What do I need to do to better my chances of going to OCS or Warrant Officer School in the military?

Aaron Howards — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 14:53:18 -0400

Little background info: I just graduated from Texas A&M last month and I'm looking for information on what I would need to do in order to accomplish some goals I've had for a while. I have a BS in Political Science from A&M and I'm looking to go into the military (not sure which branch) as either an officer or warrant officer which means I'd apply for an OCS packet. As for a job, I would really like to try to get a pilot slot in either fixed or rotary wing aviation.

Now heres my stats: 2.65 GPA out of A&M (yeah not stellar, I know) , held the same job for four years while I was in college, was very successful at said job, can produce multiple letters of recommendation (possibly even one from a sitting congressman, hoping that goes through).

My PT isn't outstanding as of right now, but I am making drastic improvements in that area as I've lost 35 lbs the last 6 months (sitting at roughly 195 at 5'11 and 25% body fat, I'm getting there).

So, my main question is what do I need to do to better my chances of getting the job I want?

Also: I have talked to a few recruiters, the Army recruiter today told me "You're not going to get into OCS with anything under a 3.0 GPA" direct quote. Not calling him a liar, but I couldn't find any outside sources to verify that statement, hence my asking this question here. Any help?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 2:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 14:57:07 -0400

If you want to fly it would be best to go WOFT instead of OCS. It is very competitive but I have seen people fresh out of high school go WOFT. It is the same application as OCS with the only difference being that you would have to pass the SIFT test. Feel free to PM me if you have additional questions. We have a young man working with our office right now to be a rotary pilot.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jun 15 at 2018 2:59 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 14:59:09 -0400

What is important to you, $$& or flying? OCS and in as a regular officer will pay you more but fly less. Enlisting for warrant and flight school is a guaranteed flight spot if you pass everything but you will get paid less. If I had 20/20 vision when I was young, any pathway to flying would have been my path. OCS slots are needs of the Army, not your needs.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 3:34 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 15:34:45 -0400

Shoot your shot! They consider more than just GPA, I’m sure. The worst the board could say is no.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jun 15 at 2018 3:45 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 15:45:45 -0400

GPA depends on the Branch. There are a lot of Army Officers out there with GPA like yours, including me. I would ask to speak to an Officer Recruiter since he will be able to tell you right away what you need. I enlisted for a couple of years before I went to OCS, but then they were more impressed with a good ASVAB score than your GPA. Now the bad news is that when you get through OCS, while they ask where you want to Branch, it's the Needs of the Service that really decides. Don't let that panic you too much, you can always apply to Flight School, which is pretty competitive.
Air Force OTS with your GPA may be difficult. No experience with the Navy.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 3:55 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 15:55:51 -0400

The only way you are really going to fly in the Marine Corps is as a commissioned officer. As far as becoming an officer in the military, I would definitely keep working on your fitness. You need to be able to physically lead troops and sometimes you can also do that by setting the example with your effort. If you want to be in the military, keep trying, it will come.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Jun 15 at 2018 4:07 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 16:07:14 -0400

This sounds familiar to what I graduated college with, the difference being that I did ROTC. I got my first choice, Intel, which is generally on the higher end of the requirements of the GT Score. They informed me I could not be a pilot (due to my vision) but that was about it.

My grades in undergrad were actually slightly lower than yours and I couldn't do sit ups to save my life, but I have learned since then.

As has been said by many below, warrant would be a better choice to fly, as officer you would be flying a desk after CPT usually. If getting the ability to fly and flying is more important, go Warrant. If you want money and resume, go Officer.

Another piece to consider is to check with your state's National Guard (Air Force and Army) and the Reserves in the area as that should give you a better shot at getting the branch that you would want. This is more ideal if the ability to fly is the most important part.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 4:43 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 16:43:37 -0400

Aaron Howards Research what each branch has to offer you, then go talk to more recruiters. Work hard on your PT so that it is an area of strength. Anything less will not do for officers.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 5:15 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 17:15:34 -0400

Let's address the elephant in the room first, your GPA. It's not good. It's barely above what the minimum for an ROTC cadet is (2.5), but it's not a 100% exclusion. I got picked up for ROTC field training with a 2.65 and commissioned with a 2.89. I had a quarter I slacked off, failed, and spent the rest of my college trying to make up for that so I understand.

The Air Force OTS is very very competitive with a 2 year back log (last estimate I heard), and I've seen stellar people get shot down simply because someone else was just slightly better.

Your GPA is going make it hard, very hard because it's not just low, it's really low. If it was 0.1 off you could probably swing it easily but were talking about and almost 0.4 difference. That's almost half a grade letter.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 6:10 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 18:10:11 -0400

When your packet goes before the board for WOFT the board members don’t have all day to study your packet (it’s a big packet). It wouldn’t be in front of them if all the requirements weren’t already met and screened. They mainly judge based by your potential as a Warrant Officer and Letters of Recommendations if your coming off the street. I don’t think that GPA will be much of a deal, in some cases I know of the SIFT score being on the lower side and people being selected. ROTC I know goes on an order of merit for MOS and GPA matters but going through Army Flight School the GPA that counts to determine your airframe is the GPA from academics at Flight School not college or high school or anything you’ve done before. If you want to fly, go warrant. If you want to fly, and lead joe, eventually fly less and do EVERYTHING else commanders do, try OCS.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 15 at 2018 7:42 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 19:42:56 -0400

Keep us apprised of this endeavor.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 15 at 2018 9:16 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 21:16:44 -0400

What, you did not do ROTC at Texas A & M?

A former A & M president was ?General Rudder, a former Ranger keader in WW II.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 12:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 12:37:24 -0400

What you need to do is come up with an end goal, not six possible goals. From there, it is easy to backwards plan and identify your strengths and weaknesses and being selected for that goal.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 2 at 2018 2:24 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 14:24:10 -0400

As for GPA, his reference is to requirements for ROTC students. It would only make sense that you would need the same grade as they. Green to gold also requires a 3.0 if I am not mistaken. Anyway, the requirement for each service are different regarding warrant or Direct Commission. There are many trying to be pilots in all services and they often have even greater standards for entry. You should speak to each recruitment Team for each program, that is where you will receive the best advice.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 19 at 2020 1:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 13:46:11 -0400

Get a letter from the Commandant of the Corps of Cadets.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2021 9:33 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 21:33:01 -0400

Street to Seat / High School to Flight School

AGE: 17

ASVAB GT: 110

AFAST:SIFT: 58

OPAT: Heavy

EDUCATION: High School Diploma, 3.19 GPA

FLIGHT: 76.2 hours, PPL ASEL

BOARD: May 2021

LORS: MG (Aviation), CW5 (Aviation), CW4 (Aviation), CW4 (Aviation), JROTC Instructor/CW4 (Ret. Artillery), Retired Sheriff and State Representative

PHYSICAL: Class 1A Physical, No issues/waivers

OTHER INFO: 122 Volunteer Hours between three separate civic organizations