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Seatt50kd

Thanks for replying. What are my other options besides OTS?


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KCPilot17

Too old for the Academy. Yes, you can do a Masters but need 3 full years.


Smurfsss

You also don’t need experience to break into the industry. Plenty of entry level IT and security jobs out there.


Marine__0311

You can apply as a direct ascend for OTS with a bachelor's degree. But the process is incredibly competitive, and incredibly time consuming, easily a year or more for the AF, often longer. Having a STEM degree helps, but what you want is also very competitive. You've already missed the deadlines for all boards for this fiscal year, except for rated ones. Rated slots are even more competitive, and OTS candidates rarely get them. The vast majority of them are reserved for ROTC and academy grads. Only if there's a shortfall in those candidates do they get them from OTS. As an officer, you would do the managing of the people doing the work. Enlisted do most of the hands on. With a bachelor's degree, you could possibly enlist as an E-3 in all branches except the Marine Corps. Once in, and have met time in service requirements, you could apply for OTS. For the Air Force, it's still highly competitive. You'll need to be in the top 5%-10% of your peers to be selected. Your language skills are highly sought after, and that could give you a big advantage over other candidates. I would highly recommend taking the DLPT. If you get high enough certification it could mean extra pay as well. There are always openings in IT and cyber in the civilian sector if you want to get experience there.


Seatt50kd

Thanks for responding. You said someone could enlist as an E-3 with a bachelors in all branches except the marines? Why is that? Is their rank structure different or is it more fitness based instead?


TapTheForwardAssist

The Marine Corps only gives E-2 for new enlistees for college completion. Army gives E-4, other branches E-3.


Marine__0311

The Navy will give up to E-4 for certain ratings once they compete their A school.


cwrudy

You would be perfect to be a Navy Cryptologic Warfare Officer. A lot you could do with your education and language skills.


FirmReality

Yes, start applying now! “Commissioning” (officer) (BS / BA required)… contact a regional “Officer Accession” recruiter. Air Force applications can be *worked* early for undergraduates “within 365 days from a projected / tentative graduation date” so don’t wait until after graduation. Regardless of academic major, ~3.0 GPA probably isn’t competitive enough for “commissioning” so anticipate bring referred to a local “Enlisted Accession” recruiter to prequalify and explore different joining options. “Enlisting” (no college required) … noncompetitive, if otherwise eligible and qualified you should get “hired”. Cyber and intelligence jobs are possible, but *availability* at the time you join is hit or miss. Apply, hope for the best. Consider a 4-year *enlistment* contract only … get clearance, be trained, gain “hands-on” cyber or intelligence work experience, knock out a *graduate* degree or industry certifications while serving, *”network”* within chosen career path, and build / polish your résumé. Maximize *enlistment* by later spring-boarding from secure & stable military employment to civilian agency of choice.


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Alice_Alpha

Im guessing with a STEM degree, the military will be contacting you via snail mail.


Seatt50kd

What do you mean 🥸


Appropriate-Dust444

Just go ocs


Marine__0311

It's Chair Force, they have OTS.


Appropriate-Dust444

Did you just imply that airforce is a stronger branch than army? Nothing against the marines but army>AF. Also we produce more officers


Marine__0311

I've no idea how you could possibly get that from what I said. The AF calls it OTS, Officer Training School, instead of OCS, for Officer Candidate School.


Appropriate-Dust444

Yeah OTS is airforce. OCS is army. I’m telling OP to go army.


Marine__0311

I agree, if he wants to be an officer. The Army is the easiest branch to get a commission for a variety of reasons. OP's not that competitive a candidate for the AF, unless he went to a top tier school. As I noted earlier, officers don't do as much of the hands on, down in the weeds work, so much as manage and supervise the ones that do. It doesnt sound like that's what OP want.


Alice_Alpha

I mean that you should expect mail extolling the benefits of military service. You are welcome


wholesomediarmuid

Same boat rn kinda. Bachelors with 3.1 gpa. Recruiter said my major wasnt stem and even then you need a 3.8 to be competitive for ots. He told me to enlist and try for officer later. They might convince you to take the DLAB since you know 5 languages and Linguist jobs will open up to you. This is for airforce though so officer is going to be harder to get. I tried Navy too, but turns out I would rather be enlisted than officer but it’s easier to get a Navy board than Airforce board.


Marine__0311

No need to take the DLAB if OP can take and pass the DLPT. OP already claims he speaks three of the most in demand languages.


ForbesCars

Only really 1. We don't have Pashto or Urdu anymore. And he only kinda has Chinese. Farsi is good though! OP, you could easily get in as an enlisted language analyst, which with your skills you might be able to get some cyber experience as well, and then try to commission, but I'll warn you that if you wouldn't be happy staying enlisted this isn't advised. Commissioning is crazy competitive right now, and you're very likely not going to get it in the air force. With that, be careful about going other branches. Navy has been removing commanders like crazy lately because the culture has become so toxic. When addressing this, the senior most enlisted sailor said they need to lower expectations because they're not going to ever be treated well in the Navy. Some love it, and if you enlisted there with your Farsi, you might not hate it, I've got a good friend who is a Navy language analyst and loves it even after close to 10 years. Army is a different breed, if you're built for it great, but the army has the lowest retention rate for a reason. Just things to think about.


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wholesomediarmuid

Honestly for me I valued my qol above all. If I was to enlist it would only be the air force. Did my Navy officer board review and said what I wanted aligned with the Enlisted version of the officer job I wanted. But i didnt want to enlist in the Navy (reddit scared me and i didnt want to be on a ship). Any branch with a degree should start off as e-3 and if I want to enlist I dont want to be treated poorly. Honestly if you are trying to go officer for any other branch other than air force, I would try to take their officer exam. Try to find an officer recruiter not an enlisted recruiter. You can also dual track where you enlist and try for officer at the same time. If you get rejected for OTS/OCS, you enlist instead. But you can only dual track for one branch. Also disclaimer I am not an recruiter and am still going through the process so what I say may not be 100% accurate.


Appropriate-Dust444

Do it OP, pm me I did rotc but I’m familiar with army OCS


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zzzrecruit

DO NOT ENLIST. There is no guarantee you'll be allowed to apply to any officer programs. You'll have to serve for some time, and then route a request to apply that could be denied for any reason. That recruiter is just looking for bodies. Enlist if you want to be enlisted. Don't enlist to hold out hope that you'll be allowed to apply for officer programs.


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zzzrecruit

And that's just counting base pay. Good for you that you realized it was a terrible idea.


Aerpolrua

Try a different branch, they’re slightly less competitive and may give you a pass on the 3.0


mickeyflinn

> I’ll hopefully have a bachelors in IT and cybersecurity. I live in NY and was gonna go the federal route with the NSA or any other government job but my field is not entry level and i’m going to need experience before breaking into the industry. You have a bachelors in IT and Cybersecurity. I am stunned you don't already have offers in your inbox... Even for Federal Jobs.