OCS/OTS

What information are you specifically looking for?

I am currently a Detachment Commander in the Army (25A) and went the OCS route a number of years back, and I'd be glad to offer my input. I can't speak to the other branches but I can tell you that yes, sometimes you have to "embrace the suck" in the Army however, in my experience its what you make of it. I have nothing but great things to say about my time in the army. I have worked with several Expeditionary Signal BN's, SF units, and currently working with/for 8th PSOPS Group. All units offer a unique experience but I can tell you first hand that I have a very good work/life balance. Also just for some background, I joined at age 26 and am married with 4 children. We are quite satisfied, to date, with the experience overall.

 

Former Marine officer here. Got into both USAF OTS and USMC OCS back in the day. Didn’t consider Army/Navy for various reasons. Went Marine because I enjoy making things as difficult for myself as possible. But seriously, I wanted the service with the hardest candidate training program (without trying to be a SEAL of course).

Having been on many an AF base in my time and known many AF officers: choose the AF. Fantastic place to pursue a career in a STEM field, much higher quality of living, and the LOCATION of the bases is damn good on average as well. Their OTS program is cushy, quite frankly, but as long as your ego can get over that, to me it’s an easy decision.

Hope you come back here and keep the forum updated on your choice.

Edit: no offense to all the Army folks, who aren’t thanked enough for all they BS they put up with. Except the ones in Germany, those people are living a charmed life.

 

I am just a lowly ARNG enlisted man; but at 20 years I've had plenty of exposure. Currently I am a SFC (E7); Platoon Sergeant of a light infantry Mortar Section. Army National Guard worked for me because I wanted to serve and maintain my home/civilian career and the in the NG you have a LOT of say in your MOS/unit/location.

#1; my conversation with people who are interested in the Army starts with "Do you like camping"? We spend a good amount of time in the field, they call it "Austere living conditions". If you cannot handle days or weeks living/working/training outside regardless of the weather, living out of a ruck sack and/or 2 man tent, going 2-10 days with no proper shower/latrine, sufficient but mediocre food, extended periods of being dirty and sweaty, struggling with not always the best equipment and outdated/proprietary IT; the Army is probably not for you. My view; the Air Force definitely live a more comfortable life (For the same $). Marines are much smaller, so less choices and in general older even crappier equipment than the Army. I've known a few very good Soldiers that got out at 6 years because they just hated going to the field. Non combat arms do get a lot more time in garrison; but the field is always there.

keep in mind; I work mostly with Lieutenants with a lot of exposure and interaction with Captains; who are doing what they got to do to meet the Colonel's mission expectations (And indirectly with various support/planning department (S-shops)... For the most part/generally speaking; in my opinion, based on 20 years experience, the best officers are "Green to Gold" meaning the Soldiers who were enlisted first then went to OCS and were then commissioned.

Consideration: Some use the Army as a means to get into or compliment a certain field (i.e. law Enforcement or medical). Nothing wrong with that. I go the opposite direction; a MOS (11-C) totally opposite my civilian career (Air Cargo). I like to get away from my civilian occupation 40+ days a year and do something no civilian can do (Basically blow S_ up). Regardless of MOS; there are benefits to service that will make your civilian life better some day and give you a leg up on the competition.

If you think the Army is for you; I would suggest getting the shortest enlisted contract you can for a MOS that interests you. Then go OCS; candidates basically start from new and based on their abilities, needs of the Army and some luck are then branched. I know a Soldier he was an awesome Mortar Squad Leader (E-5), went OCS and now is in the JAG (His 1st choice).

Good Luck!

 

FWIW: If I could do it all over again; I would go active 11-C for 6 years, then Warrant (Likely Army National Guard). Warrant officers imo have the best of both worlds; "O-life" benefits; pay and comforts but they get to actually spend the majority of their time doing their job. In the Infantry as I see it; Officers spend the vast majority of their career being basically managers; following the program to move to the next level/assignment/rank. (MAYBE they get 6 years out of 20 leading men in the field before and IF they are one of the 10% that make O-5)

The only down-side to Warrant (And the reason I did not follow thru): There just are not a lot of Warrant Officer slots and their jobs are limited (For the most part (Aside from aviation and SF); no combat arms)

Last thing: Army National Guard and the Army Reserves are very different; ANG you have a lot more choices and control. ANG also has the best/most diverse jobs; Reserves are basically all support and admin.