Posted on Dec 11, 2018
Should I pursue becoming a USAF Officer (ALO) or a USMC Officer?
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Good day all,
I am considering applying to either USMC or USAF Officer school, and am looking for some insight on both/either (23 yr. old civilian, bachelors degree, currently in a management position, soon to be married, no kids). I have always wanted to join the military, and would like to become an officer supporting combat operations in some kind of direct capacity. I like the ALO job description from what I have read, but lately have been considering USMC as an option simply due to the amount of ground combat-geared jobs which this branch holds. A couple of questions:
-Does the Air Force do guaranteed contracts on specific jobs before OTS (I like the idea of ground combat-related positions in a leadership role, but realize that most AFSC Officer positions other than ALO are not ground-combat related)?
-I have read that the USMC does not do any kind of contract guarantee, and that your MOS is assigned to you right out of OCS; is there anything specific that helps improve chances at your preferred MOS?
-Going with this: what are some interesting/rewarding MOS in the USMC for officer
-Living/environmental/family considerations for both branches as an officer? I have read that ALO's work and live on Army bases, so I suppose I am looking for a comparison of Army garrison life vs Marine Corps garrison life.
-Deployment differences (length, frequency, etc.)
-General opinion on either also accepted. I realize this is ultimately my decision, but I would love to hear your all's input/dialogue.
Thank you in advance!
I am considering applying to either USMC or USAF Officer school, and am looking for some insight on both/either (23 yr. old civilian, bachelors degree, currently in a management position, soon to be married, no kids). I have always wanted to join the military, and would like to become an officer supporting combat operations in some kind of direct capacity. I like the ALO job description from what I have read, but lately have been considering USMC as an option simply due to the amount of ground combat-geared jobs which this branch holds. A couple of questions:
-Does the Air Force do guaranteed contracts on specific jobs before OTS (I like the idea of ground combat-related positions in a leadership role, but realize that most AFSC Officer positions other than ALO are not ground-combat related)?
-I have read that the USMC does not do any kind of contract guarantee, and that your MOS is assigned to you right out of OCS; is there anything specific that helps improve chances at your preferred MOS?
-Going with this: what are some interesting/rewarding MOS in the USMC for officer
-Living/environmental/family considerations for both branches as an officer? I have read that ALO's work and live on Army bases, so I suppose I am looking for a comparison of Army garrison life vs Marine Corps garrison life.
-Deployment differences (length, frequency, etc.)
-General opinion on either also accepted. I realize this is ultimately my decision, but I would love to hear your all's input/dialogue.
Thank you in advance!
Posted in these groups: 
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (USMC)
1C4X1: Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)
Branch
Potential Recruit
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (USMC) 1C4X1: Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Branch Potential Recruit
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 34
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https://search.aol.com/aol/search?q=rotc%20graduate%20school&s_it=loki-tb-sb
Look at this search cross referencing ROTC programs with graduate school...I only suggest it, as, obviously, you could conceivably go this route, and have far less of a distraction getting a masters part time, once you'd be in...as I'd also said, I don't know if USMC PLC allows it at all as well, you could certainly ask, of course....
Look at this search cross referencing ROTC programs with graduate school...I only suggest it, as, obviously, you could conceivably go this route, and have far less of a distraction getting a masters part time, once you'd be in...as I'd also said, I don't know if USMC PLC allows it at all as well, you could certainly ask, of course....
rotc%20graduate%20school - AOL Search Results
Are you looking at going to graduate school? Do you need someone to pay for it? Well Army ROTC can help. We can pay for your graduate school and pay you a stipend each month.
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https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/warrant-officer/flight-warrant-officers.html
If you have any flight interest as I'd said, this only needs high school minimum, we had a family friend who'd been Army enlisted, he got into Army WOCS, was rotary wing with Army for several years, then finished his bachelors in aviation at Embry Riddle Univ., after which Army released, him, USCG picked him up, I was never sure if he'd gone USCG OCS or not, I think he went to an OIS of some type, being as he'd been warraqnt when he'd switched, he finished hos 20+ yrs. with USCG asn an O-3...I've heard Army WOCS can be a quite rough program, obviously, however, you've got nothing to lose by trying, whether as pilot, or as nav/WSO, Army also had fixed wing aircraft of their own, I'd seen material on here about that, though, of course, the bulk of the potential aviators going Army WOCS would be rotary wing, Army WOCS obviously processes multiple MOS types, I'm merely saying that by way of explanation, of course....
If you have any flight interest as I'd said, this only needs high school minimum, we had a family friend who'd been Army enlisted, he got into Army WOCS, was rotary wing with Army for several years, then finished his bachelors in aviation at Embry Riddle Univ., after which Army released, him, USCG picked him up, I was never sure if he'd gone USCG OCS or not, I think he went to an OIS of some type, being as he'd been warraqnt when he'd switched, he finished hos 20+ yrs. with USCG asn an O-3...I've heard Army WOCS can be a quite rough program, obviously, however, you've got nothing to lose by trying, whether as pilot, or as nav/WSO, Army also had fixed wing aircraft of their own, I'd seen material on here about that, though, of course, the bulk of the potential aviators going Army WOCS would be rotary wing, Army WOCS obviously processes multiple MOS types, I'm merely saying that by way of explanation, of course....
If you have dreamed of becoming a helicopter or fixed-wing pilot, the Army can help you turn that dream into a reality. Warrant Officers fly some of the most exciting, technologically advanced aircraft in the world.
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https://www.thebalancecareers.com/united-states-marine-corps-platoon-leaders-course-3332801
You'll find this useful as well....
You'll find this useful as well....
US Marine Corps Platoon Leader Course: What You Need to Know
The Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) is an alternative for NROTC or OCS for college students who wish to become commissioned officers.
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http://www.ocsfoundation.org
You might find this of use, esp. the forum pages, it's not all-inclusive, it doesn't include Army WOCS or OIS programs at all, however, the major five OCS programs are all listed....
You might find this of use, esp. the forum pages, it's not all-inclusive, it doesn't include Army WOCS or OIS programs at all, however, the major five OCS programs are all listed....
SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families
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