Should I enter OCS/OTS or serve as Enlisted for a while first?

Question

I have a BA in Psychology, GPA of 3.83. I am 26.
I've been told by many to enter in directly as a Commissioned Officer, but some have told me it's best to serve as Enlisted for 2-4 years prior to applying for OCS/OTS, to earn the respect of your future subordinates by "going through what they go through."
What is your opinion? Which would be the best path to take? Let's say I'm interested in Admin positions. How long should I serve as an E-4/E-5 before applying for OCS/OTS?

I'd also love to hear your thoughts on Army vs. Air Force as far as benefits and standards of living go. Thanks. :)

Answer 1

i'm going to tell you as an enlisted rank member in the air force...we could give a rats a** if you'd be prior enlisted...there's no respect to be obtained by your silly logic. we do not care, we follow orders...not obey them out of brownie points you may have scored because you were prior enlisted. that is a dam stupid reason to not go in as commissioned off the bat. you want to be highly underpaid knowing with your degree you could be making 5 times the amount some E-1 to E-4 would? you got caught by the stupid flu, shake it off and go to your recruiting office for commissioning.



*i'm not trying to be insulting, just letting you know how much you'd be selling yourself short. either way, it's your perogative. good luck with which ever route you go.

Answer 2

Hello Nay Nay,



Whomever tells people with a college degree to try out enlisted service first needs to go "soak his/her head in a bucket of water and don't come up for air."



You are 26 years old. You need to be under 27 years old to enter the Air Force. The Army will take you up to age 42 years old because they are hurting for people to go to the combat zones.



Never, never, enlist and "think" that some time down the road the military will fall over itself to "let" you become an officer.



Your college degree means little if you enlist. You could only get an advanced promotion to Private First Class (E-3) upon your graduations from basic training. Your GPA is very close to a perfect 4.0!



RUN to the nearest officer recruiter and sit down and discuss getting a slot at Officer Training School.



If you get into one of the 7 or so classes each year you will surely graduate and be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force.



Don't worry about what JOB you get. The military knows better than you where you can be most useful at your highest and best skills. Do get the book to study for the AFOQT (Armed Forces Officer Qualification Test) at the mall book store. Under $20 bucks. Work it.



Here are officer career fields:



http://usmilitary.about.com/od/officerjobs/a/afoffjobs.htm



Read the job descriptions of each of the "officer fields"



Then you talk it over to see what the military needs and how your degree can help.



Talk with an OFFICER recruiter.



Let me know what happens.



Best wishes,



Larry Smith

Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.)

First Sergeant

Answer 3

Army OCS is way easier to get in right now, because they have more slots and a higher acceptance rate. Last I checked Army OCS is a 60% acceptance rate and it's 20% for AF OTS. If you wait 4 years you get an extra pay bump as an O1-E (prior enlisted).



I'm enlisting in the Air Force and plan to apply to OTS later for similar reasons. I want to be able to know both sides of the organization and better empathize with the concerns of those working 'under' me.



Something you should also consider is that the last two OTS boards have been canceled, and the one before that only had a 10% acceptance rate.



http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/04/airforce_ots_board_042410w/