I'm 25 and just graduated college this month with a BA in English (minors in Creative Writing & Classical Studies) and a BS in Psychology. I was in the university Honors Program and graduated Cum Laude with a cumulative GPA of 3.77.

I am working with the local Army recruiters and nearing the completion of my packet for OCS;I had some issues with creditors but am now making payments and letters stating I am making those payments have been given to the recruiters. I have had 3 speeding tickets in my lifetime but no other criminal convictions of any kind.

I smoked some pot throughout college but obviously not enough to bash my college career; I haven't smoked in about a year now. I tried shrooms a couple times about 2 years back but that's the extent of my drug use.

My question is: what are my chances of being accepted into OCS? I asked my recruiters what the acceptance rate was right now and no one had a number. Is OCS being more picky now that the economy sucks and everyone is applying or what? I figure the recruiters think I have a chance if they are willing to take the time with this packet... I should just be honest about prior drug use - right?

You'll have "0" chances if you lie about your drug use, and if you don't submit your packet.

quote:

Originally posted by KHughes84:
I figure the recruiters think I have a chance if they are willing to take the time with this packet... I should just be honest about prior drug use - right?

You better believe it!

Put everything down about this use. Don't "slip your mind" as a BG investigation will be done if you can hold a clearance.

One of these might happen:

1) you'll have a waiver request done on you. Don't be surprised if it cames back disapproved. In that case. . .

2) you might be told, "Not right now, apply later on down the road."

-or-

3) your drug use is PDQ

Hey, those are the scenarios. You did the illegal drugs, now you have to face whatever decision is made.

Go ahead and give it a shot. If they waive you, more pwer to you. If not and the answer is not right now, then apply later. If it's PDQ, then oh well, too bad, so sad. It's learning experience not to play with fire.

quote:

Originally posted by HollywoodMarine:
You'll have "0" chances if you lie about your drug use, and if you don't submit your packet.

I wasn't planning on lying about the drug use. It's the gov't, these people dig **** up on anyone they want to - it would just be dumb on my part not to be honest up front.

Obviously, I'm going to submit my packet. The recruiters would be ****ED if I wasted all their time just to tell them not to submit it.

I just want to know what the acceptance rate of OCS is right now. Are they being more stringent on who they accept?

quote:

Originally posted by KHughes84:
I just want to know what the acceptance rate of OCS is right now. Are they being more stringent on who they accept?

They are.

Impressive academic record. I'll give you that. Question for you is, have you been heavily involved outside of studies?

Did you play sports? Did you work and lead others at work? Did you do volunteer work?

When considering candidates they look at the "Whole Person" concept. Since you will be needing a waiver, you better believe they will be seeing if you have anything to offer the Army.

I didn't have time to play sports in school. All throughout college I also worked several jobs and participated in Eta Sigma Phi (classical studies honorary society). All of my supervisors, current and past, have agreed to write a letter of recommendation for me to put in my packet for OCS, stating my work ethic and ability to take charge of the situation whatever it may be. My current supervisor is also a Captain in the Army Reserves and was very enthusiastic to write me a letter.

PS most of the "sport folk" around my area are the dumb ****s that get trashed every weekend. Not really my thing. For what it's worth (which isn't anything in this circumstance) I like to play paintball! haha

You were looking for a number. The acceptance rate is 50% of what it was one year ago and expected to stay around where it currently is now through next fiscal year.

As for your chances, it'll also depend a lot on the comments of the board members and their recommendations and impressions of you. As for what you've posted here, I concur with all of the previous posts.

If you don't get accepted, you can apply again. Consider enlistment as an option if not selected. You, ahem, might be asked about that at the board.

The latest HRC Selection Board (from the March local boards) selected 51% of those who applied.

Furthermore, the same MILPER that announced the results also stated that there are no scheduled Selection Boards for FY2011, so the earliest you can get selected (as of right now) is FY2012.

So if your name is not on the latest selection results, you won't even get a chance until October 2011.

It appears the Army is tightening up already.

Good Luck though. You miss 100% of the shots you never take.

Matt
BOC, OCS
US Army

quote:

so the earliest you can get selected (as of right now) is FY2012.

Wow, that sucks. Glad I accepted my grad school offer!

I believe in fate. Everything works out for a reason. Good luck in grad school.

quote:

Originally posted by Mad_Matt:
The latest HRC Selection Board (from the March local boards) selected 51% of those who applied.

Furthermore, the same MILPER that announced the results also stated that there are no scheduled Selection Boards for FY2011, so the earliest you can get selected (as of right now) is FY2012.

So if your name is not on the latest selection results, you won't even get a chance until October 2011.

It appears the Army is tightening up already.

Good Luck though. You miss 100% of the shots you never take.

Matt
BOC, OCS
US Army

I posted the above on an Army OCS forum to see if they could either confirm or dispute and this was a reply:

"You are quoting active duty selection rates, not college op selection dates.

The good news is that the 51% you are quoting has nothing to do with you, because you are not currently in the Army. Also, college op boards meet every month while active duty boards do not.

The bad news is that no one knows the college op selection rates currently. The new nationwide selection at USAREC just started in March (I think). People are being denied and OCS is now competitive.

At the moment, USAREC meets at the end of the month to approve or deny all college ops with completed packets submitted that month. If rejected once, you can immediately reapply for the next month. After 2 denials you are to wait 6 months before reapplying.

It looks like we'll never get the solid percentile numbers of admitted or their stats."


Just thought I would share another insight to the situation.

KHughes84:

I think we are talking about two different things here. While LOCAL selection boards (done by recruiting battalions) may continue to be done, HRC Selection Boards are not selecting anyone from either USAREC or Active Duty right now, and won't be until FY2012.

That 51% quoted both on ArmyOCS.Com and by me was for the HRC Selection Board that met in March. That group of OCS hopefuls was both "College Op" and Active Duty applicants. So the 51% selection rate IS accurate.

The bottom line is as I posted already. If your name isn't on the latest HRC OCS Selection Board Results, you won't get a shot until FY2012. If you don't believe that, well, then there's nothing more I can tell you. I guess the proof would be when no one gets selected by HRC until FY2012.

Good Luck in whatever you end up doing.

Matt
BOC, OCS
US Army

I am active army .I am currently in Iraq , and applied for OCS . i did my OCS board about week ago. i have BS in mechanical engineering. my GPA is 3.37 and my GT is 111,and my AFPT results are 281 and 290.
I do speak in 3 different languages, but afret reading your message i kinda got little bit upset . I am working hard and i really want to be an Army officer . i have to wait for my results till March i think.
What do you think . Is it gonna work for me ?
Thank you.

STAY ARMY STRONG.

quote:

Originally posted by elnurstrong:
I am active army .I am currently in Iraq , and applied for OCS . i did my OCS board about week ago. i have BS in mechanical engineering. my GPA is 3.37 and my GT is 111,and my AFPT results are 281 and 290.
I do speak in 3 different languages, but afret reading your message i kinda got little bit upset . I am working hard and i really want to be an Army officer . i have to wait for my results till March i think.
What do you think . Is it gonna work for me ?
Thank you.

STAY ARMY STRONG.

So you keep saying.

You didn't need to resurrect this 7 month old topic.

You're starting to sound desperate.

Hopefully you gave that board something SUBSTANTIAL to go off of to consider your for selection.

All you can do is wait for the results at this point.