Do I need to take the ASVAB to become an officer or is my degree enough? Straight forward question, thanks.

I'm looking at the OCS Application Checklist FY25 and I'll need a civil/moral waiver. It states:

"d. CIVIL/MORAL i. DD form 2823 and or MFR is required. ii. All legal court documentation (civilian or military) is required"

Is the MFR referring to the memo template provided in the HRC OCS website?

Additionally since the offense resulted in an company grade Article 15, does it require the Article 15 documentation alone or does the packet require the full investigation as well?

Thanks!

Hi! I'm currently a junior in college (graduating May 2026) double majoring in Math and CS, and I want to go to OCS right after graduation. The main branches I'm interested in right now are Cyber, MI, and Signal.

When should I be starting the process of reaching out to a recruiter, going to MEPS, etc? What are things that I can do now to improve my chances of getting one of the branches I want? I know that Cyber requires a separate application before going to OCS, how does that work?

Do civilians going as a 09S in the Reserves get BAH at basic training and OCS? I have no dependents, but have a valid lease with my apartment complex. I keep seeing yes and no all over the place, and if yes, what all do you have to bring to basic?

Hey guys, Im currently attending app state in the rotc program and was wondering what would be the best job if I wanted to pursue law or politics after I get out?

I was recently emailed that I am slotted for 15th June class 501, however, I was looking to start the class earlier preferably in the January or March slots. If anyone is interested in swapping the class dates please let me know

My bachelor’s GPA is awful. Like below 2.5. Years went by and I've taken more classes and I’ve done a lot better. I could knock out a second degree in about a year and a half, so it’s not like I’d be starting from scratch. Here’s what I’m thinking for getting to active duty officer:

1. Enlist and aim for Green to Gold. I’d actually be all-in on this and feel like it might make me more appealing to selection boards. I could be way off here, so if that’s a naive take, it’s on me. Just not too thrilled at the idea of waiting around for years if I keep getting turned down.

2. ROTC—I’ve heard some programs let you jump in as a junior even without prior service and finish in two years. It does seem like a gamble since I’d still need to compete for active duty, but I’d put in the work and it’d be a good way to finish a second degree.

3. Go for a master’s or finish a second bachelor’s without ROTC, then apply to OCS. With a better GPA this time around, I’d also have a little more room to build out my packet with volunteer work and leadership experience.

Would really appreciate any input on the best route here.

Hi I am currently trying for a slot for army OCS. I was wondering if anyone has experience with transferring to a Airforce/Spaceforce/Navy as an officer?

The opportunity I have now is to pursue a commission with the Army NG but my goal is to switch to one of the other branches. Has anyone tried to do this and has been successful? Or should I wait for the opportunity to get a conditional release (ETS March 2025) and to try for commissioning directly into a different branch instead of commissioning Army then switching?

Hope that all makes sense!

I also have some concerns about my physical fitness so any unique advice on rucking/running/pushups would be great.

I am currently in the middle of the physical for OCS, did anyone else have to do: chest X-rays EKGs Go to optometry and get everything in your eyes measured

This is honestly the most in-depth physical I’ve every had to do, and I’ve been to rasp and ranger school. From my understanding this is more than what is needed for a dive/free fall physical, which does not sound right to me. All this to ask, did anyone else do this or is my unit border line stupid?

Is the SF 507 (medical wavier approval or disapproval) I have approved for WOCS also good for my OCS packet or would my medical packet have get reevaluated by a OCS physician? Currently AD

Anyone knows this ?? my recruiter told me last week about my packet being due nov 1st thankfully i was able to get at least 4 LOR’s. Very last minute kinda bummed.

I recently took the PiCAT and did decently well on it. I received a GT score of 111. Looking back, I think I could do better than that. I confirmed my score the next day at MEPS but I am trying to decide if I should try and retake it for a higher score. My recruiter said I would be competitive with that, but from what I understand I am just above the bare minimum. I am graduating college in the spring with a GPA right around a 3.0, which isn't the greatest. I was hoping to make up for that with a higher ASVAB score. I scored the highest on the electrical, automotive, and mechanical sections. With a GPA that low and a GT score of 111 should I look into retaking the exam?

Also, not sure if it matters, but my degree is in criminology. I know they look for STEM majors but will an above average score in areas related to those subjects on the ASVAB help?

Today, I received news that I am on the list to attend the Army OCS board!! As we all know, this is only a step, not the finish line. With that being said, could any of you guys offer any advice or information that would help prepare me for the board a lot more?

Hey yall!

I am in service and currently putting OCS packet together but encountered some issue on SF86.

I never had my SF86 uploaded to my IPERMS, so I don't have SF86 in my records, but I do have the security clearance memo.

So I am wondering if it is necessary for me to request my SF86 through my unit security personnel.

Thanks yall!

In conjunction with my other post, I’m here looking for advice, not horror stories. So hear me out and please advise in the sincerest manner.

Background: I’m coming from the USAF. 100% PT score, fit guy, with a deployment to Iraq under my belt (sacrificed my first attempt at OCS because I got tasked and thought if an Airman is gonna lead troops in the Army, he better have a combat zone deployment in). Augmented with BDG, learned convoys, fire team, building clearing, TCCC, M240, M2, you name it. Definitely not your typical Airman.

Current Situation: I have a ship date for BCT then OCS in March. Presently can barely walk because of an injury sustained last week after I pulled an 11:29 2 mile. Naturally, the 87 MDG at JBMDL can’t get me into Physical Therapy until mid November.

BLUF: I’ve wanted this opportunity more than life for 3 years now and gone through Hell and back to even get accepted (including starting and finishing a masters degree in 14 months on active duty.) I need to make a decision in a month or 2 to stay in the Air Force and sew on E5 in February while I heal and press later or kill my self to get back to BCT levels. Plus I have a second child due in 7 days, so failing out of BCT/Med Sep or falling out of OCS after my inter service transfer isn’t an option for me.

For what I want in the Army requires me to go in and Aim High. I want to go to Airborne and Ranger school. I’ve already been reading the ranger handbook and ADP 6-22. I want this bad.

Does anyone have any advice? If I have to wait and heal, what are my odds of getting selected again? I was pushed as a highly favored candidate. What realistically are the fitness standards at BCT? I know OCS’ requirements.

Any cadre, OCS board members, or candidates that went through, all recommendations are appreciated.

Is the SF 507 (medical wavier approval or disapproval) I have approved for WOCS also good for my OCS packet or would my medical packet have get reevaluated by a OCS physician?

Enlisted vs Commission examination at MEPS. I was suppose to have my board this Wednesday but I got a call from my recruiter saying that the people down at MEPS gave me the enlisted physical instead of the commissioned officer physical and I would have to redo my tests. Is this true? I thought they were one and the same with the exception being I have a swear in date later? I even had the officer candidate on my name tag.

Current Situation: Junior in College and almost done my bachelor’s, pre-PA (Physician Assistant) route. Looking to apply to OCS school my senior year. I am not an active military member. Trying to become an officer then be trained to be a physician assistant in the military.

1. Would I enlist into the Army, then try to get into OCS?
2. Or am I able to apply to OCS my senior year, graduate then apply to Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP)?

Looking for any advice, before trying to reach out to a recruiter.

Hey everyone. As someone who last set foot on the OCS footprint years ago, I was hoping to get a good "packing list" the classes used for a 35 lb rucksack without water. It's been a while, and I would love a good ballpark reference so I can load it up properly. Plus I could use it for my team for training.

Please send via message if it's considered a closely guarded secret. Thanks again!

How heavily weighed is the OPAT for civilian applicants?

My recruiter said as long as I meet the “Moderate (Gold)” standard everything should be fine. I had a lower than average GPA so I am looking to maximize everything else in my packet. While running for the OPAT, whenever I hit the moderate standard he stopped the test. I am more than capable of attaining “Heavy (Black)” for all categories. Should I go back and have him retest or is it redundant at this point?

Got a quick question about graduation from BCT. I will do basic in Ft. Leonard Wood and I’m going in as an 09S. Will I get anytime to be with my wife and kids after basic before reporting to OCS or do they straight send you to Ft. Moore the day of? We’re debating if it’s even worth paying the money for my family to fly out there for graduation if I don’t really get to be with them but for a few hours. Thank you!

Does anyone have a list of the FY25 USAREC board dates?

Long story short, I’m a candidate selected from a sister branch for OCS. Unfortunately for myself, I got hurt which poses great concerns about healing time and making it through.

BLUF: Depending on the results of the MRI, I might have to cancel the conditional release and remain in my service to recover from the injury.

How will this affect me if I try again? I don’t want to fall out, especially after trying for years to get selected, but with a newborn, I can’t afford to fall out and exacerbate an injury that ruins me or lose the guaranteed pay and health insurance I presently have. Yes I will have to go to army basic.

Any insight? I feel bad enough my hip likely has a tear and know my recruiter put in the work to get me selected. I just know falling out due to injury puts my family in a bad place.

I have my Structured Interview on Monday. I’m a SSG and current Squad Leader in the Infantry and to be entirely honest. Nervous as absolute fuck about this interview. I want to be able to do well and I get be authentic and all that. But for any who did it in-service structured interview. What kind of questions did they ask? As well as, are they really trying to ping you on things and not want to get you the go ahead to continue the OCS process and possibly get selected?

Edit: I passed 👌💯

Hello all,

I graduated basic at Ft. Moore on Thursday and start OCS on Monday. For those of you currently in or who have gone through recently, anything you wish you had known before starting? I am pretty sure I will be in Bravo company so any advice about bravo or the course as a whole would be very much appreciated, my respond or dm. Thanks and have a great rest of your day!

Hey everyone, I am hoping to get some feedback on my essay for Why I Want To Be an Army Officer. I am non-prior service and don't have the best GPA so am really hoping to lock down my essay to add to my resume and LORs. Thanks in advance for the help!

Long time lurker first time poster. I’m looking for a recruiter in the Chicagoland area that can help with dropping a packet for OCS.

I am currently in my 3rd year of college graduating next fall and am looking into applying to OCS, based off what I've read so far, I should get started now. I'm currently going to school in upstate ny, but am from md. I recently contacted a md recruiter and talked over the phone who seemed pretty knowledgeable. I'm only hesitant to talk to upstate ny recruiters due to lack of connectivity up here as well as possible lack of experience upstate ny recruiters may have with ocs routes. The benefit to upstate ny would be convenience of having more opportunities to have sit down conversations. Thoughts?

So I'm an in-service reserves candidate and went to federal OCS earlier this year. I got dismissed on day 3 before classing up for busting the tape by 1% body fat (seriously). In the past few months I focused on weight loss and can now pass weight without getting taped at all. I'm trying to figure out how to get reinstated as an OC, but the only instruction I got was from my DD785. The words have been quite convoluting. According to the image attached, first sentence says "Soldiers that have previously attended the US Army OCS Course and were relieved for any reason may request reinstatement after one calendar year of relief." I thought it might apply to me? and I have to wait 1 year after getting dismissed to even ask for reinstatement? Then 2nd sentence :"Soldier requesting reinstatement have 12 months from the date of relief on the DD Form 785 to request reinstatement." if this applies to me, would that mean I have a 12 months window from my dismissal date to submit the reinstatement packet? which is entirely contradictory with the first sentence. My interpretation is maybe the first sentence applies to people who are getting dismissed from OCS for a second time??? Because "previously dismissed" could mean there was another dismissal prior to this DD 785???

Also, who should I submit this reinstatement packet to? HRC? It's also asking for DD2808, does that mean I have to redo my commissioning physical? Lastly, if I were to go to the National Guard Traditional OCS instead of federal (it's an option for reservist), do I still need to do this whole reinstatement packet???

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https://preview.redd.it/37oipsldgtwd1.png?width=1394&format=png&auto=webp&s=9d0c3e569d356e169dfb78963ab3a9c600b27aa5