How’s being an Officer ?

I went from E-1 to O-6, hence lived several MIL lifetimes in my 32 years in uniform. Like anything else, there are the goods and the bads. The objective is to create more goods. You do that by paying attention to the mission, your people, and your own sanity. I kept telling myself that I can't do NCO stuff anymore when I was an O-1/2. So what takes its place? Leadership at a different (NOT better) level. Over time there are some things that tend to help success and a whole slew of stuff that steers your command towards the toilet. It's better that you affirmatively choose success and every day steer that direction. Moreover it's about making your people successful. Do that right and you're fairly expendable. That's a good thing. Your reward will be more people to take care of and generally more risky activities the buck stops on your desk over. And then you'll have those pucker factor moments. I chose people over myself, hence wasn't competing for Flag. The Flag Club tended to give mission without force protection. That drove me nuts, and they'd hear about it. On the other hand, you help your people by making sure the dirtbags aren't around long. Those dirtbags will hate you every night at the bar. But, more people are kept alive and come home. Now there's leadership as an officer, then there is Capital C Command. That's responsibilities, authorities, worry, you name it on steroids. You either do good at it or not. The Nots out there tended to have a problem making sure they paid attention to the stuff that mattered and act quickly when needed. I wasn't a Not. I made sure officers that I pushed up for O-6 would do a better job than I on certain missions. They did and they moved on. One O-5 female who later made O-7 never forgot where she came from or who steered her in the right direction. They may wind up senior to you but they will forever see you as senior.

As for "highs", you'll see more of the "Big Picture" and feel more involved in the day-to-day operations of your parent unit. You'll have the honor of utilizing that knowledge to facilitate your command's goals, and improve the careers and lives of each solider thereof. As for "lows"... well, say goodbye to the days of being able to blame it all on "higher", because now, you "are". You'll still be given orders you don't agree with or even understand... and now, you'll be expected to take that to the NCOs you already know may have different thoughts on the matter. You'll be responsible for much, "in charge" of little, and there will likely be days you'd give just about anything to just be a "high private in the rear rank". The best officers I served with or under always gave more of themselves than they ever asked of anyone.

It's different. Not the same challenges i had enlisted. It was the right choice for me. Individual experiences may vary.