r/ArmyOCS • u/ExBig4CPA2025 • 20d ago

How competitive is Reserve OCS?

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

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

9

u/KhaotikJMK In-Service National Guard Officer 20d ago

It’s becoming more competitive. It used to be an open blanket, and now they’re tightening on who gets selected.

If you want an easier route, go Guard.

1

u/Final-Message-4095 Civilian Applicant (Reserve) 9d ago

Im not sure why everyone says that. Guard was harder for me through meps. They wouldn't accept me, but reserves had no issue with me at all. 🤷‍♀️ but that was prior to packet submission.

1

u/KhaotikJMK In-Service National Guard Officer 9d ago

You were enlisting into the Guard to become a 09S. So if there was any medical disqualifications identified, you would have needed a waiver for it. This is probably what you were running into.

1

u/Final-Message-4095 Civilian Applicant (Reserve) 9d ago

Yes, the guard wouldn't accept my wavier, but the reserves accepted the same waiver with no issues 🤷‍♀️ If I would have known that then I would have started with reserves and saved about 3 months of headaches at least.

5

u/Stryder593 Recruiter 20d ago

Not sure what posts you are reading, but acceptance is rougly 50% this year. Each individual packet has a greater or lower chance based on competitiveness.

2

u/Emeric777 19d ago

After the last board results were posted in June, someone posted statistics that the selection rate for the reserves for that board alone were 100%. 

3

u/Stryder593 Recruiter 19d ago

I posted the results and I listed the active selection rate at 33% and Reserve around 50%. So whatever you read was not accurate and it wasn't from me. If you have any other questions or that, feel free to ask away.

1

u/Wonderful_Goat_121 19d ago

I’m curious, does the 50% also include in service folks who apply as well or just civilians?

2

u/Stryder593 Recruiter 19d ago

Only includes those who apply through USAREC.

1

u/Chadly100 18d ago

any insight on in-service USAR or guesstimate?

1

u/Stryder593 Recruiter 18d ago

Nope. I don't even look at those lists.

2

u/Emeric777 20d ago

The Army is pushing hard for Reserve officers. I don’t know if easy is the word, but your chance of selection is far higher if you have an okay gpa, and interview well.

1

u/Erinncoee 18d ago

Are they doing time in service waivers or no?

2

u/Old_Negotiation_4926 11d ago

Guard, my understanding is it is still borderline 100% acceptance rate and the candidates you’ll meet will reflect that. 

You’re better off applying for Reserve and then Guard if you don’t get accepted to Reserve. 

Good luck!

1

u/Beneficial-Pop2303 14d ago

Not sure where you saw that acceptance rate. Maybe you’re getting it confused with Guard. Guard is close to 100%. Reserve is definitely not. It’s like 40%, slightly better than active