Officer Candidate (Reserve Only)

Becoming a Commissioned Officer in the US Army can be a very rewarding career. Army Officers are college graduates who earn a commission through the United States Military Academy at West Point, through Officer Candidate School, through a direct commission program, or through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Officers are the Army's leaders. They plan training and lead Soldiers during peacetime and conflict situations. They make decisions that impact on the nation's security force. And they earn a salary and benefits that rival civilian corporations. Army Officers are trained in career fields ranging from combat leadership to communication and personnel management to finance. Their training encourages the development of leadership and problem-solving skills that make them sought after by civilian employers. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, but not older than 28 to apply. Applicants must possess a 4-year college degree with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Applicants may apply during their senior year of college with a letter from his or her school. Applicants must complete a packet for review by an Army selection board. Applicants must be able to obtain a government-issued Secret Security Clearance. Prior to your first duty assignment you will be required to complete 14 weeks of Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning, GA, immediately followed by Officer Basic Course (OBC) at one of the Army's training locations. The location of OBC depends on one of the 21areas of concentration you are accepted for. Branches and Corps range from Combat Arms and Communications to Finance and Medical. Applicants who are in possession of specialty credentials may qualify for a direct commission. Those areas include Judge Advocate, Chaplain and Medical Corps.