Posted on Jan 18, 2017
ROTC or OCS: does one affect your career more than the other? Which did you choose, and why?
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I was active for 8 years, deployed with the 101st to Afghan in 08-09 and got out, joined the reserves in '14, joined ROTC in Fall '15. I could have done OCS since I already had my bachelor's, but instead opted to get my Master's and managed to claw my way into ROTC. It's taking 2.5 years but I have a buddy who just graduated and is taking the 3 month route in OCS. I might be a little jealous...
ROTC
OCS
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 16
I went the ROTC route as prior service. I don't think the pathway matters (between ROTC vs. OCS). What does matter is how you perform in your jobs once you get the commission.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
Colonel Broom, True, that is the bottom line that measures Your career success, not the route used to get there !
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COL (Join to see)
The difference is the prior service part. Whether through OCS or ROTC, those who are able to transition in the officer Corps cleanly bring with them experience and credibility. Problem is there are many who cannot break from relationships or ingrained behaviors that can cause pitfalls and issues of fraternization. As long as the officer is cognizant of that and treats each job as the best they have ever had, they should see success
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While I'm not an Officer (clearly), I have experience with Officers that went both routes. To me, there was no difference in which one affected the career route (by my witness, anyway). To me, it's the quality of character of the Officer. To which, that quality of character is already present long before they get that gold bar on the shoulder.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
One unit I was in all of our officers were prior enlisted and what a great group ! They ranged in rank from SSgt to MSgt. I know two of them went all the way to Full Colonel, 06. One that made it to full Colonel I had done enlisted time with and He was a MSgt and had to get an age waiver to be commissioned as a 2Lt. i know when He retired He told Me He knew He would never get a star but never expected to go as far as He did in rank and couldn't be happier about it.
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MSG (Join to see)
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - I knew a gentleman that had attained 1SG in the Army, then got commissioned and attained Colonel. He was an extraordinary Soldier.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
MSG (Join to see) - Also at Hickam AFB, HI our Commander there went up to MSgt in the USAF Air Police and was commissioned as a 2Lt and retired at the rank of Lt. Col. He was also a Veteran of WWII, Korea and Viet Nam.
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Here's how it works.... It is all about "manner of performance." Many think seem to OCS is better, looking up, as they seem to like prior service officers, which you are in either case. Once you are commissioned, USMA, OCS, ROTC, or Direct, you (we) are all on the same playing field. Then, it is all about manner of performance. Officers from all all sources succeed and fail in numbers commensurate with the percentages they provide to the total Army every year. No one source has a leg up. Some think they do. I did my Master Thesis on this very topic, and I sat on more than one promotion board... plus 33 years in the field; 29 as an O. CPT (Join to see)
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CPT (Join to see)
Thank you sir. I'm just looking at the time difference. If I would have went OCS, I'd be done and a 1LT already, but I wouldn't be almost done with my Master's, so I guess it's apples and oranges.
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COL Charles Williams
CPT (Join to see) - I understand, but for me, I had to go to school 3-4 nights a week, and weekends from 85 to 88 to finish my BS. It was a lot of work with, but it had to be done. OCS was my best option, because, at the time, Green to Gold did not exist, so I would have been on my own... Hard to do, if you are married, have bills etc.... Sounds like you made the right choice.
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