Army Officer Qualifications

Army officers serve in leadership positions as a role model to enlisted personnel. Officers are responsible for the soldiers they command. Certain credentials are required to be eligible for an officer, and the Army has four options for becoming an officer.

Army ROTC

Army ROTC requires candidates to be at least 17 and no older than 32 upon commission, a U.S. citizen and physically fit.

Direct Commission

Direct commissions require a college degree, U.S. citizenship and being physically fit. Age requirements vary with the college degree and the areas of expertise. Rank given on commission is determined on experience and the field the candidate specializes in.

Officer Candidate School (OCS)

Candidates for OCS must be 18 but no older than 41, a U.S. citizen and college graduate. All candidates must be physically fit and are commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Military Academy

The Army Military Academy requires U.S. citizenship and a congressional nomination. Candidates must be single, between the ages of 17 and 23 and receive high scores on either the ACT or SAT.

Warrant Officer

Warrant officers must complete a military occupational specialty (MOS) as an enlisted soldier, at least an E-4 in rank and 46 or younger. Noncommissioned officer (NCO) leadership courses must be completed and documented expertise in the soldier's specialty area provided.

References

• Army.com