Soldier Skills
First, every Officer is required to complete the equivalent of Basic Training in order to acquire the essential skills you’ll need for success in the Army.
Officer Training (BOLC)
Where the greatest leaders start.
Initial training at the Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) prepares Army Officers both physically and mentally to lead effective, successful missions.
Rise
Rise
in the
in the
ranks.
ranks.
Achieve excellence as an Officer.
By the time your training is complete, you'll have what it takes to lead and build confidence in your team as a commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army.
Leadership
You’ll have the ability to solve problems, remain resilient, and adapt to any scenario under pressure.
Confidence
You’ll have the drive and mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing to accomplish anything.
Expertise
You’ll have the knowledge and skills to lead any situation effectively, no matter the stakes or environment.
No matter if you’re enlisted or commissioned, you are going to be a leader in some shape or form.– 2nd Lt. Hatem Smadi
Designed to develop the best.
At BOLC, you’ll acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to make a difference as a leader in the Army. BOLC is split into three areas, each focusing on a different aspect of becoming an Officer.
Leadership Principles
Next, Officers in training will become more capable and confident by learning combat and battlefield techniques required to operate in the field.
Specialized Training
Finally, specialized training helps Officers discover and refine job-related skills in a branch-specific format that could take weeks or months depending on specialty.
Requirements to join as a commissioned Officer.
There are certain requirements and steps you’ll need to take in order to become a commissioned Officer in the Army.
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Be at least 17 but under 31 in the year of commissioning as an Officer, or under 27 if you commission from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point
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Be medically and physically fit
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Be a U.S. citizen by the time you commission as an Officer
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Be a college graduate by the time you’re commissioned as an Officer
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Complete a background check, questionnaire, and interview, and provide the required documentation for a security clearance
Find the Officer career for you.
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Find out more about becoming a Soldier and if a career in the Army is right for you.
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Common questions about Officer training.
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Do commissioned Officers go to Basic Training?
Do commissioned Officers go to Basic Training?
All Officers will complete some form of Basic Training, though how it is completed varies based on path of commission. In Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (USMA), your initial training will be integrated into your curriculum and program. Candidates for OCS with no prior Army experience will attend Basic Training with fellow enlisted Soldiers before moving on to Officer training. Direct Commission Officer candidates will attend the Direct Commission Officer Course, where they will learn what it takes to serve in the Army before continuing their Officer training.
Do you go to Basic Training after Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)?
Do you go to Basic Training after Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)?
No, your initial training requirements will be integrated into your ROTC program. After graduating, you will commission as an Officer with the rank of Second Lieutenant and continue on to the Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC).
How hard is it to become a commissioned Army Officer?
How hard is it to become a commissioned Army Officer?
Becoming a Soldier in the Army is meant to be a challenge, as a way to instill the values and discipline needed for success. An Officer, due to their responsibilities and roles, has a few key additional requirements, including that you must have a bachelor’s degree—not necessarily at the start of the process, but by the time you are commissioned as an Officer. Visit the Army Officers page to learn more.
What is Officer Candidate School (OCS) and is it difficult?
What is Officer Candidate School (OCS) and is it difficult?
Officer Candidate School is the Army’s 12-week intensive program designed for enlisted Soldiers—and civilians with college degrees—to earn a commission to become an Officer. At OCS, candidates will refine their leadership skills and gain the opportunity to lead Soldiers. Officers are invaluable leaders and essential parts of mission success, and training is meant to be a challenge to bring out the best in all cadets.
Can an enlisted Soldier become an Officer?
Can an enlisted Soldier become an Officer?
Yes, you could earn your degree while you serve and commission as an Army Officer by taking advantage of the Green to Gold program—a two-year program available to qualified enlisted Soldiers.