Posted on Jan 8, 2018
What is the best way for a young soldier to become an officer, ROTC or OCS?
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What is "the best" way for a young, promising soldier to go about commissioning in the Army/NG/Reserves?
I have been enlisted for just over two years and I believe that my short military career has been a tremendous experience. I know what it's like to be out in the field, working my tail off, sweating through uniforms on a hot summers day. This passed year at a training event, some of the soldiers in my battery had a very interesting discussion about the pros and cons of certain commissioning outlets, specifically ROTC and OCS.
Some soldiers argued that ROTC was the best way to obtain a commission because it allowed you to become a LT at (usually) a young(er) age. Being put in a position with such responsibility makes you "mature" quickly and you become adaptive. ROTC not only keeps a young soldier on task to obtain there degree, but provides practice and experience in some things soldiers may not get enough practice with on the enlisted side such as Drill and Ceremony. It is also noted that ROTC can provide great monetary benefits for reservists who are already using state allocated funds.
Others argued that OCS was without a doubt the best way to become a officer. Being able to have leadership experience on the enlisted side of the rank structure usually translates to a better relationship with your soldiers. To be a good leader one needs to have been a really good follower beforehand. Some argued that there was sort of "silent" respect by enlisted personnel to officers who have been in enlisted leadership roles before and passed the rigorous OCS.
What's your opinion on the matter? What is the best way for a promising young soldier to become an officer? Should he/she stay enlisted and obtain a commission through OCS or finish college and graduate through an ROTC program.
Have you gone through either of these programs? Feel free to share why you chose your path what you learned along the way!
Photo Credit: DoD photo by Spc. Charles W. Gill, U.S. Army. (Released)
I have been enlisted for just over two years and I believe that my short military career has been a tremendous experience. I know what it's like to be out in the field, working my tail off, sweating through uniforms on a hot summers day. This passed year at a training event, some of the soldiers in my battery had a very interesting discussion about the pros and cons of certain commissioning outlets, specifically ROTC and OCS.
Some soldiers argued that ROTC was the best way to obtain a commission because it allowed you to become a LT at (usually) a young(er) age. Being put in a position with such responsibility makes you "mature" quickly and you become adaptive. ROTC not only keeps a young soldier on task to obtain there degree, but provides practice and experience in some things soldiers may not get enough practice with on the enlisted side such as Drill and Ceremony. It is also noted that ROTC can provide great monetary benefits for reservists who are already using state allocated funds.
Others argued that OCS was without a doubt the best way to become a officer. Being able to have leadership experience on the enlisted side of the rank structure usually translates to a better relationship with your soldiers. To be a good leader one needs to have been a really good follower beforehand. Some argued that there was sort of "silent" respect by enlisted personnel to officers who have been in enlisted leadership roles before and passed the rigorous OCS.
What's your opinion on the matter? What is the best way for a promising young soldier to become an officer? Should he/she stay enlisted and obtain a commission through OCS or finish college and graduate through an ROTC program.
Have you gone through either of these programs? Feel free to share why you chose your path what you learned along the way!
Photo Credit: DoD photo by Spc. Charles W. Gill, U.S. Army. (Released)
ROTC
OCS
Training NCO
Officers
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 39
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Don't rule out either one, both a viable way to obtain a commissioned Officer's rank. I both case the object is to prepare You to become a leader. It is true that prior enlisted people often become excellent Officers but like anything else its having put more experience under their belt and understanding how things work at one level before moving onto another. In many cases Military academies in example The Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, Norwich University to name a few with ROTC programs are an excellent way to approach these leadership positions. In any event listen, learn and don't think You know all the answers, You will still have a lot to experience and continue to learn.
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SSG (Join to see)
SMSgt McCarter,
I think it's very valuable that you accounted for military academies. This is not something we considered in our conversation as we may have "generalized" ROTC programs collectively. Thanks for your in depth response!
I think it's very valuable that you accounted for military academies. This is not something we considered in our conversation as we may have "generalized" ROTC programs collectively. Thanks for your in depth response!
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
SSG (Join to see) - Also don't forget the US service academies themselves, they are all highly competitive to enter but the end result is not only an excellent college education but of course a commission in the US Armed Forces. There are certainly a few routes that can be taken. The service academies or private Military academies however the focus is Military each and every day, formations, PT, Military Drill, living in the dorms and having room inspections, and staying busy until the playing of taps. This is not a part time Military training experience but full time as a Cadet at a Military Academy.
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SSG (Join to see)
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - We left military academies out of our conversation although they truly are an asset to generating some of the nations finest commissioned officers!
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
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Your question incorrectly assumes that ROTC is for non-prior service soldiers and OCS is for only prior service soldiers. I went through ROTC after 5 years of being enlisted in the Marines. This worked well for me since I was already in college I could gain my commission while earning my degree. For those that already have a degree, civilian or not, ROTC is not an option.
As far as which one is better, you'll probably get different takes from different people. But my take on it is, if you're currently in school do ROTC. You'll get paid, learn some stuff, and when you graduate you're done. But like I said, if you've already completed college, that's not an option. But not everyone who goes through OCS is prior service.
As far as which one is better, you'll probably get different takes from different people. But my take on it is, if you're currently in school do ROTC. You'll get paid, learn some stuff, and when you graduate you're done. But like I said, if you've already completed college, that's not an option. But not everyone who goes through OCS is prior service.
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SSG (Join to see)
CPT Lawrence Cable - I've done my research and tried setting myself the best way possible. At 17 (with parental consent) I enlisted in the ILARNG which offers 100% tuition assistance. I used this tuition assistance to obtain my associates degree and now looking to further my education at a state university. The SMP allows you to pay for your tuition using the NG tuition assistance program, ROTC gives you room and board money (Im living in a condo), and I still received a kicker and bonus through my initial contract. Not to mention ROTC students receive a book allowance. Also, I will have two roommates in my condo paying for my mortgage and THEN SOME. When it's all said and done, I would say that this is a very good way to not only begin a military career, but a good way to start off adulthood. DEBT FREE and owning something!
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CPT Lawrence Cable
It sounds like you did the research and have a strong a viable plan in place to get it done. Good luck.
Are you going to remain a Guard Officer or thinking about doing a bit of Active Duty?
Are you going to remain a Guard Officer or thinking about doing a bit of Active Duty?
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In all reality, either way is fine. However, what you will need to look at is whether or not you want to earn your degree outside the military or in. If you want to leave for a bit and go Green to Gold and do the ROTC route then that is fine. Go for it. OCS requires that you have already received a bachelors degree and you just need to go through a commissioning program. So, you can go to college on active duty or what have you and receive your 4 year degree and choose to then put in your packet to go to OCS or you can choose to drop a packet for Green to Gold and go to school for the four years and commission directly out of the program, or you can choose to leave the service altogether and go to a school to get your degree, utilizing an ROTC program if you like. Both routes are fine, they will get you the same end state.
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