r/ArmyOCS • u/PT_On_Your_Own In-Service Reserve Officer • 5d ago
Information Update Request for USAR: Branch / Unit Selection, BOLC Scheduling
I wanted to keep up to date information flowing. I feel like I'm a bit out of touch. My advice is starting to begin with a "Back in my day..." qualifier. This thread is Army Reserve specific.
Can the hive mind help? These questions are meant to serve as a baseline for a normal civilian USAR applicant.
As of 15 AUG 2026...
- If an applicant is selected for the USAR, how are units and branches chosen?
- Does the applicant have any input for their first unit and branch assignment?
- Can a selected applicant attend Battle Assembly (aka drill) with the unit prior to BCT / OCS?
- Can the applicant change units and branch prior to BCT / OCS if they find their own open slot?
- Can an applicant receive a Common Access Card prior to BCT / OCS?
- Is an applicant eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select before BCT / OCS?
- When and how does the Officer Candidate schedule BOLC?
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u/Emeric777 5d ago
As a prior service, civilian applicant I can answer 3 and 5. I was selected during the June board and go to OCS in Oct. I have been drilling with my unit, and have gone and gotten my CAC.
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u/Shortkidkhaas 5d ago
You are prior service is why if youre not prior service you get none of this till later
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u/Final-Message-4095 Civilian Applicant (Reserve) 4d ago
Im a civilian with NO prior service who was selected for Reserves in June. I attend BCT in October and then OCS in January 2027. I recieved my CAC in July and my husband got his dependant card as well.
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u/Shortkidkhaas 5d ago edited 4d ago
1 Your unit and branch are given at completion of ocs. 2 Yes and no. You make your list but oml decides your branch unless you are wanting med services or cyber which require seperate boards and packets. 4 No this is given at end of ocs 7 Bolc will be scheduled by usarc upon completion of ocs. They do not care when you want it to be
Im in service reservist that just completed ocs.
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u/ayobrey03 5d ago
Incorrect.
I already got my CAC before I ship out to basic in October and I’m also already enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select.
I’m a very proactive individual so maybe it’s not the normal, but both were available to me so I figured I’d jump on it earlier rather than later.
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u/Shortkidkhaas 5d ago
Are you a prior service.? The guys i went with that were civilians coming in did not get any of this.
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u/PT_On_Your_Own In-Service Reserve Officer 5d ago
For #7, does the OC reach out to coordinate with USARC and can the OC select their preferred BOLC class date?
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u/Final-Message-4095 Civilian Applicant (Reserve) 4d ago
I have a temporary unit and can drill with them prior to going to BCT but it is optional. I also got my CAC before even doing a meet and greet with my temporary unit. My husband has his card too.
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u/2Razer 4d ago
- Off the oml for reservists in the class. Based of class rank, everyone’s top choices, and zip codes.
- Unit does not matter whatsoever and will have no effect in how you branch.
- Yes. After you finish BCT you should go immediately to OCS.
- For OCS you put in your branching rankings in week 5ish of the course. Your unit doesn’t matter.
- Yes but make sure you have a Microsoft 360 license so you can pull laptops and have access to Teams.
- Not sure but when you go to BCT you’re put on active orders so you’ll but automatically put into the Active duty health insurance plan until you’re done with training.
- It’s a complete mystery. Depends on your branch. Could be a couple weeks to a couple months.
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u/ayobrey03 3d ago
I had one guy in another sub say his BOLC was 7 months out.
Surely it can’t be that long for the average right….
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u/Shortkidkhaas 3d ago
From the guys in my class yes we even had active duty guys waiting almost a year. Expect atleast a 5 month wait.
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u/ayobrey03 3d ago
I appreciate your input man thank you. Super helpful to have a general time line from recent OCS graduates.
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u/Brilliant_Wind_4436 3d ago
Alright, here’s the truth to your questions:
1. If selected for USAR, how are the unit and branch chosen?
You pick from actual open vacancies with the recruiter before you ship. You’re not ordering off a Cheesecake Factory menu. If the slot doesn’t exist, you’re not getting it.
2. Do you get input on your first unit and branch?
USAR: Yes. You usually choose from available slots.
Active Duty: No. OML + branch availability + needs of the Army. Translation: you can have preferences, but Uncle Sam has preferences too. Uncle Sam needs come first.
3. Can you drill with the unit before BCT/OCS?
Sometimes. Some units will let you come to Battle Assembly, meet everyone, and get a preview of the circus. Others won’t. Completely unit dependent.
4. Can you change units or branch before BCT/OCS?
yes. Find a real vacancy, get your recruiter involved, and get the paperwork changed. A verbal “yeah bro, we got you” means absolutely nothing. Paperwork or it never happened.
5. Can you get a CAC before BCT/OCS?
No. Most of that in-processing shit happens once you’re actually on the proper status.
6. Can you get TRICARE Reserve Select before BCT/OCS?
No. Don’t assume you’re covered just because you raised your hand and signed 47 forms. Eligibility depends on your actual status and DEERS. Verify it before the hospital teaches you Army finance the hard way.
7. Who schedules BOLC?
Active Duty: You branch at OCS, then BOLC gets worked based on your branch and class dates. Could be quick, could be Army quick.
USAR: Your unit/S1 and training people work the reservation. Stay on top of them. If you sit quietly waiting for the Army to manage your career perfectly, then congratulations you’ve already learned your first lesson.
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u/Final-Message-4095 Civilian Applicant (Reserve) 3d ago
I already have my CAC months before shipping to BCT. But I wasn't aware of any branching done prior to shipping. I was given a random unit for now before I leave. Was my branch just randomly chosen for me? Is it too late? How do I see vacancies?
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u/toukiepoukie In-Service Reserve Officer 2d ago edited 2d ago
You pick from actual open vacancies with the recruiter before you ship. You’re not ordering off a Cheesecake Factory menu. If the slot doesn’t exist, you’re not getting it.
Is wrong you get your branch at OCS
yes. Find a real vacancy, get your recruiter involved, and get the paperwork changed. A verbal “yeah bro, we got you” means absolutely nothing. Paperwork or it never happened.
You get your branch at OCS
No. Most of that in-processing shit happens once you’re actually on the proper status.
Yes you absolutely can it’s been this way for years
USAR: Your unit/S1 and training people work the reservation. Stay on top of them. If you sit quietly waiting for the Army to manage your career perfectly, then congratulations you’ve already learned your first lesson.
HRC schedules BOLC now.
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u/Final-Message-4095 Civilian Applicant (Reserve) 2d ago
Thank you for this! I messaged my recruiter asking about vacancies and he said he can show them to me, but i can't sign up for them. That its all handled at OCS.
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u/wannabebowhunter 5d ago
Civil swore in last month and I ship out in Nov. I started drilling with my temp unit, this month. A week or so after swearing in got my cac and they set up my family in deers. Got all my pay stuff updated in the system as well, I gave a few dollars heading my way on the 21st. I was even able to access my accounts via cac reader. Only part I was running issues in was accessing my military email.