Steps Towards Becoming an Army Officer

There are two kinds of officers in the US Army,US Army are the Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Warrant Officers and Commissioned Officers. Each(ROTC), the Officer Candidate School, United States
category has its own specialized training, areas ofMilitary Academy at West Point, and Direct
expertise, and responsibilities.Commission Officer
Warrant Officer:You must enroll in Army ROTC at the same time you
Warrant Officers are highly specialized experts in theirenroll in college. Army ROTC courses are available at
career fields, and function as trainers. They providemore than 800 colleges and universities. Cadets take a
valuable guidance to both commanders andcurriculum of military courses and of elective
organizations. People who are accepted into theleadership. The graduates automatically become
Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) mustSecond Lieutenant.
attend the Basic Combat Training (BCT). After BCT,Another way is the Officer Candidate School (OCS).
they have to attend WOCS. Warrant Officers alsoAfter completing BCT, candidates train for a full 14
pilot the ultra advanced helicopters on combat,weeks and then must attend the Officer Basic
reconnaissance and rescue missions, for which theyCourse. To apply for Officer Candidate School, you
are trained with the Warrant Officer Flight Trainingmust be a U.S. citizen and a college graduate between
(WOFT) program, starting directly after the WOCS.19 and 29 years old at the time of selection.
To apply for the Warrant Officer Candidate School orWest Point is one of Americas top universities. Many
Warrant Officer Flight Training program, one mustpast graduates of West Point are leaders in
have a high school diploma, be between 18 and 33government and the military. An applicant to West
years of age and a citizen of the United States. TheyPoint must be between 17 and 23 years old, a U.S.
have to score 90 or higher on the revised Flightcitizen, single, not pregnant, and without legal obligation
Aptitude Selection Test (FAST) and get at least 110to support any children. They must have an
General Technical (GT) score on the Armed Forcesabove-average academic record. They can be
Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). They must alsocongressionally nominated, or with a service-connected
meet the height and weight standards and pass anomination, and must have high SAT scores.
standard physical exam.Each of the professional branches, like Judge
Commissioned Officers:Advocate General (JAG), the Chaplain Corps, and the
Commissioned Officers lead Soldiers during everyMedical Corps has an officers training program that
aspect of a mission. They must make decisions quicklytrains educationally qualified civilian professionals, and
for successful completion of the mission. They bearprovides direct commission into their field. The training
the ultimate moral responsibility for their decisions. Thetime for these direct commission officers generally
four ways to become a Commissioned Officer in thevaries, depending on the career field.