Anyone go right into the military through OCS ?

[MAJOR METAL]

I was curious to see if we had anyone here who entered the military through the OCS route and if so how was your experience ?

[limfac]

I went through OTS which is the Air Force's version of OCS about 6-7 years ago. Basically it was about 5 weeks of suck (being the 3rd and 4th class Officer Trainees) and then 7 weeks of boredom (senior kids on the block).

I'd be more than happy to answer any specific questions you may have about my OTS experience, even if it is Air Force, heh.

[MAJOR METAL]

OTS seems pretty difficult to get into even with a Master's degree in a relevant field. GPA's seem pretty important to the Air Force. 10 years into my higher education they were asking for my SAT scores, I never took that test. I wouldn't mind doing MI or AP for them but getting in with the reduced # of people they are taking seems to be the obstacle.

[limfac]

One thing I learned that they stressed when I was applying was the "total person" concept. Pretty much that was a combination of GPA, extracirricular activities, jobs worked, letters of recommendation, etc. If you were not so hot in one, another one could make up for it. If you are having any worries about one part of that, I would not lose sleep over it if I were you. Honestly, I don't ever recall SATs being that important.

What branch are you looking into?

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by MAJOR METAL

OTS seems pretty difficult to get into even with a Master's degree in a relevant field. GPA's seem pretty important to the Air Force. 10 years into my higher education they were asking for my SAT scores, I never took that test. I wouldn't mind doing MI or AP for them but getting in with the reduced # of people they are taking seems to be the obstacle.

That's the case - we're cutting our officer corp to shreds. NOT a good time to be an AF officer....

[limfac]

Originally Posted by Pacman

That's the case - we're cutting our officer corp to shreds. NOT a good time to be an AF officer....

Truth - last I heard they need to get rid of 2300 officers in the AF. Knowing that, I applied for voluntary seperation and should be finding out whether I will be let go very soon.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by limfac

Truth - last I heard they need to get rid of 2300 officers in the AF. Knowing that, I applied for voluntary seperation and should be finding out whether I will be let go very soon.

Stars and Stripes is saying it's over 4300 officers. I have an approved retirement date, so my interest in such matters is fading....

[Jhengsman]

Originally Posted by Pacman

That's the case - we're cutting our officer corp to shreds. NOT a good time to be an AF officer....

Why, because drones are replacing planes?
Or is the USAF over all getting smaller to enlarge the Army and Marine Corp?

[Pacman]

The AF has been over its end strength for some time. Budget cuts, etc, all play into it.

[limfac]

Originally Posted by Jhengsman

Why, because drones are replacing planes?
Or is the USAF over all getting smaller to enlarge the Army and Marine Corp?

I believe we are over our congressionally mandated amount of personnel at this time, so they have to "cut the fat" so to speak.

Originally Posted by Pacman

Stars and Stripes is saying it's over 4300 officers. I have an approved retirement date, so my interest in such matters is fading....

That makes my chances for VSP that much better, heh.

[limfac]

Congrats on the retirement date - you are a better man than I for being able to take prolonged amounts of punishment!

[Pacman]

man, I spent 14 years in the Army. The AF isn't punishment

[MAJOR METAL]

Looks like the Army (active/reserve/national guard) is the only branch accepting OCS candidates who would not be going in with specialized technical expertise, IE Engineers, Medical personnel, Chaplains.

[limfac]

It's pretty brutal out there right now, it just reflects that.

I got my voluntary separation but quite a few other officers are going to get RIF'd very soon.