Can you go from Army Enlisted Reserves to Officer? Or are there any additional routes to become an Officer?

No that is not my only concern. Mistake on my end for not going more into depth. But I can say is that given my circumstances I would not like to live in the barracks as an enlisted soldier especially at my age. I have reasons on why I would like to become a commissioned soldier. If you would I could elaborate more if that will help me help you give me an opinion on routes to becoming an commissioned soldier.

Chris White - Knowing the duties and responsibilities of being an officer and having lived in enlisted barracks, living in the barracks as a 29yo is a far better option if that is your only reason to commission. As a single JR officer, that would have been my choice if an option. You need to go into detail if you think anyone on here is going to take you serious and you need to write as if your career depends on it. Right now I am uncertain if you would pass the interview at 7/11 much less the process to commission.

I understand MAJ Olyer now seeing the responses I’m receiving I should have definitely elaborated more. But the housing isn’t my main concern. My reasons on becoming an officer is to further my education to an point to where I’m the potential CEO or person in leadership. I know I possess the skills to be a commissioned officer. Like I said though it was my mistake not to elaborate more. Thank you for letting me know about my mistake.

I’ll go with your response then. You should try to get your GT score up to the required minimum. If you have your degree speak with an active duty recruiter about your options. Chris White

No that’s only reason why I want to go commission. Mistake on my end for not going more into depth. I can say that I do not want to live in barracks that is why I’m hesitant to join active enlisted. Given my degree and qualifications that I possess I feel I have the skills to be a commissioned soldier. I’m just trying to gather insight on options and routes I can take in becoming a commissioned officer. If you could help me with opinions that would be highly appreciated.

Chris White - Here is the deal:

The commissioning sources that the military has are: Officer Candidate School; Reserve Officer Training Corps; and Direct Commission. Other than going to college again to attend ROTC, your chances of commissioning are slim to none based on your GT and GPA. Unless you retake the ASVAB to get that GT to 110 or higher. The Direct Commission route is a route where you have a degree that the Army needs (RN, Lawyer, Doctor, Chaplain...to name a select few) and they will give you a commission pending your meeting the requirements. But your GT and GPA comes back and pretty much makes that moot.

Now, for the housing situation that you put in there: Depending on the base you would be assigned to, you may not even be allowed to live off base without written permission from your Commander. What I mean is that on some bases there is what is called Basic Officer Quarters. This is the Officer barracks. Now, if there is no room whatsoever on the base, then you would be given a Statement of Non-availability and THEN you could move off base. So, you would not be housed in barracks with Enlisted personnel...if that is your concern. Also, being a 29 year old person living in barracks is nothing new. Lots of Enlisted folk do it. In fact, unless us Enlisted folk get married or are approved to live off post or in On Post Housing (rank determining) we will pretty much always live in the barracks in some fashion or another.

Now, as for being commissioned in the Reserves and THEN going Active Duty.....while it is possible, it is HIGHLY HIGHLY rare that the Reserves will sign off approval for an Officer to transfer from Reserves to Active. If you are not able to transfer to Active as an Officer, then your housing option(s) during the weekend Battle Training Assemblies is that: If you are within 50 miles of your unit, you will just be at your own house/apartment after duty hours. 51-100 miles will afford you 1 night in a hotel room paid for by the Army. You may or may not have a roommate in that room. If you did have a roommate, it would be another Officer at roughly equal rank. 101 miles or more, you would be afforded 2 nights.

Chris White - What is your degree in? Just curious. I went the direct commission route (just commissioned, it's not lost on me that I'm the new kid on the block). However, as MSG (Join to see) pointed out, those degrees are specific and I would stress that especially with the Chaplain/ Chaplain Candidate, it needs to be a calling. If your degree is in the medical field, my uncle direct commissioned as an AMEDD Officer and there are age waivers for direct commission.

I would also point out that it is my understanding that enlisting with a bachelor's degree, you will more than likely be able to enlist as an E-4 (Specialist). The only other option I can think of, if you are set on a commission, is that some states offer an 18 month OCS through the National Guard, again though you may have to retake the ASVAB. Good luck with everything.

Yes I’m highly aware of that SSG Mullen. I’m aware they will be in military housing on post. That’s not my main concern but living in a barracks at my age is something I wouldn’t like to do. But that is not my main reason. I know I will be great as an commissioned soldier as for my accomplishments speak for themselves. I just wanted an opinion on how I could become a commissioned soldier given my circumstances. If you could help me with your opinion that will be highly appreciated.