What academic degrees qualify you for Direct Commission in the Army?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 20:50:27 -0400

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2020 8:52 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 20:52:44 -0400

It depends on what job you’re interested in. That’s a broad question considering the range of Direct Commission jobs available.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2020 8:56 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 20:56:44 -0400

Generally professional medical credentialed type, attorneys, and religious chaplain type degrees. A few others based on needs of the service but can vary with recruiting needs during upsizing and downsizing of those jobs.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2020 10:42 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 22:42:16 -0400

I believe the only active duty path for Direct Commission is Legal, Medical or Chaplain. Oh, CYBER!!!! had a path recently.

USAR is different, but I recommend OCS unless it is age that is blocking you out, because you can Direct Commission up to age 42.

I personally Direct Commissioned into Quartermaster in the USAR from being an Intel Analyst (35F). So it is my understanding one can Direct into ANY BRANCH in the USAR, and ideally the candidate presents a good resume to justify said branch they choose. Ergo, ANY degree will do so long as you are going after the same relative branch skill set.

But there has to be the OPENINGS!!!

I originally tired to direct commission into Military Intel from a 35F SPC. No dice. I tired again as a SGT with a deployment behind me, and an MBA and 20 years in commerce, but I went after QM and LG (I should have just done QM the first time).

Look at the vacancies in HRC and specifically for CPT's and below (there are only a few LT openings, like they rarely post E1 vacancies, and most are SPC for entry level, and same goes for Officers) Don't worry about not seeing any 2LT openings. Look for CPT's.

Also keep in mind, the vacancies are FIRST going to ROTC contracts, and those coming off Active Duty. In the process of the Direct Commission Packet you have to provide a vacancy memo from the receiving unit commander that there is a primary vacancy open.

THAT VACANCY HAS TO STILL BE OPEN WHEN YOU ARE SELECTED, which is nearly a year later. You AGAIN get a vacancy memo at the end of the selection process from the receiving commander before your commission is confirmed.

I went the Direct path because of my age (you can Direct commission all the way up to 42). I recommend OCS if you are reserve. Mainly because you lock in your billet at the BEGINNING of the packet process. I also would have benefited from OCS training before I was thrown to the wolves.

Response by MAJ Orlando Rivera made Aug 14 at 2020 1:48 AM

MAJ Orlando Rivera — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 01:48:47 -0400

Is up to needs of the service. I direct commission in In Medical Service Corps Branch with a degree in Criminal Justice. To be honest, doesn’t matter. As Reserve Officer deployed as Combat Advisor. Branch detail most of my Officer years in different things while still medical: Brigade Intel Officer
/ 35A (2 years military activation), BN Operations Officer /01A, BN Senior Human Resources and BDE Senior Human Resources/42A, Transportation Company Commander / 90A (Logistics). I returned to my Branch due to O4 promotion after 8 years out of Medical Units. Nothing hold me from promoting as long as you do your PME. Lots of possibilities.

If able pick a good field that you can use once out of the Uniform. There will always be assignment opportunities to do Branch details if demonstrate being capable of doing the duties.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2020 1:59 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 01:59:44 -0400

Any degree can open direct commission, but the Army mostly no longer accepts direct commissions except from Medical, Legal, Chaplain, and Cyber. Even then they prefer other commissioning routes.