Enlisted to Officer with Prior Service?

Question

Could someone serve as enlisted for their 4 years of active duty and then apply to a different branch's OCS?
And if so, I assume the Air Force would be the only branch one could not switch to.
i.e. serve as enlisted in the Marines and apply for a slot for Navy OCS? I'm not in this situation, but I was just curious.

Answer 1

yes you may apply to OCS/OTS for any branch as long as you meet the criteria. it is even possible to do so BEFORE your current enlistment term ends. if you are selected, your enlistment contract is voided with no penalty and you are cut loose to attend OCS/OTS.

Answer 2

Hello Kate.



First off, in the Air Force OTS is not the same as the other services. You would first have to complete a 4 year college education and graduate. Then, because AF OTS ONLY schedules 7 OTS classes a year, and not all of them might be held and the usualy class size is less than 100 - the chances of getting selected for an upcoming year are nothing you would hold your breath for. In the AF every officer must be a college graduate. Prior Service has no special benefit. It only counts for longevity and pay if you do get commissioned. AF commissions almost all of its officers through AF ROTC. You don't need OTS if you are in college and do 4 years of AF ROTC. AF usually saves some OTS slots for current enlisted people who complete their college while on active duty.



Now, the other services have a more liberal OCS (officer candidate school) policy. So, go back to college or go for the first time and complete the degree.



Really, academies aside, the KEY to becoming an officer is to go to college for 4 years and take ROTC. Then, as long as you are below the maximum age for commissioning and graduate college and pass ROTC you will be commissioned. I would not waste time with OCS or OTS.



Prior service enlisted people should use the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill - enroll in college full time and get that education that they are entitled to receive by LAW through the Veterans Administration.



That is the KEY and that is the WAY.



Best wishes,

Larry Smith

Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.)

First Sergeant

Answer 3

there is not any longer any putting out to reply on your question as you've not any further offered an interest in any MOS or AFSC uniqueness. extra, even in occupation fields which harbor both officials and enlisted man or woman adult adult males, their jobs are as different as evening and day. there is not any longer any "more effective acceptable" service. How about you commence up with occupation fields of interest and artwork backwards from there. for instance, in case you had to be a Ranger, then for positive the military may properly be your in reality decision; in reality as in case you had to fly an F-22, the Air rigidity may properly be your in reality decision.