Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/18/2007

Question
Good morning Colonel.

Is it possible as a college non-graduate/dropout enlisting, to qualify for OCS after completing college while in the Army?

Thank you.

Answer
Dear William --

How many college credits do you have?  Do you have enough for an associates degree?  Try to get your associates degree prior to enlisting.  Then you can get a special consideration as a high quality recruit to get first shot at OCS, if you do well in basic training.

That means if you graduate near the top of your basic training class, you go straight to OCS.  This agreement must be IN WRITING in your enlistment contract.  I have had three Soldiers write me recently that although their recruiter verbally promised OCS opportunity, they did not put it in writing.  Now those recruits are being denied their shot at being officers.  Don't let that "bait and switch" happen to you.

You will need to complete your bachelors degree before you can be promoted to major.  However, it is better if you finish your degree as early as possible so you have the opportunity for additional schooling and specialty branches.

If you dropped out of school for financial reasons, but your grades are good, go visit a reserve officer training corps (ROTC) office at your college or a nearby school.  They may have one, two or three-year scholarships available.  You would go to boot camp next summer, and finish college in the ROTC program.  When you graduate, you would be commissioned as an military officer.

Please write back, if you would like to discuss any of these options further, or have other questions.

Good luck to you.