There’s more than one path to become a U.S. Army officer that few people may know about

After more than six months, Brandon Westcott can finally relax, but only for a short while. Westcott, a December 2016 UTEP graduate, submitted his Officer Candidate School packet for the United States Army in February. A physical, five recommendation letters, physical training test, and an interview later, he finally received the answer he was hoping for: Accepted. “Usually most people who want to become an army officer do ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Course) or go to a military institute like West Point,” Westcott said. “I did ROTC for one semester at UTEP but couldn’t stay in and keep my minor of Intelligence and National Security Studies because ROTC has to be made your minor.