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Currently I'm an E-4 with about 2 years of service. I also have a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. What are the necessary steps to become an officer from the enlisted side?
Posted in these groups: 
Enlisted
Enlisted-to-Officer
Officer
Green to Gold
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
Enlisted Enlisted-to-Officer Officer Green to Gold Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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I would start by sitting down with my CO and tell him/her you are interested. You will need his endorsement to be competitive anyway. Then your retention NCO should be able to get your application started. Be aware that the application is a lot more competitive than when I went through. Having a Masters Degree helps, having a good GPA helps more. You will need good Evals, decent PT scores and LOR's from you PL, CO and as far up the chain as you can get.
Now the bad news. OCS is a pain in the ass! I didn't find the academics difficult and I came out of an Infantry unit, so the PT didn't bother me. But TAC Officers are not Drill Sergeants and they make your life miserable. Oddly enough, I tied for Top Student.
Now the bad news. OCS is a pain in the ass! I didn't find the academics difficult and I came out of an Infantry unit, so the PT didn't bother me. But TAC Officers are not Drill Sergeants and they make your life miserable. Oddly enough, I tied for Top Student.
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CH (MAJ) Eric Dye
Talking with your present CO. Make an appointment with him/her and get an honest evaluation from him/her about your performance. If your CO writes a recommendation for you; that is usually well received by selection boards. My CO wrote one for me after the 1SG referred me to him when Top did my reenlistment talk and I told him my plans for the future. The Army is a big system but it usually listens to its present leadership when it comes to keeping and advancing good soldiers.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CH (MAJ) Eric Dye - I totally agree. While OCS is much more competitive now than in the 1980's, it's been my experience with enlisted soldiers that your performance and evaluation of your command goes further than things like GPA. I had a mediocre GPA, but had done well in all my military schools and I had good evals and LOR's, plus a very good GT Score. OTOH, the buildup of the light divisions meant that they need a lot of bodies. As I have stated before, during the 80's, you could get the branch you picked, as long you volunteered Infantry.
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Short term option - apply for OCS
Longer term options - complete your contract (ETS) and come back as an officer or transition to reserve and apply for direct commision
Longer term options - complete your contract (ETS) and come back as an officer or transition to reserve and apply for direct commision
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LTC John Mohor
If you’re willing to wait a bit and your competitive for a Direct Commission it sure beats heck out of doing OCS! Your age may also play a factor. Great advice here from MAJ Bethany
Garbarini
Garbarini
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SPC (Join to see) Here is one previous post with information along with an Army Officer link. You can search on "Enlisted to Officer", then click on "Answers" to find other posts.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-i-go-from-enlisted-to-officer
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers.html
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-i-go-from-enlisted-to-officer
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers.html
How do I go from enlisted to officer? | RallyPoint
So I'm currently active duty with 7 yrs of active duty service. I do not have a bachelors degree at this time but I want to commision as an officer in the army. What are all my different options here?
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