OCS candidates

[Mick]

what are the requiments to OCS? how long can you be an officer before you get stuck behind a deck? if I join the air force guard after my 6 years with the army guard can I keep my rank?

[matthew.ritchie]

what are the requiments to OCS? how long can you be an officer before you get stuck behind a deck? if I join the air force guard after my 6 years with the army guard can I keep my rank?

Basic OCS requirements are age 39 or younger AT TIME OF COMMISSIONING, 90+ credit hours, GT score of 110 or higher, US citizen, able to obtain SECRET clearance.

I have no idea what you mean about being stuck behind a desk. That's largely up to you, in the assignments you pursue.

If the Air Guard takes you, you'll keep your rank. Remember, the Air Guard is one sixth the size of the Army Guard (they need fewer people), and they do very different things (so they might not want you). It's far more common for Air guys to move to the Army side than the other way, but it could still happen.

[perma]

Basic OCS requirements are age 39 or younger AT TIME OF COMMISSIONING, 90+ credit hours, GT score of 110 or higher, US citizen, able to obtain SECRET clearance.

I have no idea what you mean about being stuck behind a desk. That's largely up to you, in the assignments you pursue.

If the Air Guard takes you, you'll keep your rank. Remember, the Air Guard is one sixth the size of the Army Guard (they need fewer people), and they do very different things (so they might not want you). It's far more common for Air guys to move to the Army side than the other way, but it could still happen.

Hey guys, I'm an OCS candidate in NC. Once my obligation is up w/ ARNG does the AD Army allow you to enter at your current ARNG rank?

[matthew.ritchie]

There is no law that says they can't, but in practice it just doesn't happen.

[andrew.tischner]

Well i have never seen a officer cross over from the guard to the active army so I cant talk about them.

Now enlisted once you get past E5 it seems the army likes to evaluate you as a NCO and most of the time if you want to go in you loose one rank, so if your a E7 on our side and join the active army you become E6 but that doesnt need to happen its up to the army

[ARNGISP]

[QUOTE=matthew.ritchie]Basic OCS requirements are age 39 or younger AT TIME OF COMMISSIONING, 90+ credit hours, GT score of 110 or higher, US citizen, able to obtain SECRET clearance.

Is that 90 credit hours toward a 4 year degree? What if you have 90 credit hours with no degree?

[matthew.ritchie]

[QUOTE=matthew.ritchie]Basic OCS requirements are age 39 or younger AT TIME OF COMMISSIONING, 90+ credit hours, GT score of 110 or higher, US citizen, able to obtain SECRET clearance.

Is that 90 credit hours toward a 4 year degree? What if you have 90 credit hours with no degree?

You need 90 credit hours to commission. You can't get promoted to captain without a Bachelor's degree. Thus, if you aren't on track to complete the degree within a year or two after commissioning, you'll never get promoted. After a few years you'll be involuntarily separated for this failure.

Don't set yourself up for failure. If you have 90 credits that don't lead to a degree, then perhaps you should wait a year and put yourself in a better position.

[Catracho]

OK i understand the requirements for getting into the OCS program, but what i wanted to know, is it 90 Credits as in units or Accual "hours"? Can somebody please explain this to me?

[kenlediver]

I believe the college requirements are 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) to apply; 90 semester hours (or 135 quarter hours) to be commissioned.

The question lies in how does your institution award credit, and not to be crass, but if you have the required credits then there is no way that you would not know.

These are not continuing education units (CEU's), or clock hours; they are college credits. Courses are often 3 or 4 semester hours each and this is the basis of how you are billed for your education. They are earned at an accredited college.

[cgrout22]

I have a question along these lines.

I am 30 years old non-prior and want to become an officer. Can I join the ARNG with the condition that I am released if my age waiver for OCS doesn't get accepted?

Thanks.

[kimberly.jenkins1]

I am currently serving as active duty in the Army. Is there a way for me to attend National Guard OCS and still remain active duty once I get my commision?

[matthew.ritchie]

I am currently serving as active duty in the Army. Is there a way for me to attend National Guard OCS and still remain active duty once I get my commision?

This is a question you need to have with your S1. He won't know the answer, or will blow you off, so you'll need to be a bit of a priss about it. If you get a negative answer, demand to see chapter and verse in the regs why not. "We've never done it this way before" is not an answer.

With your commander's permission, you can attend ARNG OCS. You won't get any additional pay, but your commander should put you in a Permissive TDY status to cover you legally for participating.

[Mac]

[QUOTE=matthew.ritchie]Basic OCS requirements are age 39 or younger AT TIME OF COMMISSIONING, 90+ credit hours, GT score of 110 or higher, US citizen, able to obtain SECRET clearance. QUOTE]

Well, I am 39, but prior service. Any idea if there is a chance of an age waiver for us old farts?

[ChristopherM]

Basic OCS requirements are age 39 or younger AT TIME OF COMMISSIONING, 90+ credit hours, GT score of 110 or higher, US citizen, able to obtain SECRET clearance.

If the Air Guard takes you, you'll keep your rank. Remember, the Air Guard is one sixth the size of the Army Guard (they need fewer people), and they do very different things (so they might not want you). It's far more common for Air guys to move to the Army side than the other way, but it could still happen.
Hi. I'm a civilian with a Bachleor's in Microbiology, and I'm employed by the city's health department to do bioterrorism preparedness. I'm currently working on obtaining a Select Agent clearance among other things.

I've been looking at all of the branches of the military, and unfortunately I can't justify the level of commitment they are looking for (moving, family separation, risk, etc), with the pay that they are offering in return. However, I've been wanting to be a soldier since I can remember, and it's killing me to sit out these conflicts and disasters.

The Guard / Reserves really seems to be the way that I can keep my job while still getting the chance to serve and show my pride in my country. Are there any jobs in particular that are suited or appropriate for my current job field and / or background? I've also been looking at Special Forces, although I'm not entirely sure that being a 26-year-old in Special Forces would be a prudent decision. Are there some recommendations that you can give me or perhaps a place to start (job listings, etc.)?

Thank you a lot for any information that you can give.

[Michael]

I was told two weeks ago by an Army recruiter, that I was too old to apply for a commission, but that I was still able to go in enlisted. Since I am prior service, and don't always believe what I'm told. I contacted USAREC (U.S. Army Recruiting Command) last Friday to get the "Real Deal." Here's an exact quote from the USAREC rep:

"The maximum age for application to Officer Candidate School (OCS) is 29, but age waivers to age 41 are authorized for submission as long as you can leave prior to your 42d birthday."

Recruiters are not always aware of the actual requirements. I guess there just aren't that many 40-year-olds (like me), that want to get back into the fight! I hope this helps answer some of the questions out there. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

Godspeed!

[matthew.ritchie]

I was told two weeks ago by an Army recruiter, that I was too old to apply for a commission, but that I was still able to go in enlisted. Since I am prior service, and don't always believe what I'm told. I contacted USAREC (U.S. Army Recruiting Command) last Friday to get the "Real Deal." Here's an exact quote from the USAREC rep:

"The maximum age for application to Officer Candidate School (OCS) is 29, but age waivers to age 41 are authorized for submission as long as you can leave prior to your 42d birthday."

Recruiters are not always aware of the actual requirements. I guess there just aren't that many 40-year-olds (like me), that want to get back into the fight! I hope this helps answer some of the questions out there. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

Godspeed!

Have a great time in the Army Reserve.