Commissioning Opportunities
|
DIRECT COMMISSION
PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
The intent of the ARNG Direct Commissioning Program is to offer an alternate commissioning
source to exceptionally qualified individuals. The ARNG Direct Commissioning Program
is not intended to replace or adversely affect Officer Candidate School (OCS) or
other commissioning programs. An individual will not request a direct appointment;
rather, an individual must be nominated and selected for consideration by the chain
of command. The following factors apply when determining whether an individual should
be nominated for a direct appointment or should instead attend OCS:
a. An individual whose record exhibits two or more of the following situations should
pursue OCS rather than a direct appointment:
(1) Lack of documented leadership position (completion of Basic Non-Commissioned
Officer’s Course or higher will substitute).
(2) Failure to meet Army Physical Fitness test scores of at least 70 points in each
event.
(3) Body fat that is within 2 percent of maximum allowable, in combination with
an APFT score of 210 or less.
(4) Non-Commissioned Officer Evaluation Reports or Academic evaluation reports that
do not provide written comments indicating above average accomplishments or address
leadership skills.
(5) Primary military experience in Marines, Navy or Air Force with less than two
years served in an ARNG unit.
b. Individuals meeting any one (or more) of the following conditions are not authorized
for a direct appointment:
(1) Individuals currently enrolled in OCS.
(2) Individuals who were disenrolled, dropped, or resigned from OCS. This includes
individuals who attended pre-Phase 1 orientation drills, but dropped prior to the
official start of Phase 1.
(3) Individuals who drop from OCS with the intention of applying for a direct appointment.
(4) Individuals meeting any of the conditions stated in NGR (AR) 600-100, paragraph
2-8 and 2-9a, b, and d.
Approval Authority:
Initial approval authority for all direct commissions is NGB-ARH. The State Adjutant
General has authority to deny a request prior to NGB consideration. The Federal
Recognition Board has final authority.
Requests:
Requests must include a completed NGB Form 62E with allied documentation. Assemble
the packet using tabbed dividers. Do not include extraneous documentation unless
specifically requested by NGB-ARH-S. Ensure all documentation remains current if
required to resubmit a request which has been returned for correction. (Ask the
Unit Administrator for assistance in completing this requirement.)
Endorsements:
The NGB Form 62E must be staffed through the chain of command. (The
unit administrator will ensure this is accomplished.)
Recommendations:
At a minimum, the individual’s current Company and Battalion Commander
must provide letters recommending the individual for a direct appointment. The letters
must contain objective details outlining the traits, actions, skills, experiences,
characteristics, training, and education that deem the individual exceptionally
qualified to receive a direct appointment instead of being required to complete
an OCS program.
Minimum Requirements:
Nominees are expected to have outstanding qualifications that clearly exceed a majority
of the minimum requirements stated below:
Service Requirement:
An applicant must have served a minimum of 24 months of active service in any federally
recognized unit. Must also have served at least 12 months in an active ARNG unit
immediately preceding application.
Rank/Prior Training:
Applicants will possess the minimum grade of E-5; E-4 if a graduate of Primary Leadership
Development Course.
Age:
Minimum age is 22 years. Maximum age for appointment is 30. The State Adjutant General
may waive up to age 35. NGB may grant an exception to policy prior to age 40.
Citizenship:
Individual must be a United States citizen.
Education:
A certified transcript must be included in the packet as certified proof of the
applicant’s completion of a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
Test Scores:
(1) The applicant must have an aptitude (GT) score of 110 or higher on the Armed
Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. (2) ACT/SAT test scores are not required.
OCS Enrollment History Statement: Individual will sign a certified statement regarding
former OCS enrollment and/or attendance.
Medical:
1. All direct commission applicants must pass an AR 40-501, Chapter
2 appointment physical prior to submission of the request for direct appointment.
The physical must be administered by a Military Entrance Processing Station or Active
Duty Medical Treatment Facility.
2. Chapter 2 physicals are valid for 2 years, provided there is no significant change
in the individual’s medical condition. When the physical is more than one year old,
individual must complete DA Form 7349-R, Initial Medical Review Annual Medical Certificate.
The form must be screened and approved by the State Surgeon or appointed medical
representative. 3. An AR 40-501 Chapter 4 complete physical that has been approved
by the United States Army Aero Medical Center, Ft. Rucker, AL, will fulfill Chapter
2 physical requirements.
4. Original DD Form 2807-1, DD Form 2808, DA Form 7349-R, and approved waiver(s)
are required inclusions in the request packet. Waivers for disqualifying medical
conditions must be applied for and approved by NGB prior to submittal of the request
for direct appointment. (If a waiver is required, ask the Unit Administrator for
assistance.)
Body Height/Weight:
Applicants must meet the height/weight standards prescribed in AR
600-9, to include body fat limitations for enrollment and appointment. Certified
height and weight statement must be dated within 90 days of application.
APFT:
Applicants must pass a standard APFT in accordance with AR 350-41.
Certified DA Form 705 must be dated within 9 months of application.
Security Status:
Applicants must have a minimum of a final Secret Security Clearance on file prior
to appointment. All applicants must provide proof that a request for a security
clearance investigation has been initiated prior to submittal of request for direct
appointment. (Ask the Unit Administrator for assistance in completing this requirement.)
Vacancy Requirement:
Applicants must have a valid position vacancy. Slotting as excess is not authorized.
The NGB Form 62E must indicate paragraph, line number, and branch for which the
appointment is requested. Vacancy and intended branch must be compatible. Whenever
possible, individual should fill a vacancy outside his/her current unit of assignment.
Mentor:
In keeping with the Director, Army National Guard’s policy on mentoring, each direct
commission applicant will be assigned a mentor. Mentors must be OBC qualified and
should be assigned outside the chain of command of the individual’s new assignment.
Mentor assignment will be annotated on a separate memorandum and will include name,
rank, unit of assignment, and military education level completed.
Rank at Appointment:
Individuals will not receive a direct appointment into the basic
branches above the rank of Second Lieutenant. This includes individuals being appointed
from the Warrant Officer ranks.
Attendance at OBC:
Individuals accepting an initial appointment will not be granted constructive credit
for OBC. Individuals will be required to attend an OBC within 18 months of appointment.
This includes individuals applying for appointment from the Warrant Officer ranks.
Commissioned Service Time:
Individuals applying for initial appointment (through any commissioning source)
must be advised that they must complete a minimum of 10 years commissioned service
in order to retire at the highest commissioned rank successfully held.
Unauthorized Waivers:
Individuals nominated for a direct appointment are not authorized waivers or exceptions
to policy for any of the provisions of NGR (AR) 600-100, paragraph 2-8, or subparagraphs
2-9 a, b, and d.
Authorized Waivers:
All requests for authorized waivers and/or exceptions to policy,
regardless of nature, are considered on a case-by-case basis only. Requests must
be included in the cover memorandum and must be fully justified. Submittal does
not constitute approval. Waivers may be provided on an individual basis and do not
constitute precedence for all cases.
Approvals:
Direct appointment requests that are approved must be executed NLT 60 days after
the date of NGB’s endorsement, or the approval becomes invalid. Certificates of
Eligibility are not authorized for individuals approved for direct appointment.
Approvals are valid only for the vacancy and branch listed on the NGB Form 62E.
AMEDD Applicants:
Candidates for direct appointment to the AMEDD branches must be processed through
the AMEDD Recruiting POC in their State and then through NGB-ASM. These applicants
are required to go through a separate DA boarding process at USAREC, Ft. Knox, KY,
and are not held to the limiting factors listed for other direct appointment candidates.
States are not authorized to appoint officers (under direct appointment) to the
AMEDD without prior selection by the DA Board at USAREC.
|