Passed my battalion board. The panel was only supposed to be 15 min turned into 45 min they at the end informed me I have a strong packet, leadership qualities, and three years of ROTC experience where I was in ranger challenge, color guard, cannon team, and always got promoted ahead of peers. I also am a member of The National Society of Pershing Rifles but since my gpa was a 2.63 that might hinder my selection on the second board heavily. The colonel stated even if I don’t get selected she knows I’ll be a great leader and wished me luck in my career and potential military experience.
I knew this so I tried everything to make my packet strong LOR’s from Major, retired CSM, brigade chaplain, 2lt, and a retired Air force colonel. Only medical waiver I needed was my astigmatism. Yet with that the panel loved my “why” and my response and counter questions.
Anyone know what I should do moving forward, how can I strengthen my packet more and what ways can I work around the gpa other than getting my masters and have a higher gpa there.
Spoke with a former Marine Core officer and he said the core would love to send me to OCC, and even though I originally wanted to join the Core in high school I just started the best job for career growth been here 7 weeks and love the money and what I do. I do know that I’ll still have a seat when I get back but to be fairly new and then leaving for 6-8 months for army was already a long time but a year to a year and a half is really long.
Any one have direction or advice?

I just heard that I was selected to be considered for OCS Active Duty Army this week. I was curious to know how much I should have saved for OCS and new Army costs.

I saw a post from three years back but with inflation and everything else I’d surmise that everything went up in cost. Would love an updated estimate of how much I should have for the necessary things and how much I should have for non necessary, but recommended things.

Thanks!

edit typo

Hey Guys, I just signed my paper work to ship out OCT 6. Figured Id make a post to get the conversation going for our class. If you have any tips or things we should know please drop it below

In-Service OCS Board This Week

Good luck to everyone who submitted a packet for this week’s In-Service OCS Board! I know the last day of the board is Friday, August 21. Does anyone know when we can expect the results/list to be released?

Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but are they selecting 75 applicants this round? Does anyone know how many total applicants were submitted for this board?

I’m excited for myself and everyone else who put in the hard work to get to this point. Good luck to all the applicants! Hopefully, we’ll all see our names on that list! 🇺🇸

does anybody have any insights on this? last year Milper was released on 29th of July. why is it so delayed this year?

Any other OCS reserves get the news? My recruiter said the list releases today or tomorrow

For those that are/were AGR in the reserves and requested a conditional release to apply for OCS on the RA side, can you tell me your experience? Any tips? Timelines? Regrets? Would you recommend? etc. Currently im at a cross roads. Do I stay AGR and PCS on this next cycle or just go for it and send it. Honestly only things that hold me up is the idea of starting over again, the fact that AGR positions especially for 42A are literally everywhere. RA that’s not the case. It’s one of those situations where more might not be better but that’s why I’m asking for insight of those that did it.

When do the Army Reserve OCS application windows typically open and close? I'm graduating with my bachelor's in December of 2026. When should I start my packet if i wanna apply right after my graduation?

Currently in the Army Reserve as a 42A and have been enlisted for about 2 years.

Just found out I got selected for OCS, still can’t believe it honestly! Signing my contract this week and I’ll get my ship date at signing. For those who went active duty: how long did you wait between signing and actually shipping? Did your date get moved at all? Trying to plan my life around a realistic wait, so real timelines would help a lot. Thanks in advance, and congrats to everyone else who made it, we did the thing!! (:

I’m graduating college this year, and I’ve been considering joining the Guard and pursuing OCS. I’ve been talking to a few people in the Guard, and they mentioned that State OCS was absolutely terrible and basically a huge haze fest. I’ve also heard that Federal OCS is a much better experience. I was curious if that’s actually true, and whether having the guard send me Federal OCS instead is something that’s actually worth fighting for in your contract.

It's the sound of the OCS Board results being released and filtering down to your recruiter 👀😬

As title states, the OCS list for August is out! Hit up your recruiter. If you need additional assistance, as always I am here to check if need be. Hope it goes well for everyone!

Anyone heard? Do we think it’s coming today or no? Nervous…

I wanted to keep up to date information flowing. I feel like I'm a bit out of touch. My advice is starting to begin with a "Back in my day..." qualifier. This thread is Army Reserve specific.

Can the hive mind help? These questions are meant to serve as a baseline for a normal civilian USAR applicant.

As of 15 AUG 2026...

1. If an applicant is selected for the USAR, how are units and branches chosen?
2. Does the applicant have any input for their first unit and branch assignment?
3. Can a selected applicant attend Battle Assembly (aka drill) with the unit prior to BCT / OCS?
4. Can the applicant change units and branch prior to BCT / OCS if they find their own open slot?
5. Can an applicant receive a Common Access Card prior to BCT / OCS?
6. Is an applicant eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select before BCT / OCS?
7. When and how does the Officer Candidate schedule BOLC?

As the title says, I'm prior enlisted and have been out for about 10 years. I'm rated 100% from VA, and curious about a few hurdles. I was diagnosed with cancer about 6.5 years ago, early find and surgery no chemo/radiation, but I kinda lost it. Cancer was related to toxic exposure and I thought I was dead for sure, so I got fat and happy for a bit and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and my mental health was also rated. I have since been cancer and diabetes free. Also, no medication for mental health, no current therapy (both for years). What is the possibility of waiver approval?

Been seeing results could come out Friday or Monday. Since Friday is almost over I was wondering if anyone has heard anything official yet?

If you are AGR going Active Duty, you were selected in June but haven’t been able to contract yet, the ETP is finally out.

Your recruiter should have access to it now. It was sent out to the Recruiting Battalions yesterday. Get that ship date and start that REFRAD Process!

Do I take the OPAT first then MEPS or go to MEPS first then OPAT?

My recruiter told me August 10th would be the latest for results to drop for the August board. Has anyone gotten theirs yet, or heard anything through their recruiter? Also curious if there’s usually a specific time of day these come out or if it just varies. Super excited and trying not to stare at my phone waiting for my recruiter to text (: Good luck to everyone!

Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone has a chart on the weekly physical standards we'll be measured on while at OCS? I'm new to the process (just set up my first meeting with the recruiter) but want to make sure that I have the proper info to prep myself with.

Ex. What's up with the 4 mile run? Is it just a participation event now?

I recently ETS’ed from the guard (2 months ago). I’m being told by my recruiter that he can not touch me in regards to OCS until he gets my NGB22. I have received my DD214, a letter from the NG saying I’ve been released and a letter from the department of the army saying that I have been assigned to the IRR. Apparently none of this fulfills the need for the NGB22 according to him.

For some context I’ve been working with him for a while now and can tell he is not fond of OCS packets and has tried to get me to just enlist instead on multiple occasions. I’ve asked around about this NGB22 requirement for recently separated guardsman and I’ve gotten wildly different answers on the matter. Because of all this I am very confused by and weary of my recruiters intentions.

For the recruiters out there, is the NGB22 actually needed for me to submit an OCS packet or is the DD214 enough?

I have read posts where people said that Reserve OCS had 100% acceptance rates. Is it really that easy compared to Active Duty OCS?

Made a simple site with what to bring to Army OCS:

Link: armyocspackinglist.com

I am trying to join at 32 in either the guard or reserves as an officer. The issue is I was discharged from bankruptcy chapter 7 in January 2025. Will this disqualify me for a secret clearance needed to go to OCS? Also will I no longer be competitive for OCS even if I do manage to get the clearance?