I'm a 36 yr old prior service NCO under O9S contract attending ANG BCT. What should I expect and should I go accelerated or state OCS?

PO2 Floyd Fowler — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:14:39 -0500

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 9:54 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:54:52 -0500

If you have the option to do federal, do it. You will thank me later. I have to go through state since I wanted to go enlisted rather than just going in as an officer. I love my mos and the experience I gained from it but sometimes I wish I would have just done 09s. It is tough to get into the federal (actually called exellerated) program. I'm also 36 and hoping to not die of old age before commissioning in almost two years of training.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 9:55 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:55:02 -0500

I was a prior service NCO that joined the Guard as an officer candidate. I didn't need to go to basic training but had the opportunity to go to accelerated OCS. At that point you had to earn your slot there. I was glad I got to go. It was well worth it. I just didn't want to wait a year for a commission. It really depends on what you have the time for. If you can you could go but many just want the traditional Guard OCS.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2016 1:52 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 13:52:36 -0500

I agree with everyone that accelerated spots are usually given out on a merit basis. However, given your age, you may need to go accelerated. Make sure that you talk to someone from the OCS in your state about this. Last I checked the regs, you need to commission before your 40th birthday. Depending on when you graduate BCT and when your birthday is, an 18 months traditional state OCS program may be cutting it too close.