ROTC or OCS: does one affect your career more than the other? Which did you choose, and why?

2017-01-18T13:05:48-05:00

I was active for 8 years, deployed with the 101st to Afghan in 08-09 and got out, joined the reserves in '14, joined ROTC in Fall '15. I could have done OCS since I already had my bachelor's, but instead opted to get my Master's and managed to claw my way into ROTC. It's taking 2.5 years but I have a buddy who just graduated and is taking the 3 month route in OCS. I might be a little jealous...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2017 1:18 PM

2017-01-18T13:18:28-05:00

While I'm not an Officer (clearly), I have experience with Officers that went both routes. To me, there was no difference in which one affected the career route (by my witness, anyway). To me, it's the quality of character of the Officer. To which, that quality of character is already present long before they get that gold bar on the shoulder.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jan 18 at 2017 1:21 PM

2017-01-18T13:21:24-05:00

I went the ROTC route as prior service. I don't think the pathway matters (between ROTC vs. OCS). What does matter is how you perform in your jobs once you get the commission.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 18 at 2017 2:10 PM

2017-01-18T14:10:44-05:00

ROTC allowed for a masters. At the end of the day, you are al Lieutenants.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2017 2:12 PM

2017-01-18T14:12:08-05:00

How about "None of the Above"

I received a direct commission in 2003 and other than having to fill in a few blanks at OBC, commissioning source has had zero impact on my career.

Response by MAJ Keith FitzPatrick, CPIM, CSCP made Jan 18 at 2017 2:37 PM

2017-01-18T14:37:50-05:00

Source of commissioning doesn't matter as much a performance. The onlyvrwal difference between the two is the training. ROTC requires at least two years of attendance at a 4 year university, but ROTC is strongly focused on recruiting so you get treated pretty well. OCS gets you a commission in 90 days, but they are more focused on seeing who can hack it rather than trying to ensure you want to stat in the program. I went the leisurely ROTC route.

Response by SPC Michael Rardin made Jan 18 at 2017 5:37 PM

2017-01-18T17:37:17-05:00

ROTC and OCs require the same thing, you get paid more for being enlisted before either way

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 18 at 2017 8:57 PM

2017-01-18T20:57:39-05:00

Here's how it works.... It is all about "manner of performance." Many think seem to OCS is better, looking up, as they seem to like prior service officers, which you are in either case. Once you are commissioned, USMA, OCS, ROTC, or Direct, you (we) are all on the same playing field. Then, it is all about manner of performance. Officers from all all sources succeed and fail in numbers commensurate with the percentages they provide to the total Army every year. No one source has a leg up. Some think they do. I did my Master Thesis on this very topic, and I sat on more than one promotion board... plus 33 years in the field; 29 as an O. CPT Private RallyPoint Member

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2017 10:27 PM

2017-01-18T22:27:21-05:00

Though your mileage may vary, source of commission is strongly correlated with an officer's success throughout his/her career. A January 2010 report published by the Strategic Studies Institute explains why. An extract is below, with link to full report at the bottom.

Years of peacetime and wartime performance data, however, clearly demonstrate that, once commissioned, the scholarship officers are disproportionately likely to possess the conceptual and problem-solving talent demanded by jobs such as commander, executive officer, or operations officer. Because high-quality education amplifies experiential learning capacity, this talent advantage grows as these officers move from company grade to field grade assignments of increasing scope and complexity

http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB965.pdf

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 6:25 AM

2017-01-19T06:25:33-05:00

As others have stated, it makes no difference. I joined as an OCS option my Sr. year of college and completed the NG accerated OCS program. I enjoyed what I was doing in NG, but as I had been serving as an activated guardsman for 4 of my first 6 years in, I transferred to permanent Active Duty. You make the most of your career, regardless how you started. Kudos to you for doing it your way, and best of luck as you rise in the ranks.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 10:52 AM

2017-01-19T10:52:27-05:00

Since you already had a bachelor's degree you are one leg up doing ROTC since you will graduate with a Masters. Besides that they have the same end results. Either way congratulations and see you on the other side.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 5:41 PM

2017-01-19T17:41:11-05:00

I honestly don't think it really matters as both lead to the same thing...a commission.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2017 5:38 AM

2017-01-20T05:38:10-05:00

As a whole ROTC is a more in depth commissioning source that prepares officers to function better, the time involved alone and the mentoring provided is far superior than what I saw coming out of OCS. (the non-prior service candidates)

However because you are already degreed, and a combat veteran with 8 years, ROTC isn't tailored to teach you much that you couldn't just read in the books. If you already have experience, a bachelors degree, and know how to lead OCS would be a better choice because you'd have been promoted two years earlier every promotion for the remainder of your career. A side note your peers in ROTC are probably learning a lot from you.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2017 1:17 AM

2017-01-23T01:17:53-05:00

I completed OCS last year after being prior enlisted. Since the consensus here is that the end state is the same, OCS is the way to go. You can get a graduate degree paid for without doing ROTC. However, I can't speak to what the reserves does with school as opposed to the active side.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Jan 23 at 2017 9:56 AM

2017-01-23T09:56:06-05:00

In the end there is little difference. All pre-commissioning programs must cover the same basic core requirements. As has been proven over the past thirty years or so, the source of the commission is secondary to performance after receiving the commission. I was fortunate to receive my commission via the active duty enlisted ROTC scholarship program (now called green to gold). Pick the path which works best for you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 6:46 AM

2017-01-24T06:46:15-05:00

ROTC, and the Master's degree you are pursuing, I believe, will ultimately help you as you begin to compete for more senior grades, and better assignment opportunity.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2017 1:38 AM

2017-01-25T01:38:13-05:00

Why are you jealous, because his experience has taken a shorter amount of time? Don't be.
It truly doesn't matter. Once you commission you are an officer, and that's all that matters. Is there a bit a fraternity between the USMA grads, of course. For everyone though what matters is how you perform. Don't worry about anyone else's commissioning source, focus on you.