How to become a military finance officer?

I'm considering a career as a military finance officer after high school. What are the steps to joining the military in this role? Is there specific education or training required?

To become a military finance officer, there are several steps you will need to go through, which often include getting a bachelor's degree, completing Officer Candidate School or Officer Training School, and then specific training for your desired role. Here's a rough road map:

1. Pursue a Bachelor's Degree: Although the minimal education requirement for officers in the military is high school, specialized roles such as a finance officer often require a bachelor's degree. You might want to major in a field like accounting, finance, economics, or business administration.

2. Take the Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Officer Training School (OTS) Route: These programs are designed to transform you from a civilian or an enlisted service member into a leadership role. The exact length and location of the training varies depending on the branch, but typically, the programs are approximately 10-12 weeks long.

3. Completing Basic Officer Leaders Course (BOLC): This is where you will receive specific training for your role as a military finance officer. The BOLC for finance officers introduces you to systems, practices, procedures, and application of military finance in the Department of Defense. The course length varies but is around 16 weeks.

4. Get Commissioned: After completing Officer Candidate School or Officer Training School, you will get commissioned as a second lieutenant.

In addition, maintaining high physical fitness standards and demonstrating leadership skills are crucial at every step of the process. Remember, each military branch has slightly different requirements and processes, so it's a good idea to contact a recruiter from the branch you are interested in to get the most accurate information.