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While the services are getting smaller, they ALWAYS have to fill the ranks. The services and DoD look deep--- it's why the QDR exists and why the J-staff tries to define the operating environment 20 years out. In doing so, they have to project requirements out that far as well. I will bet my yearly salary that there is not a single service that will opt to decline commissioning anyone for a year group. They would pay for that mistake for no less than a decade.
Best of luck in your search and efforts to receive a commission.
I didn't see anybody even imply they wouldn't commission people at all in a particular year group. They certainly will limit commissions and accept shortages: see YG 91-94 for the Army.
This young man wants to come in after college-e.g., OCS/OTS/whatever the Navy term is, or a direct commission.
OCS/et. al, and direct, historically been used to fill the shortages the more traditional Academy/ROTC routes cannot fill. Currently, USNA/NROTC are pretty well making it on the active side. He's got an uphill climb to get in under his particular set of conditions. He may still make it, but, uphill.
Given my situation, would enlisting first and then going for officer after a few years be a better option? Would I be too old to go this way? I'm 24 right now.
I didn't see anybody even imply they wouldn't commission people at all in a particular year group. They certainly will limit commissions and accept shortages: see YG 91-94 for the Army.
This young man wants to come in after college-e.g., OCS/OTS/whatever the Navy term is, or a direct commission.
OCS/et. al, and direct, historically been used to fill the shortages the more traditional Academy/ROTC routes cannot fill. Currently, USNA/NROTC are pretty well making it on the active side. He's got an uphill climb to get in under his particular set of conditions. He may still make it, but, uphill.
I'm US Army YG 93. We weren't under assessed. In fact, the CSA at the time, GEN Sullivan, spoke at my college frequently (he was an alumni) and he addressed how we were tailored for the future end strength of the Army. That was an important message because as soon to be new LTs, we already heard about all of the RIFs that were going on.
I also have experience in USAREC as an Operations Officer. I can tell you that OCS is not designed to fill shortages for USMA and ROTC. I'm not sure where you got that information.
With the downsizing of the military, everyone has an uphill battle, regardless of commissioning source. There are far more people who want to receive a commission than there are slots for.
But yeah, I was embellishing a little bit because the OP had received several responses telling him we are downsizing and we are kicking people out. How does someone who doesn't understand the process interpret that? Not favorably is my guess. I was trying to reassure them that all services still have the "Help Wanted" sign up.
I'll end here with a comment for the OP---- They can't say "no" unless you ask. I don't know how the Navy process works but you can go before the Army board multiple times. We had folks who went through several boards before they were finally selected. I sat on the OCS board as an interviewer/voting member and I remember seeing some applicants 2-3 times.
After reading many forum boards about OCS, I feel like enlisting would give me a better chance of accomplishing my goals. In addition, I can get real world experience, travel the world, pursue a graduate degree for no cost, and decide whether I want to go Air Force or Navy.
I'll let you guys know what comes of the meeting tomorrow.
After reading many forum boards about OCS, I feel like enlisting would give me a better chance of accomplishing my goals. In addition, I can get real world experience, travel the world, pursue a graduate degree for no cost, and decide whether I want to go Air Force or Navy.
I'll let you guys know what comes of the meeting tomorrow.
Apply to OCS first - the worst they can say is no. You then have the other branches to apply to as well. I would personally only do enlisted as a last resort. My experience on the enlisted side with a degree has been incredibly frustrating thus far. If I could do it over, I'd probably apply to the AF officer program instead of the Army.
I'm US Army YG 93. We weren't under assessed. In fact, the CSA at the time, GEN Sullivan, spoke at my college frequently (he was an alumni) and he addressed how we were tailored for the future end strength of the Army. That was an important message because as soon to be new LTs, we already heard about all of the RIFs that were going on.
I also have experience in USAREC as an Operations Officer. I can tell you that OCS is not designed to fill shortages for USMA and ROTC. I'm not sure where you got that information.
With the downsizing of the military, everyone has an uphill battle, regardless of commissioning source. There are far more people who want to receive a commission than there are slots for.
Suffice it to say, we disagree on a couple of points. PM Sent.
I just got back from speaking with the recruiter and began the process of enlisting in the navy. The recruiter is going to give me the very last spot they have since someone just dropped out. All I have to do is take care of the speeding ticket (which I'm doing right now) and I'm good to go. The recruiter liked my clean medical and criminal history, and the 73 ASVAB score on the practice test. He wants to get me in MEPS on Tuesday.
I also have experience in USAREC as an Operations Officer. I can tell you that OCS is not designed to fill shortages for USMA and ROTC. I'm not sure where you got that information.
Sounds kind of crazy to hear a recruiter was impressed with a clean criminal history.
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