Which one is better? Has better benefits, etc? From what I understand, OTS is easier than BMT? Yes? No?

What is OTS and BMT?

quote Originally posted by Hulki U. My-BFF: What is OTS and BMT?

Sorry. I should specify better (goin by USAF terms here, OTS is Officer Training School and BMT is Basic Military Training).

To put it more simply: General enlistment or Officer corps?

Brian, I may be mistaken, but it seems to me that OTS is Officer Training School, and BMT is Basic Military Training. OTS would be for people who already have a college degree that want to be a commisioned officer. BMT would be for the average Joe with no college degree, or those who do but don't want to be an officer (I knew a few people like that when I was in)...in other words, an enlisted person. Again, I could be wrong, but that was my understanding of the difference between the two.

You back in PA now, or are you still stuck in Kearney?

[This message has been edited by litespd (edited 07-28-2010).]

quote Originally posted by litespd: Brian, I may be mistaken, but it seems to me that OTS is Officer Training School, and BMT is Basic Military Training. OTS would be for people who already have a college degree that want to be a commisioned officer. BMT would be for the average Joe with no college degree, or those who do but don't want to be an officer (I knew a few people like that when I was in). Again, I could be wrong, but that was my understanding of the difference between the two. You back in PA now, or are you still stuck in Kearney?

Not sure how correct you are on the college degree part Mike. But you are correct on the general meaning of the terms

I'm back in PA for the time being, but I'll most likely end up back in Kearney quite soon. Nothings changed back here, still have nowhere to really stay (thanks to my "family" Family, what a friggin joke...)

And ya know how they say when it rains it pours? Things have only gotten worse since I left. The car I just bought in Hastings (the Escort) got hit and financial totalled, so now I am stuck having to buy another car But I won't really argue, paid $500 for the car and got $1800 in the insurance settlement (well over $2200 in damage, lady sideswiped the drivers side and damaged the bumper, broke the power mirror, among other things)...

[This message has been edited by Xerces_Blackthorne (edited 07-28-2010).]

Does your chosen branch have a warrant program?

Which branch?

In the Army you have a snowballs's chance in Hell of coming in and going directly to OCS. You have an absolute ZERO chance unless you have a Bachelor's Degree.

Right now, you don't have much better odds just enlisting in the Army. The Army overall is overstrength. (There's the reason why I'm retiring before I hit my maximum years of service.)

Either AF or Navy Don. Reason being is I'm quite sure those are the only 2 that I can possibly qualify for with my flat feet (USAF gave me a waiver once. Depending on my reenlistment code on my 214, I may not qualify for either of them...)

Ace, drop me a PM if ya wouldn't mind, I'd love to pick your brain a bit.

AOCS(Army Officer Candidacy Program) is for those seeking to become officers and requires you to currently be enrolled in college to get a degree and from what I heard when I was in, it has a marginally lower physical demand, but a greatly increased mental stress.

ABCT (Army Basic Combat Training)(9 weeks)+AIT(Advanced Individual Training)(length determined by MOS) and OSUT(One Station Unit Training)(Basic and AIT rolled into one program) are for those seeking to become enlisted soldiers and is a more physically demanding training and less mentally demanding regiment.

Don't get me wrong, both have high physical and mental stresses, but Officer School focuses on mental and Enlisted focuses on physical.

If I were to do it again, I would either go Air Force and be a gunner on a Blackhawk gunship or go Army and go through the Warrant Officer program in the Intel field.

quote Originally posted by Rallaster: AOCS(Army Officer Candidacy Program) is for those seeking to become officers and requires you to currently be enrolled in college to get a degree and from what I heard when I was in, it has a marginally lower physical demand, but a greatly increased mental stress. ABCT (Army Basic Combat Training)(9 weeks)+AIT(Advanced Individual Training)(length determined by MOS) and OSUT(One Station Unit Training)(Basic and AIT rolled into one program) are for those seeking to become enlisted soldiers and is a more physically demanding training and less mentally demanding regiment. Don't get me wrong, both have high physical and mental stresses, but Officer School focuses on mental and Enlisted focuses on physical. If I were to do it again, I would either go Air Force and be a gunner on a Blackhawk gunship or go Army and go through the Warrant Officer program in the Intel field.

Main reason I;m looking towards OCS/OTS (whatever you wanna call it). I can deal with the mind games now that I'm older (one problem I had the first go around. 17 at the time, first time away from home, etc. Wasn't ready for it). Its the heavy physical part of BCT that'll kill me, particularly running/marching with my flat feet.

IF (and thats a big if) I decide to go through with enlisting again, I'm planning on only going for 4 years. Qualifies me for Vet preference afterwards, and from what I understand (feel free to correct me if I am wrong), I can go for 4 years, do 2-2.5 active duty, and get out early for the remaining 1.5 to 2 years if I enroll in a full time degree program at a college (using my GI bill of course). Or so I am told that is...

[This message has been edited by Xerces_Blackthorne (edited 07-28-2010).]

quote Originally posted by Xerces_Blackthorne: Ace, drop me a PM if ya wouldn't mind, I'd love to pick your brain a bit.

After 25 years my brain's done been picked down to nothing, but feel free to try to pick anything else out of my brain.

quote Originally posted by Xerces_Blackthorne: Not sure how correct you are on the college degree part Mike. But you are correct on the general meaning of the terms

I'm pretty sure I've got it right as far as the degree...looks like aceman backs me up on that one. At least, that was the way it was when I was in. The Air Force has what they call "Preparatory School" http://www.usafa.af.mil/prepschool.asp Part of the student body was made up of enlisted personnel that wanted to try and get into the Academy, where they would earn a commission along with college degree. If you were considering entering the military, that might be something to consider. I just wasn't sure if those were still the correct terms for OTS and BMT.

quote I'm back in PA for the time being, but I'll most likely end up back in Kearney quite soon. Nothings changed back here, still have nowhere to really stay (thanks to my "family" Family, what a friggin joke...)

You've got my phone number...give me a call if and when you come back this way.

quote And ya know how they say when it rains it pours? Things have only gotten worse since I left. The car I just bought in Hastings (the Escort) got hit and financial totalled, so now I am stuck having to buy another car But I won't really argue, paid $500 for the car and got $1800 in the insurance settlement (well over $2200 in damage, lady sideswiped the drivers side and damaged the bumper, broke the power mirror, among other things)...

In every cloud, there's a silver lining....maybe you should offer PK $1800 for the "Green Lantern"....

quote Originally posted by aceman: After 25 years my brain's done been picked down to nothing, but feel free to try to pick anything else out of my brain.

LOL bah, you still got another 20 in ya

OTS is for officers. You must have a 4 year degree from a university. BMT for the folks who don't want/can't be officers. It was 6 1/2 weeks but I think they've changed it to 8 1/2 now. I went through BMT and thought it was pretty easy. OTS is about 13 1/2 weeks to go through for a commission. First part of OTS is Air Force standards, academic, and military bearing learning. The second part is projects, team building and field exercises. Most likely do PT every day but Sunday..I think? I can't remember

Sphynx, I see you're from "The Fort". Like in "Ft. Carson"?

You can go in for 4 yrs now and get an early out after only 1/2 of it and spend the rest active/inactive reserve??
When I went in, 4 yrs meant 4 years, with another 2 yrs inactive reserves. I took my Marine uniform off for the last time 4 years to the day from when I enlisted.

quote Originally posted by Sphynx: OTS is for officers. You must have a 4 year degree from a university. BMT for the folks who don't want/can't be officers. It was 6 1/2 weeks but I think they've changed it to 8 1/2 now. I went through BMT and thought it was pretty easy. OTS is about 13 1/2 weeks to go through for a commission. First part of OTS is Air Force standards, academic, and military bearing learning. The second part is projects, team building and field exercises. Most likely do PT every day but Sunday..I think? I can't remember

Thanks for the heads up Didn't know there was a 4 year degree requirement for OTS. Last I knew BMT was 6.5 weeks (at least provided you didn't get recycled).

Mike, I'll definitely be in touch. I have to come back out eventually, have some stuff stored at a friends place in Kearney while I am here (had to make room in the car). Plus I'm still enrolled in school in Hastings. Looking like I'll be out there sometime around the middle of September or so, latest being after Christmas when spring semester starts (but I'm pushing for sooner, getting pissed off at the people around here )

BTW, speaking of silver linings: Every cloud may have a silver lining somewhere, but every silver lining's got a touch of gray hehe

quote Originally posted by litespd: Sphynx, I see you're from "The Fort". Like in "Ft. Carson"?

No sorry, I'm attending school in Fort Collins. The Fort is what some of the college kids called Fort Collins and I thought it was pretty good.

quote Originally posted by Xerces_Blackthorne:I can go for 4 years, do 2-2.5 active duty, and get out early for the remaining 1.5 to 2 years if I enroll in a full time degree program at a college (using my GI bill of course). Or so I am told that is...

There are some programs that will let you do part active duty and then go to school while still enlisted but they are highly highly competitive and I also believe you must go back and finish the remaining time left on the contract that "ended" when you start going to school. I think that's how it was done.

quote [but every silver lining's got a touch of gray hehe

-Robert Hunter

Brian,

Ok here goes. From 1994 to 2000 I was a Basic Training Instructor for the Air Force so you can take this as the truth. OTS is for people with a 4 year degree and as stated above is 13 weeks but only halve is basic training type stuff. BMT is for enlisted and you still have to pass your ASVAB test to get in as well as the physical (MEPS). It is now 8.5 weeks and you will learn all the basic stuff such as marching customs and courtesies but also you will now have to do the B.E.A.S.T which stands for Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training. You will dropped at a bare bones base and will have to set it up, command it, and defend it. The Air Force has taken on many non-traditional roles as of late and have to know how to handle themselves in a combat situation (granted some don't need to know how to go downtown and kick in doors but I would say we are not far from that as well).Any question feel free to PM me and I'll answer your questions.

Shelby

Depending on your MOS you had in prior service you may be able to go in the army.

The AF are not taking ANY prior service enlistees currently (enlisted , I am not sure about officer)

In order to go to OTS you must have a bachelors degree or higher, from an accredited university.

Consider ROTC if you have no degree its the best way to get in if you are prior service.

[This message has been edited by htexans1 (edited 07-29-2010).]

quote Originally posted by ARFiero: Brian, Ok here goes. From 1994 to 2000 I was a Basic Training Instructor for the Air Force so you can take this as the truth. OTS is for people with a 4 year degree and as stated above is 13 weeks but only halve is basic training type stuff. BMT is for enlisted and you still have to pass your ASVAB test to get in as well as the physical (MEPS). It is now 8.5 weeks and you will learn all the basic stuff such as marching customs and courtesies but also you will now have to do the B.E.A.S.T which stands for Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training. You will dropped at a bare bones base and will have to set it up, command it, and defend it. The Air Force has taken on many non-traditional roles as of late and have to know how to handle themselves in a combat situation (granted some don't need to know how to go downtown and kick in doors but I would say we are not far from that as well).Any question feel free to PM me and I'll answer your questions. Shelby

I'm guessing the BEAST replaced Warrior Week then? Thus being what made BMT 2 weeks longer (or part of the reason?)

htexans, on a technicality, I'm not considered a prior service enlistee. When I left in 04, I was given an ELS. Was only in San Antonio for about 3 weeks of training. Kicking myself for not staying in today, I'd have finished my 6 year contract this past February...

Having had almost 6yrs in the Army I'll give you my nickles worth of free advice.

1. Enlist as a private
2. Learn your MOS and become the best you can at it, if possible learn two MOS's
3. After you've been to the promotion board and your first NCO school start your application for OCS

You'll be a better officer that way.

Nick

No matter which branch and path you go, you need to know you will see either Iraq or Afghanistan at least once during your tour.

I figure as much Hulki. My buddy just got sent in to Afghanistan last week from Germany. Dumbass went Army Infantry

Drop me a PM when ya get a moment with your phone number, I seem to have lost it. I've got questions hehe

quote Originally posted by Xerces_Blackthorne: htexans, on a technicality, I'm not considered a prior service enlistee. When I left in 04, I was given an ELS. Was only in San Antonio for about 3 weeks of training. Kicking myself for not staying in today, I'd have finished my 6 year contract this past February...

Yes, BEAST replaced Warrior Week.

I apologize. "Bad service on your part" was not what I was inferring. Sorry [if ] it came out that way. "Prior Service" covers anyone regardless of RE code on your 214. It seems the military wants to spend more money training then letting us reenter the service.

quote Originally posted by htexans1: Yes, BEAST replaced Warrior Week. I apologize. "Bad service on your part" was not what I was inferring. Sorry [if ] it came out that way. "Prior Service" covers anyone regardless of RE code on your 214. It seems the military wants to spend more money training then letting us reenter the service.

Ah, its ok Didn't figure you meant anything bad by that.

From what they explained when I separated, and entry level separation is almost like I was never there, and for all intensive purposes I wasn't. I don't qualify to claim vet status, etc because it was a separation, and not a discharge (per se).