What are my best options before OCS?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 22:48:27 -0500

I'm an cannon crewmember in the KY Army National Guard. I got a year left in college, and then I intend to apply for federal OCS. I also hope to switch to the Armor branch. I know you don't always get the MOS you want in OCS. I considered transferring to active duty, then request Armor AIT, and then get a couple more years of experience as an enlisted man before OCS. What are my best options? Transfer to active as an enlisted-man first and reclass to armor, or go ahead and apply for federal OCS, and hope I do well enough for the MOS I want?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2018 9:58 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 09:58:53 -0500

If you get to go to Federal OCS as a member of the Guard then your branch is already determined by your state and you can only enter into a branch that your state has (Officers don’t have MOS’s, it’s called a branch). For example a buddy of mine is in the NH Guard and is a logistician. He came to Federal OCS already knowing his branch because it was assigned to him at his state. So you can’t enter into a branch that your state doesn’t have a unit for. So one way to go about becoming an Armor Officer is to transition into active duty then apply for OCS. There is no real reason to go to Armor AIT first, it won’t necessarily help you. Another option is to transfer to a state that has Armor officers and then apply for OCS, but be aware that at the State level the chances of getting Federal OCS are very slim, it is very competitive. The only other option I can think of is to finish your contract with the Guard and then go through the process of requesting OCS through an Active Duty recruiter. If you need more info or have more questions shoot me a PM, I’m Cadre at 3-11 IN which is OCS.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2018 5:38 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 05:38:39 -0500

I am a Armor Officer at the Armor Basic Officer Leadership Course. If I was in your shoes in would stay guard, pick Armor as your branch/branches, and then go from there. You can delay your commission for 2 years to hold out for the branch you want. Once you graduate ABOLC you can do the Call to Active Duty (CAD) and go active. That is what I am currently doing to do as well.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Dec 24 at 2018 8:02 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 08:02:44 -0500

I would recommend that you speak to a NG 79R Retention NCO, and ac RA recruiting station commander and discuss as you sound like you have ALL of life figured out but there’s way too many variables involved and yes life and situations constantly change. Recommend you take things one day at a time and Concentrate in college to obtain a high GPA after you follow recommendations I present to you above. There are no promises on life and you make your life good or bad.

Take what I say as a former DA Human Resource and Readiness Officer and run with it! Hooah!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2019 10:48 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 May 2019 22:48:51 -0400

After you graduate, I recommend you apply as soon as possible for OCS. Time will get away from you if you aren’t careful and you may end up too old to apply. Also, don’t worry so much about your branch. If you don’t like your branch you’ll have opportunities throughout your career to change branches or apply to functional areas. If your goal is to be an officer then do it! For the most part we all do the same thing anyway; we all plan, supervise and lead.

Response by SFC Bradley Quinn made Jun 28 at 2019 11:46 AM

SFC Bradley Quinn — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 11:46:36 -0400

Do the best you can when you get leadership opportunities. Go above and beyond when the opportunity is there, and always do the best you possibly can at drill, and at camp. All of these things will increase the chance you get the branch you want upon commissioning. Armor should be a problem, but you never know. Good luck!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 28 at 2019 2:30 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 14:30:18 -0400

I would apply to OCS first. There is a great assumption if you ask for a certain combat branch, you will get it. If you have questions about armor, I was an armor officer once.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Feb 21 at 2021 6:46 PM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 18:46:52 -0500

What sets you aside from others to think that you will be accepted for Federal OCS? Grades, NCO Experience?