Quote:
Originally Posted by KirStang
I'm most likely going to try and become a officer with the Army National Guard, they have the summer basic training and 1 weekend/month for 16 month Officer Candidate School ("OCS") program, which will allow me to finish up my law degree while working through OCS.
The question I have is this: I originally went in wanting to be in a more combat-intensive MOS, but if I did that I ran the very real risk of not finishing up my law degree, and none of my family members supported that move. On the other hand, my parents and siblings support me becoming an officer.
Now that I'm going to try to become an officer, is there a way to pin down a MOS which is more combat oriented? Or are officers told basically where to go? The reason I ask is because I would rather not sign up and repair vehicles all day.
More importantly, have other people on TFP gone through OCS? What is there to expect? Most important of all, what are some things you have learned that have helped you become a better officer?
Thanks all.
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If you're joining the national guard, you very much have a lot of say in your branching choice. Reason being is you can find your unit before you commission. They can't branch you something if there are no units of that branch. If you want to be Infantry or Artillery or something like that, find a unit you want to be with and start talking to them now. They have ways to influence your branching if they want you.
I went through active duty OCS and that is way different. When you go through that you're at the mercy of the big army, but national guard you actually have more say.
Choosing a combat branch would not be any different from choosing a support branch in terms of time frame. OCS is OCS and is branch immaterial. Your follow on schooling (now known as BOLC) is what gets you branch qualified.
Best advice I can give you is - listen to your non-commissioned officers. Often times they will set you up for success.
Best of luck. Send me a PM if you have more specific questions. I was 4 years active and now in my second year in the Guard. All as an officer, so hopefully my info helps.