What are my chances of making it past OCS boards?

2024-01-18T21:48:13-05:00

Hello, looking for some feedback if possible! I've been going through the process for application to OCS, and I'm very eager to make it past the boards, but I'm unsure of my chances.

Info: No prior service, 25 years old, 99 CAT-ASVAB, 145 GT, 134 GM, 137 EL, 145 CL, 122 MM, 140 SC, 136 CO, 137 FA, 134 OF, 141 ST. I'm a 6'6 male and in moderately good shape (slightly skinnier at 208-210 lbs),will be able get into great shape in 4/5 months.

I just graduated from Rutgers New Brunswick(Main Campus) with a B.S. in Computer Science. However, my weakest point by far is that my GPA is extremely low at a 2.62. I started out in college not knowing what I wanted to do and was pushed into bio by my parents and... didn't work out until I switched majors.

I have 4 years experience as an Assistant manager at a very busy local mom-and-pop Italian restaurant, and I also work part time as Chief Editor and IT Consultant at my dad's photography business. I have 300+ hours volunteered at the American Cancer Society, but those were all during high school. For LOR's, I have 2 professors who are writing one, and one of them is also a CS research scientist at Cornell. Besides that, I'm getting one from my old manager at the Italian restaurant, and I know the Police Chief and Mayor a little from volunteering at the town food pantry, so I hope at least one of them will write a LOR(I don't know any commissioned officers).

So yea, it seems from looking around that my GPA will hold me back a lot. My recruiter says it's fine since it's a STEM degree from a good school, but I'm not sure if he's just trying to not make me feel bad.

(Aiming for Active Duty Signal or MI btw)

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2024 1:33 AM

2024-01-19T01:33:03-05:00

Colonel Cudworth, Master Sergeant Livingston, please share your knowledge.
COL Randall C., MSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2024 6:43 AM

2024-01-19T06:43:22-05:00

Your GPA should be fine, especially when the Board sees your GT and other Line scores.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jan 19 at 2024 7:50 AM

2024-01-19T07:50:17-05:00

Since the question is what I consider a "I'm having a bit of anxiety about this process, can you give me reassurance that I'm going to make it", I'll speak to the overall acceptance rate.

There is about a 65% acceptance rate for OCS for new enlistments. If you were doing the option to become a physician, then you probably would have issues, but as MSG Private RallyPoint Member said, your GPA should be fine for the general course.

If you want your choice of branch coming out of OCS, then focus on doing well. The accessions choices will be rank ordered with those higher on the Order of Merit List (OML) being given preference over those lower.

I'll tell you up front that you need to focus on two-things.

You will have a LOT of new stuff thrown at you and you need to embrace being flexible and adapting to a new environment. You're going to go from college and be thrown into Basic Combat Training (BCT). You'll be going from your "I'm the master of my own destiny" college life to a highly controlled, "do what I tell you when I tell you! When I tell you to go get your bags I want you to bring them here. WHY ARE YOU MOVING RAHUL!?!?" environment.

There's a term in the Army we all learn at a very early stage (it takes the Air Force about 10 or so years ☺) - "embrace the suck!"

If you're flexible and have a positive attitude, that's half the equation for doing well. If you have an attitude of "who do they think they are telling me to do that", you're not going to have a good time and may even fail out of the program. Last word on that - when it comes to your drill sergeants, "You're wrong, they're right". Learn it. Embrace it. Internalize it. The only time I would say there might be a modification to that is if there is something that is unsafe that the DI is not aware of - then mention it to the DI, but after that it's back to "You're wrong, they're right".

BCT is actually not that strenuous if you're physically in shape. That's the second piece of advice - get in shape NOW. Everything you do on the front end will make OCS easier for you. There will be a LOT of physically demanding stuff. You better learn to love running (that mindset thing again) and endurance training.

In fact, if there was one physical thing I would focus on, it's a toss-up between those two, so I would put them together and say long-distance running. However, work on getting into that "great shape" you said you could do in 4-5 months. You may not have that long before BCT and some of the demands are pretty grueling if you've never done them before (12 mile ruck march with 45lb ruck? 4 mile run at the pace of a 9 minute mile?)

Learn what to expect on the ACFT (https://www.army.mil/acft/). Read the details of each event, read the FAQs, and watch the videos. If you do nothing else, train for the event - not only is it a more holistic approach to physical fitness (as opposed to the old APFT), but you'll have multiple ACFTs during BCT/OCS.

After BCT, then you'll go to OCS. More of the same, but now the focus is your ability to work as part of a larger group. This is where the OML is determined. Rank high on the OML and you'll have your choice of branch. Rank low and you get what's left. Multiple things go into the OML - peer-evals, ACFT, performance on exams, etc. If you're grade on something you can be assured it's going to be part of the OML.

I'm 99% sure they haven't changed it in the last few years, so you'll have peer-evaluations during OCS. They do three during the course and this is your fellow candidates ranking everyone else in the class. Yes, it's partly a popularity contest, but more it's about your ability to work in a group and support others. You won't believe how many people have the mindset of "I'm going to do well - screw the others".

Make connections with others in your OCS class. Offer support and help them if you can, especially if it's something you're good at. Have a class member that is having trouble physically and you're in great shape? Offer to be their personal trainer. If you're great at history and others are having issues with military history, offer to help tutor. Bottom line - you're part of a group and do what you an to support the group.

Even if the peer-evals weren't part of the OML (they are), that is the mindset you'll have to adopt going forward to be a successful leader. It's not about YOU, it's about the all of the Soldiers in the group you are leading. Sure, there are times in your military career when it is all about you, but those are generally the exception, not the rule.

Last bit of advice - if you don't know how to do land navigation, either be a quick study, or prep yourself now. There are many free resources on the internet that can help. Use them to become at least familiar with what you're going to encounter.

Good luck!

The United States Army | Page not found

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 19 at 2024 8:28 AM

2024-01-19T08:28:34-05:00

Just keeping pushing and you should be ok. Your GPA isn't the best but that would be more of a factor for a specialty pipeline like Nursing or Doctor. Rutgers is a well known school so that is in your favor. Should be fine. Just work on your PT

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2024 1:20 PM

2024-01-19T13:20:16-05:00

The only thing anyone can tell you is the average rate of acceptance. Outside that no one can predict the outcome of your board. It's entirely dependent of who is on the board reviewing the packet.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 19 at 2024 1:23 PM

2024-01-19T13:23:51-05:00

Let me get this straight. You want to come off the street and go to OCS? If you are accepted it might be problematic to get your first pick of a job because combat arms branches need a lot of 2LTs.

Response by SSG Brian L. made Jan 21 at 2024 7:46 PM

2024-01-21T19:46:49-05:00

Go for it... you will never know until you try. Aside from that it's not like it is a one and done type of thing. Meaning reapply if you do not make it. I think it is more of a total Soldier type of assessment. I have been selected and attend school in May. I promise you more than one person thought that I wouldn't be accepted. Shoot your shot.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2024 9:42 AM

2024-02-13T09:42:03-05:00

Don't even worry about it. You still have to go through Basic and get through the clearance process.

Response by SrA Cecelia Eareckson made Mar 23 at 2024 8:31 AM

2024-03-23T08:31:35-04:00

Nothing said as to why Rahul wants to serve in any capacity in the Armed Forces. Not a good basis for proceding.