Becoming an officer in the military is a long process. It requires dedication and perseverance. If you have what it takes to be an officer, this guide will help you get there.
Step 1: Start With Basic Training
The first step to becoming an officer is to undergo basic training. This can take anywhere from three months to six months, depending on your chosen branch of service and rank. During this time, you will learn how to shoot a gun, perform physical exercises, navigate through obstacle courses and more!
Step 2: Advance to Officer Candidate School
After you complete basic training, it’s time to move on to Officer Candidate School (OCS). OCS is where you will learn leadership skills, military history and protocol as well as how best to lead others in combat situations. This training lasts anywhere from eight weeks up to four months depending on your chosen branch of service and rank.
Step 3: Complete Your Schooling
Once you’ve completed OCS, it’s time for school! Depending on your chosen branch of service and rank, this could mean attending either flight school or language school before moving onto another military branch altogether like the Army or Navy.
How To Become An Officer In The Military
US Military Academy
The U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., offers bachelor of science degrees in engineering and liberal arts. Graduates earn a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army. Admission is very competitive. Appointments generally are made through nominations from U.S. senators and representatives. Applicants should begin their quest for entry into the academy, no later than the middle of their junior year in high school.
Learn more about getting into West Point.
Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
Army ROTC is the primary source for college-trained officers for the Army. ROTC is offered currently at more than 300 institutions and through agreements at more than 1,000 colleges and universities.
Army ROTC has two parts — the basic course and the advanced course. The basic course covers the freshman and sophomore years of college. Students may withdraw at any time with no military obligation. Selected students may enroll in the advanced course during the final two years of college. Students in the advanced course receive uniforms, necessary textbooks and a subsistence allowance. Cadets are scheduled for a six-week advanced camp during the summer between their junior and senior years of college.
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Educational assistance in the form of highly competitive scholarships are available for two, three or four years at different amounts for each year. Additional scholarship benefits include a designated allowance for textbooks and supplies.
For more on military educational benefits, visit the Education Center.
Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School is a 14-week course to train enlisted personnel, warrant officers and civilians with college degrees to be Army officers. Enlisted soldiers and warrant officers must have 90 semester credit-hours of college before applying. Civilian applicants must have a bachelor’s degree. Officer Candidate School (OCS) now commissions almost 1,000 officers each year, a figure comparable to the academy’s 900.
Direct Appointment
The Army offers direct appointments for specialists from selected legal, medical, ministerial and technical fields. Professionals even can enter at advanced ranks based on the level of their expertise.
Warrant Officers
An Army warrant officer is an officer appointed by warrant of the secretary of the Army, based on a sound level of technical and tactical competence. The warrant officer is a highly specialized expert and trainer who gains progressive levels of expertise and leadership by operating, maintaining, administering and managing the Army’s equipment, support activities or technical systems.
Becoming a warrant officer requires great skill in a specific occupational specialty. Army warrant officers must demonstrate leadership abilities and have the desire and dedication to perfect their technical proficiency through professional development, training and education. Through schooling, experience, assignments and promotions, they learn to perform effectively in the most demanding positions.
Go here to get more information with no obligation.
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