Why is my recruiter pushing me to enlist?

[jaydez]

I am working with a recruiter who has been great up until the last week. I have a bachelors degree and was talking OCS with him the last 2 months. All of a sudden he is trying to get me to enlist as an E4 instead. I got an 88 on the ASVAB with a GT score of 125 and as far as I know I qualify for OCS.

I know enlisting I can get a bigger bonus soon and be eligible to student loan repayment. As an officer it’s a smaller bonus later and no SL repayment.

Why is he all of a sudden trying to push me to Enlist? Am I missing something?

[MAJ Powers]

Because that's his job. He is working on making his monthly mission, and may need an applicant to enlist NOW more than one in the hopper working on an OCS packet.

[California Major]

You enlist as an E4 and then go to OCS. Its called the 09S option..

[jaydez]

Well what he suggested I do (along with a captain he brought in to speak with me) is enlist for a couple of years then apply to OCS after being enlisted for a while.

This does sound like a good idea because in that time I can get my student loans repaid and be eligible for an enlistment bonus.

If I do OCS later would I still be eligible for the office accession bonus?

And I know it's been discussed 1000 times before, but does enlisting first make any sense or am I hurting myself in the long run even if I only put off OCS for 2 years?

[SteveLord]

It wouldn't hurt you. As long as you're in good shape, keep your military edge and don't get too old. ;)

Granted, there are a few who believe being enlisted first somehow taints your ability to act as an officer.

[SteveGuard]

Personally,
It sounds like your recruiter is trying to meet an enlistment goal, and is dangling a lot of things in front of you - that while may be true, are taking you off your focus.

I would fully exploit one of the officers here to see what the benefits of going straight OCS over enlisting would be as far as that goes.


I got a $20,000 bonus for enlisting. If I complete 3 years as an enlisted soldier. If I took the Officer route at any point prior to my year anniversary - I lost out on the $20,000 bonus and would get a $10,000 Officer bonus. You'd have to stay in for 3 years to maximize your enlisted bonus, and then capitalize on the officer bonus (And if you are going State OCS you might as well add another 13 months time before that).

So you're realistically looking at 4 years , to earn $30,000 and graduate as a Second LT from OCS (If you go State route) and 3 years if you are going traditional if you wanted to enlist and keep your bonus.

By that time you could already be a Captain, and the amount of money you would have made in your Officer schooling while an O-1 and an O-2 will not make you feel too bad about losing on out a 28% taxed 10,000.

I guess what really depends is the SLRP, and how important those X amount of dollars in student loans are to you.

[cyall]

If I do OCS later would I still be eligible for the office accession bonus?



Nobody knows. Getting that bonus is like chasing the wind and getting the stars to align properly. The rules and eligible branches will change.

[K-TownMT]

Get your education before you deploy... My recruiter told me from his experience to go to college first before going active. Dont let him tell you what you should do, tell him what you want on the above the dotted line.

[Chaplain4me]

If your heart is set on OCS, settle for nothing less.

Though it is easier to transfer to active duty as an enlisted person rather than an officer, I do believe.

[Phantom]

Once your recruiter gets you in, thats it.. So when you want to go to OCS down the road and in the chance someone says NO, the "my recruiter said I could" excuse doesnt happen. Once you ship, you say goodbye to Recruiter land. Go ask one of my soldiers, when he gave me the excuse that his recruiter said he didnt have to go to Airborne School, and is an airborne unit. Dont build your plans on potential promises, get things in writing. If its not what you want, dont sign it, til it is.

[7011USMC]

Granted, there are a few who believe being enlisted first somehow taints your ability to act as an officer.

Ah the aristocracts...."the priviledge to breathe the same air and be in the presence of greatness"! Military personnel are taught customs & courtesy and abide by it; In reality Joes respect the "mustang officer" 100% X's more than the rotc, and the academy officer.

At least the OCS candidate has experienced BCT/AIT from a IET and NG prospective. OCS source from the AD side (some have) "years of experience" and command respect by being a O1E/02E/03E etc.

Does it make you a better officer? Perhaps (IMO absolutely) ....I agree with Cali Major comments and just by his resume I guarantee he is the epitome of a "leader vs manager".

[notyetdead]

Granted, there are a few who believe being enlisted first somehow taints your ability to act as an officer.
Interesting. I've met MUCH more prejudice that spending a few months as an enlisted somehow makes your ability to be a better officer.

If you want to go enlisted, get enlisted. If you want to be an officer, get commissioned. Big respect for folks who go the mustang route and spent 10 years as an NCO before going officer. Valuable insight. Enlisting for a year before getting your officer bars? Meh.

Two different career paths, but some is common. Pick the one that is right for you and then work hard, carry yourself with honor, better the working conditions those who report to you, guard dog those who are loyal and break your back making your unit the best it can be.

[7011USMC]

Two different career paths, but some is common. Pick the one that is right for you and then work hard, carry yourself with honor, better the working conditions those who report to you, guard dog those who are loyal and break your back making your unit the best it can be.

Excellent work ethics of a leader.