Posted on May 4, 2019
Currently, how competitive is it to branch Infantry out of OCS?
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Good evening. I have signed my 09S contract and ship to BCT in less than 3 months. I have been hearing mixed things recently with how competitive it is to branch Infantry. My second and third choices are Engineering and Armor respectively.
Quite bluntly, I really don't see myself in a non-combat branch (to be clear, I mean no disrespect if you serve in one of these branches, it's jut something I don't see myself doing). I chose the Army over the Marines mainly due to the fact that one of my long term goals is to be a professor at a military academy and Annapolis seldom selects Marines as faculty. Recently, I am wondering whether this is the right choice.
I apologize if I sound indecisive (I normally am not). Your help is much appreciated.
Quite bluntly, I really don't see myself in a non-combat branch (to be clear, I mean no disrespect if you serve in one of these branches, it's jut something I don't see myself doing). I chose the Army over the Marines mainly due to the fact that one of my long term goals is to be a professor at a military academy and Annapolis seldom selects Marines as faculty. Recently, I am wondering whether this is the right choice.
I apologize if I sound indecisive (I normally am not). Your help is much appreciated.
Posted in these groups: 
OCS
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (USMC)
11A: Infantry Officer
OCS Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army) Officer Candidate School (OCS) (USMC) 11A: Infantry Officer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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It wont be competitive if you are a top 10% in your class. Be better then everyone else and you will never have anything to worry about.
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It all depends where you graduate in your class ranking and needs of the Army. Honor Graduate usually gets Branch of choice. The higher you are in class ranking the likelier you are to get your branch of choice. Physical fitness is also very big in the combat arms so you should be focusing the 3 months you have before shipping out in getting in the best shape you can. Don’t count on getting in shape at basic. If you are in good shape, start putting weight on your back and going for timed hikes shooting for 15 minute or under miles. Build up to 12 miles at that pace with a 55lbs ruck. Always shoot for a 300 on your APFT. I was Infantry enlisted and was branched Armor as an officer. Both were fun in their own way. Great thing is, even if you get branched in something you don’t like, you can always put in for a branch detail or transfer before going to your Captain Career’s Course (happens about your 3rd year in). Good luck. One last thing, if you are going Infantry, make sure you go to Ranger School and Airborne School ASAP before your basic course.
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MAJ Matthew Arnold
CPT Zuluaga's advice is excellent. Originally I branched Infantry out of ROTC and went to the 82nd Airborne Division. You have to be ready for it, physically and mentally. One more thing, normally USMA professors are USMA graduates, not always, but normally, you have a long row to hoe is you plane to teach at the USMA.
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LTC Jason Mackay
MAJ Matthew Arnold - if selected as guest faculty, it is a five year turn. Two years in grad school, three on the platform. You need to ensure you are KD complete and have a plan rolling out as an O5 to get KD complete so you aren't jammed for LTC.
They did me a favor not selecting me.
They did me a favor not selecting me.
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OCS is a crucible. Period. You will be tested, evaluated, pushed to your physical and mental limits and then pushed beyond what you believe you can endure. No one is given anything at OCS. You earn it every hour of every day. Best of luck and to borrow a phrase from SEAL training "...the only easy day was yesterday..." LTC Orie Illi OCS 1-78 OCS Hall of Fame Class of 2019
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