Posted on Feb 4, 2023
After just joining the Reserves, can I change my contract to pursue OCS? If not, could I drop a packet once I’m done with AIT?
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I just joined the reserves. I’m happy with my MOS, but some people are calling me stupid because I enlisted and not commissioned… I have a degree.. I also did bring up OCS to my recruiter and career counselor.. also talked about it to a retired army officer I know and my other older military friends..all were like the best officers come from having experience first, which I agreed but now I feel like I should’ve commissioned instead of enlist… my civilian job is a teacher. I’ve been a leader my whole life and enjoy leading students in the right direction.. I feel I would be a great officer…
I ship 7 months from now. But if I can’t change my contract (which I’m sure i probably can’t) could I drop a packet once I’m done with AIT? In two years I’ll be 31.. and I feel like I won’t be able to because of time… or how long should I wait to ask my chain of command once I start drill?
I ship 7 months from now. But if I can’t change my contract (which I’m sure i probably can’t) could I drop a packet once I’m done with AIT? In two years I’ll be 31.. and I feel like I won’t be able to because of time… or how long should I wait to ask my chain of command once I start drill?
Enlisted-to-Officer
Reserves
OCS
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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You can attempt to renegotiate your contract, but that mostly applies to erroneous enlistments where the recruit is found unqualified for the original contract, or the original training path was invalid.
Or you can complete AIT and simply volunteer for OCS.
You just have to start OCS before your 35th birthday.
FWIW, you're not "stupid" for enlisting with a degree, 7-15% of new enlistees come in with a degree, it's on the higher end for the Air Force and SF in the Army, and for the reserve components where graduates who have already started a civilian career are just looking for a way to serve close to home.
What would be stupid is to enter and serve in the military with no regard to what you actually want to do in the military.
Or you can complete AIT and simply volunteer for OCS.
You just have to start OCS before your 35th birthday.
FWIW, you're not "stupid" for enlisting with a degree, 7-15% of new enlistees come in with a degree, it's on the higher end for the Air Force and SF in the Army, and for the reserve components where graduates who have already started a civilian career are just looking for a way to serve close to home.
What would be stupid is to enter and serve in the military with no regard to what you actually want to do in the military.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
I enlisted and waited two years before I went to OCS. Army and Army National Guard were short Officers, so every year they came around soliciting any Soldier with a Degree to try OCS. Second time around I said yes.
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SgtMaj Henry Sinclair
It's worth mentioning that enlisting with a degree is not uncommon, and a significant percentage of new enlistees, ranging from 7-15%, have degrees. This percentage tends to be higher in the Air Force and Special Forces in the Army, as well as in the reserve components. Many graduates with established civilian careers seek opportunities to serve closer to home through the reserves.
It's not about being "stupid"; people have various motivations for joining the military at different points in their lives. What's crucial is to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve in the military. If you're contemplating a shift in your military career, thoughtful consideration and exploration of available options can help you align your path with your goals.
It's not about being "stupid"; people have various motivations for joining the military at different points in their lives. What's crucial is to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve in the military. If you're contemplating a shift in your military career, thoughtful consideration and exploration of available options can help you align your path with your goals.
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Can you change your contact? I don't know.
What I will advise you to do is start an OCS packet now and at least investigate and consider ROTC. You could work on a masters and earn a commission through ROTC in less than 2 years while still in your reserve unit. At your age you need to have all the information as you're nearing commissioning cut offs.
Best of luck
What I will advise you to do is start an OCS packet now and at least investigate and consider ROTC. You could work on a masters and earn a commission through ROTC in less than 2 years while still in your reserve unit. At your age you need to have all the information as you're nearing commissioning cut offs.
Best of luck
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LTC (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) talk to ROTC at a school near by. You may be able to do a different masters or PhD. If not OCS or direct commission will be your route.
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Do you know that there are separate recruiters for Officers and enlisted? Recruiters also have monthly quotas to send people to entry level training. Enlisted recruiters don't get credit if you switch tracks halfway through and decide to go OCS. With that all said, what did the officer recruiter say when you spoke to them? If you want to go enlisted do it. If you want to commission do it. Will being enlisted first make you a better officer? Maybe. Will you be able to be a good officer without going enlisted first? Yes, of course. Some of the best and some of the worst officers I have ever interacted with were prior enlisted. It isn't automatic. You need to stop talking to people who served and start talking to the folks in the system. Talk to an Officer recruiter and go over your options.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you. I didn’t know about officer recruiters. I wish I did. I talked to a retired officer and he also said get experience first, but I’ve already signed my contract. Is it possible if I can change it? Probably not?
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LtCol Robert Quinter
I talked with the local Officer Selection Officer when my grandson enlisted in the reserve. He was upset that the local recruiters often enlisted persons who had expressed interest in commissioning programs instead of referring them to him. He said if my grandson was selected for the commissioning program by one of the quarterly boards, he could "buy out" the enlisted contract, so don't delay talking with the local officer program person.
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
SPC (Join to see) Talk to a recruiter. They can give you the latest information and options
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