What is the best route to transition into the officer ranks?

2019-12-04T18:08:52-05:00

PFC looking to be a mustang make Sgt transfer to officer. Would like to know if being a corporal or a specialist is the better path for officer ranks.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2019 7:05 PM

2019-12-04T19:05:18-05:00

I prefer Officers that were NCOs first. However, your path to Officer should start when you feel it is right.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2019 9:20 PM

2019-12-04T21:20:55-05:00

Corporal is a lateral appointment that happens when you are on the E5 promotion list, and get offered an E5 promotion before you have BLC complete, after which you would pin on E5. That being the case, it is a rank you should hold for no longer than six months, because that promotion offer means "go to BLC in a timely manner".
Either way, you should take enough time to learn your job, your leader's job, and learn enough about the Army in order to make an informed decision on what branch to choose (and why) for commissioning.
And you should take enough time to have your degree complete before you start OCS, you don't want to be that 2LT/1LT on the degree incomplete list.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 5 at 2019 6:52 AM

2019-12-05T06:52:47-05:00

My first question is do you already have the requirements to become an officer? While the National Guard doesn't officially require you to have a four year degree when you start OCS, most states won't pick you unless they run out of Candidates with Degrees. You also need a 110 GT score.
As the SGM pointed out, Corporal is a lateral position to Specialist and I will add that in the units I served, was only given to Specialist serving in a Team Leader/E-5 slot. I don't see it being a particular boost to acceptance to OCS, if that is your choice of Commissioning sources.
If you have specific questions about the process, you can message me if you prefer.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2019 9:07 AM

2019-12-05T09:07:39-05:00

If you have a degree then you go to OCS. If you don't then you go to ROTC or a Service Academy

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2019 3:23 AM

2019-12-06T03:23:19-05:00

There is no bad path to a commission but I think ROTC is probably the best path if you can go to school full time.