What are my chances in making it to Army OCS as prior enlisted w/slight baggage?

SPC G Taylor — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 01:10:36 -0400

I'm about to graduate from my local university with a Finance degree thanks to my Post 9/11 GI Bill and I have been weighing my options for living a dream of mine which is accepting a commission as Army Officer. I am now 30 years old and I have 6 years prior enlisted with the Army National Guard as an 11bravo. I have a combat deployment under my belt and I left the NG with an honorable discharge and a RE-1 re-enlistment code. As far as schooling goes, I am gonna graduate with around a 2.95 with a standard deviation of .05 and I can easily get some letters of recommendations from some officer friends of mine and family. I also took the asvab about 12 years ago but scored pretty good, 111 GT score. The biggest thing I'm worried about is a misdemeanor that was expunged from my record about 2 years ago. This offense was for Trespassing, not in a conveyance or structure and it was an unfortunate that I found myself in that situation. Anyways I did a Pre trial intervention program as it was my only criminal offense I've ever had. I then later had my record expunged as I stated earlier. All of this happened within the 6 year period that I was out of the military. Obviously I know I will have to report what happened, I just want to know if I still have a chance. I have always wanted to lead soldiers and my time in the guard did not give me what I truly wanted out of the military. In retrospect I should have gone active duty but I feel there's no time like the day I graduate and have this opportunity finally present itself. To give you some insight, I was born on the 4th of July so I grew up with a strong desire to serve just as the countless generations of my family have done. I just think that I'm now finally ready to switch over and be the man I always envisioned myself as.

P.S. I'm still a PT Stud too ;)

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Sep 22 at 2020 1:29 AM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 01:29:36 -0400

You should probably be ok. Give it a shot!

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Sep 22 at 2020 8:01 AM

CPT Andrew Wright — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 08:01:00 -0400

Having served on several USAREC OCS selection boards I believe you are a good candidate. Because of your age you need to get to work on the application process ASAP. The max age to contract is 32 for the OCS Option. Best of Luck!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2020 8:12 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 08:12:59 -0400

Go for it, SPC!! I think the max age is actually higher if you go through OCS in the Guard. And as far as full time, you might even be able to snag an AGR slot. I'm in the final Phase of Army Guard OCS right now. I'm waiting to go to Phase III and complete the training. It has been a long year plus.

My advice to you is to go and try. You should be good to go. And mentally prepare yourself for the bull crap. You're gonna get treated like Basic all over again....unless you manage to get a Federal OCS slot (*hint hint*....TRY TO GET THAT!!!)

Of course the Army is a small world....maybe I'll see you around!! Godspeed!!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2020 8:14 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 08:14:07 -0400

Do it. Just do it. Don't let your dreams be dreams. Yesterday, you said tomorrow. So just do it. Make your dreams come true. Just do it. Some people dream of success, while you're gonna wake up and work hard at it. Nothing is impossible. You should get to the point where anyone else would quit, and you're not gonna stop there. No, what are you waiting for? Do it! Just do it! Yes you can. Just do it.

If you're tired of starting over, stop giving up.

That’s what Shia Labeouf would say. For real though, sounds like you’ll regret it if you don’t give it a shot. That’s what it came down to for me when I joined. I had the opportunity and the support from my wife. Go for it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2020 9:00 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 09:00:19 -0400

the worst that can possibly happen is you don't get selected.

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Sep 22 at 2020 9:33 AM

1LT Voyle Smith — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 09:33:44 -0400

Be honest about the baggage and go for it.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Sep 22 at 2020 9:43 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 09:43:41 -0400

Go for it. The worst that can happen is that you will get told no. I know that the boards are pickier than in my day, hell, they let me in ;^). I doubt that a single misdemeanor will keep you out, you will have to explain the circumstances. Your GPA is about were mine landed, I am of the opinion that they look at the LOD's, ASVAB and military evals on prior service more than anything else. Get a couple of good letters from some colonels or generals helps.

Response by CPT Carlos Ribadeneira made Sep 22 at 2020 5:22 PM

CPT Carlos Ribadeneira — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 17:22:09 -0400

Go for it! A single misdemeanor can be waived. Don't let that stop you from trying.