Why do all OCS requirements listed in every publication say applicant must have less than 10 years AFS before commissioning to be qualified?

SGT Shane Adair — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 06:46:36 -0400

But the GO ARMY recruiting website says no more than 6 years? I have a 6 year enlistment that end with 6 years and 8 months. Now I want to go OCS; why are the recruiters on the website saying I am ineligible?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 6:51 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 06:51:12 -0400

6 is correct I think. I remember hurrying to get everything done so I could meet that requirment. Given when I joined the Army and went to OCS, that would be 6 years.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Jun 12 at 2018 7:51 AM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 07:51:23 -0400

Remember; in the Army nothing is as simple as it seems. Regulations are treated as guidelines only and arbitrarily changing timelines are common. Regulations state 10 years and HRD stipulates six years, so recruiters follow the HRD timeline and, not Regulations. I suggest requesting a waiver of the six-year requirement along with your application packet SGT Shane Adair. It is not guaranteed to be approved.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jun 12 at 2018 7:56 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 07:56:59 -0400

Check AR 350-51 and any updated MILPER Messages; and your career counselor for that lates and greatest information. The rule of thumb is no more than 9 years but DA might tinker every now and then with requirements based on needs.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 4:23 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 16:23:07 -0400

Most requirements are waiverable- you might want to check with a recruiter.

You may want to check out a Reserve or National Guard Commission, via a Direct or OCS Route. I believe that you may be able to get a Direct Commission if you have a Bachelor's Degree. I went the
OCS route, but in my Basic Officer Course- we had two lieutenants that were directly Commissioned.

Once you are in a Reserve Officer Billet, you could always put in a packet to "Call to Active Duty" to go Regular Army if you really wanted to.

Response by SSG James Beneda made Jun 12 at 2018 11:36 PM

SSG James Beneda — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 23:36:42 -0400

Don't talk to a recruiter, talk to your commander.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jun 21 at 2019 9:16 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 09:16:27 -0400

Because you have to make major or you revert to your enlisted grade or retire as a captain.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2019 2:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 14:16:21 -0400

GOARMY is not an approval authority nor is it a Regulation or even a referral source for recruiting purposes. The source document is AR 601-210

"Not have more than 10 accumulative years of active Federal service at time of appointment as a commissioned officer. Applicants with 9 years of Active Federal service at time of application should be carefully processed to ensure that expected graduation date allow commissioning before reaching the 10th year of service"

additionally, going OCS with NO Prior Service has different criteria than those WITH Prior Service.