Posted on Oct 31, 2019
How does Green to Gold work if you already have a 4-year degree?
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While I am in college, I have been periodically talking with the local recruiting center. I have been going in there for the last few months. I have already met with the Captain of the center as well. He and the recruiters provided me with insight on OCS, Enlisted, as well as some information regarding the Green to Gold program. The information on the Green to Gold program was a limited and the go army.com information is not very clear regarding those who already have a degree.
I have no problem going enlisted first than working to become an officer. If that route is the best for having the most complete understanding of what an officer's duties are, then it is the route I will take.
The only questions I have are:
a) How does the Army's Green to Gold program work if you already have a Bachelors Degree?
b) Which route to becoming an Officer would provide me with the best experience and equip me to be the best Officer in your opinion?
Degree: B.A. in Psychology with a Cluster (similar to a Minor) in Leadership and Organizational Studies
If someone could provide some further insight on the program as well as any Officer experience they have, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.
Note: I apologize if I am using this site wrong or if I have used the topics/tags wrong.
I have no problem going enlisted first than working to become an officer. If that route is the best for having the most complete understanding of what an officer's duties are, then it is the route I will take.
The only questions I have are:
a) How does the Army's Green to Gold program work if you already have a Bachelors Degree?
b) Which route to becoming an Officer would provide me with the best experience and equip me to be the best Officer in your opinion?
Degree: B.A. in Psychology with a Cluster (similar to a Minor) in Leadership and Organizational Studies
If someone could provide some further insight on the program as well as any Officer experience they have, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.
Note: I apologize if I am using this site wrong or if I have used the topics/tags wrong.
Posted in these groups: 
Officers
Green to Gold
Officers Green to Gold
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 12
Direct Commission is your route to the officer ranks. G2G is for those looking to become an officer while finishing a degree.
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Green 2 Gold is an ROTC program, it's used to pay for a degree, and can only be used to pay for a new level of degree. You couldn't use it for another bachelors but you could use it for a masters.
As far as degrees go, the Major is irrelevant unless it leads to some type of certification. There are a few in the Healthcare field that allow a direct commission with a bachelor but they are like Healthcare admin or something along those lines. Your Psych degree presents no more certification than a Liberal arts or Criminal Justice degree, so direct commission will not be a route for you.
OCS isn't necessarily a better or worse route for you. Commissioning routes really come down to what your situation can handle. Being enlisted first won't make you a better or worse officer, the first Senior NCOs who mentor you will shape the kind of officer you become. If you can handle being a poor college student the next few years and a masters degree is important to you then G2G may be your best option. If you have a family you need to support or you're just ready to jump right in, then enlisted to OCS may be the best route. It's all about finding the route that best fits your circumstances, one isn't any better than the other and in my experience one doesn't produce better officers than the other.
As far as degrees go, the Major is irrelevant unless it leads to some type of certification. There are a few in the Healthcare field that allow a direct commission with a bachelor but they are like Healthcare admin or something along those lines. Your Psych degree presents no more certification than a Liberal arts or Criminal Justice degree, so direct commission will not be a route for you.
OCS isn't necessarily a better or worse route for you. Commissioning routes really come down to what your situation can handle. Being enlisted first won't make you a better or worse officer, the first Senior NCOs who mentor you will shape the kind of officer you become. If you can handle being a poor college student the next few years and a masters degree is important to you then G2G may be your best option. If you have a family you need to support or you're just ready to jump right in, then enlisted to OCS may be the best route. It's all about finding the route that best fits your circumstances, one isn't any better than the other and in my experience one doesn't produce better officers than the other.
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If you have the opportunity to go directly to a commissioning program rather than enlisting and hoping to gain acceptance in a commissioning program later, I would recommend shooting for the commission immediately. While I value the short time I was enlisted, I don't feel one has to have enlisted experience to be an exceptional officer. OCS and your post commissioning training provide you with the technical skills and overall knowledge of what an officer must consider regarding their unit's mission and the principles of military leadership. Hearing what your people are saying both vocally and through their actions and attitudes tells you what problems or situations you must address as a leader to inspire and free them to accomplish the unit's mission. Your education so far should have provided you with additional academic principles that you will have the opportunity to apply to the mairead of situations you will face.
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