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Military Officer Careers: Stricter Requirements, Bigger Benefits

Only 16 percent of the people in the Armed Forces are officers, the ones responsible for leading more than a million enlisted officers across every occupational specialty. This includes:
  • Combat specialty officers who lead military operations and combat activities
  • Engineering, science, and technical officers work in space operations, environmental health and safety, computers, aerospace, and more
  • Managerial officers supervise functional areas of the military like accounting and finance
  • Human resource development officers handle recruitment, training, and placement.
  • Media and public affairs officers produce and present information about the military to the public
What Education Does a Military Officer Need?
You need at least a bachelor's degree to become an officer, however the military offers tremendous incentives to those wishing to further their education.

One popular option is to apply for one of the federal service academies that grant 4-year Bachelor of Science degrees. While enrolled, you receive free room and board, tuition, medical and dental care, and a monthly allowance. In exchange, you must serve for five years on active duty. To get accepted, you need good grades, test scores, and recommendations.

If you've already graduated from college, you can attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Officer Training School (OTS). These programs last several weeks and include intensive academic, physical, and leadership training.

Finally, almost any medical training qualifies you as a health care officer. You may also qualify for financial assistance for medical school if you agree to serve in the military afterwards.

Military Officer Salaries
Salaries range from $2,469.30 per month for 0-1 grade officers who have served less than two years, to $13,659 per month for 0-10 grade officers who have served over twenty years.
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