Posted on Apr 22, 2019
In your experiences, specifically Army, what percentage of officers were mustangs?
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I’m going to WP through the prior enlisted admissions and was curious on how many mustang officers have been encounterd from more experienced people than myself.
Mustangs
Prior Service
Experience
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
During Vietnam, my guess it was 20%. After the war & RIFs, I'd say 1%. A fourth of the NCOs in my unit in 1975 were former Officers. Most were former aviators and bird dog pilots. I believe there was a stigma of being a Mustang in the Army. Today, I wouldn't have a clue. However, there will be a reduction in force which the mustangs might be the first to go.
CPT Lawrence Cable
The Ring Knockers always have had the biggest advantage, no matter Army, Navy or Air Force. However, once you get to that Major rank, it does seem the Army is less concerned about how you got your first bar than how you performed as a Captain and Major. A surprising number of very senior officers in the Service were prior enlisted. Tommy Franks, Mattis, Alfred Gray, Larry Welch and Shakilashvili (If I spelled that right I am truly amazed) were all enlisted folks starting out.
In my sixteen years in the US Army I was aware of 3 direct commissions from the ranks. In my two years in the British Army I met dozens, as it is a common practice to promote senior warrant officers (British Regimental Sergeants Major) to 2LT and move them to staff positions when their tours at Battalion or Regiment are over.
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