Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/14/2009

Question
Question:
Should I pursue my Master's degree and Commission via the ROTC option, or OCS and then night school?

Details:
I am looking at joining soon after Sept. '09, at which time I will have turned 26 years old. I am interested in several officer fields including Infantry, Armor, Psychological Operations, and Intel. I would like to serve 20 years, unless, after my 1st 4-5 years, it just turns out to be a terrible fit for me. Earning my masters is a personal goal I have set for myself, but funding for my education is not a reason for joining.

I would prefer the ROTC option because I have heard that ROTC officers are more respected/trusted by their NCO than OCS officers. In addition, the ROTC option seems to be a more thorough/paced training program. Lastly, in the ROTC program it seems like I would have more dedicated study time, which would allow me to complete my masters quicker and with higher marks, for future promotions. However, during my research I have come across several references to being "aged out", and warnings to not purse a masters & Commission via the ROTC option.

I currently can easily exceed all PFT minimum standards. However, I have set a goal of getting up to the standards required to score a 300 on the Marine PFT(although I am not currently committed to any branch) by November.

I have earned 3 B.S. Degrees (Management Business, and Accounting; overall GPA of 3.2), Univ. Leadership experience (Pres. of Stud. Government & Pres. of Fraternity, etc.), worked my way through college + one year of post-college work experience and I will soon have my CPA.  

Answer
Cody,
First let me apologize for taking so long to answer you.  I was called out on a short-notice "drop everything and run" mission.  Plus my PC apparently went on the blink and my wife had to put it in the repair shop while I was gone.  Sorry.

I was commissioned via A.F. OTS but I'm not biased.  It was just my only avenue available because, like you, I could not meet the age requirements via ROTC.  If I had more time I would've definitely gone ROTC.  Both have their merits.  As for respect from NCOs, in 30 years I've never seen a problem either way.  Once you're wearing officer rank nobody knows how you earned them.  When the ROTC grads and the OCS grads get mixed together for the first time it will be in their Technical Training Schools.  At that time there's a friendly rivalry between the two.  Usually the OCS folks tend to be sharper because they've had it all crammed down their throats in less than 90 days, and they're still current on things.  ROTC folks have had 4 years to learn the military and sometimes have a tendency to be a bit lax with the rules because it's "old hat" to them.  Despite what anyone may tell you, there's virtually no difference.  The only stigma attached to officers are the Academy grads.  They've been told from day one that they're the elite of the military officers and some of them let it go to their head.

I too joined the military on a "try-it-and-see-if-you-like-it" basis.  Thirty years later I'm still here and will retire soon.  I've loved every minute of it.

Completing your Master's Degree is a good goal...in fact it's pretty much expected of all officers who intend to get promoted to Major.  (Not so with the Navy.  They figure if you've wasted your time going to school it's that much time you could've spent at sea.)  You'll probably find that once you're already in the Service, you'll have ample time to finish your Master's Degree.

Your current education and physical condition should make you a shoe-in for OCS in any Branch of the Service.  If I were you I'd enter the Military/OCS now, before something unforeseen changes.  I've heard too many horror stories of folks waiting in favor of completing their education first and just before graduation something happens to them physically and they no longer eligible to join.  You have a Bachelor's and are in great shape.  I encourage you to go for it now!

Thanks for wanting to serve your country in uniform!
Colonel H