What do I do next, remain enlisted, apply OCS or Flight Warrant?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 20:00:51 -0400

I have recently completed all my classes and will graduate with my Bachelor's Degree in August. I am currently an AGR in an E-6 position. I am scheduled for ALC, but the promotion seems far out due to overstrength. I have been in the Army for 5 years, and I am considering making a career change in the Army and I am considering three paths.
1. Remain enlisted and see where the AGR enlisted career takes me.
2. Apply for OCS and attempt to get a commission into the Active Component.
3. Apply to be a flight warrant.
Has anyone gone off to the Active Component through these paths from AGR?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2023 9:58 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 21:58:15 -0400

The big question....or questions....are:

1) what does your gut/instinct say?
2) do you want to be an Officer?
3) eluding to #2, do you think you'd make a great Officer?

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Jun 23 at 2023 10:37 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 22:37:40 -0400

Good luck on whatever path you choose.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jun 23 at 2023 10:59 PM

LTC John Mohor — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 22:59:16 -0400

I’d recommend research into a direct commission as well. Since you have already made E-6 and you’ve completed your Bachelors look into the Reserve Officer Recruiter that gets qualified Enlisted folks to go before the Direct Commissioning Board. Being AGR you should know enough officers to see if they’d be willing to write a recommendation for you. Regardless of your final decision I recommend you look into all your options!

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jun 24 at 2023 4:22 AM

LTC Eugene Chu — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 04:22:16 -0400

As others mentioned, research your options. For both options 2 and 3, be aware that you have to pass separate medical exams along with your application. OCS and WOCS are also demanding schools from both physical and mental perspective. Be aware of family separation while in school.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 24 at 2023 7:15 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 07:15:17 -0400

You research more what it means to. Be an Officer vs. an NCO. Look and meet with the most senior Officer, Warrant, and Enlisted Service members you have access to. You can’t do it in one sitting. You are asking for mentorship on you, your current roll, your prospect for the future. After having these deep and open discussions you follow your heart/gut.

There is much more to each Pat than what you see on the surface.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 24 at 2023 9:21 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 09:21:54 -0400

Only you can make this decision, no one on this or any other site can. Figure out what you want and drive on. Me, I wanted a retirement and the highest rank I could obtain. Made my goals. Keep your eye on the prize.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jun 24 at 2023 3:11 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 15:11:07 -0400

Question: you are in an E-6 (SSG) position, yet you say promotion is unlikely due to overstrength. Both can not be true.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2023 5:36 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 17:36:44 -0400

Like everyone says, you have to decide your path, but some things you face in your decision making should be pointed out.

It sounds like you are looking for a full time military career path that advances you more than your current trajectory.

1) Your starting a new path away from your AGR role will potentially stop your current pay check. So do you have plans for that?
2) Flight Warrant is VERY different from either continuing as an NCO or becoming an Officer, both (NCO/Officer) of which can have many more (than Flight WO) various opportunities for work life balance pathways. So once you decide on the personal goal of Flight Warrant or not drives the big decision point.
3) Is there anything preventing you from applying for both paths at the same time? Because if you are not picked up for one, welp, then your decision paths are narrowed automatically.
4) Regardless, you are probably going be able to return back to an AGR role officer or otherwise. In the mean time though, you're going to have to support yourself in the civilian sector before than be stabilized again.

************
Suggestion: Apply for all pathways at once in expectation your decision path will be narrowed for you.

Worst case is I think you'll get an officer commission in a straight forward manner and brought back into the AGR program as a 1LT(P) with CCC behind you. Getting to LTC as an AGR will be challenging, but at worst you'll straight forwardly make LTC as a TPU.

Response by SPC David C. made Jun 29 at 2023 8:38 PM

SPC David C. — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 20:38:23 -0400

Officer, dude...go the officer route. In 20 years when you're a Colonel and have it made, you can buy me a beer and thank me lol

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2023 9:37 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 21:37:04 -0400

I'm not sure you understand what your trying to get yourself into. Granted, I'm going off very little.

So, if what you're asking for is for us to vote, then I vote option 1. Charlie-Mike until you have more info.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2023 10:49 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 22:49:32 -0400

Don't go officer in the US Army unless you want to risk your career. I was enlisted USAF but did not have a tech degree. After meeting with my CO he recommended I go blue to green to gold. Unfortunately that is what I did. After OCS I got to my OBC just to have them tell me I was "not an officer, nor in the military." They told me take it to the Board. After hiring several PIs, I was told that a female candidate had told the command at OCS behind my back that I was "after" her. I barely knew that female. She apparently had written several statements about me that were neither witnessed nor notarized. No one had mentioned this while we were at OCS. I found out later that she was going to be recycled due to missing more than the max amount of required course work in the class and was told by a female TAC that if she did not write the statements, she would be recycled (it all came out on the court transcript after I sued her). Apparently when nothing seemed to work, after exodus, she made up this fantastical tale that I somehow went to her house and gave her a package during the exodus. We found out in court, documented again in the transcript, that she was staying with her parents in Kansas. The class was at Fort Benning. Everyone at that house during that time period testified that no one saw me at all. The Board of Corrections refused to fix or even acknowledge the situation. You don't have to take me at my word. Just remember what they did to Mary Tillman and especially her son. I know I am not the only person this has happened to. But I have sworn to fight this until they fix it. This was my career and in many ways it still is. So think very hard before you decide to join the ranks of the dishonorable. Join any other branch to become an officer. If I would have known better I would still be enlisted in the USAF, but at least I would be getting my pension. My nonfiction names named book was complete years ago and will be out soon "An Era of Dishonor: the true story of Fort Benning Officer Candidate School class 01-06 Alpha Company." I would have published after it was written and I did publish partially (at least the hand signed scans) on some social media platforms but I trust not one commissioned person in the US Army especially lying JAG and will publish after I reach a certain milestone that is up owing in my life after which they can do a darn thing about it to ruin my life or my family's life anymore.

Response by SPC Richard Rauenhorst made Aug 28 at 2023 12:30 AM

SPC Richard Rauenhorst — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 00:30:04 -0400

Do that which will make you the happiest. If you enjoy what you do it becomes a lot less like work.