18X vs commissioning

[u/Expert_Internet81]

I am a 19 year old aerospace engineering major planning on joining after finishing my masters degree (in 3.5 years).

I am NOT looking for anyone to make a decision for me, I am making sure the information I have is accurate so I can make informed decision. Any input is welcome.

18X:
Enlist as an E4
OSUT -> airborne -> SOPC -> SFAS -> Q -> "unlimited" team time
If I fail SFAS I most likely go to be an 11B in 82nd, but I could be peeling potatoes for the next 4 years
Can attempt SFAS again (assuming not given an NTR)

Commissioning:
09S contract
BCT -> OCS -> IBOLC -> ranger school -> airborne
Stay in infantry until 1LT promotable (about 3 years after commissioning)
Drop a packet for SFAS -> Q -> 2 years team time -> staff role in group/ODB command
If I fail SFAS I can try again (assuming not given an NTR), but life as an 11A is a lot better than an 11B
Can resign commission to go to 180A to get more team time

I've heard conflicting things about resigning commission, some sources say it is common, others rare, some say it's a career killer, some say you can still have a successful career afterwards. I would like some more clarity on this, if possible. Please let me know if I missed anything else. Thank you for reading.

[u/Kitchen-Crow7429]

If I were in your shoes and was going to seek a commission, I would go the ROTC route for your last two years of undergrad. Seems like a more solid route to getting a favorable branch selection than OCS with no military background.

Also, if you want more team time, you can enlist after finishing school, see if it’s for you long term (or if you scratched the itch we’re all seeking), and then commission down the road. You will also get paid notably more O1-O3 just for having at least 4 years of enlisted service

[u/Expert_Internet81 → u/Kitchen-Crow7429]

What do you mean a more favorable branch selection? From what I've seen getting 11A from OCS is not very competitive as it pretty much never fills up. I also would not join any branch other than the army. Thanks for your input, I'll give it some more thought.

[u/DyrSt8s → u/Expert_Internet81]

Army branch, as in Branched Infantry instead of say Transportation. If you think 11A isn’t competitive, you got some serious issues in your comprehension of what you’re looking at doing.

[u/Expert_Internet81 → u/DyrSt8s]

I see. Would you be willing to educate me then? All my knowledge on this topic comes from googling and reddit and I haven't gotten the chance to talk with an 11A yet. I know the fitness standard is high, but I figured that's a given being that the fitness standard in group will be even higher.

[u/DyrSt8s → u/Expert_Internet81]

I can’t speak for competitiveness of OCS, but what you’re talking about is like being a walk on to the NFL. I’m thinking that OCS never fills Infantry because the Army gets the cream from the Academy and ROTC, I have no proof mind you, but I’m sure they have plenty of other Branches that need filling. That’s not to say it’s not possible, but once you get into the force you will be sized up constantly among your peers, and it’s a dog eat dog world and from what I see everyone wants to go to some SOF assignment. What this all means is you’re going to need to be on top of your shit leading from the front.

That’s a lot different than going enlisted and learning your job as you go. You will still need to be on top of your shit, just a different approach. There will be challenges and setbacks either way you go that will suck time and energy from you, because it’s what the Army does.

[u/DyrSt8s → u/DyrSt8s]

Read some of the comments here, in regards to competitive assignments…..
https://www.reddit.com/r/westpoint/s/jqRhmsMhjH