Everything You Need to Know About Joining the Military as an Officer

You have several options when joining the military, such as which branch you want to join. You’ll also have to decide whether you want to join as an enlisted service member or as an officer, which are two roles with significant differences.

Being an officer can be a fulfilling career choice for many and has plenty of benefits that make it a viable option. Below, we’ll go into detail about what it means to be an officer, the benefits, and the different avenues you have for becoming an officer.

What Does it Mean to Join the Military as an Officer?

Joining the military as an officer means starting off your military career in a leadership position, which differs from enlisted service members who handle day-to-day operations. Rather than handling daily tasks, you will be responsible for directing others, planning operations, making important decisions, and managing enlisted personnel. Being an officer is similar to being a manager in the civilian world.

Since you will be in charge of others and responsible for making big decisions, you will need to have more than just the basic eligibility requirements that enlisted personnel need. For example, you can join the military as an enlisted member with just a high school diploma or GED, but you will need a college degree to start your career as an officer.

Why You Should Consider Joining as an Officer

There are plenty of incentives that make joining as an officer an optimal career choice. Below are some of the most notable benefits of joining the military as an officer:

• Higher pay: Since you’ll be starting off at a higher rank, you’ll also start at a higher pay grade than enlisted service members. With a bigger salary, you’ll have more financial freedom, making it easier to afford your expenses and save. Depending on your contract, you may have to complete your training before you’re eligible to receive your pay.
• Leadership development: Being an officer means you’ll be trained to lead teams and make important decisions. You’ll develop leadership skills throughout your career that will help you as you climb the ranks.
• Professional growth: As you work, you’ll develop professional skills to help you climb the ladder. Even when you leave the military, these skills will be useful as you start your transition into the civilian world. Your experience can help you find work in management roles.
• Educational opportunities: You will have opportunities to continue your education as an officer in the military, allowing you to pursue higher degrees. In many cases, you can receive financial assistance from the military to help you cover the cost of this education.
• Professional networking: As an officer, you’ll meet plenty of people in leadership roles, which can help you create a professional network that will be useful as you grow in your career. You can even lean back on this network when you leave the military to help you find employment in the civilian world.
• Additional benefits: On top of the benefits you’ll have as an officer, you’ll also receive benefits simply for just being in the military. For example, you’ll have access to health insurance and a retirement account, so you’re taken care of while you’re in the military and after you leave. It’s important to conduct your research and talk with your recruiter so you know what benefits you’ll receive and to make sure you’re getting the most out of them.

What Do You Need to Be an Officer in the Military?

There are some general requirements you will need to join the military, whether you’re enlisting or trying to become an officer. This includes being in the right age range for your chosen branch, having a high school diploma, being a U.S. citizen, and passing the ASVAB with a specific score.

On top of the basic requirements needed to join the military, you will also need to meet the following requirements to officially start your career as an officer:

• Education level: You will need to have a four-year college degree from an accredited institution and meet GPA requirements. You can talk to your recruiter about what GPA you will need to maintain in order to be an officer.
• Background check: You will need to pass a background check as well as complete a questionnaire and an interview. Officers will also need to qualify for a security clearance, so you will need to provide specific documentation to be eligible.
• Leadership skills: Since officers fulfill a leadership role, you will need to demonstrate that you’re able to be a successful leader. That means embodying traits like dependability, integrity, adaptability, and academic discipline.
• Selection: There is a selection process you will have to go through, which is competitive across the branches. Acceptance into a service academy is also competitive, so you will need to perform your best if you go this route.
• Training: You will need to receive specific training to become an officer, which means attending a service academy, the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), or Officer Candidate School (OCS). Once you complete your training, then you can start your career as an officer.

Different Ways to Become an Officer

There are a few different routes you can take to become an officer in the military, which you can talk about with your recruiter. Below are the options you have to start your career in this leadership role.

1. Attend an Academy or College

Service academies or senior military colleges are competitive but are generally free of charge if you’re accepted into the program. Your costs will be covered by the government, and you may even be provided with a stipend to cover things like class supplies, a computer, and fees. In exchange, you will be required to serve as an officer for a set number of years, generally around five, but it could be more or less depending on the conditions in your contract.

2. Go Through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program

The ROTC program allows prospects to attend a traditional college full-time while training them in leadership roles for service in the various branches of the military. There are over a thousand colleges that participate in these programs, and many offer scholarships for students. After you finish school, you will commit to serving a set amount of time as an officer in a given branch.

3. Attend Officer Candidate School (OCS)

If you’ve already attended a four-year college or want to finish college before considering a career in the military, you can attend OCS after completing your degree. The exact length of this school varies based on the branch but will last somewhere between nine to 17 weeks. You will learn how to lead in the military, take courses on military subjects, and work on your physical training.

4. Receive Direct Commission

You can receive direct commission if you have a degree that the military needs, which can include degrees in medicine, law, intelligence, or engineering. Direct Commission Officers (DCOs) will need to attend one of three training programs:

• ●     Direct Commission Officer Indoctrination Course (DCOIC)
• ●     Officer Indoctrination School (OIS)
• ●     Officer Development School (ODS)

A recruiter can help you find more information on current direct commission opportunities if you want to use one of your existing degrees to become an officer in the military.

5. Advance Through the Ranks and Complete Officer Training

If you’re already enlisted in the Army, you have the option of going through the Green-to-Gold Non-Scholarship Program. You will need two years of college and be on track to meet specific college requirements in another two years. You may be able to receive certain incentives, such as a stipend and having certain courses paid for.

You can also do something similar through the Air Force when you go through their General Military Course. College freshmen and sophomores who meet certain requirements can participate in this course. Students will be able to try the ROTC program without having an obligation to serve or join ROTC.

Start Your Career as an Officer on the Right Foot With MLC

If you’re joining the military as an officer, you will need the right gear and tools to help you be successful. At Military Luggage Company, we offer a comprehensive selection of gear to help you in your career. We provide service members with bags, packs, and cases to help them haul their gear and supplies, and we also offer admin accessories and computer and tablet bags to help the military professional. You can check out our entire selection here or contact us with any of your questions.