It's a big step, perhaps the biggest -- moving from an Enlisted to an Officer pay grade. Be sure you know about the programs available to you, and get the practice study you need for your aptitude tests.

Army Enlisted to Officer Commissioning Programs [Overview]

The U.S. Army offers enlisted soldiers several ways to earn a commission and join the Officer Corps. The following are descriptions of each of the Army Enlisted to Officer Programs:

USMA Westpoint

Officer Candidate School (OCS)

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

The Warrant Officer Appointment Process
The benefits of being an Army Warrant include extended career opportunities, worldwide leadership assignments, and increased pay and retirement benefits.

Navy Commissioning Programs: [Overview]

The Seaman to Admiral Program (STA)
The Seaman to Admiral Program (STA) is a commissioning program in which Sailors keep their benefits, pay, and privileges they receive as active duty members, while they receive a scholarship to attend college to obtain their degree and their commission as Naval Officers.

The Chief Warrant Officer Appointment Process
The Navy CWO Program Overview Chief Warrant Officers (CWOs) are enlisted members who have performed exceptionally in the enlisted ranks in various technical specialties. Chief Warrant Officer Programs are opened to Chief Petty Officers with at least 12 but no more than 24 years of naval service. Appointments are made to the permanent grade of Chief Warrant Officer.

The Limited Duty Officer Appointment Process
The LDO Program provides technically oriented commissioned officers to perform duties requiring the authority, responsibility and managerial skills of commissioned officers, but limited to broad enlisted occupational fields outside the normal development pattern of the unrestricted line, the restricted line or staff corps competitive categories.

Air Force Commissioning Programs: [Overview]

The U.S. Air Force offers Airmen several ways to earn a commission and join the Officer Corps. The following are descriptions of each of the Air Force Enlisted to Officer Programs:

Airman Education and Commissioning Program (AECP)

The U.S. Air Force Academy

Officer Training School (OTS)

Marine Commissioning Programs: [Overview]

The U.S. Marine Corps offers enlisted Marines several ways to earn a commission and join the Officer Corps. The following are descriptions of each of the Marine Corps Enlisted to Officer Programs:

Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP)

Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP)

Meritorious Commissioning Program (MCP) Reserve Enlisted Commissioning Program (RECP)

Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST)

Marine Option Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC)

Warrant Officer (Regular, Reserve, Gunner, and Recruiter) (WO)

United States Naval Academy (USNA)

The Marine Warrant Officer Appointment Process
To be appointed as a Marine WO, you must first meet the eligibility requirements, submit the WO application in accordance with SECNAVINST 1120.11a, and finally be selected by the WO Selection Board.

The Marine Limited Duty Officer Appointment Process
The LDO program is used to provide technically oriented officers to perform duties that are limited to specific military occupational specialties (MOSS), require authority and responsibility greater than that normally expected of a WO, require strong managerial skills, and are outside the normal development pattern for unrestricted officers or for which no unrestricted officers are available.

Coast Guard Commissioning Programs: [Overview]

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Pre-commissioning Program for Enlisted Personnel

Officer Candidate School (OCS)

Coast Guard Direct Commission Programs

The Chief Warrant Officer Appointment Process
While administrative and technical specialty expertise is required in many assignments, CWOs must be capable of performing in a wide variety of assignments that require strong leadership skills. Enlisted and officer experience provide these officers a unique perspective in meeting the Coast Guard’s roles and missions.