SA vs ROTC vs OCS

You

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I was wondering if any of you guys would be willing to answering a few questions about OCS, ROTC, and the service academies. I apologize in advance if I don't use some of these terms correctly, I'm still learning the lingo...

  • How does OCS work? Do you have to go into OCS right after college if you want to be an officer? How many of the OCS cadets get the MOS that they want? How much would it cost? If I do go into OCS, will I have to go to Fort Benning, or are there other campuses that I would have to go to?
  • Are you required to take ROTC classes a certain amount of years to be commissioned as an officer? I'm going to be graduating high school with my Associates of Arts, and I'm worried about not having enough time to complete the program. How many of the ROTC cadets get the MOS they want?
  • How does OCS, ROTC, and the service academies differ in terms of military preparation? I know OCS is only 12 weeks compared to the 4 years at the service academies, and 2-4(?) years in ROTC, but how well do they prepare you for active duty? Which program prepares their cadets the best?
Thank you!
 
I can only give you our story of OCS ( 10 years ago, not sure if it’s changed). My husband is prior service (4 yrs USMC a few Air National Guard). He earned his degree( for free though ANG) and wanted to go back active so he went to OCS. Fort Benning is where OCS is, it’s not boot camp, although you may or may not have to go to boot camp first. Again my husband was prior service, so he did not.
Careers were chosen on an OML list ( merit). He got his first pick. Some washed out and had to repeat phases.
You are an E5 during OCS so it won’t cost you a thing.
After OCS you’ll head to your school for you selected branch. Then you will PCS to your 1st duty station.
We have friends who came from West Point, some who did ROTC ( both on scholarship and not), few who did the OCS route. Some are great Officers, some have been kicked out. Be sure you understand what Army life is like. There’s good and bad. There’s mornings it’s -20 degrees out and my husband had to shovel to get to outside PT. But we’ve been all over the world and he loves what he does.
If you crave the traditional college setting go ROTC. If you want to really challenge yourself, consider the Academy. If you want to take some time to think about it before you sign, do OCS. There’s really no difference once you’re an Officer.
 
Agree with above. ROTC is designed to be a 4 year program although I do know of folks who have completed it in less. You would need to discuss your circumstances with the Professor of Military Science (PMS) to know what's achievable. 4 years in ROTC allow you time to develop your leadership skills and style and certainly some technical aspects of your training. MOS selection in ROTC is also based on the OML. Some get their first choice, some do not. The needs of the Service always comes first. You may find you don't get your first choice but fall in love with the MOS you get. DS, a Marine, got his third choice but he fell in love with it by the time he was done with his MOS schools and loves it even more today. Things tend to work out. When you leave the service the moist valuable skill you have to sell is your leadership talent.

All programs turn out both good and bad officers,just like the rest of life, but they are all technically proficient.
 
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I can only give you our story of OCS ( 10 years ago, not sure if it’s changed). My husband is prior service (4 yrs USMC a few Air National Guard). He earned his degree( for free though ANG) and wanted to go back active so he went to OCS. Fort Benning is where OCS is, it’s not boot camp, although you may or may not have to go to boot camp first. Again my husband was prior service, so he did not.
Careers were chosen on an OML list ( merit). He got his first pick. Some washed out and had to repeat phases.
You are an E5 during OCS so it won’t cost you a thing.
After OCS you’ll head to your school for you selected branch. Then you will PCS to your 1st duty station.
We have friends who came from West Point, some who did ROTC ( both on scholarship and not), few who did the OCS route. Some are great Officers, some have been kicked out. Be sure you understand what Army life is like. There’s good and bad. There’s mornings it’s -20 degrees out and my husband had to shovel to get to outside PT. But we’ve been all over the world and he loves what he does.
If you crave the traditional college setting go ROTC. If you want to really challenge yourself, consider the Academy. If you want to take some time to think about it before you sign, do OCS. There’s really no difference once you’re an Officer.
Yep, I'm applying to all of the service academies, but I'm trying to come up with a few solid back up plans in case I don't receive an appointment. Thank you for your help!
 
Agree with above. ROTC is designed to be a 4 year program although I do know of folks who have completed it in less. You would need to discuss your circumstances with the Professor of Military Science (PMS) to know what's achievable. 4 years in ROTC allow you time to develop your leadership skills and style and certainly some technical aspects of your training. MOS selection in ROTC is also based on the OML. Some get their first choice, some do not. The needs of the Service always comes first. You may find you don't get your first choice but fall in love with the MOS you get. DS, a Marine, got his third choice but he fell in love with it by the time he was done with his MOS schools and loves it even more today. Things tend to work out. When you leave the service the moist valuable skill you have to sell is your leadership talent.

All programs turn out both good and bad officers,just like the rest of life, but they are all technically proficient.
Alright, thank you for the info! If you don't mind me asking, what MOS did your DS get?
 
Alright, thank you for the info! If you don't mind me asking, what MOS did your DS get?
Communications officer. In the Army that would be Signals Officer.
 
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I am going to speak as a mom of a Naval Academy grad (and currently still in) There is a fraternity of sorts that is an academy grad. It is instant credibility and brotherhood that you don’t necessarily get going other routes. Now, that being said, like others have said, there are good and bad officers coming in all ways and the cream rises There are also those who roll their eyes at the “ring knockers” (academy grads who seem to knock their rings on the table to let you know they went to an academy and notice their rings). So there is that. But if you have all options and your goal is a career in the military, personally I think you are set up best if you go to a service academy. My son wants a ”normal” college experience and a military career so he is pursuing ROTC. Nothing wrong with it and the school he hopes to attend has its share of brotherhood. Just something to consider. I know my daughter has had an amazing career thus far and some of it I think is due to her academy experience.
 
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I am going to speak as a mom of a Naval Academy grad (and currently still in) There is a fraternity of sorts that is an academy grad. It is instant credibility and brotherhood that you don’t necessarily get going other routes. Now, that being said, like others have said, there are good and bad officers coming in all ways and the cream rises There are also those who roll their eyes at the “ring knockers” (academy grads who seem to knock their rings on the table to let you know they went to an academy and notice their rings). So there is that. But if you have all options and your goal is a career in the military, personally I think you are set up best if you go to a service academy. My son wants a ”normal” college experience and a military career so he is pursuing ROTC. Nothing wrong with it and the school he hopes to attend has its share of brotherhood. Just something to consider. I know my daughter has had an amazing career thus far and some of it I think is due to her academy experience.
I'm not really looking for normal, so I'm starting to think the academies are the best fit for me... Thank you! :)
 
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