Stay in or returning to University and direct commission?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 18:48:04 -0400

Dear RallyPoint community,

I am a specialist and have been in active duty for two years and two months. I am currently twenty-two years old. I have been in my second unit for almost two months after I finished my term in South Korea. My NCOIC told me that my re-enlistment will open in April of 2016. And, I am thinking about going back to university in my home state and a degree that related to Chemistry or nursing.

However, I have some questions regarding direct commission. Do you have to have a bachelor degree or a master degree to get a direct commission? Would you recommend direct commission or Green-to-Gold scholarship? I am in process of re-take my GT predictor so I can achieve higher GT score. And, I am currently taking online college classes at Thomas Edison State College.

Any comment or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2015 7:28 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 19:28:39 -0400

Degree requirements change based on the job and service, ie to be an AF Aerospace and Operational Physiologist a bachelor's is needed, but Navy requires a Masters.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Oct 24 at 2015 7:31 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 19:31:44 -0400

A lot depends on you and your situation
But with the drawdown you might take a chance of not getting back in
So imho I would stick it and keep doing online then apply to ocs

Response by Cpl Chris Rice made Oct 24 at 2015 7:54 PM

Cpl Chris Rice — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 19:54:56 -0400

I was told the requirements for a RN going AD is you will need your Bachelors, this is important as you can become an RN with an Associates, and I am told you can be commissioned into the National Guard state dependent.

Response by MSG Michael Shannon made Oct 24 at 2015 8:46 PM

MSG Michael Shannon — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 20:46:21 -0400

The reg says 60 credit hours but you will most likely not get picked up without a BA/BS. By most likely I mean 99.9%. Your absolute best bet is to do two things...

1. Talk to a local recruiter and determine what they are accepting for PS Soldiers off the street... Side Note... currently they are not allowed to sign a prior service with more then 3 years onto RA.

2. Talk to an ROTC school recruiter at a local college to see if you have the option to contract with them.

Other good intel. You could attempt to be an SMP with the Reserve while you go to school and you could put in an AGR application after you commission.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2015 9:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 21:11:29 -0400

Direct commissions are only used Chaplain, JAG, and medical. So, if your goal was to be a nurse, that would work. In order to direct commission, it's not so much that you need a degree as it is you need the license to practice for your field.
If you aren't going into one of those three areas then you don't have much say what branch you will end up working in, or if you will even be assigned a branch.
There are three different green to gold options, only the active duty option guarantees you will actually return to active duty though. It's incredibly competitive with only a few spots a year, so it's probably not going to be an option for you. A better option is to finish your degree and go to OCS.
If nursing is your preferred route, there is the AECP program. You go to school on active duty for two years and get commissioned when you get your nursing license.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Oct 26 at 2015 10:35 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:35:51 -0400

SPC Tanrak Ploykao
Everyone has listed all good advice. Bottom line is you need to decide WHAT is is you want to do with your career (AD, reserves, Guard) and what career field you want to work in (line, non-line, medical). This will drive your degree program and commissioning program. With this clarity you can move forward with your goals.

Good luck!