Which of the following is a requirement for Officer Candidate School eligibility?

• A. Must be a citizen of the United States.
• B. Must be a resident alien.
• C. Must have previously received a commission.
• D. Must be over 40 years old.

Answer: (A)

Citizenship status is the gatekeeper for officer commissioning. To be eligible for Officer Candidate School, you must be a United States citizen, as commissions come from the U.S. government and non-citizens aren’t eligible for an officer’s commission. Being a resident alien would not qualify, since citizenship is required to serve as an officer. You don’t need to have previously held a commission to attend OCS, and there is an age window for non-prior-service applicants, so being over 40 would typically exceed the limit. Naturalized citizens are eligible because they are U.S. citizens, which aligns with the requirement.