Non-Prior Interested in OCS (Questions)

[aprotic]

Hello everyone,

I am 33yrs old with a double BS in Biology and Chemistry. I'm really interested in serving in the Guard, but I wanted to get all my information together before I talk to a recruiter. I just had some question about OCS:

1. Is it possible for me to keep my civilian job (pharmaceutical microbiologist), while concurrently attending OCS? How about while serving in the Guard as an officer? If so, long should I expect to be gone from my job while I am in OCS?

2. Do I need letters of recommendation for OCS? (Just curious) Also, how difficult would it be for me to get an age waiver?

3. Will I be able to suggest where I would like to be placed after OCS? In my case, I would like to be in a lab or doing something with research or medical. (Could the Guard use someone with my background?)

4. And finally, am I too old to go the PA route? Would this (or could this) be a full-time job? (That would be great!)

Sorry for the lengthy message. Thanks in advance for any replies.:)

[matthew.ritchie]

1. You will need to attend Basic Training, just like everyone else. That's 10 weeks away from home. For the OCS training itself, you'll do that on an inactive duty schedule -- one weekend per month, 15 days in the summer -- so that will be largely transparent to your job. After commissioning, you'll have 4-6 months of active duty for training for your officer career field (Basic Officer Leader Course), and there's no way out of that. Between Basic and BOLC, you'll have about 18 months, so it spreads out the job disruption.
2. You are over the age limit, but if that's the only thing wrong I'm not worried about an age waiver. You'll get it.
3. There are no slots for medical researcher. You might get Med Service Corps, and serve as a platoon leader of medics, but that's a small career field. I recommend broadening your horizons. If you're a medical researcher during week, why do it on the weekend? Do something completely different and have a different set of experiences.
4. Once you have your degree and licensing, you can become a PA in the Guard at any time. There are a few full-time positions for PAs, but you'll likely need to be flexible (i.e., move). I recommend starting with an OCS enlistment, and while that's in progress you can draw some educational benefits to become a PA.

Feel free to email me with your number so we can have a telephone conversation about this. I want to ensure that you have thought through your benefits and obligations before visiting a Recruiter.