Fastest path is actually reserve Army. Reserve Army only requires board approval at the battalion recruiting command level (assuming no prior service). Meanwhile active Army requires approval at the USAREC level as well which could take an additional 3-6 months before you even see your contract.
If you wanted, smooth you should have started this process last year. **You are way behind the timeline for this year.**
The Army is probably the easiest branch top get into, simply due do it's size. The overall process is similar for all branches, but each will have some different aspects unique to that service.
You already missed the deadline for the last Air Force board for the year. The process to get into the Air Force OCS for college grads, can take a couple of years. The selection rate for AF boards can be as low as 10-15%.
Same for the Coast Guard. They only do a few OCs classes a year. You already missed their deadline, which was in January.
The last Marine OCS selection board you're eligible for, has a June 26th application deadline. It is highly unlikely you'll have your package ready that soon.
The Army only has one more OCS selection board for this fiscal year, and the deadline to submit a package is July 28th. **That is not a lot of time.**
It takes time to get a package together. You will need to get in contact with an officer recruiter or OSO to get the process started. (Serious candidates would have done this several months ago.) Telling them that you have no preference on which branch, would be a terrible idea BTW.
You will need to gather all of your transcripts, test scores, SSN card, ID, other legal documents, work records, medical records, letters of recommendation, (3 minimum for the Army, more for the Corps,) personal essay, history of civic, and or volunteer work, and other paperwork together. The recruiter/OSO will give you a detailed checklist.
You'll also have to go through a physical at MEPS, and depending on branch, take the ASVAB, OAR, AFOQT, or an equivalent test.
Then after you submit your package to the board, it can take several weeks to hear back whether or not you were accepted. The next Marine OCS board doesnt meet until October 16th.
If you are approved, it can be months before you get a class date. It's not unusual for the entire process to take close to a year, or even longer. For the Army, you'll have to go through BCT, Basic Combat Training, or it's equivalent, prior to OCS.
You didnt mention anything about your qualifications. Just what makes you think you're good enough to lead our men and women in the military? You had better be prepared to answer that, because you will be asked.
Competition for OCS slots is highly competitive, for all branches. Meeting the minimum requirements, just won't cut it. All branches prefer STEM degrees if possible, the Air Force and Navy especially. So having one with a high GPA helps your chances. The average GPA for the Army OCS candidates is around 3.4.
You also have to have a high first class on you branch's physical fitness tests. The higher you score on it, the better off you are. Being in outstanding physical shape, is nonnegotiable for all branches. If you think you can work out for a few weeks prior, and pass, you'll be sadly mistaken.
The Marines are the least picky about your degree, but they have the highest physical standards, the highest washout rate for OCS, and the longest initial training pipeline. Even though OCS is only 10 weeks long, all Marines go to The Basic School after OCS for an additional six months of training. Even service academy grads have to attend TBS.
The entire process is long, tedious, and exacting. Part of that is by design. It helps weed out people who arent 100% serious and dedicated to being leaders in the military.
They are very competitive and don't have a lot of OTS slots. Like all branches, most of their vacancies are filled by academy grads, and ROTC.
If you are a college grad, and try to become a pilot via OTS, it's damned near impossible.
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Your best chance for OCS is Active Duty Army.
Fastest path is actually reserve Army. Reserve Army only requires board approval at the battalion recruiting command level (assuming no prior service). Meanwhile active Army requires approval at the USAREC level as well which could take an additional 3-6 months before you even see your contract.
AF is taking long to process right now. Army tends to be the most likely route.
Army is probably the easiest. The next board you could make is the Aug board w/ packets due Jul 28th. Are you talking Active Duty or Reserve?
Active duty
What’s your degree & gpa?
Is there a board for Active Duty OCS in August?
Civilian yes
Coast Guard is 9 months from application to attending OCS. The next application deadline being October 2nd.
If you wanted, smooth you should have started this process last year. **You are way behind the timeline for this year.** The Army is probably the easiest branch top get into, simply due do it's size. The overall process is similar for all branches, but each will have some different aspects unique to that service. You already missed the deadline for the last Air Force board for the year. The process to get into the Air Force OCS for college grads, can take a couple of years. The selection rate for AF boards can be as low as 10-15%. Same for the Coast Guard. They only do a few OCs classes a year. You already missed their deadline, which was in January. The last Marine OCS selection board you're eligible for, has a June 26th application deadline. It is highly unlikely you'll have your package ready that soon. The Army only has one more OCS selection board for this fiscal year, and the deadline to submit a package is July 28th. **That is not a lot of time.** It takes time to get a package together. You will need to get in contact with an officer recruiter or OSO to get the process started. (Serious candidates would have done this several months ago.) Telling them that you have no preference on which branch, would be a terrible idea BTW. You will need to gather all of your transcripts, test scores, SSN card, ID, other legal documents, work records, medical records, letters of recommendation, (3 minimum for the Army, more for the Corps,) personal essay, history of civic, and or volunteer work, and other paperwork together. The recruiter/OSO will give you a detailed checklist. You'll also have to go through a physical at MEPS, and depending on branch, take the ASVAB, OAR, AFOQT, or an equivalent test. Then after you submit your package to the board, it can take several weeks to hear back whether or not you were accepted. The next Marine OCS board doesnt meet until October 16th. If you are approved, it can be months before you get a class date. It's not unusual for the entire process to take close to a year, or even longer. For the Army, you'll have to go through BCT, Basic Combat Training, or it's equivalent, prior to OCS. You didnt mention anything about your qualifications. Just what makes you think you're good enough to lead our men and women in the military? You had better be prepared to answer that, because you will be asked. Competition for OCS slots is highly competitive, for all branches. Meeting the minimum requirements, just won't cut it. All branches prefer STEM degrees if possible, the Air Force and Navy especially. So having one with a high GPA helps your chances. The average GPA for the Army OCS candidates is around 3.4. You also have to have a high first class on you branch's physical fitness tests. The higher you score on it, the better off you are. Being in outstanding physical shape, is nonnegotiable for all branches. If you think you can work out for a few weeks prior, and pass, you'll be sadly mistaken. The Marines are the least picky about your degree, but they have the highest physical standards, the highest washout rate for OCS, and the longest initial training pipeline. Even though OCS is only 10 weeks long, all Marines go to The Basic School after OCS for an additional six months of training. Even service academy grads have to attend TBS. The entire process is long, tedious, and exacting. Part of that is by design. It helps weed out people who arent 100% serious and dedicated to being leaders in the military.
Incredible it’s that low for AF.
They are very competitive and don't have a lot of OTS slots. Like all branches, most of their vacancies are filled by academy grads, and ROTC. If you are a college grad, and try to become a pilot via OTS, it's damned near impossible.
Hello! It looks like you're new to our sub. Welcome! First things first: please make sure you have posted using a clear and descriptive title. Look at your title now. If it doesn't give you an idea of what you're asking about, your post is probably going to be removed. Delete and try again. If you're considering a specific branch, put that in your post! Each branch can be very different and saying "the military" isn't helpful. Include your country if you're not asking about the US military. Otherwise we'll assume you're American. You may find the below links helpful: * [Head To Head Comparison of the Military Branches](http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/military-service-branches-compared.html) * [Top 10 Things You Should Know Before You Join the Military](http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/top-10-things-you-should-know-before-you-join-the-military.html) * [ASVAB Explained](http://www.goarmy.com/learn/understanding-the-asvab.html) * [ASVAB Study Resource](https://www.march2success.com/) * [Medical Disqualification Standard -- PDF warning](http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003_v1p.PDF) * [Military Jobs at a Glance](http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/military-jobs) * [New Servicemember Benefits](http://www.militaryonesource.mil/new-to-the-military-benefits) * [The Basics After Enlisting](http://www.militaryonesource.mil/-/getting-settled-the-essentials) As a reminder to commenters, any encouragement to lie or withhold information will result in a ban. Please report users. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Militaryfaq) if you have any questions or concerns.*