Posted on Mar 10, 2014
Do prior enlisted service members make better officers?
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I've talked with many officers throughout my career. I've noticed most have the ability to effectively lead and guide enlisted members. Most (not all) of the officers I've seen who are truly among the best are prior enlisted. Do you think being enlisted contributes to the leadership effectiveness of officers?
Training
Enlisted
Officers
Military Career
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 109
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Another observation I can share from my career. When I reported to the Officer's Basic Course I was older, married, with a child on the way. My contemporaries from ROTC and West Point were younger and didn't have a clue about what the real Army was all about. Four years later when many of them returned for the Officer Advanced Course they were much more mature and probably, better officers. Just my two cents.
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I enlisted to pay for my education and to provide experience for when I become an officer. I'd hope it has some positive impact.
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I believe the mustang versus non-mustang distinction really applies to the Company grade officer levels (2LT thru CPT and WO1 thru CW2). Once an officer moves into the field grade levels (not including the few green tab/line unit command positions are still available in a downsizing military), the focus becomes management and the mission focus moves from tactical and the "eaches". It is at this level, leader effectiveness is measured more by the analytical and academic acumen an officer has acquired (echelons above realty staff work). Officer performance is measured more on analytical skills acquired at schools and on the job, and hopefully the mustang has had the opportunity to develop his/her staff officer skill set. Mustangs that don't have the four year commissioning/education background have major challenges to contend with. Many have to balance the mission, family, and their "night school". It is a very "tough row to hoe".
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Capt Jeff S.
Also, the experience the prior enlisted have becomes less and less a factor as the other officers gain experience and catch up. Being prior enlisted there is a part of me that doesn't want to admit it, but being as objective as possible, I have no choice but to admit that by the time officers make Major, most of the bad ones have been weeded out and the difference, if any, is much harder to tell.
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SFC Seth King
Absolutely! As an NCO, I sometimes feel I can lead this platoon or company better than the lieutenant or the captain. It even crossed my mind to commission years ago, but then I thought what happens if I'm selected as a battalion commander or brigade commander. Do I really want to make decisions that will affect the lives of that many soldiers or the success/failure of a mission? It takes a special kind of person to be able to lead at that magnitude, that's why I decided to stay a noncommissioned officer and advise... and it's nice to be where the rubber meets the road.
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Sometimes bad influences and learned behaviors follow. Experience wins the day. I would have to say it depends on the level of experience. I have seen a SP4/2LT who was useless despite 2 deployments as an enlisted SM. I have also seen a SP4/2LT who rocked the house and ended up as acting CO. Prior service helps but it is not the be all/end all (In the 2nd instance LT was a stellar troop who worked her tail off then went OCS)
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I do fall into that category. I spent the better part of three enlistments telling myself that I could better serve my fellow soldiers by becoming the best NCO I could and reteach what I learn along the way. At almost the last minute I changed my mind and went for OCS, made it & hope that those I worked with believe I made a good choice. It really put me up-side-down TIG/TIS wise, but I did my best. I knew what it felt like as enlisted. I tried to use that knowledge to the situations best advantage when I could. Did I perform like a great officer - if I have to be honest - no, but I believe I did perform like a good officer to the best of my ability. Learning leadership from both sides of the fence helped me be a better person I think. I don't believe there is one right answer to your question, but think that there are officers who come up the ladder and do a good job leading troops. Seems the majority opinion here is murky & the jury may still be out on this one.
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I think there would pros and cons to being a prior enlisted officer. As to whether they make better officers, I can't really say yet.
I know that a friend of mine who's a firearms instructor has said many times he would rather have someone that knows nothing about firearms on his range than someone who has had firearms training. His reasoning is that the person who knows nothing has a propensity to be more open to his type of training. A person with prior training has to, many times, unlearn bad habits before they're able to learn new good habits.
Likewise, this could be a challenge for officers who are prior enlisted. The job of an officer isn't the same as the job of an NCO. So coming at their new reponsibilities with the same mindset could be something they have to overcome. This means they have to take the time to unlearn the NCO mindset, or at least backseat it, so they are focusing on the objectives that they should be focusing on.
On the other hand, an officer who was prior enlisted already knows the system. They can leverage that general Army experience and knowledge and be far ahead of a new officer coming out of college. Understanding the mindest of junior enlisted and NCO's can set the prior service officer up to be more successful.
I haven't even discussed the individual characteristic variables like ego, personality, and trainability. Once you put stir that into the batter, it turns into a crapshoot.
So yes I think that prior service officers can make better officers. I also think they can make worse ones...depending.
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LTC Paul Labrador
I think the biggest advantage that being prior service officer brings is simply maturity. A due course officer is typically 21-22 years old when commissioned. Still a kid to most folks. A prior service officer is usually at least 3-4 years older. Those 3-4 years makes a difference.
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SGT Richard H.
LTC Paul Labrador That is an excellent point. The difference in maturity between a 22 year old and a 25 or 26 year old is huge.
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I would have to say that in general, yes they do. I was lucky and always had good PL's but 2 out of the 4 during my time were prior enlisted and they were superb. I think they have a better understanding of the military machine that allows them to more effectively handle the various situations that arise.
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It really depends on the individual's personal work ethic and character. I've had Green to Gold peers who were stellar, and some who were only out for themselves. Additionally, some of my classmates who had no military background were some of the most dedicated people that I've met.
My personal opinion is that knowledge of how the military works is a teachable concept, but having good character isn't and that it's something that an individual has to realize for themselves.
My personal opinion is that knowledge of how the military works is a teachable concept, but having good character isn't and that it's something that an individual has to realize for themselves.
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I've seen stellar Officers from both the pure breed Officer community and the prior enlisted community. On the flip side, I've encountered absolute garbage officers from both walks of life. I'd like to say that for the most part, being prior enlisted gives you a leg up on things, however you still have a lot to learn in becoming, acting, and thinking like an Officer. Prior enlisted Officers tend to be a little more abrasive than their pure blooded counter-parts. Either way, I've seen 4 Star Officers who were prior enlisted who obviously were a cut above the rest. I also know a pure blooded Naval Academy grad who I believe will be the CNO one day.
In summary, it's the person wearing the rank that makes a good Officer. Each person is different and past experiences don't necessarily make you any more or less qualified than someone else.
In summary, it's the person wearing the rank that makes a good Officer. Each person is different and past experiences don't necessarily make you any more or less qualified than someone else.
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