Does Officer in the National Guard offer more opportunities then an enlisted job?

2020-07-10T14:37:36-04:00

I scored pretty high on the ASVAB and have been given a choice to go to state OCS or go the enlisted route via the National Guard. My main goal is to land a job on the civilian side whether is be in law enforcement, three letter agencies, intelligence/signal or any other lucrative position. Do you think I would have more opportunities going the enlisted route as 25S or 35N (both have security clearances and appear to have a specific skill) or become an officer? In my mind the enlisted route seems to offer more opportunities because I get a hard skill, secret clearance and general military experience which most law enforcement agency like. However, most people I speak to say I should go officer because of the money. But keep in mind it is the guard and only part time. Although I will be making more money isn't a game changer. Am I thinking about this the wrong way?

Response by SFC Michael D. made Jul 10 at 2020 2:39 PM

2020-07-10T14:39:25-04:00

Depends on what opportunities you are looking for.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2020 2:52 PM

2020-07-10T14:52:25-04:00

having been on both sides, it's been my experience that the officer route offers more opportunities. fair or not, most of the times if you go into an interview, they are going to be more impressed by a CPT in the NG than they are a SSG or SFC.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jul 10 at 2020 3:19 PM

2020-07-10T15:19:40-04:00

Being an Officer will unlock more opportunities.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2020 4:48 PM

2020-07-10T16:48:19-04:00

BLUF-this is my enlisted opinion.

I always thought the officer cadre in any branch was more network-driven than enlisted personnel. It isn’t always what you know, but who.

If an employer that would know the difference (and any of the agencies you mentioned would) sees you are or were an officer, they will rightly assume you are a college graduate. Right or wrong, having a degree surmounts a significant barrier to entry.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Jul 10 at 2020 5:54 PM

2020-07-10T17:54:22-04:00

If you feel the enlisted gives you more opportunities to reach your goals as you mentioned, then stick to it. Make a plan, implement your plan, and follow up and reinforce your plan. It may be sexy to interview as a Captain, but if I were interviewing a person (as most civilians do),... it would be based on their skill set and experience. Good Luck...hoooah!!

Response by SGT Justin Brothen made Jul 10 at 2020 6:49 PM

2020-07-10T18:49:31-04:00

You can reach out the places you want to be employed by in the future and ask them as well. They will give you some good guidance.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 11 at 2020 7:16 PM

2020-07-11T19:16:35-04:00

Depends on the type of opportunities you're looking at. Same goes for AD, Reserves, etc. An enlisted with a specific MOS will see more opportunities for doing the MOS work, just at some strange location that you can or can't talk about. Officers are intended to be more broad based. I heard the term "network" from Staff Tony. Yes, but more. You have to understand the why of the network. When I was skippering or working a J Shop out at Pearl, something would come down. Yes we had a general idea of officer category, but the real question was "Who'd be real good at; won't screw it up; can fade back into; needs the seasoning; chomping at the bit; whatever. The network would know. If it didn't, they sure knew who to ask. When I was graduating out of college and moving from E-4 to O-1, I had no idea that my next step would be Antarctica. More interesting steps and places later. Then again when I became a soccer referee at the young age of 50, I never thought that would take me to Europe in the summers. Life will happen if you chase it vs. sitting back and waiting for whatever is left over.

Response by TSgt Kerry Hardy made Jul 13 at 2020 4:36 PM

2020-07-13T16:36:46-04:00

SPC Jeff Anthony - All depends if you want to be a manger or worker. As officer you plan and order personnel to preform a needed task. Enlisted do that task. If status is the goal then both have their advantages. As O-6 and above get better retirement and are treated almost like royalty but so are E-9s. If you want training to get better civilian job then enlist to warrant would be best options. As a former Police Officer, we liked enlist/WO as they would get their hands dirty. Had a few officer who would get in the trench with you but must officers would a management type position as that is what they are trained for. As a LE officer you would be trained to lead your company not drive a beat or investigate a crime...Just my 2 cents....

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2020 11:23 PM

2020-07-13T23:23:42-04:00

If you are looking into the intelligence field, you will get more out of the enlisted route. Intelligence Analysts make bookoo bucks with contractors like ManTech, Leídos, and Booz Allen Hamilton. I know guys who got out as E4s and make more than their brigade commander...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2021 11:24 PM

2021-07-13T23:24:26-04:00

Do 35M. You get training that only the army and one 3 letter agency can provide. Would really set you apart.