Best Company Commanders: West Point, ROTC or OCS?

I can honestly say that i have had company commanders from all 3 categories and I do not believe that it matters. It all depends on the individual commander regardless of what path they took to being commissioned. If an individual commander is all about themselves and obtaining the next higher position regardless of how they achieve it they are not going to be loved by the troops. It is hard to earn respect when you do not respect yourself.

Majority in my field were ROTC a few Anapolis. I like both equally. I always liked hearing the stories from the "Academy" that I got from the young Ensigns.

Whether it be ROTC, OCS, or a military academy, past PLs and CDRs who still stand out in my mind years later as superlative were always prior-service NCOs with 4-6 years of experience enlisted.

All three programs have benefits and downfalls. IMO it boils down to character and experience.

The best officers I knew while I was in were either OCS or ROTC.  They made more of an effort to get to know the soldiers they were working with.  The West Point officers I knew didn't seem to make the same effort, as if they were better than us peons.

Back in the day, the mid 70's to be exact, being Infantry and all, it was the common consensus that of the 3, the Direct Battlefield commision was by far the best. West Pointers knew it all and couldn't be taught, ROTC didn't know it all, but at least they (sometimes) could be taught, and OCS had the head knowledge, but not the experience. Fresh out of Basic, so to speak.Battlefield commisions, on the other hand, knew what to do, how to do it, and were capable of doing it. After all, they did survive Viet Nam. That was our choice to who we would follow.

Can't answer that question it's like asking who's a better 1SG, infantry, aviation or artillery NCOs? I've had many commanders throughout my career, I couldn't pinpoint the best of them, they all had positive affects on their soldiers career in their own way

Character, not source of commissioning determines who will be a great commander at any level. Some of the best commanders I served with never set foot in a service academy and some of the most arrogant officers I commanded came from the service academies. Then there were the Mustangs like me who came through enlisted commissioning sources, some good officers and some not so good officers.

ROTC. West pointers are overrated.

I never had an academy grad but I did have OCS, ROTC and prior service officers and they were all pretty good but different. The prior service ones seemed to be better at dealing with people at first but the others learned and turned out fine. No problems with any of them.

You forgot direct commission. But in reality I've seen and had great commanders in all of these and horrible ones in all of these. I will not generalize. Some will argue prior service are best, yet I've seen all too recent that that is not always the case. Trying to pick ones sets yourself up for generalizations and you will either not give someone a chance or give too much credit to some who probably shouldn't even be in.

They don't come from anywhere in particular.

You have great ones and lousy ones from all the venues listed.

As always, it comes down to the individual.

But FWIW, I've had 3 West Pointers, 1 OCS and 1 ROTC.

West Pointers were the snobbiest (is this even a word?) people I've ever met. 1 was all about the soldiers though, the other 2 all about their numbers and career progression.

The OCS was great, down to earth and balanced.

The ROTC one always seem more interested in showing how much smarter he was than everyone else. Until I proved him wrong.

For me the best Commanders are prior enlisted. They have a different perspective and empathy.

It depends on the person. Each brings a certain perspective and history into the military. I have met poor leaders and great leaders from each area. I do love the "Ring Knockers" of West Point!

All of the sources produce great B/C/T Commanders, all of them produce flops. I think a lot depends on their first 4-6 years in the Army, not where they commissioned from. By the time you get to B/C/T Command your experiences in the Army should have shaped you into more of the professional that you are expected to be than college did.
That said I will give my opinion based off my experience.
1. West Point- Generally as a B/C/T Commander these individuals are at the end of their commitment, and they do no know whether they are going to stay in or not. I have generally seen a lot of good action and a lot of bone-headed moves because they don't know what they want to do.
2. ROTC- Generally past their initial commitment by the time that they take the guidon. Very similar to the West Point explanation by the time that we get to this point in their careers.
3. OCS- Has generally not left the Soldier or NCO mindset out by the time that they get to B/C/T level, which can be a good thing or a bad thing.

All of the above. It's not the commissioning source that is important. It is the individiual ability of the person. All the commissioning source does is give you tools for your toolbox. It's up to YOU as the officer to use those tools effectively.

prior enlisted, followed by those who don't have their head up their ass.

I'm not sure if that is a question that can be answered accurately. It really depends on the type of unit and the Soldiers there to help groom the commander.

Though late in this thread, Ill keep it simple. Based off of 24 years experience both as a soldier and civilian.
1. OCS- Have the background and experience and are realistic to the needs and attitudes of enlisted soldiers and mission clarity. Never had a bad experience with these officers with the exception of 2.
Had a 2lt as a company co while working in airborne school. Admitted once that being an NCO helped. Had command and XO time before ever being a PL. Service academy officers at that rank would have been lost.
2. ROTC- Many prior service there. These officers tend to be level headed in part cause they have a bit more freedom than those in the service academies. Seemed to me they were able to pick up on things quickly.
3. West Point- May catch hell on this. Im a bit wary of this officers. There are exceptions but most Ive worked with tend to be arrogant, overzealous, not always open to ideas and the worst one looked down on the enlisted and those who weren't academy grads and lastly tend to know everything
Unlike the other two these officers tend to need to be schooled in everything once in a unit by not only higher officers but NCOs and enlisted alike. Case in point, While in OSUT at FTSill, We had 3 drill cadets in our battery. These were 3rd years or Seniors I believe. They eere withbus about a month. One in particular was vicious. Called the trainees Dummy, dropped us for any particular reason, was very negative but didnt contribute very much, very arrogant. I graduated, went to Airborne School then the 82nd Airborne, to Desert Sheild/Storm then back. About 6 months or so my Battery got a new 2lt. It happened to be the vicious drill cadet. He was acting like a very lost puppy. We recognized each other. In OSUT I was one of his main targets. He gave me a very worried look
I was a PFC at the time. Though ill admit it was disrespectful when I opened my mouth, I was mothy back then, but I walked up to him and outrightly said"Ive been to combat, have 12 Jumps, Whos the dummy now!" He said nothing and I walked off. He turned out while with us a good officer, he learned from those with the experience and we ended up getting along fine.
In general it isnt necessarily the school you went to, but your character, how well get along with others, adapting to the unit and missions, see the enlisted as people not undereducated, low class pawns and being a part of the team. The only thing that matters is that we all wear the same uniform and have a mission to do and as an officer no matter where you graduated from, youu show that you want to lead, take care of your people, we'll follow no questions asked. As a platoon, section, company etc, We all look good together or like crud together. What your alma mater is in the end, shouldnt matter. Its after you get your bar and in the real service where the real education begins. Best wishes to all who strive to be officers and be the best leaders they can.
Endnotes. My father was an enlisted active duty infantryman