Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 3/27/2008

Question
Dear Maam,

I am currently an enlisted sailor. I have 12 years of service in the Navy Nuclear field. I am due to get out of t he Navy in October. I would stay in the Navy if I can get a commisioning. I earned my BS i June of 2007. Can I get a commissioning(or OCS)? I have an excellent service record with awards and a blemish free career. I also have a secret clearance. I just turned 30 today. If I am eligible to become an officer, how does one go about doing so? If I can't get a commisioning then I will get out of the military at my EAOS which is OCT 08. Looking for asnwers or help.

Thank you,

Justin Folkwein

Answer
Dear Justin --

Yes, you can apply for Officer Candidate Training.  Since you have 12 years of service, you can receive your commission past the age of 30.

You must get the request for favorable personnel action form that the Navy uses, and apply for OCS.  Unfortunately, I do not know the form number the Navy uses.  Hand walk your application through your chain of command, so it does not "get lost" along the way.  

You can find some information at the following web site: http://www.navy.com/careers/officerplanner/enlistedtoofficer/

That site also provides a means of getting answers to other questions specific to applying for Navy OCS.

If you do not have any luck with Navy OCS, please consider the Blue to Green option, whereby you would transfer to the Army and attend Army OCS to earn your commission.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck, and thank you for your service.