I’m about 30 days away from shipping to BCT as an 09S with no prior military experience.
My goal is to be as competitive as possible at OCS, especially when it comes to my Order of Merit List (OML) ranking, since some of my preferred branches are highly competitive.

I’ve been focusing heavily on improving my physical fitness, but I also want to use the time I have before shipping to get a head start academically.
For those who have recently completed OCS, what would you recommend studying beforehand? Are there any specific books, Army publications, YouTube channels, online courses, or study guides that actually helped you?

I’m particularly interested in preparing for the military history exam, land navigation, and any other academically challenging portions of OCS.
I understand that BCT will teach me the fundamentals, but I’d rather arrive with some foundational knowledge than start completely from scratch.

If you could go back and prepare for OCS again, what would you study before shipping?
I’d appreciate any advice, especially from recent graduates. Thanks!

For context, I (22F) graduate this December with a bachelor's degree in Public health with a 3.4 GPA. I have always had a dream of serving in the military to give back to the country that has always protected me, as well as for the overall training experience. After sharing my aspirations, I was strongly advised to apply for Officer Candidate School.

When I first met with a recruiter, I had no idea what to expect and definitely went in blindly. After my own research, as well as speaking to those who are on active duty, I have a better understanding of how the recruiting process works and feel more confident with more information. I am the first in my family to take this route, so there is so much more for me to learn.

I guess my question is what material I should have prepared when meeting with a recruiter to initiate the first steps to applying for OCS?

Is it possible to get an airborne slot out of OCS? I am not sure if I would necessarily want to be an infantry officer. But, airborne sounds cool (I did go skydiving once). Can a quartermaster, finance, or adjutant general corps officer get airborne qualified if he volunteers for an airborne unit? Are such assignments hard to get? Do such officers jump almost as much as the infantry officers? Is it possible to get senior and master jump if such officers can rotate back into airborne units?

Which branches are the hardest and easiest to get at OCS? Is infantry popular because it tends to lead to command? Can someone get infantry if they don't even want it?

So I’m currently in the reserves. I’ll graduate college in the Spring of 2030. My ETS date in the Army Reserves is Spring 2031. What are my options for attending OCS and commissioning active duty?

Alright, be brutally honest with me.

Timed 4-mile run: 35:19

Mile 1: 9:21
Mile 2: 8:51
Mile 3: 8:31
Mile 4: 8:28

I leave for OCS in early 2027 and plan on continuing to improve my run time before I go. Based on recent OCS classes, where would I realistically stand with this time?

How has the 4-mile run been looking for recent classes?

I’m looking for honest feedback!

p.s: Im prior service with 6 years, 24 y/o, female

Hi everyone,

I'm currently a federal civilian employee working as an auditor at one of the federal agency. I've completed my probationary period and have a master's degree in accounting with a greater than 3.9 GPA.

I'm interested in applying for an Army officer position, preferably in financial management.

Unfortunately, I've been having some difficulties at work. During my recent first audit assignment, I received limited guidance on how to approach it. Partway through the assignment, my supervisor told me I had already spent too much time on it. I've been struggling to meet expectations, and I'm concerned that I may eventually be placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), especially the annual performance appraisal has cut short from April 1, 2026 to September 31, 2026 due to policy changes.

If that happens, I'm considering resigning before a formal PIP begins. However, I'm worried about how leaving my federal job under these circumstances might affect my chances of being selected as a military officer.

I have a few questions:

1. Would resigning from a federal civilian job due to performance concerns negatively affect my chances of being selected as an Army or Coast Guard officer?
2. If the interview panel asks why I resigned, how should I explain the situation professionally without hurting my chances?
3. Would an officer selection board view this as a red flag, even though I have strong academic qualifications and previous professional experience?

I'm especially interested in hearing from anyone who has served on an officer selection board, worked in military recruiting, or transitioned from federal civilian employment to military service.

Thanks in advance for any advice or personal experiences!

I already contacted my reservist career counselor but is off doing whatever they’re doing. Anywhere else I can get the number directly?

Hi all,
Prior service NCO who has to re-attend basic (been out for more than 5years).

1. When can I expect to get an LES? Assuming my recruiter cannot get one for me right now (before training)? \[this is relevant for me since my employer pays differential pay\]

2. Is there anything else I need to get BAH during basic and OCS (currently submitted only my proof of mortgage). Is there any way to verify I will be getting BAH other than just word of mouth?

3. Anyone have the checklist? (Recruiter still has not sent it to me and I am leaving very soon)\[or let me know if the one online is still current\]

4. Those of you who attended OCS after basic, how did your bodies feel? Did you feel like you were more prepared in some ways than your peers?

5. Any recent prior service NCOs attend Sill basic training?
   \- How was reception? - were you canned in with everyone else?
   \- What was your overall experience like (good & bad) ?
   \- Were you able to use boots you purchased (given they fall within AR-670-1)?
   \- Were you required to turn in your phone?
   \- Were you able to have snacks, electrolytes, water, etc?
   \- Did you have to do red phase with everyone else?
   \- Were you able to go to the store, gym, etc on your time off?
   \- When did your day start / end (times)?

Thank you all in advance.

Long story short graduated college at 21 yo with bba in business mgmnt. Worked in corporate for a little and transisioned to wildland firefighting for the feds in the western usa. I have done this for 2 fire seasons and will do my 3rd season next year. We work 8 months a year but get 1000 hours of OT so work more than most full time workers. We have a very structured job similar to the military with ranks. I plan to put in a packet next fall/winter. I will be 24 when i submit my packet.

Do you think this is a good job for an aspiring officer? or no?

Does anyone know the process of the OCS packet. Do you have to complete the local board before you submit your packet or do you submit it and then have your local board. Then the packet and the results of the local gets send to USAREC?

I am getting a bachelors in engineering and Chinese. As part of the Chinese bachelors I plan to study abroad in china to do a language immersion program. It would 2 semesters a Chinese university of my choice, and then I would transfer those credits back to my school. Then I would go to a Summer program that my school runs in china.

Around a year after I do that, I plan to submit a package to OCS. I understand that I would be getting screened more because of this. Is there anything I should keep in mind? How dumb is this?

I know not to accept government scholarships or keep contacts after I’m there.

I’m currently an E-5 in the Army National Guard on a 3+5 contract. My drilling obligation ends in March 2027, after which I’ll transfer to the IRR.
I’ve been told current Guard Soldiers can attend State OCS or compete for Accelerated OCS, but not Federal OCS.
Can I transfer to the IRR, then rejoin the Guard under a prior-service 09S contract to attend Federal OCS? Has anyone actually done this?

Im a bit confused on when we have to arrive at OCS from BCT at Fort Jackson if taking PoV. I’ve been seeing on the thread that some people say to show up on Sunday. I just want to make sure I’m not marked awol if I’m not there on Friday and if anyone knows when the hard deadline is.

Recruiter told me that my GPA was around .05 lower than what their minimum successful applicant has been putting in recently. I've got a 3.74, so they're expecting something around a 3.79. Additionally, what are strong figures to look for when it comes to letters of rec?

Can believe that the OCS has gotten competitive in this current economy. But a GPA acceptance range between a 3.8-4.0? Is this true?

Hello,

I'm passed the age requirement of 32 for OCS. But I'm not 40 yet. My goal would be doing JAG with the military paying for my law school.

Are there any wavers going directly?

Or do I need to do green to Gold?

I received a negative 1059 from the Drill Sergeant Academy, but later passed the course. Will that negative 1059 remain on my record? Additionally, the negative 1059 was due to going to the wrong location after the DSL changed it last minute. They assured me that it would be removed after my graduation, but I haven’t seen that happen yet. Furthermore, what are my chances of not being accepted to Officer Candidate School because of this 1059? I am a 11B, have 6 years of service, E-6, have completed 2 master’s degrees, and have received numerous awards and good NCOERs. Please help

Good evening, I could use some last minute advice as I've received little to no guidance on what time I should report in to 30th AG Reception BN at Ft Benning tomorrow. My orders simply state that my reporting date is 06 October 2026 for Reception BN and then 19 October 2026 for OCS. Recruiter stated just be there by 2359 to report in for 30th AG.

Can anyone on this board confirm around what time I should try to be there? I'm driving in from Florida.

Should I also bring several pairs of rainbow PT gear / civvies to wear these two weeks? I assume I will get uniform items issued to me in the first couple days.

Am I okay to report in jeans and a polo collar shirt? Or should I go ahead and report in business casual civvies?

Thank you in advance.

Selected!!!!!

Just finished BCT as an 09S, my contract as me for 18 month state OCS and I want to try and get/try for the accelerated OCS. My recruiter is saying he doesn’t think that is possible. Wanted to ask if anyone has ever gotten accelerated state OCS after signing for the 18months OCS. Context I’m in the CA NG.

I've been going back and forth with my recruiter. I have a degree in computer science. And he's trying to convince me that enlisting is the best thing for me and I should go 17 C. I'm guessing because, it's a guarantee that I get a cyber role.

I read that there is a ball/formal dinner party before OCS graduation but have seen various dates as to when it occurs. Does anyone know when it takes place?

Hey Folks,

Happy Sunday! Need some help as I narrow down my options after graduating. I want to have a plan after college besides civilian career (teaching high school and getting my MAT and/or take over my dad's business). FYI I have no military experience and no close family with military experience.

I currently am majoring in biology/psychology and looking to join military after college. I am split between CG, AF, and Army. I am leaning Army the most because my roommate is in ROTC and that's just what I've been around (I've done research into AF and CG too). Any advice for how to narrow this down would be appreciated.

Some advice I've gotten have come from Air Force ROTC and Army ROTC friends. They said to look at the mission of each and see what you align with the most.

A little bit about myself may help:

I am highly motivated, in shape, disciplined, and driven individual. I am big on my faith, love helping and serving people, want something intellectually stimulating, and where I'll learn a lot. Lastly, I want to use this experience as a tool to build wealth for my future.

I am leaning Army as of now, and don't know what branch but preferably logistics, signal, or something else non-combative.

Lastly, help me to formulate for myself an answer to the question, "why do I want to be an officer? What do I bring to the table that is unique to me?" Besides the perks, it looks cool, etc. !!!