What would I need to look into to build a strong Green to Gold packet for my rank?

I have had a few of my Soldiers go OCS over the last few years. The packet requirements have been different in a few cases, but some of the big items were consistent high APFT scores, college transcripts and Command letters of Recommendation. My Brigade Commander wrote me a solid letter of recommendation when I applied for OCS. Best of luck to you and if you aren't accepted the first time, take the recommendations, better your packet and don't give up.

I just commissioned this past weekend through Green to Gold ADO at the University of Arkansas ROTC. I put in my packet February 2016 and was accepted in April, left that August.

ADO requires you to be able to complete your degree in 21 consecutive months on the program - so pretty much four semesters and if you can swing some intermediate semesters too. The other option is Scholarship which is a break in service and you can do 4 years or 3 years - just showing you can complete the degree in that timeframe.

When I did my packet, another soldier in my unit was doing his at the same time. He was denied and I was accepted. So, I can only gauge off the differences in our packets to determine what made me standout more than him. I was an NCO with two NCOERs (when I completed the packet) that showed high ratings, I had completed WLC (now BLC) on the Commandants List, two combat deployments, a 272 APFT, my GPA at the time was 3.89. The other guy was an E4 with no NCOERs, he had finished BLC but was not Commandants list, he had a 300(t) APFT, one deployment, and his GPA was 2.8. So, what I took from that was the board really looked at GPA and our Evaluations. We both had letters of recommendations from prominent military leaders, and we both had about the same as far as awards (not an award but I had a CAB and he didn’t but I don’t think that played a factor). His APFT was significantly better but his GPA was much lower; and he had no Evals.

During my time at ROTC, I met a few Green to Golds - most were NCOs when they left but some were specialist; I didn’t meet any PVTs. The specialists I talked to said they had extremely high GPAs and did well at WLC. Those are the ones that got ADO. Most of the specialists I met who were green to gold went scholarship route and they said it was a little more lenient. Now, there were a lot of prior service soldiers and they all got out, then joined he program (not on Green to Gold) and they did fine.

If you have any questions shoot me a PM - I literally just finished my Green to Gold so it is pretty fresh in my mind. Good luck.

I did a Green to Gold packet myself and am a QM Officer. I recently set this account up so my profile isn't completed yet and I'm going to the field for a couple weeks but I'd be more than happy to help you out.

Just to clarify, are you looking to do OCS or Green to Gold? Some people think they are the same and I just want to be sure you're aware of the differences. OCS is when you already have a Bachelor's degree and you go through a several month training as a "Candidate" and then are Commissioned upon completion.

Green to Gold is if you have an Associates Degree, you will be given orders to attend an ROTC program at a University that accepts you and the key is to make sure you are "academically aligned'' to graduate within two years.

I came into the Army with 2 years of college completed already so I met the main prerequisite. I thought about doing ROTC immediately but I wanted to do an enlistment first to see if I liked the military before making such a commitment. Your first step would be to decide which University you want to attend and then transfer your credits there. You may think you have 2 years of college completed and then find out that your credits from AIT don't mean anything to a typical University. I received 27 credits from my AIT as a 35F and I think only one class actually mattered. It didn't matter for me though because I already had two years of college completed prior to enlisting.

With me working in the S2 shop and briefing my Battalion Commander weekly, it definitely helped because he actually knew who I was and the quality of work that I did considering what very limited experience I had. My recommendation would be to let your supervisor know of your intentions. If you have a good PL/PSG or staff OIC/NCOIC, they will be very supportive of you. I still keep in touch with mine and reach back for advice/mentorship.

There are a lot of requirements for the packet that have to align but if you do the legwork yourself and get everything together, people aren't going to shoot you down as long as you have a solid work ethic and potential. People want to help people who want to help themselves.

And when you do cross over, don't forget what it felt like to be the little guy. Never become friends with your subordinates, but if a Soldier asks you for advice, take the time to give it to them. You're always going to be busy, but you'd be surprised to see the dividends paid when you take the time to develop your subordinates. It's been a humbling transition for me and it's very difficult to put into words the different perspective I have now.