Army Officers
Lead the future.
Find out what it takes to stand among fearless leaders as an Army Officer.
Succeed as a leader.
As a commissioned Officer, you’re not only a leader who guides, problem-solves, and plans for upcoming missions, but you’re also empowered to make decisions that can have impact across the globe.
- Lead with authority and respect
- Apply leadership skills and expertise
- Conduct real-world missions
- Train and mentor junior Soldiers
Ways to become an Army Officer.
If you’re pursuing a college education or already have your degree, you have options to earn a commission as an Officer.
Graduate college as an Officer with ROTC.
Earn college scholarships, develop leadership skills, and advance your military career while on campus with the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).
- Graduate with a secure career as a commissioned Officer
- Start at the rank of second lieutenant
- Complete Officer training and other certifications during the summer
Attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Prepare to lead while earning a degree from the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
- Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in an immersive military environment
- Receive a funded college education and annual stipend of $10,000+
- Enter the Army as a values-driven leader
Train in Officer Candidate School.
Officer Candidate School (OCS) is an intensive program designed for enlisted Soldiers and civilians with college degrees to earn a commission to become an Officer.
- Join the Army’s 12-week Officer training program
- Utilize your undergraduate degree to advance in rank
- Refine your leadership skills and gain the opportunity to lead Soldiers
Advance in rank as an Officer.
Your rank as a commissioned Officer indicates not only your pay grade, but also the amount of responsibility you hold.
Second Lieutenant to Major
Start by leading platoon-sized units of 16 to 44 Soldiers in entry-level leadership roles, working your way up to as many as 190 Soldiers as a Captain or battalion-level operations as a Major.
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant (2nd Lt.) is the entry-level rank for most commissioned Officers.
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant (1st Lt.) has served 18 to 24 months and leads specialized weapons platoons or serves as Executive Officer to company commanders.
Captain
Captain (Capt.) commands and controls company sized units alongside a principal NCO assistant, known as a First Sergeant.
Major
Major (Maj.) oversees brigade and task force command for personnel, logistical, and operational missions.
Lieutenant Colonel to General
Advance in rank to lead battalion- and brigade-sized units of anywhere between 300 and 3,200 Soldiers, to eventually lead division-sized units of 10,000 to 16,000 Soldiers.
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) commands battalion-sized units with a command sergeant major.
Colonel
Colonel (Col.) is usually the chief of divisional-level staff agencies and commands brigade-sized units.
Brigadier General
Brigadier General (Brig. Gen.) serves as deputy commander to the commanding general for Army divisions.
Major General
Major General (Maj. Gen.) often commands division-sized units of 10,000 to 16,000 Soldiers.
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General (Lt. Gen.) usually commands corps-sized units of 20,000 to 40,000 Soldiers.
General
General (Gen.) is a senior-level commissioned Officer with over 30 years of service and experience.
EARN A DIRECT COMMISSION.
Apply your knowledge and skillset to a career with meaning. A direct commission appoints civilians with professional experience directly to an Officer rank.
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Utilize your professional expertise to become a leader in the Army
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Join a mission with a purpose
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Work in state-of-the-art facilities around the world
BECOME AN EXPERT AS A WARRANT OFFICER.
As an enlisted Soldier, you have endless opportunities to rise through the ranks and advance your career. If you want to become a technical expert in your field and a highly-respected leader, the Army Warrant Officer path could be right for you.
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Demonstrate expert technical skills
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Get recruited to apply to Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) after two years of service
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Serve as an advisor on specialized and strategic missions as a Warrant Officer
GROW BEYOND YOUR SERVICE.
When you’re an Officer in the Army, the ability to grow your career doesn’t stop. You can have a fulfilling lifelong career with many opportunities for training and advancement. Becoming an Officer will also help you if you decide to enter the civilian workforce, as employers place a high value on workers who can lead others in challenging situations.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP.
Find out more about becoming a Soldier and if a career in the Army is right for you.
Common questions about Army Officers.
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How long does it take to become an Officer?
How long does it take to become an Officer?
It depends on which path you choose. If you choose to become an Officer through the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) or the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, you’ll become an Officer after completing four years of college. Through Officer Candidate School (OCS), you’re commissioned as an Army second lieutenant after completing a brief enlistment period and the 12-week course, but you’ll still need to earn a four-year degree from an accredited university.
If you join through direct commission, you’re automatically an Officer when you enter the Army, but your commission may still be dependent upon completion of specific courses and certifications related to your specialty.
What is the salary like for Army Officers? Are there additional benefits?
What is the salary like for Army Officers? Are there additional benefits?
Army Officer salaries are generally comparable with mid- to senior-level corporate executives. However, when you consider additional benefits like free health care for full-time Soldiers, as well as allowances for housing and food, opportunities to get an advanced degree without incurring debt, 30 days paid leave every year, and more financial benefits, the Army is more competitive than similar civilian careers.
Do I need a college degree to become an Army Officer?
Do I need a college degree to become an Army Officer?
Yes, the one basic requirement to become an Officer is that you must have a bachelor’s degree—not necessarily at the start of the process, but by the time you’re commissioned as an Officer. If you don’t have a degree yet, the Green to Gold program is a way for enlisted Soldiers to earn a commission as an Army Officer after completing a bachelor’s degree or a two-year graduate degree.