Who should I contact to inquire about Direct Commission?

Ashim Gupta — Sun, 24 May 2020 18:58:04 -0400

I have a Masters of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Molecular Biology. After completion of my PhD, I also obtained my MBA. I have never served in the military. I am interested in joining as a Direct Commissioned officer, if eligible, and serve. I have been talking to one recruiter, but the recruiter is not giving me any information related to direct commission. I was told that I have to go through 10 weeks of BMT followed by 12 weeks of OCS followed by additional training. I know someone with a MS and PhD, who was directly commissioned without going through BMT and OCS. I am a permanent US Resident. I will appreciate your guidance in helping me move in the right direction.
Thank You.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2020 7:04 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2020 19:04:16 -0400

Contact an AMEDD recruiter.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2020 7:07 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2020 19:07:24 -0400

https://www.google.com/search?q=amedd+recruiter&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari&dlnr=1&sei=j_3KXp35KYOWsQX7qo4w#dlnr=1&trex=m_t:lcl_akp,rc_f:rln,rc_ludocids: [login to see] 403643340,ru_lqi:Cg9hbWVkZCByZWNydWl0ZXJaIgoPYW1lZGQgcmVjcnVpdGVyIg9hbWVkZCByZWNydWl0ZXI

amedd recruiter - Google Search

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2020 9:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2020 21:58:43 -0400

While not actually military, you could direct commission into the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. It’s one of the eight uniformed services of the US and consists entirely of officers and they frequently serve alongside military counterparts, wear the uniform, and serve on active duty as well as receive all the active duty benefits

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2020 3:14 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 May 2020 15:14:17 -0400

I’m not sure if your degrees equate to a specific career field; thus, the recruiter is pushing you towards the OCS route. The best advice provided is to contact an AMEDD recruiter. A basic branch recruiter cannot complete an accession for a specialty branch commission.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2020 8:00 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 May 2020 20:00:10 -0400

Aloha Ashim,

I can only share my experience. It is is possible to direct commission regardless of your advanced degrees. It does make it easier if they are in the medical or legs field.

If your degrees are non medical or legal, you might be able to direct commission as a 70B and 2LT. My Phd and MPH are in Epidemiology but I did not qualify for the 72D (environmental science officer) as a bachelors in public heath was required but the army would not accept my higher degrees.

It would have taken too much time to get a second bachelors at the time (which I ended up doing) so I worked with my AMEDD recruiter and commissioned in DEC 2018 as a 70B. You do NOT need any specific degree for the 70B. However, I’ve heard they stopped the direct commission process for the 70 series so your best bet is to contact an AMEDD recruiter as suggested by LTC Private RallyPoint Member

Good luck!