Will I be able to qualify for OCS on time through enlisting with some college credits from 1 year of attending university?

2021-11-05T15:32:43-04:00

I left my school because I thought ROTC won't be a quality experience and training. Also college cost way too much when someone just reads a slide for me during lectures when I could be doing online and study for myself. I understand you need a bachelor's degree to go for OCS, but can I make it on time(TIS Cut off 6 years) to complete a degree while I serve active duty?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2021 3:46 PM

2021-11-05T15:46:42-04:00

Not exactly sure what you’re asking. You can apply to OCS without a degree but I think, think, you have to be degree complete within one year if commissioning. I don’t think you would qualify if you don’t meet that caveat. I commissioned through OCS with 10 years of prior-service (degree complete) and was able to obtain an age waiver.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Nov 5 at 2021 4:30 PM

2021-11-05T16:30:43-04:00

If someone is current military, they have to have at least 90 semester hours of college credits toward a degree and be able to complete the Bachelor's within one year.

If you're a civilian applicant, you'll have to be 19-32 years old and be a college graduate with a Bachelor's degree - and go to basic training before OCS.

That's what I'm finding in searches.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2021 5:23 PM

2021-11-05T17:23:59-04:00

I had a soldier apply and be accepted to OCS. Like SFC Kelly Fuerhoff mentioned, you must have 90 credits towards your degree and be able to complete your degree PRIOR to being promotable to CPT.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2021 7:40 PM

2021-11-05T19:40:18-04:00

Pretty sure the cutoff is eight years time in service, active duty years.

Lots of people make time to go to college in the Army. But, like any other full time job, you have to make extra time for it in your life. You're leaving school where going to college was your full time job. You go to online school and you're working two full time jobs for the next 3-6 years - Army and College.

Is it doable? Absolutely. Is it easy? Not at all. But the Army doesn't want leaders who can't take the hard route. So, show us what you got.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2021 8:27 PM

2021-11-05T20:27:27-04:00

Not a fan of someone reading a slide to you during a class/lecture? Oh man.....are you ever in for a surprise when you enter the military.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2021 8:41 PM

2021-11-05T20:41:03-04:00

When I was discharged, I obtained a chemical plant job as an operator while I worked on my degree. Five years later, I had my degree and started work on my dream job. I was in school, at work, studying, commuting and eating. I had zero social life because I had no time. Plan, set goals and then implement. Most things worthwhile are hard but dedication and commitment go a long ways.

I worked shift work, so I would work 7 day shifts 6 am - 2 pm, 7 evening shifts 2 pm - 10 pm, 1 day off and 7 graveyard shifts 10 pm to 6 am, followed by 4 days off.

When i worked the day shift, I would attend night school and the night classes were usually 2 or three weeks behind on the material compared to the day classes.

When I worked the graveyard shift, I would go home, shower, eat and drive to college for the day classes which started at 8 am. I would be tired with red eyes. More than one professor, asked if I had been out drinking all night.

As a Vietnam Veteran, I was confronted by folks that did not like me. The road was bumpy, but my reward was a 33 year career that I loved.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2021 9:12 PM

2021-11-06T21:12:17-04:00

Bud, it sounds like you are trying to put the cart before the horse. Did you even go to the Military Science Department at the school you left to check out the ROTC Program? I just got done teaching ROTC for 3 years and my Cadets absolutely loved the training and curriculum, and some of them were prior service enlisted Soldiers (Simultaneous Member Program (SMP), or Green to Gold).
I would encourage you to have a different outlook on things. Like some of the gents on this thread suggest, if you aren't a fan of slides during lectures, you're gonna have a helluva time being senior enlisted OR an officer. I believe you can still do the Green to Gold program through ROTC, and I highly suggest you take it; pending you open your mind to the new environment and the way material is presented. With your prior experience you could be leading the pack... Something to consider. Good luck!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2021 7:12 PM

2021-11-07T19:12:28-05:00

My suggestion is to apply for Green to Gold instead of go to OCS.