I am going to join the ARMY Reserves. My recruiter mentioned I should go through OCS after I enlist...?

Question

instead of right after Basic Combat Training? Does anyone have any insight on this? Thanks.

Answer 1

Well, that depends on what you want to do. I've been enlisted for 25 years, I have two combat tours (desert storm and Iraqi Freedom) and I've done OK. If you want to be an officer, I suggest you do three years minimum as enlisted so you know the ins and outs of enlisted life. Otherwise, you'll just be another officer who has no idea what enlisted live with and go through. The best officers I've ever served under were enlisted first.

Good luck.

Answer 2

If you have a college degree, then you should go to OCS first. Then the Army will put you through Basic Training. Your recruiter is jerking you around so that he can fill spots in his book. Yeah you can do OCS after basic, but it is only with the permission of your commanding officer and battalion commander. I know because I have seen it first hand.

Answer 3

Listen to your recruiter.

I wish I had stuck with ROTC back 20 years ago. Now that I had my rectal-cranial inversion repaired, I'm enlisted as an E-4 (I ship for BCT in about 5 months) at 42 years old - I'm too old for OCS, so I get to go the Non-Com route.

What would the advantage be of going through BCT first rather than going through OCS first, if you can swing that? (I would've thought you'd have to go BCT first, but hey, what do *I* know?)

Hooah!

Orion

ARMY STRONG!

Answer 4

Do not believe anything your recruiter tells you. If youd like a commission go through college ROTC programs, or get OCS in your contract. Youre not guaranteed to get it and sometimes even if it is on paper, you wont end up getting it.

Answer 5

if you are qualified for commissioning, I would seek a direct commission BEFORE I enlisted. No guarantee you'll make OCS, and then you can swab latrines and live in holes like the rest of the Army.