If you've ever thought about leading in the U.S. Army, there’s more than one way to get there. Whether you're about to finish high school, already in college, or working in a professional field, the Army may have an officer path for you to serve and grow as a leader.
You can earn a commission in the U.S. Army through one of four programs: the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), Officer Candidate School (OCS) or direct appointment.
Most programs require a high school diploma at minimum, though some require a college degree. Applicants must meet age, physical and medical standards, and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
US Military Academy
The U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, offers bachelor of science degrees in a range of academic disciplines, including engineering and liberal arts. Graduates earn a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army.
Admission is highly competitive and includes academic performance, leadership potential, physical fitness and character evaluations. Most appointments to West Point still require a nomination from a U.S. senator, representative, the vice president or certain military-affiliated sources.
Applicants should begin their quest for entry into the academy no later than the middle of their junior year in high school.
Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Army ROTC remains one of the largest and primary commissioning sources for Army officers. The program is offered at more than 270 host programs and through cross-enrollment agreements at more than 1,000 colleges and universities across the U.S.
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. These students receive uniforms, necessary textbooks and a subsistence allowance. Cadets are scheduled for an advanced Cadet Summer Training (CST), traditionally held at Fort Knox, Kentucky, during the summer between their junior and senior years of college.
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 (OCS) is a 12-week course to train enlisted personnel, warrant officers and civilians with college degrees to be Army officers. Conducted at Fort Benning, Georgia, OCS takes place over two phases. Weeks 1–6 focus on basic leadership skills, physical training and military instruction. Weeks 7–12 emphasize field exercises and practical leadership.
Enlisted soldiers and warrant officers must have 90 semester credit-hours of college before applying. Civilian applicants must have a bachelor's degree. OCS commissions approximately 800-1,000 officers annually, comparable to the number commissioned through the U.S. Military Academy.
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.
Although they bypass traditional officer commissioning programs such as ROTC or OCS, they must still complete military training tailored to their role.
Warrant Officers
Army warrant officers are appointed specialists and leaders in technical or tactical fields, holding warrants from the secretary of the Army. They bring deep expertise to their roles and progress through leadership responsibilities.
Becoming a warrant officer requires great skill in a specific occupational specialty. They make up less than 3% of the service. Army warrant officers must demonstrate leadership abilities and be driven to perfect their technical proficiency through professional development, training and education.
Candidates must apply to and pass Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) in Fort Novosel, Alabama. After graduating, they are then sent to a specific U.S. Army branch school to receive more focused technical training in their specialties.
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