Posted on Oct 13, 2017
SPC Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman)
30.1K
92
33
11
11
0
I have completed two years of undergrad as a double major in pre med and software development with a goal to eventually design the software to run surgical robotics. I am currently an E4 reporting to fort Campbell in November. I attended APSU in the same town as Campbell, should I try to finish my degree on my own time or shoot for the green to gold path?
Avatar feed
Responses: 12
MAJ Alvin B.
8
8
0
That is an individual decision and choice. Examine all of your options, challenges, pros and cons, to include what your pension will be (e.g. E7 vs O4, or E8 vs O5), and talk to those who have made the transition. Personally, I chose to go enlisted to commissioned, fully appreciative of what I learned as an NCO, and of what I was able to do as an officer. Good luck!
(8)
Comment
(0)
LCDR Retired
LCDR (Join to see)
7 y
Your response has my vote, Major!
(2)
Reply
(0)
MAJ Alvin B.
MAJ Alvin B.
>1 y
Many thanks
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
MAJ Bryan Zeski
8
8
0
Green to Gold. You only need two years. You'll have dedicated time to study and not have to try and "fit it in" on your own time. Even if you DID do it on your own time, you'd have another year of OCS to actual get where you want to be.

Green to Gold - 2 years until commissioning.
On your own - 3+ years.

Do you want to start your Officer career sooner? Or later?
(8)
Comment
(0)
SPC Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman)
SPC (Join to see)
7 y
MAJ Bryan Zeski - I am in 1st squadron 3rd armored cavalry regiment out of fort hood, I recently reenlisted for 2nd brigade 101st in fort Campbell and will be reporting next month. I will definitely check into their program there since the university I attended before college is merely a 10 minute drive off post (very convenient to be going home)
(2)
Reply
(0)
MAJ Bryan Zeski
MAJ Bryan Zeski
7 y
SPC (Join to see) - If you want to go, find that gtg recruiter as soon as you arrive! If you're lucky, you might be able to get approved and start ROTC next fall.
(3)
Reply
(0)
CPT Company Commander (Hhc, Cyber Protection Brigade)
CPT (Join to see)
7 y
Good advice MAJ Bryan Zeski!
(1)
Reply
(0)
SGT Intelligence Analyst
SGT (Join to see)
4 y
Scrolling through this post and I was unaware of the G2G Hip pocket scholarship. I love your advice that there’s no time like the present to start the career path as an officer. I’ve considered waiting until I made E-6 then I realized I’d rather invest my “golden years” into my career as an officer.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
LCDR Vice President
8
8
0
My view is based on my "one less idiot rule" no different then when I pull up to a red light and get in the shortest lane. As I moved up the ladder there was one less idiot I had to worry about. Plus the pay is better.
(8)
Comment
(0)
LCDR Retired
LCDR (Join to see)
7 y
Well, I reckon I did make the same observations. However, NOT all officers are that easy to get along with either. I will admit most are, despite the power trips some are on. I found more power trips when I was a low-level enlisted person.
(2)
Reply
(0)
SPC Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman)
SPC (Join to see)
7 y
This is actually a wonderful way to view this. I've had great leaders and I've had the not so great ones. I see it as also the "idiot behind me" because I am young but I am mature compared to my peers, the others in my generation honestly scare me for the future of the army.
(3)
Reply
(0)
SP5 Larry Morris
SP5 Larry Morris
7 y
I hope it's better now then in Viet Nam hated most Officers just getting there ticket pounded
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close