Direct Commission?

[ATCScout]

After doing some research on it, I've found the information is really pretty vague. I know you guys have debated the effectiveness of an officer whose gone direct commission rather than the other routes, but I feel this would be the best option for me.

I'm 23 year old, college grad with a BS in athletic training. I'm nationally certified and licensed in the state of WA.

After reading some of the information I've found they hire direct commission on the current need for the position, if I apply for direct commission and they don't have anything at Ft Lewis am I required to take the position anyway?

Really any information you guys have about the process would be really appreciated.

[PhilK]

Originally Posted by ATCScout

After doing some research on it, I've found the information is really pretty vague. I know you guys have debated the effectiveness of an officer whose gone direct commission rather than the other routes, but I feel this would be the best option for me.

I'm 23 year old, college grad with a BS in athletic training. I'm nationally certified and licensed in the state of WA.

After reading some of the information I've found they hire direct commission on the current need for the position, if I apply for direct commission and they don't have anything at Ft Lewis am I required to take the position anyway?

Really any information you guys have about the process would be really appreciated.

I would have to double check, but I have never heard of a non-professional getting a direct commission straight off the street.

I am not sure if Active Duty has the straight to OCS option, but I know the Guard does. That would allow you to enter the Guard with the intention of attended OCS and if something happens along the way, then you are pretty much shown the door unless you are willing to take on a MOS and go through that training.

All the direct commission folks I have worked with were all NCOs with degrees and a specific skill set we were looking for.

Talk to your local recruiter to get ground truth.

[ATCScout]

I am not necessarily a medical professional ie nurse, doctor...but I am an allied health professional what I do is similar to that of a physical therapist but still pretty different. How does the army/military define a professional?

And Thanks for your help!!

[PhilK]

Originally Posted by ATCScout

I am not necessarily a medical professional ie nurse, doctor...but I am an allied health professional what I do is similar to that of a physical therapist but still pretty different. How does the army/military define a professional?

And Thanks for your help!!

For a direct commission into the Army on the professional level, you are looking at:

Doctors (Vets, Dentists also included...but not nurses)
Lawyers
Chaplains

Those are always the three areas I see when discussing direct commissions.

[ATCScout]

Thanks for your help!

I have a call into a friend that's a recruiter before I go talk to someone I don't know maybe he'll have some more information for me!