1LT Kevin Chapman 3070696 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I had a brief meeting with my Commander yesterday about commissioning through the ROTC program. And he recommended that I should pursue the OCS route, honestly I haven&#39;t thought much about it. He told me that it would be physically and mentally demanding, but that it would be a better option in his opinion than ROTC. Are there any Officers out there who could share some information about their experience in one of these two? I&#39;d like to make an informed decision rather than irrationally choosing. Thank you! 2017-11-07T04:17:06-05:00 1LT Kevin Chapman 3070696

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I had a brief meeting with my Commander yesterday about commissioning through the ROTC program. And he recommended that I should pursue the OCS route, honestly I haven&#39;t thought much about it. He told me that it would be physically and mentally demanding, but that it would be a better option in his opinion than ROTC. Are there any Officers out there who could share some information about their experience in one of these two? I&#39;d like to make an informed decision rather than irrationally choosing. Thank you!

2017-11-07T04:17:06-05:00 2017-11-07T04:17:06-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 3070697

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>OCS if you already have a degree. ROTC if you&#39;re just starting college. The only real benefit is that ROTC parts for your college. OCS is just a 3 month commissioning school for those who already have a degree. If you have some college but not a full bachelor&#39;s yet check out the green to gold program.

2017-11-07T04:19:58-05:00 2017-11-07T04:19:58-05:00 CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana 3070738

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I agree with Daniel; however, OCS is a condensed version of a military academy. It is not only rigorous training and testing; there are classes, which must be passed to proceed. There is land nav and a touch of pathfinder training in the course. Many warrants began the course with us, but struggled and left without graduating. The first two weeks are weeding out days; the following four are team-building weeks, in which individuals get the boot, and; in the final six weeks the team consolidates. Graduation from OCS is like graduation from college; you have all achieved the objective and now, it is time to put to work your intellect.

2017-11-07T05:30:38-05:00 2017-11-07T05:30:38-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 3076106

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I went through the reserve component. accelerated OCS Program, but I taught ROTC at one large university and a junior military college. <br /><br />Unfortunately. I can’t speak of the traditional OCS program. Just speaking from my personal experience, I would choose ROTC. Accelerated OCS was just a smoke fest, and I got very little out of it. The smoking was like basic training and the subjects were equivalent to PLDC (now BLC). The ROTC program at the large university was excellent. The MSIVs were into the weeds in MDMP. From MSII on up, you get plenty of opportunities in leadership positions. A lot more time and opportunities outside of the required curriculum to learn leadership and tactics.<br /><br />With that said, not all ROTC programs are the same. I would look into the quality of the program at your school.<br /><br />Other things to consider is that if you were to go the OCS route, that is all you will be doing as far as military development. Dependinf on your schedule, you may want that. As an ROTC cadet, you could continue to drill with your unit in the Simultaneous Member Program. your unit commander can then have you do what you have been doing at drill, or choose to give you tasks to develop you as a leader.

2017-11-08T23:00:47-05:00 2017-11-08T23:00:47-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 3110589

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have to agree that while there are many factors which may be unique to your situation, probably the closest thing to a hard and fast rule is that if you already have a 4 year bachelor&#39;s degree, you should probably go OCS. Particularly if you are prior service.<br /><br />The only major caveat to this is if the second degree you are pursuing is essential to the branch you want, i.e. Nursing, a law degree, or nutritionist&#39;s degree.<br /><br />People will tell you that the major benefit of going ROTC is that you have a &quot;better chance at getting what you want.&quot; Well, I am probably more knowledgeable about the accessions process than anyone on these boards and I can tell you that is not really accurate.<br /><br />Yes, ROTC *can* give you a leg up on branch of choice, but It&#39;s complicated. First, you have to bust your ass to be in the top 10% of the country on the OML (Order of Merit List) to be guaranteed your branch. This means 3.9 GPA, highest marks from your PMS, volunteering for everything, 300+ PT score, Cadet BN Commander of your school, etc. If you fall out of the top 20%, and you choose a competitive branch like Military Intelligence, Medical Services, Aviation, or Cyber, you are not guaranteed anything. But your chances improve if you ADSO - or pledge another 2 years of active duty time to the Army to ensure your branch or duty station. If you don&#39;t ADSO, and you aren&#39;t top 20%, It&#39;s a crap shoot based on needs of the Army and what branches your peers ahead of you pick. You will also likely be branch detailed to combat arms for the first 3 years of your service.<br /><br />In short, for the amount of work required to get a better chance at your branch, you might as well just crush it at OCS and get to pick there. OCS usually has 2-4 slots of every branch for every class.

2017-11-21T18:41:27-05:00 2017-11-21T18:41:27-05:00 SFC Patrick Machayo 4415680

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>OCS is has a high drop out rate. Be in extreme physical and physical condition. In my opinion OCS graduates relate somewhat better with enlisted. Choice is yours.

2019-03-03T04:00:16-05:00 2019-03-03T04:00:16-05:00 2017-11-07T04:17:06-05:00