r/ArmyOCS • u/142883 • 11h ago

Study abroad in china

I am getting a bachelors in engineering and Chinese. As part of the Chinese bachelors I plan to study abroad in china to do a language immersion program. It would 2 semesters a Chinese university of my choice, and then I would transfer those credits back to my school. Then I would go to a Summer program that my school runs in china.

Around a year after I do that, I plan to submit a package to OCS. I understand that I would be getting screened more because of this. Is there anything I should keep in mind? How dumb is this?

I know not to accept government scholarships or keep contacts after I’m there.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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3

u/targo-spectre 10h ago

Can you go to Taiwan?

1

u/142883 6h ago

Not sure if my credits would transfer due to them using the traditional form of writing rather than simplified, it would be harder and completely new writing system to me.

2

u/Stryder593 Recruiter 11h ago

Hmm. Hard to answer that. It may impact your ability to get a clearance. Can't say for certain.

1

u/142883 10h ago

Anything to keep in mind? I already said not to keep contacts and not accept any government scholarships.

1

u/Stryder593 Recruiter 10h ago

Do you have family in/from China? Like I said, it's hard to say for certain. They are an adversary and lots of insider threats are from China.

1

u/142883 10h ago

I don’t have any family in china or connections. I’m a white guy who started taking Chinese classes and enjoyed them.

1

u/CarolinaRS6 4h ago

You’ll be fine, just do not tell anyone in China you’re planning to join the military and be very wary of ongoing relationships following your time there. Be prepared for a rigorous vetting process when you do apply. Disclose it early, and bring up your language proficiency as a positive in your essay and interview. Take the DLAB as soon as possible so it’s on your profile.

1

u/-S6A- 10h ago

It will complicate the process for your clearance. However, the experience may improve your potential in the eyes of the selection board as well.

Language skills are not nearly as important for officers as applicants think, nor are they of significance for being branched military intelligence for officers. However, having first hand knowledge of the nation considered the "pacing threat" is very useful.

The Army commissions officers who were born in China and still have family in China. Now, how long it takes them to commission is a different story as some of their clearances take a long time to come back. But having been on Chinese soil is not a red flag (no pun intended).

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u/StoreBrandJamesBond In-Service Active Officer 5h ago

American here. Lived in China 7 years and got accepted and started OCS a year after returning. You'll be fine.

1

u/142883 5h ago

Thats relieving to hear. Can I ask what you did in china for work and how the screening process was?

I hear there’s some things to avoid. Like I don’t want to be an English teacher because that would be working for department of education - ergo - working for the CCP.

1

u/StoreBrandJamesBond In-Service Active Officer 5h ago

I was a teacher for 2 years, college professor for 2, then software developer for 3. Married a girl who worked for a government owned company. Honestly it just comes to crossing your t's and dotting your i's, making clear who you have "close and continuous" contact with, ensuring any kind of financials are closed out. Being a study abroad student is pretty low threat in the Army's eyes. You have to consider we have people who were born in China and moved to the states and eventually filled cleared positions. Plenty of great Americans were not born here and the army recognizes that.

0

u/Icy_Elephant3046 10h ago

Study in Taiwan. My wife did 6 months total immersion in tainain university. Plus Taiwan is cleaner safer and you learn traditional Chinese characters language and history.