Thank you for all of your responses. Does anyone know if Airborne can be guaranteed from OCS? I regret not requesting it in my initial contract as this was one of the things which made CA school more appealing.

Response by CPT Robert Boshears made Jul 27 at 2016 3:15 PM

CPT Robert Boshears — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 15:15:16 -0400

Not sure OCS would be available. OCS (used) to have a cut off at 29 years of age...or did in the 70's. After graduation OCS, we were given pencils to fill in our branch choices on our "dream sheets"... Which, when returned were all erased and had Infantry typed in. After being re-activated, and going to a Reserve CA battalion (which was a great job) I held an O4 team leader slot waiting a year for the long overdue promotion, to be appraised that I had been medically separated due combat injuries. If you can get CA branch, you will find it a challenge unlike any other. Good luck.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jul 27 at 2016 6:52 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 18:52:31 -0400

You can't go to Special Forces selection until you have been commissioned for several years. There are no lieutenants in the Special Forces. So even if you commission tomorrow, you wouldn't be going to SFAS until age 37. Keep in mind though that if you go through Selection as enlisted, you still have to repeat parts of it as an officer, so in a way, it doesn't make any sense to do it twice if you know you want to commission.

Keep in mind also that commissioning may not be an option for a while after a new MOS changing school due to committed service. I'm not sure what the current status of that is for these fields.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2016 9:17 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 09:17:26 -0400

I want to thank you all again for your input. To be honest, it's been challenging staying motivated to do OCS being currently enlisted. SORB reached out and that put me in the 'mode' again, if you know what I mean. After reaching out to many officers in person and through this thread, I've decided to push to get my packet done. I know my age places me in a negative position, but I'm hoping my time of enlistment, COA's and PT score and my essay will give me an edge. Once again, thank you all for your input. God Bless.

P.S. If you can recommend any books to read. I'm all ears.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 12:39 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 12:39:25 -0400

Well, I just found out that I'm not getting an endorsement because I have an attitude problem. Apparently, I asked my commander the question "Ma'am, is there reason why I should score a 290 to get an endorsement when the requirements for OCS is a 240?" She didn't like that. I'm trying not to hate the Army right now...

Response by LTC James McElreath made Jun 21 at 2018 7:59 PM

LTC James McElreath — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 19:59:01 -0400

I would have you check the regulations reguarding your age and receiving a commission.