Should basic training be required for all officers (ROTC, OCS, etc)

They should not experience it, just to say they've experienced it, especially if they know they are "only visiting" the world of an enlisted Soldier....could easily lend to the idea of enlisted Soldier feeling patronized. An officer will not have the same struggles as an enlisted Soldier, they just wont, we shelter (for lack of a better term) many of out young officers to protect them from harming themselves....if you want to know how it is to serve as an enlisted Soldier, volunteer to serve as one, then go to the other side. There have been many very successful Officers after having served as an enlisted Soldier first.

I would think that OCS, OTS, ROTC or service Academy would be more than sufficient.

My view is, LT, that if you want to have a better understanding of your soldiers, talk to them. Ask about their experiences. A willingness to identify with those you command, I believe, is more so a choice than anything else.

Having been through Basic Training, I got a lot out of it and I think that officers who have never been fail to understand what it is like to be a private. I think it is important to understand what it is like to be at that worker level and a 2LT can never do that - you are starting as management. Understanding what it is like to be at the bottom lets you relate to them when you are in charge, not to mention he respect you garner. Too many officers are not interested in what it is like to be the guy who has to receive the orders or stand out in the freezing cold while the officers or NCOs make their decisions.

When I got off of AD, my first boss started me off on a drafting board even though I had an engineering degree for exactly the same reason. How can you supervise if you don't understand what it is like to be the worker?

I wouldn't make it mandatory, but I certainly would highly encourage Basic Training.