I am currently a police officer and am interested in serving in the army reserve or guard. I missed the boat on full time 10 years ago as I am now 31 years old and am tied down. I have a bachelors, am in great shape, and am interested in OCS.

My main concern is my rights as an employee. I don't want to get docked pay on my regular work hours for reserve training. I know they can't make me use vacation but I would hate to lose pay over it. Also, if anyone has any suggestions before I talk to a recruiter, that would be great. If you PM me, I would be happier to provide more personal details about myself, current career, etc.

Shoot me an email, Aggie2theCorps at gmail. I went through OCS with a police officer and probably can answer a few questions.

The answer to your question really depends, unfortunately, but it's definitely possible and ultimately will make you that much more of an asset to your department.

It will come down to how flexible your department is on schedules. You will know your drill schedule months in advance so you should not have to take leave in order to attend Drills.

Do the same employment rights (USERRA) apply even if you are employed first by an employer and then join the reserves? Or only if you are in before you are employed by that employer.

Same rights apply. Public/government employers usually do a pretty good job of supporting membership in the Reserves. You just need to keep them well informed of when you will be gone as far in advance as possible.

Army Reserve has a Direct Commission program. You can apply as a civilian into any branch with no prior military service. No OCS required. I only mention this as it reduces time to commission.


http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/retn/oa.htm#odc


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I went to speak with a recruiter today and he told me that the cut off for OCS is now 29 years old and there are no waivers for those without prior.

He suggested I find out if my employer lets me "double dip" and pay me a salary differential to make up for lost wages. He then suggested that if they do, I enlist and apply for an OCS waiver after one year.

Any thoughts on this?

And towgun, if I am reading your link correctly, I don't see where it applies to non prior service members.

oh, and do other branches have similar OCS cutoffs?

I know Marine Corps does.

Wheatables02...there is an FAQ link here:

http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/retn/oa_faq.htm#15

Q: Can I apply if I am a civilian?

A: Yes you can.

The term civilian here includes non-prior service civilians as well as prior service civilians.
Age cutoff is 42, but it is waiverable.

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I'm talking about OCS with non prior service. I am 31 yoa and the recruiter said there is no way into OCS without a waiver, which I won't get unless I enlist first.

Wheatables02....jeez I apologize for the multiple edits.

OCS and Direct Commission are two distinct commissioning programs. There's a lot of information available at the previous links I provided.

I know that you stated interest in OCS, I am just not sure if you are aware of/don't care for the Direct Commission option.

Direct Commission DOES NOT require enlistment. You submit an application and do a board interview and.......wait. That's it.

If you really want to go to OCS, that is your call, but I was thinking that a Direct Commission would appeal to you as you already have a degree, are concerned about your relationship with your employer, and you have law enforcement experience.

Fully understand if you want to go to OCS...which I readily admit I have no answers re: age cutoff.

I just wanted to provide you with another avenue to get a commission.

Feel free to send me an email : rr_wright at hotmail.com if you have more questions.

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Hmmmm, they must have recently changed it if its 29 now. It was 42 when I enlisted as a 09S in 2009, and it was 35 as recently as 6 months ago.

Anyway, I commissioned from the TXARNG OCS program in August and am currently at FABOLC at Fort Sill, so I can answer any questions about the NG's OCS program if you want. Email is jkylenelson at gmail dot com.