Do you wish you could have went the ROTC route after Basic training?

2017-11-28T12:48:29-05:00

I'm currently a Infantryman in the Montana National Guard. I have talked to multiple NCO's about if they could have done ROTC, most said they would go back and do it. But with little experience I've had with civilian (cadets) I don't think I could handle there know it all attitude. So would you grunts/enlisted soldiers go back and do it.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Nov 28 at 2017 12:52 PM

2017-11-28T12:52:04-05:00

PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member: I do, indeed, wish that I had attended ROTC; rather than go through Basic Training. I believe that I would be an Officer; were I to attend West Point. -Margaret

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2017 12:52 PM

2017-11-28T12:52:45-05:00

Hell no. I love my stripes too much to trade them in for brass.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2017 1:00 PM

2017-11-28T13:00:11-05:00

I did, as a SNCO; and tell all Soldiers to aspire to greatness. Some are perfect for CSM, and thrive in the NCO Environment. Others are more technical, and enjoy doing a certain thing and could see themselves away from the line but like to support the line-for those I suggest being a warrant. For those that see themselves as managers, like to set the tone and also see themselves I. Positions that they consider a greater impact(self proclaim d of course NCOs :) and believe that they can do better than there pLs and PSGs-becoming an Officer May bbe st fit. All avenues re Worthy endeavors, it boils down to the individual and the opportunities presented. If you can, DO; if you can’t, help others in achieving there highest potential in our Army. For me, as an NCO, I told many of my Soldiers to think about WO and or RLO and have them a pathway and map to get there.for those I knew had what it took to be a 1SG orCSm, it was about inspiring the. To achieve it. In the end, you must decide but never have regrets...if you have them, or think you may-maybe you are destined for an alternate path Payton!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2017 1:01 PM

2017-11-28T13:01:02-05:00

I was enlisted prior to going through ROTC. I can tell you that the "know-it-all" attitude is not a cadet thing. It's a military thing. And it's probably a human thing if you want to get right down to it. Most of the guys in my ROTC class looked up to those that had prior service and rarely did anyone try to play stump the chump with us. I don't know what all you have done so far in your time in the NG but you are probably not much father along than cadets. I don't mean that to be insulting, it just takes time to acquire experience and you've had little time to do it. You'll have more time in some areas than them for sure, but not a lot probably. Plus, you've probably received very little training as an E-2 in things like writing OPORDS and whatnot. So if the officer thing is something you're interested in, don't let learning with cadets get in the way of that.

Response by SPC David Willis made Nov 28 at 2017 1:05 PM

2017-11-28T13:05:16-05:00

It depends. If you like hard life, getting into fights with/against your brothers, drinking way too much, picking up strippers, throwing parties in the barracks, throwing it all up at 0400 and running it off at 0600 stay enlisted. If you like sipping earl grey with your pinky up while discussing the finer, more subtle points of Moby Dick, reading playboy for the articles, and never missing the interpretive dance sections of ice skating at the winter Olympics go officer. :P

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Nov 28 at 2017 1:44 PM

2017-11-28T13:44:47-05:00

No the two best jobs in the Army: Squad leader and First Sergeant can not be held by ocifers only Sergeants get that honor.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 28 at 2017 1:58 PM

2017-11-28T13:58:24-05:00

I spent 3 yrs in ROTC, then cause Vietnam was shutting down, they cut my scholarship, so I enlisted. I turned down OCS on 4 different occasions .Several of my good friends and former Commanders (O6/O7's)said that if I had stayed the course or gone the OCS rout, they would be saluting me. I was perfectly happy being a SNCO. Damn few Officer calls, no flipping Mandatory Luncheons parties at the CG's/Cdr's house, etc. I also did not have to be tied to the book all the time.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2017 7:33 PM

2017-11-28T19:33:14-05:00

I learned a lot and had a lot of fun during my enlisted days and I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I do wish I would have commissioned earlier in my career. I'm around 16 years total time in service but I only commissioned a little over a year ago. I'm more than a decade older than many of my rank peers. If I could do it over again I would have commissioned after I got back from Iraq in 2004 when I was young buck sergeant. A buddy and I actually started to get our packets together at the time but I didn't go through with it. I lost track of him over the years but he's probably about to become a Major while I'm a butter bar. Of course if I went that route I never would have met my awesome wife and she's easily the best thing to ever happen to me so I guess it all worked out.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Nov 28 at 2017 11:56 PM

2017-11-28T23:56:15-05:00

Depends what you want to do. There is quite a cultural difference between O and E's. Also, duties and responsibilities are quite different. I went from E-3 to Academy to Junior officer than RIFed at my five year commitment point. My Academy class was too large for the available billets. Someone had to go. If I stayed enlisted, I probably would have retired as E-7/8. Officers cannot stay stagnant. It's up or out. As one moves up, the available billets greatly decreases. An officer may be better than God himself, but if God isn't needed at a specific place at a specific time, he has to return to the Pearly Gates.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2017 6:41 AM

2017-11-29T06:41:53-05:00

Isn't that faily common for people around that age? I encourage just about everyone to go as far as they can go. Why wouldn't you want the promotion and raise?