What would give me the best chance of commissioning, USAF OTS or ROTC?

James Lewendowski — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 17:39:05 -0400

I have a year left of college and unfortunately didn't even think of rotc until now... I think the shortest program I could even get into would be two years min.

My question is, what would give me the best chance of commissioning? I know OTS is very competitive which is why I ask. If I did ROTC I would have to take an extra year of classes, maybe a minor.

Any suggestions would be helpful

Response by MAJ Michael Roe made Sep 4 at 2018 5:40 PM

MAJ Michael Roe — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 17:40:58 -0400

I knew a guy that did it during grad school. Of course that was Army and 1994.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2018 5:42 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 17:42:35 -0400

ROTC is by far the easiest. Not a guarantee, but easier.

Response by HN Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2018 5:43 PM

HN Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 17:43:47 -0400

If you only have one year left then I suggest in listing and then going OTS. But this is so you will also have gone through BMT, well that might not sound like a big deal I think that is super important for any officer to have gone through so they can really put themselves in there subordinates shoes. Looking back if I would’ve had the chance to do SMP or go OTS I would have jumped at the opportunity because bridging the gap between you and your men and women under your command is very very vital towards unit cohesion. It will also give you a deeper respect of each different side of the military, Officer and Enlsited.

Response by COL Dana Hampton made Sep 4 at 2018 5:50 PM

COL Dana Hampton — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 17:50:42 -0400

The Army needs more officers than the AF unless you are a pilot. The AF needs pilots. If you go Army ROTC, you’ll need 2-years of college left and you’ll need to go to Cadet styled basic training at Ft Knox this coming summer before starting ou MS III year.

You could also enslist for Army OCS after earning your degree. So that’s a 3rd option to consider.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Sep 4 at 2018 6:03 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 18:03:08 -0400

Do not go enlisted. What is your major? Could you get a second major with another year to go?

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Sep 4 at 2018 7:56 PM

CPT Brad Wilson — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 19:56:42 -0400

Graduate then enlist then go to OCS or enlist do the delayed entry gin to Basic when you graduate the go to OCS

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2018 8:12 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:12:10 -0400

I was enlisted. Got out out. Got my degree. Re enlisted. Spent two years chasing an OTS slot. But once I got it I became an officer two months later. It worked for me. The AF wants officers of all kinds. Intel Officers and RPA (drone) Pilots are the largest demand. But we need others as well.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Sep 4 at 2018 10:14 PM

LTC John Mohor — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 22:14:26 -0400

In my humble opinion ROTC is easiest. With a year left you could spread courses around and get a double major, two minors certification to teach or even a Masters if you have the time and funds!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 5 at 2018 6:40 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 06:40:54 -0400

http://www.ocsfoundation.org

First, register with this, and read through the forum, toupl find it useful....

OCS Foundation

SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 5 at 2018 7:31 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 07:31:08 -0400

Next, as I'm constantly saying on here for career/educ questions, you're being way to vague...I'll explain why, OK? I was Army ROTC then went USAF OTS back when dinos walked the Earth, it was at Lacklamd then, not Maxwell....you need to give all of is a whole lot more, serious detailed info, otherwise we can't suggest enough to help you, OK? You said you're going I gather for Bach level now...what major? Grades? GPA? Did you get an assocs first? If so, same info, major, grades, GPA, so far as you can give...next, exact actual course titles, not generalities as to major, exact topics taken, numbers of credits, all of that, the more you give, the more we can all suggest...further, do you want STEM? Non-STEM? Clinical? Nonclinical? Humanities/social sciences? What flight interests? Have you looked at other svcs? If so, which, and for what? Would you want to try for warrant at all? Direct commission going to an OIS, am indoc program, as opposed to an OCS? You've gotta understand, I haven't seen everything, however, I've seen a good deal...if you'd want cyber, there's Navy WO1 warrant that was just reopened for that, or Army direct commission cyber...would you try for nav/WSO/NFO backseat in flight, or must you have pilot...if you've got flight interests, there's always Army WOCS for rotary wing flight, as that only needs high school...would you consider trying for USCG direct commission engineering? If clinical, would you consider USPHS Commissioned Corps? If pure science and/or flight, would you consider NOAA Commissioned Corps?

Here's the thing: I got it all wrong, for the simple reason, I was impulsive, fused it, went in ignorantly, totally unprepared for the role...I jadmt been prior enlisted, tatd have helped me adjust to warrant or commissioned immensely...next, if you even do get in, your Bach means zilch, other han to get you in the door, you're gonna have to start a !asters immed and ASAP, ten there's also the orofsnl mil educ (PME) to do, not just for your svc, but for other svcs, to broaden you...anyone who tells you a Bach suffices to stay in, has zero clue what they're talking about, zip, mada, goose egg, trust me, been there, done that (BTDT)...my next younger brother was USMMA Kings Point, I commissioned him, I also went with my Army ROTC unit up to West Point to train with the cadets up there, barracks, formations, obstacle course, orienteering range, rappelling off their cliffs, earing with them in the dining hall, the whole bit, so far as was allowed...I worked with guys from other ROTC program!s from USAF, there were guys from other svcs, enlistees, who'd gone to USAF OTS while I was there, ry had a far easier time, one guy even had Navy dolphins...when I was the BOQ where I was assigned, we had guys from all SCCS, all allied countries where i was assigned, incl USMC and USCG...I also walked trough the BOTC at USMMA, the NOAA Corps OCS program school, while I was there when my brother finished...he was Merchant Marine, we had a family friend who'd been Army enlisted, got Army WOCS for rotary win flight, then finished his Bach in aviation and finished his 20 yrs in USCG rotary wing, he I think went OIS for USCG, as he'd been Army warrant at tat point, he might've been direct commissioned, I'm unsure, but that was what happened...I've interviewed for all svcs, other than USMC, incl Navy 6 yr nucl per enlisted, I've got friends who were Navy nuc enlisted, epthen switched to electronics, another who went Navy OCS for damage control for SWOS, surface warfare school, I saw him there with friends for dinner in Newport, RI once...my Dad was enlisted Navy, my uncle was a SSgt under Gen Eisenhower, one of his personal radio operators in WW2, my wife's Dad was Army enlisted and went Army field artillery OCS getting Bronze Star for charging a minefield in Europe, my uncle's unit got a Presidential Unit citation...my wife's staepdad was WW2 and Korea Navy enlisted ams in Korea, shells flying, kamikazes falling, bullets whizzing...my next younger brother's father in law was an Army enlisted cook with USMC at the Chosen Reservoir in Korea during the Chine human wace attacks, my Dad was a Grmman TBM Avenger mechanic, his unit deployed to he USS Block Island in the Carrivean, by next younger brother was USN Mil Sealift Command (MSC) having been just about all over the whole world...so, when I ask you for specifics, it's been because I've seen, read, or done, or known others who have, just about most of it...my wife's late brother was KC-135 aircrew and mechanic in SAC with USAF during the Cold War....so, as I said, the more you give, the more I and others can suggest...what prompts tour interest? Were family in at all? Friends? Friends of family? Did you want grad school at all? If so, for what, explicitly? Masters? PhD? Law? I hope all that helps, my object isn't to overwhelm, my goal is to try to educate, honest...give all I'd said rhoughtz and let me know tour thoughts, I'd only suggest, that if you really want it, fine, all to the good, I'd never dissuade you, however, take the time, research it thoroughly for all svcs, and do it right...I didn't, I wound up in the wrong place, as a result, havi g not listed to a recruiter who tried to send me to a colleague who was the right one...I'd wanted the clinical side, and to have been a flight surgeon...instead, I would d up in a line unit which, while I was trained for what they did, it wasn't anything I'd wanted or hoped for, for the simple reason I was an impulsive idiot, wanted to please my Dad, and rushed it, besides envying my next younger brother at tat point...you don't need to rush it, you have time, I assure you, so that what I tell you, learn from my mistakes, and believe what I sat, OK? I'd be most eager to hear more, honest...remember, we're all here to help, honest, however, if you jump impulsively, you're only likely to vollix it up, plus, we don't know how much you actually know about svc day to day existence...your function is to be q public servant, no different than an elected official, held to an even higher standard, and to be utterly above reproach at all times...tour function, regardless of where you end up, is to further tour unit, which I had to do not merely under active duty, but also civil servants, which I hadn't expected, quite frequently almost lierallt needing to have my head pounded into the pavement to get me to understand my obligations...I'd often have to work in the office I was in till three in the morning, get back at eight the next day, and all too frequently get screamed at if I vollixed sryuff up, which I can assure tiu happened to me more than once, promise...you're dome with work, when you're done with work, and till them, you're not dine with work, it's as so please as that...then there were the"additional duties'...researching an enlisted airman for damaging a truck in a snow accident, I found d he wasn't at fault...charity drives...Company Grad Officers Council (CGOC), learning to keep a diary to organize my time and work as well as helping contribute to my semiannual performance evals...grad coursework all night long, USAF Squadron Officers School (SOS) and USMC Command and Staff program, both in extension, till all hours of the night...programming till I was so bleary eyed I xoudlnt stand up and being called a total idiot the next day, watching friends get the clinical side while I was totally stuck where I was...I also saw a great many amazing things, incl having met two Apollo astronauts, one while at USAF OTS, one after I got out, knowing many senior officers, getting a plaque from my unit CO unexpectedly then being chewed out sitting with him, for over an hour rll I was a limp dishrag, a Vietnam War hero who'd received the DFC and flew 150 missions in an O-2, an armored Piper Cub, among other things, he'd just been picked for brig genl, I knew him as a colonel...the most impressive awe inspiring human I ever met...so trust me I've seen a good deal, and related the good and the bad so tour get a balanced view...I had to go through USAF OTS twice after appealing after Army ROTC to get in...you can be told all the stuff tar's supposed to go right, however, you never know what can go wrong, rill you're there, and learn it vt sheer anecdotal exposure, I assure you...I hope you found all that, as I'd said, of some use...I'd be most eager to hear more, as I'd said, whenever you can send it, as well, no rush, if you want to chat further, just ask, OK?

Response by BG David Fleming III made Sep 5 at 2018 9:51 AM

BG David Fleming III — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 09:51:14 -0400

ROTC is not an option! You need at least two years of college remaining to get into a ROTC Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). This is a program for those soldiers who are already in the Enlisted ranks and attending college. Your only option now is the Officer Candidate School) program (OCS) once you enlist! Sorry to deliver the bad news. Best of luck!

Response by COL Brad Welch made Sep 5 at 2018 2:42 PM

COL Brad Welch — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 14:42:06 -0400

You could enlist in the Army after graduating, go through Basic and Advanced Individual Training, and then apply for OCS. You might have to serve a year or so before OCS, but you would probably be an E4 out of AIT and a SGT in short order due to your education level.

If you don't have any military (not counting JROTC) experience/service, you would need at least two and probably three years to complete ROTC.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 5 at 2018 5:30 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 17:30:28 -0400

You can try Army OCS.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Sep 5 at 2018 9:12 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:12:36 -0400

Army ROTC would require a minimum of 2 years after you complete Basic Camp. However, with the Army being the largest branch of service, it has the most officer requirements so you may stand a better chance of getting through the program and doing something close to what you want. Army ROTC has specific Graduate program scholarships that could cover those 2 years. I would enroll in the initial class now so you can see what ROTC is about and also make yourself known to the cadre. Than you can make a more educated decision.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 6 at 2018 8:14 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:14:50 -0400

If you can qualify to go to pilot training then either path may be easier to get into. Otherwise I recommend ROTC. If you can afford the time and cost complete your bachelors and start your masters degree.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2018 3:41 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 15:41:00 -0400

What are you studying? What are you looking to do for the military? I went to Basic Officer Leader Course with plenty of Lieutenants, Captains, and even a Major (!) who came in by direct commissioning. I'm in the medical field though. The Captains and Major were primarily physicians and surgeons. The Lieutenants were mainly nurses who had already worked in their career fields for a year or so. Talk to a recruiter who specifically recruits for the officer side and they should be able to help you choose whether another year of school and ROTC is your best option.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2018 7:20 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 19:20:09 -0400

James I am jumping on late to this and I haven’t read your full response thread. If you have a 3.0 GPA and zero arrests (even the ones you may think are expunged) then you have the enlisted OCS option. The higher the GPA the better your chances. You need to score very well on your Army Physical Fitness Test and you should have some community service/ volunteer identified.Your file needs to include letters of recommendation from community and school leaders- if you know any senior military leaders in the COL or higher rank those letters would also be beneficial. The next step is doing well at the PCs board held at the battalion. It is a very competitive program as each battalion gets few OCS slots. My battalion in Baltimore had a few more slots but that was due to the “population quality” and referrals from general officers.

If all else fails you can enlist and then apply for OCS through your unit. I had a great young officer take that exact path.

Hope this helps.