Finishing Degree for OCS

[cardsfan21]

I'm new to this forum, so I thought I'd seek some help from those of you that have been there.

I'm looking to finish my degree with the intnent to join the National Guard as an officer. I have always had a passion to serve, but for various reasons I never "bit the bullet." I'm in my mid-twenties and have approx. 20-hours of B&M credits. I would like to spend the next 10-12 months completing my degree by testing (CLEP,DSST,etc). I am well established and have a great job working for a large corporation. However, this is something I've always wanted to do.

My question to you all: since a majority of my transcript will by PASS/FAIL with CLEP and no real grade, and with no prior service, what are my chances of being accepted to/getting a commission through OCS?

Thanks for any input.

Erik

[blu2blu]

Many other factors will determine your eligibility. Which branch of the Guard? Air or Army? What field are you trying to get into? How much do you weigh? Any medical issues? Do you have credit or criminal history issues?

If you are shooting for the Army guard you should have an easy time as they are constantly recruiting and always seem to be hurting for people. The Air Guard is harder to get into since the Air Force takes much better care of their people.

Take a look at the Coast Guard they have a much better organization than most people realize. In fact if you go active duty you can apply to be an officer with only an AA after just a couple of years.

[Mechanix26]

They will not care about most of the credits being pass/fail. Also, if you look hard enough, I believe you'll find there is actually no minimum GPA required.

[CLEP101]

I'm new to this forum, so I thought I'd seek some help from those of you that have been there.

I'm looking to finish my degree with the intnent to join the National Guard as an officer. I have always had a passion to serve, but for various reasons I never "bit the bullet." I'm in my mid-twenties and have approx. 20-hours of B&M credits. I would like to spend the next 10-12 months completing my degree by testing (CLEP,DSST,etc). I am well established and have a great job working for a large corporation. However, this is something I've always wanted to do.

My question to you all: since a majority of my transcript will by PASS/FAIL with CLEP and no real grade, and with no prior service, what are my chances of being accepted to/getting a commission through OCS?

Thanks for any input.

Erik

If I remember correctly from my old recruiting days, your degree doesn't matter. As long as you have official transcripts from a regionally accredited college/university that says you have been awarded a Bachelors or higher degree. I don't think the GPA will matter either. If you already have about 20 SH from B&M, then you will probably have an "overall" GPA if you decide to go with Excelsior for example. If you go with TESC for example, you will probably have to take at least one upper level course to meet the UL requirements. So that will also give you a GPA with that school.

Once you have that, then you will have to meet with the recruiters so they can make sure you are Physically, Morally, and Mentally qualified to join. Remember you have to qualify for a clearance if you want to be an officer, so there will be an investigation on you when the time comes. After that you will have to write an essay paper on why you want to be selected and why you think you should be selected as an officer. (double check on this requirement) You will sit down for an interview with a panel of officers that will also critique your essay and bombard you with questions prior to your selection. (again double check this requirement) I'm sure there is more to this process but that is what I can remember right now.

[JBjunior]

Many other factors will determine your eligibility. Which branch of the Guard? Air or Army? What field are you trying to get into? How much do you weigh? Any medical issues? Do you have credit or criminal history issues?

If you are shooting for the Army guard you should have an easy time as they are constantly recruiting and always seem to be hurting for people. The Air Guard is harder to get into since the Air Force takes much better care of their people.

Take a look at the Coast Guard they have a much better organization than most people realize. In fact if you go active duty you can apply to be an officer with only an AA after just a couple of years.

Just to build on this as I am active duty Coast Guard we are shedding people currently and the odds of getting in when we are hiring is something like 8% and will be even lower now. Anyway, if active duty with 4+ years in and E-5 or above you only need 30 credits to be eligible for commissioning. If you are active duty but haven't been in for 4+ years and E-5+ you have to have a BA/BS.