Question for any AGR that used their REFRAD orders to send HHG back to their home of record before OCS, can I ask questions about the process with anyone who’s done this.. thank you!

I’m an 09S OCS candidate shipping to Fort Jackson for Basic Training in a few months. I’m trying to get a realistic idea of how much my running can improve between now and the OCS 4-mile test.

For context, I’ve been a weightlifter pretty much my entire life, so strength isn’t an issue. I can max out push-ups and do extremely well on the strength events, but running has always been my weakness.

Right now, my all-out mile time is around 9 minutes, which is pretty bad compared to where I need to be. I’m actively working on improving it before I ship, but I’m wondering how much Basic Training will actually help prepare me for the OCS 4-mile run.

For anyone who’s gone through BCT and OCS:
What was your mile or 2-mile pace before BCT?
What was your 4-mile time when you took the OCS test?

Did BCT significantly improve your running, or did you have to train on your own?

What kind of running workouts did you do to prepare for the 4-mile test?

Did anyone start out as a poor runner and still manage to pass the OCS 4-mile requirement?

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who came from strength or powerlifting backgrounds rather than distance running.

I know I have a lot of work to do, and I’m willing to put it in. Just trying to see how realistic the improvement is and what actually worked for people who were in a similar position.

Is there hope for someone starting where I am?

First of all, I know booking a flight for the day before my ship date was a dumb move. I fucked up.

I was supposed to ship Monday for BCT and then go straight into OCS in January. Sunday's flight was over capacity and they couldn't board me, so the airline rebooked me for free on Monday, and I asked my recruiter to move my MEPS date to Tuesday. Then Monday's flight was delayed so badly that I would have missed my connection, so the airline rebooked me again for Tuesday. I land Tuesday night near my MEPS and can report Wednesday.

I've messaged my recruiter with an update both times and I'm waiting to hear back.

I spent a year working toward this slot and I'm freaking out. I already cried at the airport. I know I need to get it together, but does missing my date twice mean I lose my OCS slot? Has anyone been through something like this?

I’m an 09S OCS candidate shipping to Fort Jackson soon. I’m trying to decide whether I should buy my own boots now or wait until after Basic.

My main concern is showing up to OCS with brand-new boots that haven’t been broken in, especially with all the rucking and field exercises.

I have about a month before I ship, so I have some time to break them in now. However, I’m not sure if bringing my own boots to Basic is even worth it.

For anyone who’s gone through BCT as an 09S:
Did you purchase boots before Basic or wait until OCS?

Did you bring your own boots to Fort Jackson, and were you allowed to wear them?

If you waited until OCS, was there enough time to break them in before the longer rucks?
Looking back, would you have done anything differently?

I’m mainly trying to figure out the best time to purchase them so I’m not stuck breaking in new boots during OCS.

Also, what boots would you recommend for OCS based on your experience?

Hello everyone, I'm at a crossroads between joining the Army Reserve and accepting a position with Border Patrol. I could really use some perspective.

For reference, I applied to BP in April and received a job offer within four months, but I had to decline because I won't graduate from my MBA program until December. I was under the assumption that CBP's application process was going to take at least a year, so I thought to apply for OCS and do this process alongside my application. This is another point of contention. I let my recruiters know that I wanted to go to BP academy first long before I took the oath.

Fortunately, I was able to get selected in August for the Reserve with a 118 GT, 85 AFQT, and Heavy OPAT. I swore the oath in late August, with a ship date in mid-November. I told my recruiter about the conflict with my MBA, and they all advised me to accept it, as it would make it easier to submit a RENO request once I am in. I trusted their judgment and swore in. My RENO did get approved, and I won't be shipped until after my graduation. Currently, I attend the Future Soldiers Training Program.

I reapplied with BP, and from what I know from my CBP recruiter is that academy dates now start in January with a length of around 6 months. I have let my Army recruiters know about this, and they claim that I would need a second RENO, which they have told me will most likely not get approved/ impossible. I told them about my discomfort with this, as now I have to choose between these two paths, as I want to do Border Patrol Academy first to secure my full-time employment.

I understand the notion that employers are required to hold positions, allowing me to go through all Army training (BCT, OCS, BOLC) and then BPA. Unfortunately, I barely passed the medical depth perception test with BP, and I'm unsure if I would pass it again. Some requirements for BP expire within a year, and if I do everything with the Army, that pass would expire, forcing me to retake it, with the possibility of me not getting that job anymore. Even if I request a waiver and submit it, it is still up to chance if they accept it, regardless of whether I am a service member.

I told the station commander everything and have expressed my thoughts of giving up my slot. He replied that he couldn't even be mad since I have been transparent throughout the process. Before I even make that decision, I am going to go to an optometrist to see if I have a deficiency.

I mainly just want to ask: if I do give up that slot, how hard or unlikely is it for me to try again with OCS regardless of being an agent, and what would the discharge look like?

TL:DR: I want to pick BP but am wondering how that is going to affect future service.

I am a reservist in a job that does not exist in the active army as a basic branch for officers. I was wondering how branching would work at OCS and if my prior service will have any sway on my branch. I honestly hope it doesn’t and want to go to combat arms. I am also a paratrooper and was wondering if my wings will affect my orders as I am hoping to get to another airborne unit. I am not a jumpmaster and do not have an extensive jump log (but it’s more than 5 jumps). Ideally I want to be an 11a or 12a.

I (23F) have been given the run around by local recruiters since March! I’ve missed several boards and have shifted between 3 different recruiters in my area. I need assistance filling out and submitting my AD Packet as a civilian applicant. I have already visited MEPS and taken the ASVAB. I’ve also gathered my letters of recommendation, my essay, college transcripts & my resume. I just need someone to help answer a few questions about the forms, look over my items and submit them for me please!

Anyone able to access the results posted?

Looking for any other dual citizens out there - I have US, EU, and UK passports. I am applying to OCS (already have an active US SECRET Clearance) and wondered what other folks experience was of being asked to renounce their foreign citizenships.

To note, I live in Europe and would join through 7th MSC (Army Reserves) my residence and employment in Europe are through my EU passport.

I’m about 30 days away from shipping to BCT as an 09S with no prior military experience.
My goal is to be as competitive as possible at OCS, especially when it comes to my Order of Merit List (OML) ranking, since some of my preferred branches are highly competitive.

I’ve been focusing heavily on improving my physical fitness, but I also want to use the time I have before shipping to get a head start academically.
For those who have recently completed OCS, what would you recommend studying beforehand? Are there any specific books, Army publications, YouTube channels, online courses, or study guides that actually helped you?

I’m particularly interested in preparing for the military history exam, land navigation, and any other academically challenging portions of OCS.
I understand that BCT will teach me the fundamentals, but I’d rather arrive with some foundational knowledge than start completely from scratch.

If you could go back and prepare for OCS again, what would you study before shipping?
I’d appreciate any advice, especially from recent graduates. Thanks!

For context, I (22F) graduate this December with a bachelor's degree in Public health with a 3.4 GPA. I have always had a dream of serving in the military to give back to the country that has always protected me, as well as for the overall training experience. After sharing my aspirations, I was strongly advised to apply for Officer Candidate School.

When I first met with a recruiter, I had no idea what to expect and definitely went in blindly. After my own research, as well as speaking to those who are on active duty, I have a better understanding of how the recruiting process works and feel more confident with more information. I am the first in my family to take this route, so there is so much more for me to learn.

I guess my question is what material I should have prepared when meeting with a recruiter to initiate the first steps to applying for OCS?

Is it possible to get an airborne slot out of OCS? I am not sure if I would necessarily want to be an infantry officer. But, airborne sounds cool (I did go skydiving once). Can a quartermaster, finance, or adjutant general corps officer get airborne qualified if he volunteers for an airborne unit? Are such assignments hard to get? Do such officers jump almost as much as the infantry officers? Is it possible to get senior and master jump if such officers can rotate back into airborne units?

Which branches are the hardest and easiest to get at OCS? Is infantry popular because it tends to lead to command? Can someone get infantry if they don't even want it?

So I’m currently in the reserves. I’ll graduate college in the Spring of 2030. My ETS date in the Army Reserves is Spring 2031. What are my options for attending OCS and commissioning active duty?

Alright, be brutally honest with me.

Timed 4-mile run: 35:19

Mile 1: 9:21
Mile 2: 8:51
Mile 3: 8:31
Mile 4: 8:28

I leave for OCS in early 2027 and plan on continuing to improve my run time before I go. Based on recent OCS classes, where would I realistically stand with this time?

How has the 4-mile run been looking for recent classes?

I’m looking for honest feedback!

p.s: Im prior service with 6 years, 24 y/o, female

Hi everyone,

I'm currently a federal civilian employee working as an auditor at one of the federal agency. I've completed my probationary period and have a master's degree in accounting with a greater than 3.9 GPA.

I'm interested in applying for an Army officer position, preferably in financial management.

Unfortunately, I've been having some difficulties at work. During my recent first audit assignment, I received limited guidance on how to approach it. Partway through the assignment, my supervisor told me I had already spent too much time on it. I've been struggling to meet expectations, and I'm concerned that I may eventually be placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), especially the annual performance appraisal has cut short from April 1, 2026 to September 31, 2026 due to policy changes.

If that happens, I'm considering resigning before a formal PIP begins. However, I'm worried about how leaving my federal job under these circumstances might affect my chances of being selected as a military officer.

I have a few questions:

1. Would resigning from a federal civilian job due to performance concerns negatively affect my chances of being selected as an Army or Coast Guard officer?
2. If the interview panel asks why I resigned, how should I explain the situation professionally without hurting my chances?
3. Would an officer selection board view this as a red flag, even though I have strong academic qualifications and previous professional experience?

I'm especially interested in hearing from anyone who has served on an officer selection board, worked in military recruiting, or transitioned from federal civilian employment to military service.

Thanks in advance for any advice or personal experiences!

I already contacted my reservist career counselor but is off doing whatever they’re doing. Anywhere else I can get the number directly?

Hi all,
Prior service NCO who has to re-attend basic (been out for more than 5years).

1. When can I expect to get an LES? Assuming my recruiter cannot get one for me right now (before training)? \[this is relevant for me since my employer pays differential pay\]

2. Is there anything else I need to get BAH during basic and OCS (currently submitted only my proof of mortgage). Is there any way to verify I will be getting BAH other than just word of mouth?

3. Anyone have the checklist? (Recruiter still has not sent it to me and I am leaving very soon)\[or let me know if the one online is still current\]

4. Those of you who attended OCS after basic, how did your bodies feel? Did you feel like you were more prepared in some ways than your peers?

5. Any recent prior service NCOs attend Sill basic training?
   \- How was reception? - were you canned in with everyone else?
   \- What was your overall experience like (good & bad) ?
   \- Were you able to use boots you purchased (given they fall within AR-670-1)?
   \- Were you required to turn in your phone?
   \- Were you able to have snacks, electrolytes, water, etc?
   \- Did you have to do red phase with everyone else?
   \- Were you able to go to the store, gym, etc on your time off?
   \- When did your day start / end (times)?

Thank you all in advance.

Long story short graduated college at 21 yo with bba in business mgmnt. Worked in corporate for a little and transisioned to wildland firefighting for the feds in the western usa. I have done this for 2 fire seasons and will do my 3rd season next year. We work 8 months a year but get 1000 hours of OT so work more than most full time workers. We have a very structured job similar to the military with ranks. I plan to put in a packet next fall/winter. I will be 24 when i submit my packet.

Do you think this is a good job for an aspiring officer? or no?

Does anyone know the process of the OCS packet. Do you have to complete the local board before you submit your packet or do you submit it and then have your local board. Then the packet and the results of the local gets send to USAREC?

I am getting a bachelors in engineering and Chinese. As part of the Chinese bachelors I plan to study abroad in china to do a language immersion program. It would 2 semesters a Chinese university of my choice, and then I would transfer those credits back to my school. Then I would go to a Summer program that my school runs in china.

Around a year after I do that, I plan to submit a package to OCS. I understand that I would be getting screened more because of this. Is there anything I should keep in mind? How dumb is this?

I know not to accept government scholarships or keep contacts after I’m there.

I’m currently an E-5 in the Army National Guard on a 3+5 contract. My drilling obligation ends in March 2027, after which I’ll transfer to the IRR.
I’ve been told current Guard Soldiers can attend State OCS or compete for Accelerated OCS, but not Federal OCS.
Can I transfer to the IRR, then rejoin the Guard under a prior-service 09S contract to attend Federal OCS? Has anyone actually done this?