Expert: Rod Powers - 7/10/2006

Question
After my four year army enlistment is up, I plan to join the coast guard reserve as an officer.  I had my degree before joining the army, and my question is concerning GPA and whatnot.  For graduate schools, I know they consider not just the GPA but the difficulty of the major and how rigorous the school is.  Is the same true when they compare me with other OCS applicants?  I.e. I have a degree in computer science and engineering from an elite university, but my GPA was a mediocre 3.0 -- will another applicant who majored in basketweaving from Bob University with a GPA of 3.5 look better to the officers in charge of reviewing applicants?

Thanks for any help.

Answer
Hi Random E-4,

The process is competitive.  Of all the services, the two services which are the most competitive for Officer Candidate School applications are the Air Force and the Coast Guard.

You are correct in that the services look at degree program, as well as GPA.  However, the process is "competitive," based on the records of applicants who are submitting applications during that selection cycle.  Someone with a degree in "basketweaving," even with a 3.5 GPA isn't likely to make it -- however, to be honest, someone with a degree in computer science with a 3.0 GPA isn't likely to make it, either.  Why?  Because there are too many people with degrees in "basketweaving" and computer science and engineering who all have 3.8 or 3.9 GPAs.  There are hundreds of people who apply for OCS/OTS slots each year, and only a few dozen slots.

Your prior service can help, most especially if you have outstanding performance reports -- and I'm not saying not to try.  Additionally, for the Reserves, much depends on specific officer job slots in your local area.  In other words (for the Reserves), you'll be competing only against applicants for officer jobs who are in your particular area.  If you're applying for an officer slot in Washington state, for example, it doesn't matter if a CG Reserve applicant is applying for a slot in New York.

However, if you apply and are not selected, you may wish to enroll in some graduate courses and try and up the GPA.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my military information website at:  http://usmilitary.about.com

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com