I am due to go to meps next week but my recruiter keeps insisting i wont get the clearance i need because of my poor credit, trying to get me to go enlisted and choose a non clearance job, i have M.S./B.S. and got a 96 on ASVAB, will i be able to squeez in to O.C.S. or shoud i just take a non-clearance job and submit an O.C.S. packet as an enlisted?
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What level of clearance do i need to get into army O.C.S.?
- Thread starter Adam
- Start date
All depends on what job you want to do. Officers lead but its the NCO's that actually lead on the battlefield. Becoming an officer with enlisted experience is irreplaceable. Just like the above says, O-1E's get a million times more respect than a butter bar straight out of college. Don't listen to Buckeye. If you go enlisted in the army, you will be able to get a slot at OCS. Air Force is different but just like with most Air Force people, they think they know everything about every service.
Buckeye Fever
New member
No, you should go Officer first. Should you try the E-Side first, you are not guaranteed OCS and could go your entire career without becoming an Officer. If you start as an O-1, you will never have to have that problem.
If you go Enlisted, expect the next 2 years to be blocked off for Basic Training, AIT, on the job training, and upgrade qualification (pretty standard for all branches). Then submit an OCS/OTS package and wait another year or so for it to be channeled, and then wait some more for you to get your class and release dates.
Also, poor credit is waiverable for clearance - everyone has credit issues. The Army is most lenient on its applicants because it needs the most personnel, you should be fine.
If you go Enlisted, expect the next 2 years to be blocked off for Basic Training, AIT, on the job training, and upgrade qualification (pretty standard for all branches). Then submit an OCS/OTS package and wait another year or so for it to be channeled, and then wait some more for you to get your class and release dates.
Also, poor credit is waiverable for clearance - everyone has credit issues. The Army is most lenient on its applicants because it needs the most personnel, you should be fine.
I got you. I enlisted and a year later I went to the OCS board.
Do this: Enlist for the shortest possible active contract. Try to get a signing bonus and if you need, student loan repayment.
When you get to your first duty station, you can ask your s1 or there should be someone in charge of OCS for soldiers. Tell them you want to go to OCS. You are within your re-enlistment window anyways once you have 1 year in, so get your OCS board.
the Army will get you a security clearance anyways, so that you can deploy. find out when the OCS board is. Theres a few each year. Spend a month impressing your chain of command so they recommend you. I was with my unit for 3 month but did a good job, so my captain recommended me and then the colonel did too.
what you can also do, once you know you got a board for OCS, you can re-up for max years and take a huge bonus. that contract goes away once you go to OCS and you keep your bonus, esspecially if you do it down range where its tax free.
also, being enlisted for about a year is going to help you be a better soldier. Youll have a stronger base. your men will respect you more too.
2nd lt's are privates in the eyes of soldiers. esspecially if they came out of college. if you are prior service, you are an O1E and you get a feel for what you are asking of your soldiers.
Do this: Enlist for the shortest possible active contract. Try to get a signing bonus and if you need, student loan repayment.
When you get to your first duty station, you can ask your s1 or there should be someone in charge of OCS for soldiers. Tell them you want to go to OCS. You are within your re-enlistment window anyways once you have 1 year in, so get your OCS board.
the Army will get you a security clearance anyways, so that you can deploy. find out when the OCS board is. Theres a few each year. Spend a month impressing your chain of command so they recommend you. I was with my unit for 3 month but did a good job, so my captain recommended me and then the colonel did too.
what you can also do, once you know you got a board for OCS, you can re-up for max years and take a huge bonus. that contract goes away once you go to OCS and you keep your bonus, esspecially if you do it down range where its tax free.
also, being enlisted for about a year is going to help you be a better soldier. Youll have a stronger base. your men will respect you more too.
2nd lt's are privates in the eyes of soldiers. esspecially if they came out of college. if you are prior service, you are an O1E and you get a feel for what you are asking of your soldiers.