Can I join the Army or Navy as an Officer?

Question

I'm a 28YO, male, college graduate, and I also have an MBA. I realized I'm not Joe Corporate nor have I satiated my desire to serve that I've felt since I was young. I am an African American and have been told that I may not be promoted because of race. Is this true? I have no children and am mot married. I have family, but would not mind being sent to serve in the sandbox for a while. I'm 5'11 205 and have been told that although I have a medium build my weight may be an issue. Any thoughts. I'd like to serve in a combat role, but only as an officer. Any thoughts on my chances and options? Any perspective would be greatly appreciated as I'd like to join soon.

Answer 1

90 credit hours minimum required to become officer.
Check the Army initial weight charts for your weight requirements on line.

The military is politically correct now started back in the 70s other words color blind.


Vet-USAF 44MMS

Answer 2

The part about not getting promoted because of your ethnicity is crap. Your time to join the Navy as an officer might be running short, but I think you have until 35 for the Army. Your lack of dependents is an asset. At OCS, for the army, anyway, you run a lot. As long as you can complete the physical portion of training, your height and weight aren't a huge issue. To go to OCS, you have to pass the PT test first. Again, I can only speak about the Army. When I enlisted 4 and a half years ago, I was 5'10" and weighed 221. I made body fat, so I got to basic. I couldn't do PT for crap, but by the end I passed the PT test, and here I sit, in Iraq, today. It's not a bad life, but if you want to be an officer, I suggest combat arms. Just don't put artillery in your top five, unless you actually want to do that for a living. The field is huge and will swallow you whole.

Answer 3

"I am an African American and have been told that I may not be promoted because of race." That is utter, total, bull$**t. Whoever told you that is either an uninformed fool, or someone who gorked up, got booted out, and made up a false excuse about racisim rather than admit they messed up. As a former Army officer I feel VERY personally offended by that LIE.

Talk to a recruter about OCS, officer candidate school. You will have to take tests, but if you have an MBA you should pass them with flying colors.

Loose the weight. The MAX for your height is 189. You should loose more than that. Combat officers can't be yelling "wait up men! I need a rest! I can't keep up!" You have to lead by example.

Good luck

Answer 4

First let me say, that your motives are impressive. Nowhere do you ask about pay/benefits/retirement/leave etc. Hopefully I can at least prompt you for some more information:
The US military is by FAR the most racially integrated institution in the country. EEO training, and programs are light-years ahead of the civilian world-so if you don't get promoted, it's your own fault.
Your weight is probably about 15-20 lbs heavy for your height/age. If it is fat and not muscle (I don't need to know but YOU need to be honest with yourself), you're gonna have problems with PT, regardless of service.
The service you choose is going to depend on what you really want to do. If you want a direct combat role-and it sounds like you do, then the Army is where you want to be. I would only choose the Navy in your case, unless you wish to fly or join SEALS.
Another choice is frankly, if you don't really like ships, and don't want to spend months on end aboard one, then yes, the Army is a better deal for you. However, of the two services, the Navy has a better quality of life-for officers anyway.
If you post what your specific interests are, and what your Bachelors is in if you wish to stay in that area, I can suggest some MOS's you might be interested in.

Answer 5

I have a sister, who was able to join the Army, at the age
of 43 years old, AFTER SHE HAD WORKED, FOR OVER
20 YEARS, as a Nurse (RN) at a hospital. She joined into
the military, as a 1st Lt. and within a short time she became
a Captain.
She sent photos to me, which showed, how she was being
''trained'' for the position she would have.
Believe me, you might need to lose some weight...because
the ''climbing exercises'' are tough...in Boot Camp.
I rather think, that you could choose, what type of job /
education, you would like to pursue, in the military, though,
and Go For It.
It would be good to visit with a Recruiter, and find out all
the ''ins & outs'' of any situation, position, & education
oportunities.
They cannot Discriminate, as to Race, for the Military Service,
The Bill of Rights, is a good tool of learning....for anyone...
And the Constitution of the United States...too.
(written by my relatives, by the way.).

Answer 6

You can definatly join the army and go to Officer candidate school. You have to go infront of a board to get accepted, but with the war going on, there is a very high acceptance rate. You don't get to choose your job but you do get to fill out a dream sheet with your top 3 choices, but ultimatly you'll be placed in a job based on the needs of the army. Since the army is in huge needs of combat arms, you shouldn't have any problem getting it. I've never heard of anyone be denied rank based on their race. Combat arm's guys get promoted the fastest too, so you're in luck.

Answer 7

i might say pass air tension they have the excellent education in the adventure that your searching for greater preparation. If for some unusual reason the Air tension does not take you i might recommend army next then marines military must be final to date as getting into as an officer is in contact.Plus the Air tension has the coolest toys.

Answer 8

well whoever told you that race is a factor is a complete and utter TWIT.

at 28, you are tool old for most Communities in the Navy. you would be limited to Restricted Line: IWO, INTEL, IP, as well as Supply (or JAG/Medical if you have the right degrees and experience). What your degrees are in as well as your GPA could also be a factor as to whether you would be competitive for a Commission.

But I bet the Army would Jump at the chance to have you.

Answer 9

yes in fact if you join the army as an officer you will go through basic as an 09-S at the rank of SPC and upon graduation be sent to OCS (officer candidate school) upon graduation thereof will be the rank of 2nd LT

Answer 10

Yep, you will go to basic as an (E-5) I believe is the rate today, as far as pay is concerned, then OCS, and be commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Reserve.