What are the significant differences between direct commissioning and attending OCS? What would be the most beneficial?

2016-06-20T02:27:51-04:00

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jun 20 at 2016 9:17 AM

2016-06-20T09:17:23-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member - Direct Commissioning only occurs in the Chaplain, Medical, and Legal Corps. Basically, a candidate comes into the recruiting office with their credentials & experience in hand. Their version of OCS is a branch-specific, crash-course covering such things as rank & structure, military protocol, how to wear a uniform, and with which fork to eat your salad... if Navy, golf etiquette is included. I'll take my tongue out of my cheek now: Basically, Direct Commissioning programs are designed to attract candidates that will serve in billets that the DoD would be unable to source talent via traditional means (Priests, Doctors, & Lawyers). All other officers are commissioned through some sort of "real" OCS.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Jun 20 at 2016 11:34 AM

2016-06-20T11:34:53-04:00

It is kinda like that immortal line from 'THEM!' (1954). "Make me a sergeant and bring me the booze!"

"Them!" is actually a crackerjack movie. Well done.

Walt

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 20 at 2016 12:15 PM

2016-06-20T12:15:03-04:00

Mark pretty much described it as it's done today. during my time, I went to Officer Indoctrination School which was for the Lawyers, Docs, Nurses, etc. The Navy Civil Engineer Corps used it for a while and then went back to OCS because they needed better discipline and focus on the warfighting piece. I was the first one to go through OIS during their trial period mostly because I wasn't going to do a commission otherwise. I already did boot camp and Beast Barracks at West Point (they didn't like my eyes). I simply wasn't going to do that again. So I went and was extensively debriefed afterwards about the pros and cons. Told them then that OIS was light on the discipline piece and since I was prior ENL, got stuck with babysitting duty too much. However, that was before the "We Build, We Fight" morphed more into "We Build, We really really have to Fight" mentality and specific warfare qualifications were on the horizon. I do give the CEC credit for running it long enough to make an informed decision vs. knee jerk analysis. Having to pay even more attention to the fighting piece is a reflection of the increased complexity and lethality of the AOR so you need to be a knowledgeable player vs. dragging it down by ignorance.

The problem with OCS is about 85% of the technical isn't applicable to CEC officers. Although a more refined on target curriculum would do the trick, there just isn't enough demand to make the cost effective. So they take these OCS grads and then push them through separate Seabee, Public Works, etc. training and tossing in some deprogramming work along the way.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 12:46 PM

2016-06-20T12:46:50-04:00

I'm actually about to be direct commissioned before heading to the Army Baylor PT program in the fall. I think everyone else hit on the basics. The program I'm entering is pretty small (only 24 or so per year for the entire DoD) so my experience is probably an exception rather than the rule. I'll actually commission without attending any sort of training first. I'll show up on day one as a 2LT. My first actual training will be AMEDD BOLC. With the exception of folks in my class who are already medical officers everyone attends (I believe even folks who are already commissioned in different career branches). The folks who are non prior service have to attend a 2 week pre-BOLC course. It's almost a super condensed basic training. They teach them customs/courtesies, BRM, drill/ceremony, etc.

To be honest I wish I was going through a little more training. I have more than 14 years of prior service so I'm not worried about the basic military knowledge, but I wish I was getting more training on the basics of being a commissioned officer. With my experience I'm hoping I can pick up on things quickly, but my program admitted folks right out of college with absolutely no military experience outside of Call of Duty. They're bright kids but they're going to be lost in the sauce for a while and some of them may never catch up.

Response by 1LT Susan Bailey made Jun 20 at 2016 1:34 PM

2016-06-20T13:34:50-04:00

Well I can only tell you as someone who was a Direct Commission and without previous military experience, it was a challenge to be sure. I don't know if there are promotion differences or not. I used to hear that if you had an RA Commission vs. a USAR Commission there were better promotion potentials, but I don't know if that is fact or not.

I think what would be most important to evaluate is why you want to move up to the Officer ranks as well as the best option regarding the education you may need to get there. If there are no differences in promotion or retention potentials, I would opt for the best educational opportunity to get there. As a SPC, you have far more training than I did as a DC so in terms of the training needed to get up to speed as an Officer I don't know that there would be that much of a difference between OCS vs. DC.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2016 10:08 PM

2016-06-24T22:08:33-04:00

Direct Commissions are citizens willing to use their professional training and experience to serve the needs of their country. In the case of medical professionals and some other professionals it often means many self imposed restrictions to their career and income earning potential. The military does have their own traditional pipeline for PAs, MDs, and dentists so direct commissions are accepted for the needs of the military. Unfortunately even though most paid for their own education, saving the country substantial money, they often not considered and treated equally in times of draw downs and military cutbacks. If you want a career in the military go the traditional means. You will get better initial training, enter with a better understanding of the service and wont be treated like an outside when a draw down comes. Otherwise if you wish to earn benefits or retirement, try to time your service with a major conflict in order to be able to complete your service (full 20) prior to a draw down like we are experiencing today. Its all about what cuts are on the table. Some areas like MDs are always chronically short and less likely to experience cuts so do your research. Direct Commissions are always first released first during any major draw down.

Response by CPT Robert Boshears made Nov 20 at 2016 7:58 PM

2016-11-20T19:58:27-05:00

You learn every day, not one weekend per month. Direct is ok. But that high speed college and well placed friends do not prepare you. Unless you were SF, ranger etc... butter bars tend to melt

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 3 at 2019 4:32 AM

2019-04-03T04:32:24-04:00

Go warrant

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 3 at 2019 4:32 AM

2019-04-03T04:32:55-04:00

More respect

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 3 at 2019 12:17 PM

2019-04-03T12:17:28-04:00

OCS will give you a significant better perspective on the Army.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Apr 3 at 2019 12:21 PM

2019-04-03T12:21:20-04:00

OCS gives you a better foundation on which to lead or manage. Direct Commission is like comming into work one day as a worker bee and your manager pats you on the back and says congratulations your now a manager. OCS your at the same level as the majority of 2nd LT's. Direct Commission does make sense in some fields where leadership is not all that necessary such as Legal, Medical (borderline as there is Leadership in medical) and Chaplaincy but I would not recommend it for other branches. DC can open broader than those three branches. Sometimes with a Prior Service requirement and sometimes without depending on the needs of the Army.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 3 at 2019 12:23 PM

2019-04-03T12:23:20-04:00

I would go warrant. More respect.